Markets and Santa Claus villages all over Tuscany 2019

16.11.19-06.01.20 visit the Christmas markets in Tuscany and the Santa Claus Villages: perfect occasions to dive into the enchanting Christmas atmosphere!

From 16 November 2019 to 06 January 2020

Usually from November 17th to December 24th and sometimes even up to January 6th, Christmas markets in Tuscany are a fantastic opportunity to enjoy the beauty of this wonderful region wrapped in the evocative and exciting Christmas atmosphere. And why not, you can also enjoy some shopping! All major cities in Italy will have a Christmas market, as well as some villages. So not only Florence, but also Siena, Arezzo, Pisa, Livorno, Montepulciano, Chianciano and Montecatini! Basically everywhere in Tuscany in December there will be a market where you can buy original gifts and decorations of all kinds, from the most traditional ones to the most creative modern inventions. Even the youngest visitors can see their dreams come true visiting a Santa Claus village in Italy, there are plenty all around, all just as pretty! So let’s take a look at the Christmas markets in Tuscany 2018. We’d like to recommend some of the most famous ones as well as a few less known but equally pretty ones. If you want to know more specifically about markets in Florence, take a look at our tips on Christmas and New Year's Eve 2018-2019 in Florence.

• AREZZO AND SURROUNDINGS
  The Christmas markets of Arezzo are an unmissable Christmas event in Tuscany, Italy! The beautiful Piazza Grande will recreate a real Tyrolean Village where you can buy many Nordic style products, Christmas gifts, decorations but also good food and wine products and excellent beers! You will also find the Arezzo house of Father Christmas, at the Fraternity, where children can give Father Christmas their letters! To make everything even more fun there will also be a ferris wheel and an ice-skating rink. Nothing is missing in Arezzo for Christmas! But even in the outskirts, some small surrounding towns such as Chiusi della Chiana and San Giovanni Valdarno have many exciting initiatives planned. We particularly recommend the Christmas market of Cortona in Camucia, where you can browse local products and also attend performances, shows and workshops.
  
  

• MASSA CARRARA AND SURROUNDINGS
  Marina di Carrara will also have its Christmas Village from December 8th to December 24th where you can enjoy many local delicacies and find beautiful ideas for Christmas gifts and your decorations.
  
  

• GROSSETO AND SURROUNDINGS
  If you happen to be near Grosseto, we suggest you move towards Monte Amiata, precisely to Arcidosso, the delightful medieval village. The ancient Christmas village here, populated by gnomes and mysterious characters dressed in long cloaks, will give you the impression of having gone back in time.
  
  

• LIVORNO AND SURROUNDINGS
  The Livorno Christmas market, after the great success of last year’s edition, will be set up at Villa Mimbelli and in Piazza Cavour. In addition to the unmissable stand of items and gastronomy there will also be many shows suitable for all ages! For those who love the sea even in winter, here’s a very precious tip: in Marciana Marina, on the Island of Elba, a unique Christmas market is organized. The charm of the winter sea, quite literally!
  
  

• LUCCA AND SURROUNDINGS
  Christmas in Lucca will reserve you pleasant surprises thanks to the many initiatives that will bring the city to life: in Piazza Grande there will be the usual ice-skating rink and the wonderful carousel in belle époque style, much loved by children. In addition to the Lucca Christmas markets, set up in various parts of the city, we recommend the 'winter gardens': themed flower beds set up in the most picturesque corners of the city with green plants, English-style lawns and Christmas trees. If you are looking for a special way to spend Christmas Eve, then going to Garfagnana in Gofigliano is a must: you can see the Natalecci village! Here, huge bonfires will illuminate the most magical night of the year! If despite the winter season you want to head towards the sea and you want to experience Christmas in Versilia you could visit the Christmas World in Marina di Pietrasanta... Santa Claus will also be there, at sea in winter!
  
  

• PISA AND SURROUNDINGS
  Christmas in Pisa, Italy will be perfect for families: the Pisa Father Christmas Factory will be a mystical place where you can experience all the magic of this celebration. You will find the great big man with a white beard at the Congress Center... definitely more comfortable than Lapland. Around the city of the Leaning Tower there will also be markets and many other initiatives.
  
  

• PISTOIA AND SURROUNDINGS
  Montecatini’s Father Christmas Village is certainly one of the most anticipated Christmas events in Tuscany. In the splendid setting of the Baths of Tamerici your children will be enchanted by Elf Land, the country of the hard-working Elves and they can spot the bearded man dressed in red inside the Santa hut and give him their letters. If you are a fan of shopping panic not, there will be plenty of Christmas markets in Montecatini Terme: you will find them in various parts of the city. Even Pistoia for Christmas dresses up with the skating rink and this year, in Piazza Mazzini, a Ferris wheel will be set up, offering views over the hills that surround the city.
  
  

• PRATO AND SURROUNDINGS
  In addition to the initiatives of the historic center of Prato with the usual markets we suggest a very special one that will be held in the ancient Medici Villa 'La Ferdinanda' of Carmignano. The Christmas market in the Villa includes: workshops, tastings, a food and wine market, music, desserts and mulled wine.
  
  

• SIENA AND SURROUNDINGS
  If you’ll be spending a few days of your Christmas in Siena and its iconic province, you will be spoilt for options on how to immerse yourself in the sparkling Christmas atmosphere! It starts with the Christmas markets in Siena which have chosen an absolutely spectacular location: the wonderful Piazza del Campo, the ‘salotto buono’ of the city. The Mercato del Campo 2018, this is the name of the initiative that is now in its 11th edition, will take place on the 1st and 2nd of December. During your stay in the magical city of the Palio you could also take advantage of one of our perfect Siena tours to discover all its beauties. But the province of Siena takes Christmas celebrations pretty seriously too! For example, the Christmas markets of Montepulciano, the delightful ancient village of Valdorcia, are another wonderful opportunity not to be missed: in the magical setting of Piazza Grande and along the adjacent streets you can indulge yourself among Christmas decorations, local food products, confectionery, clothing, leather goods and local crafts. If you have your kids with you we recommend the Santa Claus Country of Chianciano with many attractions and entertainment perfect to entertain the little ones. We close this small review on Siena and the Christmas markets in its province with a truly exciting event held for Abbadia San Salvatore Christmas, in the city of torches! In this ancient village of Amiata, on December 24th, an ancient pagan rite is back on, involving the lighting of large piles of wood. The wait is made even more pleasant by markets and events that occur throughout the Christmas period.

We have given you quite a few ideas for the Christmas Markets in Italy in 2018: cities, villages, sea and mountains! There is something for everyone! Check the websites of the various events for details on dates and times, then all you have to do is choose the destination you prefer to immerse yourself in the most magical time of the year. But first, give yourself a gift, we know you deserve it! Treat yourself to one of our tours in the Villages of Tuscany.

Happy holidays to you all!