Florence
Florence in December 2026: Weather, Events, What to Do and Where to Stay
Quick answer: Florence in December is cold but pleasant (average highs around 10–11°C, lows around 2–3°C), with the Christmas market in Piazza Santa Croce from 14 November to 20 December 2026, lights in the city-centre streets and the tree in Piazza del Duomo, traditionally lit on 8 December. The busiest times are the 8 December long weekend (5–8 December 2026) and the days between Christmas and New Year; the weeks in between are the quietest. Remember that several museums close on 25 December and 1 January.
December is a special month to visit Florence: fewer tourists than in spring, monuments lit up at night, mulled wine in the squares. It is also the month of short days, sudden rain and holiday weekends that fill hotels weeks in advance. This guide helps you choose the right dates, know what weather to expect and plan what to do, day by day.
Weather in Florence in December
| December in Florence | |
|---|---|
| Average high | about 10–11°C (50–52°F) |
| Average low | about 2–3°C (36–37°F) |
| Rainy days | on average 8 to 12 |
| Daylight | short days: the sun sets in the late afternoon |
These are averages over recent years; a given December can be milder or colder. In practice you need a warm coat, comfortable waterproof shoes (the stone streets get slippery in the rain) and a small umbrella. In the evening the damp along the Arno is noticeable.
Tip: with short days, start early. Museums and churches in the morning, walks and squares in the early afternoon, markets and lights after sunset.
Dates to know in 2026
- 14 November – 20 December: Christmas market in Piazza Santa Croce, daily from 10am (until 10pm Monday to Thursday, until 11pm Friday to Sunday), free entry. Full details in our Florence Christmas market guide.
- Saturday 5 – Tuesday 8 December: the Immaculate Conception long weekend. 8 December is a public holiday and traditionally the day the tree in Piazza del Duomo is lit. It is the busiest weekend of the month.
- 24–26 December: Christmas and St Stephen’s Day. Many shops close or shorten their hours; some museums are closed on the 25th.
- 31 December – 1 January: New Year’s Eve in town, with events in the squares. Read our guide to New Year’s Eve in Florence: where to stay.
What to do in Florence in December
- The Santa Croce market in the evening, when the stalls are lit and the square fills up. Weekends are busier: if you can, go Monday to Thursday.
- The city-centre lights: an evening walk from Ponte Vecchio to Piazza della Signoria and on to the Duomo, no ticket needed.
- Museums with shorter queues: apart from the holidays, December is one of the quietest months. Still book the Uffizi and the Accademia, and remember the Uffizi is closed on Mondays.
- Palazzo Pitti and the Oltrarno: on sunny days, the gardens and the streets of Santo Spirito and San Frediano, with artisan workshops and neighbourhood trattorias. Ideas in our Santo Spirito guide.
- Piazzale Michelangelo at sunset: the view over the lit-up city is one of the best of the year.
For a ready-made two-day plan, see our weekend in Florence guide.
When to book and what it costs
In Florence, December runs at two speeds:
- The 8 December weekend (5–8 December) and the end of the year (from 26 December): high demand, rooms selling out and higher prices. Book well in advance.
- The weeks in between (roughly 9 to 23 December, weekends aside): more availability and usually lower prices. The best dates if you are flexible.
You can see the exact price for your dates straight away on our booking page: booking direct, you don’t pay booking-site commission. If you are travelling as three, four or five, one large room almost always costs less than two separate rooms: see our guide to family rooms and groups.
Where to stay in December
The historic centre is beautiful in December but crowded, expensive over the holidays and closed to cars (ZTL). Many visitors prefer to stay just outside it, in the Oltrarno:
- Walking distance to the sights: from Hotel Firenze 2000, at Viale Raffaello Sanzio 16, Ponte Vecchio is about 20 minutes on foot.
- Outside the ZTL: if you drive you can reach the hotel and use the partner garage at 30 euros per 24 hours, with pick-up and drop-off included. See our guide to the hotel with parking outside the ZTL.
- By train: from Santa Maria Novella station the T1 tram goes to the Paolo Uccello stop, about nine minutes on foot from the hotel.
- Rooms for 1 to 5 guests, all with private bathroom, air conditioning and free Wi-Fi: see our rooms.
Before you go: the December checklist
- Check museums’ holiday opening times (especially 25 December and 1 January).
- Book early for the 8 December weekend or New Year’s Eve.
- Pack warm clothes and waterproof shoes.
- Driving? Don’t enter the ZTL and set the hotel’s exact address in your sat-nav.
- Arriving late? Check-in is from 2pm to midnight; after midnight there is a 20 euro supplement. Let us know from the Contact page.
In short
- Weather: highs around 10–11°C, lows around 2–3°C, 8–12 rainy days.
- Santa Croce Christmas market: 14 November – 20 December 2026, free entry.
- 8 December long weekend: 5–8 December 2026, the busiest time along with New Year.
- Museums: watch out for closures on 25 December and 1 January.
- Where to stay: in the Oltrarno, walking distance to the sights and outside the ZTL. Check your dates on our booking page.
