Christmas in Tuscany: Exploring the Markets Near Lucca
One of the perks of owning a home in Italy and being able to work remotely is the freedom to hop on a plane when opportunity knocks.
Last year, we found ourselves with a little window of time before all three of our boys would be back home with us in Virginia for Christmas, so on a bit of a whim, we booked a last-minute trip to Lucca. We're big fans of traveling during the off-peak and shoulder seasons, and with some airline points burning a hole in our pockets, work slowing, and FOMO kicking in, we figured why not?
What started as a spontaneous getaway quickly turned into one of our favorite trips. We fell in love with the festive atmosphere, the twinkling lights, and the excuse to explore familiar towns dressed up for the holidays. By the time we headed home, we'd already decided that Christmas market hopping was a tradition worth repeating.
The Magic is in the Atmosphere
For us, the Christmas markets aren't really about the shopping. We did come home with a few pairs of warm wool socks for me (a practical purchase that turned out to be especially useful, but more on that below), a scarf for Dario (iykyk), and a couple of Christmas gifts. But the shopping was really just an excuse to soak up the holiday atmosphere.
That's where the real magic was. Each town seemed to take on its own personality for the holidays. Twinkling lights stretched across centuries-old streets, historic piazzas filled with wooden market chalets, and the scent of roasted chestnuts and seasonal treats wafting through the air. People lingered over food and drinks, wandered from stall to stall, and simply enjoyed being together. Nobody seemed to be in a hurry, and we were more than happy to follow their lead.
Lucca as Your Home Base Puts It All Within Reach
Of course, there's plenty of Christmas magic to enjoy right here in Lucca before you ever venture beyond the walls. From the festive lights illuminating its historic streets and nearly every piazza to the Christmas markets, decorations, and seasonal events, Lucca is a wonderful place to soak up the holiday atmosphere. You could easily spend several days enjoying everything happening within the walls alone.
But when you're ready to explore a little farther, Christmas markets big and small are within an easy drive or train ride of Lucca. Spend the day discovering a new town, browsing artisan stalls, and sampling seasonal treats before heading home for the evening. You can seek out the larger, more elaborate markets or discover smaller celebrations in towns you might never have thought to visit. With Lucca as your home base, you get to experience the holiday traditions of different towns without giving up the pleasure of coming home to a familiar place each night.
We just scratched the surface last year, which got me researching other markets within about two hours of Lucca by car or train, partly to plan our own future holiday adventures and partly to share what we found with you. The result is the list below, featuring everything from larger, well-known markets to smaller local celebrations. Some we've experienced firsthand, while others are still on our Christmas wish list!
Christmas Markets Within Two Hours of Lucca
Lucca – November 22, 2026–January 6, 2027
Lucca’s Magical Christmas transforms the historic city center into a festive destination, with wooden market chalets, illuminated streets, concerts, Santa’s Village, and seasonal activities. It’s especially lovely after dark, when the city’s historic squares and streets glow with Christmas lights. The Lucca Antiques Market in December 2026 takes place on its traditional third weekend, falling on December 19–20, 2026...the perfect time to visit to experience both!
Pisa – November 28, 2026–January 6, 2027
Pisa transforms into a festive Christmas destination, with traditional holiday markets in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, Logge dei Banchi, and Piazza Garibaldi. Visitors can browse stalls filled with handcrafted gifts, seasonal treats, and local specialties while enjoying twinkling lights, Christmas concerts, and family-friendly activities. The historic city center is especially charming after dark, when illuminated streets and decorated piazzas create a magical holiday atmosphere.
Arezzo – November 14, 2026–January 6, 2027
A highlight of Tuscany’s Christmas season, Arezzo hosts a traditional Tyrolean Christmas village in the beautiful Piazza Grande, complete with wooden chalets, festive food, twinkling lights, a Ferris wheel, and Santa’s Village. Of all the Christmas markets we visited last year, Arezzo was our favorite! We deliberately timed our visit to coincide with the famous Arezzo Antiques Fair, held the first Sunday of each month and the preceding Saturday, when the historic center fills with antiques and vintage treasures. Naturally, we couldn't resist bringing home a few finds for Casa Campolattaro! We spent the day wandering the stalls, enjoyed a cozy lunch with some wine, and lingered into the evening to watch the Christmas lights come on. Between the antiques, the festive atmosphere, and the beautiful setting, Arezzo was everything we'd hoped for in an Italian Christmas market experience.
Florence – November 14–December 20, 2026
Florence’s popular German-style Christmas market takes over Piazza Santa Croce, with wooden stalls
offering international food, seasonal treats, ornaments, and handmade gifts. Combine the market with a stroll through the city’s beautifully decorated streets and piazzas for a festive day in one of Italy’s most enchanting cities.
