Celebrating Christmas in Florence, 2024

Many Christmas Week activities have been organized for Florence residents and visitors; below are  the highlights.

CHRISTMAS EVE CLASSICAL MUSIC CONCERT

Teatro Verdi (via Ghibellina 99) is hosting the traditional Christmas Eve performance (5 pm) by the Orchestra della Toscana conducted by Diego Ceretta. The musicians will interpret Wagner’s Siegfried Idyll, first presented to the public on Christmas Day, 1870, in addition to the German composer’s Traume, followed by a rendition of Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony.

FREE LANDMARKS AND MUSEUMS

The Basilica of Santa Croce is free to all visitors on December 22; ditto for the church and museum of Santa Maria Novella on Christmas Day, December 25 (1 – 5 pm)

CHURCH SERVICES IN ENGLISH

For the Christmas holidays, St. Mark’s Anglican Church (via Maggio 16/18) will hold two special services. On Christmas Eve, December 24, St. Mark’s welcomes everyone for a Midnight Mass: The first Eucharist of Christmas (11:30 pm), and then on Christmas Day, December 25 for Christmas Eucharist (10:30 am). More information can be found at on the website.

Christmas at St. James Episcopal Church

At St. James Episcopal Church (via B. Rucellai 9), on  Christmas Eve, December 24 at 6 pm, the First Mass of Christmas with a Nativity children’s pageant, accompanied by choir, organ, and brass will take place. Then at 11 pm everyone can join Midnight Mass with hymns. The last service is on December 25, Mass of Christmas Day with hymns (10 am).

The Nativity scene at the Duomo (Florence Cathedral) prior to Christmas Eve

NATIVITY SCENES

The Nativity scene has once again be set up outside Santa Maria del Fiore (the Florence Cathedral), marking the 14th consecutive year. This life-sized display, crafted from terracotta sculptures, just like the tiles on Santa Maria del Fiore, features unique pieces created in the round by artisan Luigi Mariani. These sculptures reflect the ancient Florentine tradition of terracotta artistry, which emerged in Florence during the 15th century. Revived by Donatello and Brunelleschi after being neglected throughout the Middle Ages, this technique became a key element of artistic expression in Tuscany. 

The Nativity scene will remain accessible to the public until Epiphany (January 6),  This year, the statues represent the Holy Family, an angel, the ox and donkey, a shepherdess, and two sheep will be joined by the life-sized figurine of St. Francis. The baby Jesus will be added to the Nativity scene during the Christmas season. 

Also, the Basilica of Santo Spirito at Piazza Santo Spirito hosts the Nativity scene by master Albino Todeschini each year. It will be set up in front of the main door of the church. Admission to the church is free, but visitors are not allowed during prayer times. This is a perfect opportunity to admire the art in the Basilica (such as the Crucifix carved by Michelangelo) and explore the entire monumental complex. 

The Rivoli Boutique Hotel (Via della Scala 33) offers a Nativity exhibition with free admission, featuring 30 different works created by craftsman Carlo Landurini from Fiumalbo. Furthermore, one of the most remarkable Nativity scenes can be found at the Don Orione Institute (Via Capo di Mondo, 34). The electro-mechanical Christmas Nativity scene is spread out over 50 meters (164 ft.) and includes moving characters, flowing water, a gleaming sunrise, and sounds of nature. (Paulina Juzak)