6 Holiday Activities You Can’t Miss in Florence (+ Gluten Free Options)
This time of year is beautiful in Florence and there are plenty of events happening around the city to get you into the holiday spirit! Though the tourism boom hasn’t slowed down much, I still think Florence is a great choice for a holiday vacation. While you’re here, be sure to check out these festive activities (with notes on where to find gluten free holiday treats)!
Fun fact: Did you know that most Christmas activities don’t start in Italy until December 8th, the Immaculate Conception? And a lot of Italians won’t even put up Christmas decorations until the 8th either! I, on the other hand, think November 1st is a perfectly acceptable day to put up the tree:)
1. Check out the Christmas market in Piazza Santa Croce
This year (2023), the Christmas market in Piazza Santa Croce is running from November 18th to December 17th and, if you get the chance, it is definitely worth a visit! I recommend visiting in the evening…there’s something about it being dark and chilly that really adds to the Christmas market experience. Plus, afterward, you can take a walk around the city to enjoy the Christmas lights. The piazza is full of vendors selling everything from artisan Christmas ornaments to mulled wine. There are always a lot of food vendors but so far none of the actual food has stuck out to me as being celiac-safe this year. Sometimes you can get sausages on a stick but you’ll have to be careful about cross-contact with the buns in the stand. That said, there are some warm drinks you can enjoy like coffee, hot coco, and mulled wine.
2. Visit the tree and nativity scene in Piazza del Duomo
Every year the city puts up a big Christmas tree and nativity scene in the main piazza, Piazza del Duomo. This year the tree was lit on December 7th and will remain lit until January 6th, The Epiphany. The amount of lights they manage to fit on that tree is seriously impressive, make sure to check it out while exploring the city!
3. Watch the Green Line light installations
“Green Line” lights up the city with projection installations on some of the main attractions in Florence, like Ponte Vecchio and Palazzo Vecchio. From December 9th to January 7th the lights illuminate the city every night from 5:30 pm to midnight. This would be especially fun if you’re traveling with little kids…be just as fun for adults as well! Growing up my family would always bundle up in the car and drive around our neighborhood to see everyone’s Christmas lights and walking around to see these light installations in the city feels like my Italian version of that:)
4. Enjoy roasted chestnuts from a street vendor
It doesn’t get much more Italian than enjoying some roasted chestnuts from one of the many street vendors. Generally speaking, most of the vendors only sell chestnuts and they roast them in the shells with nothing on them, making them inherently gluten free. If you notice the vendor preparing other things or you’re worried about cross-contact you can definitely double-check with them that they are “senza glutine” (gluten free). Some of them even have “senza glutine” signs on their carts. They are a delicious little snack and will keep your hands warm while you eat:) I hope you get the chance to enjoy this gluten free Italian tradition!
5. Get festive flowers from Fiori di Caterina
Fiori di Caterina is an adorable flower stand in Piazza della Repubblica run by a husband and wife duo who are so sweet and make the most beautiful flower arrangements. I love visiting their stand to get festive flower arrangements to give to friends or display on my kitchen counter. I even think it would be fun to get yourself some beautiful flowers for your hotel room or Airbnb while you’re in town.
6. Savor the gluten free hot chocolate from Grom and Cortese Cafe Novecento
I’m talking thick, melted chocolate bar type hot chocolate! I don’t know about you, but it doesn't feel like Christmas to me without getting in at least a few really good hot chocolates. Though Grom is known for their delicious gluten free gelato, they adapt to the cold winter weather and begin serving hot chocolate in November. If you do nothing else, you must get hot coco from Grom! And don’t forget to get whipped cream on top, that is by far the best part. Cortese Cafe Novecento is another great place for gluten free hot chocolate in Florence. They make all their drinks with their homemade almond milk so this would be perfect if you prefer to avoid dairy!
BONUS: Arezzo Città del Natale
Arezzo is a city in Tuscany south of Florence known for their Christmas market. The whole city goes all out with a market, light displays, a ferris wheel, an ice skating rink, and they do little train rides around the city. There are trains between Florence and Arezzo or if you have a car it’s about an hour away. Consider visiting Arezzo to add even more Christmas joy to your trip!
Needless to say, there is plenty to keep you occupied in Florence during the holiday season! I’ve just scratched the surface of things to be enjoyed in Florence this time of year…if you’d like to go even more in-depth I’d recommend booking a personalized travel consultation. I offer these 1-to-1 travel consults to help you plan the perfect gluten-free Italian adventure! As a native English speaker with all the local inside secrets, I’m here to make sure you have the most authentic (and celiac safe) trip!