Winter in Tuscany

December festivals in Tuscany

Firenze A variety of cultural and sporting events are held in Florence in late November and early December; dates vary, so please be sure to check. The Florence Marathon is held at this time each year, and the Winter Dance Festival, held at the Teatro Goldoni, features a contemporary and innovative series of dance performances. Each year on Christmas Eve, the Orchestra Regionale Toscana presents a Christmas concert at the Teatro Verdi. This is a popular event, so be sure to reserve early if you would like to attend. Midnight Mass is celebrated in the Duomo on Christmas Eve, and it is a beautiful and moving event.

Prato On Christmas Day, December 25, and on the following day, December 26, Prato celebrates with the Festa di Sacra Cintola , the celebration and display of the Holy Girdle, followed by the Festa di Santo Stefano , the Feast of Saint Stephen. The Holy Girdle, or Sacra Cintola, is displayed in the Cathedral of Prato five times a year. The Christmas Day display by the Bishop is the most holy and sumptuous of these occasions. The Sacra Cinta itself is the belt the Blessed Virgin gave to St. Thomas at the Assumption. It is kept in a jeweled case, and displayed to worshippers on Christmas, Easter, May 1, August 15, and September 8. These displays are accompanied by much pomp, with musicians and other marchers parading in Renaissance garb.

Abbadia di San Salvatore, near Montalcino The Fiaccole di Natale , or Feast of the Christmas Torches, is celebrated on the night of December 24. This torch light parade is held to honor the shepherds who attended the first Nativity. Be sure to see our next newsletter for a more in-depth look at the town and its traditional, ancient festa.

Barga, north of Lucca Usually held on the 23rd of December, Barga's annual Christmas pageant features local citizens portraying the Holy Family, the Three Kings, and Shepherds, all in ancient costume. They lead a procession through the streets, ending at the Duomo.