Christmas markets and lights in Lucca and Florence

All I want for Christmaaaaaaaas… is Christmas markets!

The most magical moment of the year is coming – actually, it’s already here. Decorations, magical lights, installations, and Christmas music have for days begun to fill our cities, and with them the long-awaited Christmas markets have also arrived: the perfect occasions to find original gifts and spend time with the ones you love.

As every year, from 22 November 2025 to 6 January 2026 the Italian city of Lucca transforms into Lucca Magico Natale: the ideal event to discover magical places, share a hot chocolate in a special spot, and spend the holidays with friends and family, among markets, installations and colourful lights.
Let’s take a look at all the initiatives of Lucca Magico Natale 2025 and discover some of the best Christmas markets in Tuscany!

Traditional Christmas markets in Lucca

What would Christmas be without the characteristic markets? This year too, Lucca is offering many typical (and not-so-typical) markets where you can immerse yourself in the search for gifts, gastronomic specialties, and artisanal objects. And plenty of events and experiences for adults and children!

In the heart of the old town, in Piazza Napoleone, until 28 December, you will find the French Christmas Village, mainly rich in delicious culinary products.

In Piazza San Frediano, on the other hand, the classic Christmas Market welcomes you every day until 6 January.

At the Loggia of Palazzo Sani, the much-loved Meraki Market also returns: the market of creative and sustainable crafts. You can find it during the weekends of 6-7-8, 13-14 and 20-21 December (and also the 22 and 23, for the last Christmas purchases!)

And what about the Arte e Mestieri Xmas Edition market? The special market of local artisans, in its Christmas version, awaits you in Piazza San Giusto on the weekends of 6-7-8 and 13-14.
Where’s Santa Claus? On 6 December, in Vicolo San Carlo, the Christmas Factory opens: workshops for children, games, lots of Christmas music, babysitting and a charity raffle, for a Christmas dedicated to the little ones.

This year Piazza San Francesco also comes alive with Natale in #SanFra: games, flavours, and music during the most magical weekends of the year.

On 20-21-22-23 December, the shops in the old town will also be open in the evening, from 9 p.m. to midnight, together with the Civic Towers.
It may not be a market… but who can resist ice skating? In Piazzale Vittorio Emanuele II, every day from 10 a.m. you can put on your skates and have fun with friends and family at the Ice park. On weekdays it closes at 10 p.m., while on Saturdays and Sundays it stays open until midnight.

Art installations in the old town of Lucca

Christmas 2025 also brings residents and tourists precious artistic installations, placed in some of the most beautiful areas of the city:

• Lumière Boheme by Francesco Zavattari, in Piazza Cittadella
• Bark Crib by Michel Boucquillon, at the Loggiato of Palazzo Pretorio
• Bark for Christmas by Michel Boucquillon, in Piazza Anfiteatro
• A Christmas Forest by Emiliana Martinelli, in Piazza San Martino

Artistic illuminations, decorations, and colored lights in Lucca

Enchanting Christmas lights shine from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. in Piazza Napoleone, Piazza San Michele, Piazza San Salvatore, Piazza San Frediano, Piazza Santa Maria, Piazza San Francesco, Piazzale San Donato, Porta San Pietro (as well as those illuminating the most characteristic streets of the city).

It’s also worth taking a stroll down Chiasso Barletti, a small street near to Via Fillungo: let’s walk among the artistic shop windows and look up to admire decorations that become more special each year.

Until 6 January, from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., you can also enjoy some Christmas projections in Piazza Anfiteatro, at Palazzo Ducale, on the Church of San Michele, at Ostello San Frediano and on the Teatro del Giglio.

Christmas markets in Florence: a not-to-be-missed experience in Tuscany

If you’re planning to travel to Tuscany and stay for a few days, we also recommend not missing the Christmas markets in Florence!

In the extraordinary setting of Piazza Santa Croce takes place the city’s biggest Christmas market: the Weihnachtsmarkt, a village with the typical wooden chalets of South Tyrol, where you’ll find stalls full of gift ideas, candles, ceramics, Christmas decorations, handmade objects, clothes, and artisanal and home products. Added to all this are international delicacies – hot chocolate, crepes, strudel and mulled wine, as well as Dutch waffles, Austrian pretzels, and cheeses.

Between shopping and good food, your getaway to Florence will be unforgettable.

Don’t miss this magical time of year – book your Christmas escape to Lucca now! L’Antica Bifore Guest House is already decorated for the holidays, ready to welcome its guests in the vibrant heart of the old town of this unique city.