On November 14, Florence, Arezzo and Empoli all open at once: the wooden stalls in Piazza Santa Croce, the Villaggio Tirolese in Piazza Grande and the 76 chalets spread between Piazza della Vittoria and Piazza Farinata degli Uberti. From there, the calendar of Christmas markets in Tuscany stretches all the way to Epiphany: Montepulciano and Lucca run until January 6, while the small towns light up their squares for a single weekend or for the long Immacolata weekend around December 8.
There are wooden stalls with crafts and Alpine food, farmers’ and artisans’ markets like the Fierucola, and smaller village festivals. Below you’ll find the full calendar first, then the markets grouped by area, each with its days, location and official website. Where the 2026 program hasn’t been released yet, we say so.
Christmas Markets in and Around Florence
In Florence, the longest-running Christmas market is the one in Santa Croce, open for more than a month. Then there are the two Fierucola dates, one day each, and just outside the city the Scandicci market, which you can reach by tram.
The Weihnachtsmarkt in Piazza Santa Croce
The wooden stalls of the Weihnachtsmarkt, the German-style Christmas market, are back in front of the basilica: more than fifty stands, with vendors coming from all over Europe. You can shop for handmade ornaments, crafts, clothing and small gifts, and eat holiday sweets and seasonal specialties with a hot drink in hand. Admission is free, and the program also includes activities for kids.
When November 14 – December 20, 2026
Where Piazza Santa Croce, Florence
Info feelflorence.it
The Fierucola dell’Immacolata
The Fierucola is the farmers’ and artisans’ market run by the Florentine association of the same name. On the Feast of the Immaculate Conception it fills Piazza della Santissima Annunziata with stalls of handmade, sustainable goods: this is the market to mark on your calendar if you want gifts straight from the people who make them. For farmers’ markets the rest of the year, see our guide to shopping for local food in Florence.
When Tuesday, December 8, 2026, 9 a.m.–7 p.m.
Where Piazza della Santissima Annunziata, Florence
Info lafierucola.org
The Fierucola di Natale
On Sunday, December 20, the Fierucola moves to Piazza Ognissanti, with natural, sustainable Christmas gifts from artisans and producers. It’s the last Sunday before Christmas, and Santa Croce closes the same day.
When Sunday, December 20, 2026, 9 a.m.–7 p.m.
Where Piazza Ognissanti, Florence
Info lafierucola.org
The Scandicci Christmas Market
The town of Scandicci has authorized wooden stalls in Piazzale della Resistenza, which you can also reach from Florence by tram. The authorized period runs from November 16 to December 28, but it doesn’t necessarily match the opening days: check the final calendar before you go.
When period authorized by the town: November 16 – December 28, 2026
Where Piazzale della Resistenza, Scandicci
Christmas Markets in Arezzo and the Valdichiana
The Villaggio Tirolese in Piazza Grande, Arezzo
This is the eleventh edition, and the official website bills it as the largest Tyrolean village in Italy: 34 wooden stalls in Piazza Grande, with vendors from Tyrol, Austria and Germany, plus the Baitine del Gusto, the food huts serving pork shank, würstel, polenta, pretzels, sausage sandwiches and craft beer. On the facades around the square, the Big Lights Show puts on its light projections.
All around it is the rest of Christmas in Arezzo: the Casa di Babbo Natale, Santa’s house, inside the Fortezza Medicea; the Choco Brick Lab in Palazzo della Fraternita dei Laici, two floors of brick-built creations made with Eurochocolate and Brick House; and on Sunday, November 29, the Comics Parade, with more than a hundred fairy-tale characters winding through the historic center. The market opens on Saturday, November 14, at 10 a.m. and closes on Sunday, December 27, at 8 p.m. The train station is less than 400 meters (about a quarter mile) from Piazza Grande.
When November 14 – December 27, 2026, Thursday to Sunday, 10 a.m.–9 p.m.; daily from December 17
Where Piazza Grande, Arezzo
Christmas in Castiglion Fiorentino
In this Valdichiana town, the stalls fill the Cassero area and the streets of the center, with crafts and local food specialties, and the visit also takes you past the monuments and the views over the valley. It opens only on specific days: every weekend in December, plus December 8 and Christmas Eve. It pairs well with Arezzo on a Saturday in December.
When December 5, 6, 8, 12, 13, 19, 20, 24, 26 and 27, 2026
Where Cassero area, Castiglion Fiorentino
Siena, Montepulciano and the Sienese Villages
The Mercato nel Campo in Siena
The Mercato nel Campo brings trade back to Piazza del Campo, the way it used to be: artisans, farmers and traditional local crafts, between the square and the Cortile del Podestà. It runs for five days, December 4 to 8, and it’s the market to pick if you care more about local produce and old trades than about Alpine-style stalls.
When December 4–8, 2026
Where Piazza del Campo and Cortile del Podestà, Siena
Info comune.siena.it
Natale a Montepulciano
Along with Lucca, this is the longest-running market: from November 21 to January 6, but only on the days listed in the official calendar. The organizers call it the largest in Central Italy, with wooden stalls set among the palazzos of the historic center and free admission. For kids there’s the Castello di Babbo Natale, Santa’s castle, with tickets sold online through Vivaticket.
The website also has a map of shuttles and parking: the one posted right now is from the 2025 edition, so it’s worth checking again closer to your trip.
When November 21, 2026 – January 6, 2027, on the days listed in the official calendar
Where historic center of Montepulciano
The Mercatini di Natale in Pienza
Over the Immacolata long weekend, December 5 to 8, stalls of crafts and gift ideas set up in the center of Pienza. The visit carries on in Piazza Pio II, over the views of the Val d’Orcia and in the town’s food shops. Montepulciano is open on the same days, and the two stops fit into the same day trip.