Empoli – November 14–January 10, 2027
Empoli celebrates the season with its Città del Natale, a lively Christmas village featuring market chalets, elaborate decorations, entertainment, food, and family-friendly attractions. It’s a fun, festive option that feels more like a dedicated Christmas event than a traditional market.
Pistoia – November 22, 2026–December 24, 2026
Pistoia’s historic center provides a charming setting for its Christmas market, with artisan gifts, holiday decorations, and seasonal activities. Look for Santa’s House and other family-friendly attractions, and check the local calendar before visiting, as market opening days may vary.
Siena – December 4–8, 2026
The Mercato nel Campo brings a medieval market atmosphere to Siena’s spectacular Piazza del Campo. Inspired by the historic market once held here, the event brings together local food producers, craftspeople, and artisans selling regional specialties and handmade goods. Unlike many towns that keep their Christmas markets running throughout the season, Siena packs its festivities into one big weekend. As Christmas market rookies last year, we arrived the day after the market ended, just as vendors were packing everything up. We were disappointed to miss it (so close!), but we got to enjoy a blissfully sleepy Siena and stayed into the evening when the Christmas lights illuminated the streets.
Forte dei Marmi – November 28, 2026–January 6, 2027
Forte dei Marmi brings Christmas to the coast with its festive fair in Piazza Dante, open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The town also features seasonal lights, Santa’s Village, entertainment, a Christmas tree, and an ice-skating rink. It’s a lovely way to combine holiday shopping with a stroll through one of the coast’s most elegant seaside towns.
Pietrasanta Centro Storico: November 20, 2026 - January 7, 2027 - Pietrasanta's historic center hostsL'Incanto del Natale, with Christmas market stalls and a hobbyist market, with artisan crafts, seasonal gifts, decorations, and festive food. The town’s Christmas tree and illuminations continue into January, making it worth a visit even beyond the market dates.
Montecatini Terme – November 14–December 20, 2026
Montecatini Terme adds a festive touch to its elegant thermal-town setting with seasonal market chalets, Christmas decorations, and holiday activities. The town’s grand architecture and illuminated streets make for a particularly atmospheric evening visit.
Marina di Pietrasanta: PietraSanta Klaus – November 13–15, 2026
Held at Villa La Versiliana, PietraSanta Klaus is a dedicated Christmas market bringing together Italian artisans, Christmas decorations, gifts, brocante, and seasonal food. Expect chocolate, biscuits, roasted chestnuts, and vin brulé, along with children's workshops and visits with Santa. The market runs Friday afternoon and throughout Saturday and Sunday.
Viareggio – No confirmed dates for a 2026 Christmas market (I'll update if I find something)
Viareggio is worth considering for its festive seaside atmosphere, decorated Passeggiata, and seasonal holiday events. While a large, continuous Christmas market has not been confirmed for 2026, the town hosts regular weekly markets and occasional antiques and artisan markets. Check the local events calendar for special holiday editions and activities.
Lido di Camaiore – No confirmed dates for a 2026 Christmas market (stay tuned for any updates)
Lido di Camaiore offers a different kind of coastal Christmas, with seasonal events, festive decorations, and family attractions. Past holiday celebrations have included Santa’s House and a nativity scene on the beach. It’s best approached as a seaside holiday outing rather than a destination for a large traditional Christmas market.
Camaiore – No confirmed dates for a 2026 Christmas market (again, stay tuned!)
Camaiore’s smaller-scale seasonal celebrations and artisan markets offer a more local experience. The town also has a monthly antiques market, typically held on the second Sunday of the month in Piazza San Bernardino. Check the local calendar for Christmas events and special market dates.
A few Other Places to Keep on the Radar
Villa Reale di Marlia: Its Magico Natale event is scheduled for selected dates December 5–20. A beautiful historic villa setting, worth checking out.
Barga: Its December 7–8 Barga in Cioccolato event is a chocolate festival rather than a traditional Christmas market, but sounds like a fun seasonal outing.
Santa Maria a Monte: Its Borgo Incantato Christmas market is scheduled for December 5–6. A small village experience.
Castelfiorentino: Natale Castellano, with markets on selected dates November 28–December 20.
Castelfalfi (Montaione): December 5-8. We first discovered this area when visiting our friends at Tutto Torna Antiques, who helped us furnish Casa Campolattaro from 5,000 miles away. Nearby Castelfalfi hosts Natale a Castelfalfi, with Christmas markets, artisan stalls, food, and entertainment in a beautiful medieval village setting. Another reason to return!