When December 5–8, 2026
Where historic center of Pienza
Info prolocopienza.it
The Radicondoli Christmas Market
Just two days, November 28 and 29, in the historic center of a small village near Siena. The Christmas Market brings together creative artisans, vendors and local producers, with food and entertainment. It’s the stop for anyone who prefers a quiet village to a big event.
When November 28–29, 2026
Where historic center of Radicondoli
Info visittuscany.com
Lucca, Pisa and Versilia
The Christmas Market in Piazza Napoleone, Lucca
Lucca’s Christmas market sets up in Piazza Napoleone from November 22 to January 6, with small handmade gifts. It’s the main market of Lucca Magico Natale: over the same period, other markets for crafts, food and antiques take turns in the squares and streets of the historic center.
This year the Villaggio di Babbo Natale, Santa’s village, moves to a new home at the Cavallerizza in Piazzale Verdi, at the foot of the city walls, with workshops, storytelling and music for kids; the IcePark moves next door too. At the Villa Reale di Marlia, Magico Natale opens the park with illuminated gardens, braziers, hot chocolate and vin brulé, the Italian mulled wine, plus Santa and his elves near the Palazzina dell’Orologio. At Palazzo Guinigi there’s an exhibition of the Lucca-born painter Antonio Possenti.
When November 22, 2026 – January 6, 2027
Where Piazza Napoleone; Villaggio di Babbo Natale at the Cavallerizza, Piazzale Verdi
Villa Reale December 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 19 and 20, 2–8 p.m.
Info turismo.lucca.it
The Christmas Markets in Pisa
Pisa’s 2026 program isn’t out yet. The Mercatini di Natale Pisa 2026 website lists Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, the Logge de’ Banchi and Piazza Garibaldi as locations, but gives two different start dates; the City of Pisa will publish the calendar of Christmas events. Better to wait for that before planning your trip.
When 2026 dates coming soon: the City of Pisa will publish the program
Where historic center of Pisa
Info event page on imercatinidinatale.it
The Christmas Markets in Pietrasanta
In Pietrasanta, the Christmas markets set up in the historic center of a town known for its sculpture, galleries and artisan workshops: the trip combines market stalls and art. Dates and locations for 2026 haven’t been released yet, so the town’s website is still the place to check.
When 2026 dates coming soon
Where historic center of Pietrasanta
Empoli, Castelfalfi and the Empolese Valdelsa
The Empoli Città del Natale Markets
Empoli sets up 76 chalets between Piazza della Vittoria and Piazza Farinata degli Uberti, with crafts, food specialties, sweets, vin brulé and gift ideas. The market is part of Empoli Città del Natale, which runs until January 10, 2027. The chalets, however, open only on certain days: weekends through December 20, the Immacolata long weekend and the last three days before Christmas.
When November 14 – December 24, 2026, 9 a.m.–8 p.m.
Open days November 14–15, 21–22, 28–29; December 5, 6, 7, 8, 12–13, 19–20, 22–23–24
Where Piazza della Vittoria and Piazza Farinata degli Uberti, Empoli
Natale a Castelfalfi (Montaione)
For four days, December 5 to 8, the village of Castelfalfi, in the municipality of Montaione, fills up with markets of local crafts and Christmas food specialties, with parades, roving performances and music in the streets and squares. Kids can meet Santa in his house.
Admission is free, but registration is required. As of November 4, bookings aren’t open yet: the website says they will open soon. With just four days and spots to reserve, it’s worth keeping an eye on the page.
When December 5–8, 2026, daily 11 a.m.–7 p.m.
Where Borgo di Castelfalfi, Montaione (province of Florence)
Admission free, registration required (bookings not open yet)
Info castelfalfi.com
The Natale Castellano in Castelfiorentino
In Piazza Gramsci, the Natale Castellano brings together a market of food and non-food goods, crafts and gift ideas, on nine days between late November and December 20. On December 5, 6 and 8 it’s open at the same time as Castelfalfi, so you can combine the two stops, away from the most beaten paths.
When November 28–29; December 5, 6, 8, 12, 13, 19 and 20, 2026
Where Piazza Gramsci, Castelfiorentino
Info comune.castelfiorentino.fi.it
The Prato Christmas Market
Natale al Giardino Buonamici
Giardino Buonamici, in the center of Prato, hosts a cozy Christmas market, open on five days in December. Pair it with a visit to the historic center, between the Duomo, the Castello dell’Imperatore and the local shops.
When December 8, 12, 13, 19 and 20, 2026
Where Giardino Buonamici, Prato
How to Choose the Right Christmas Market
For German- and Tyrolean-style wooden stalls, head to Santa Croce in Florence and to Arezzo. With kids, Arezzo and Montepulciano work well, with Santa in a fortress and in a castle, as do Castelfalfi with its Santa’s house and Lucca, with the village at the Cavallerizza and the park at Villa Reale. If you’re after farmers and artisans, go to the Fierucola or to the Mercato nel Campo in Siena; if you want a small town, pick Pienza, Radicondoli or Castiglion Fiorentino.
In Florence, for a Christmas afternoon with little ones, there’s also HZERO, the model railway museum.
Check the days before you set out. Santa Croce is open every day, but many markets open only on weekends or on specific dates, like Empoli, Castelfiorentino, Castiglion Fiorentino and Prato, and in Arezzo, before December 17, the stalls stay closed Monday through Wednesday.