Last year, we also ventured a bit farther, combining visits with family with stops at Christmas markets in Bergamo and Parma. I'm sure there are plenty of other wonderful markets within easy reach of Lucca that we haven't discovered yet, so if you have a favorite I've missed, please share it in the comments!
Tips for Making the Most of Italy's Christmas Markets
Wear comfortable shoes and warm socks. You'll likely spend hours walking on cobblestones, standing in market squares, and exploring historic town centers. Stylish boots are lovely, but comfort wins! One of my first purchases at the Arezzo market were wool socks, which I promptly swapped my thinner cotton ones for on the spot!
Dress in layers. December temperatures can vary, especially between daytime exploring and evenings outdoors. Bring a warm coat, scarf, gloves, and a hat. Evenings can get chilly!
Arrive in the late afternoon and stay after dark. This is our favorite way to experience Italy’s Christmas markets. Arriving while it’s still light gives you time to explore the town and browse the stalls before everything takes on a whole new personality after sunset. As the Christmas lights begin to twinkle, music fills the streets, and the scent of roasted chestnuts drifts through the piazzas, the atmosphere becomes downright magical. This is when Italy at Christmas really comes alive. So don’t rush off. Make an evening of it!
Make a reservation to eat. If you'd rather enjoy a leisurely meal in a local restaurant, book ahead, particularly on weekends. Alternatively, embrace the market food. It's a fun way to sample regional specialties without committing to a formal meal.
Check market dates and opening hours before you go. Check local organizers before setting out, as dates and opening hours can change. Not every Christmas market runs throughout the holiday season, and some are only open for a few days. We learned this the hard way in Siena! We assumed a city of its size would have an ongoing Christmas market, only to arrive the day after it ended, just as vendors were dismantling their stalls. While we were disappointed to miss it, we actually loved exploring a sleepier Siena without the usual crowds. Still, a little research ahead of time can save you from showing up just as the last chalet is coming down!
Plan your parking in advance. Most historic centers have ZTL (restricted traffic) zones, and parking can be challenging on busy weekends. Find a designated parking lot outside the center and walk in. Don't follow your GPS blindly into the centro storico!
Consider taking the train. Florence, Pistoia, Montecatini Terme, and other destinations are accessible by rail from Lucca. It can be a relaxing alternative to driving, particularly when weekend traffic and parking are concerns.
Bring a reusable shopping bag. You'll inevitably find something you love, whether it's handmade ornaments, local food products, ceramics, linens, or an unexpected antique. Leave a little room in your luggage, too!
Carry some cash. Most vendors accept cards, but smaller artisan stalls and food vendors appreciate cash, so keep on euros on-hand.
Don't try to see everything in one day. Choose one or two destinations and give yourself time to wander. The atmosphere is as much a part of the experience as the markets themselves.
Look beyond the market stalls. Christmas is a wonderful time to explore the towns themselves. Visit the churches, admire the decorations, stop for an espresso, and wander through the little streets. Some of the most beautiful holiday displays aren't in the market at all. The shop windows are spectacular!
Have a plan, but don't be bound by it. As a Type A (with a capital A!), I respect a good plan, but I've learned that so many of the best experiences happen when you let things unfold naturally. We hadn't even planned to visit Florence last year, but after missing our exit on the autostrada, we decided it was meant to be. Seeing Florence all lit up for the holidays was an unexpected highlight. A little planning goes a long way, but resist the urge to overplan. Sometimes the best moments happen when you wander down a side street, stumble upon a tiny artisan stall, or decide to linger over one more glass of vino.
What we loved most is the visiting the markets gave us another reason to explore towns we already knew and discover a few in a completely different light (no pun intended). It wasn't really about the shopping. It was about wandering beautiful Italian streets, enjoying the holiday traditions, and experiencing a side of Italy we'd somehow missed all these years.
We're not sure if we'll be able to make it back to Lucca for the Christmas season this year. My Mom has been navigating some health challenges, so for now, we're spending a little extra time in Virginia. It's another reminder of something I wrote about recently in Practicing Being Where Our Feet Are. Having two places we call home is an incredible gift, but it also means accepting that we'll inevitably miss things in one while we're living life in the other. Of course, we'd love another December filled with Christmas markets and twinkling lights, but we're grateful for this time together, too. There will always be things happening in Lucca that we wish we were there for, just as there are things in Virginia we miss when we're in Italy. We're learning that the trick isn't trying to be everywhere, but appreciating wherever we happen to be. And hopefully, there will be many more Italian Christmases in our future!
