Tuscany is home to endless Christmas markets and events each year, which is one of the many reasons it makes for an excellent spot to plan a winter getaway. However, one of the best among all of these endless local events and celebrations that you can choose from has to be the annual Christmas takeover of the pretty and historic town of Arezzo. The medieval streets of the town, already utterly picturesque and charming, become all the more magical as strings of lights illuminate the winding little roads, shop windows are dressed up with festive cheer, and the scent and sounds of festive excitement emanate from all over. And, at the core of all of the Christmas celebrations in town is the Arezzo Città del Natale, or City of Christmas, festival! If you love Christmas and you were thinking of spending the Holidays on vacation in Tuscany then get browsing our villas in Arezzo as it is a perfectly festive spot to make truly unforgettable and special memories.
Arezzo Città del Natale boasts a wide array of attractions and events and begins at the end of November stretching into the New Year. So, if you are on vacation in Arezzo anytime over the next couple of months, you’ll likely be able to enjoy the benefits of this fun and exciting festival. The program is made up of both the permanent attractions of the festival that can be enjoyed daily throughout its run as well as the various performances, workshops, and other events that will be hosted at different times. Among the permanent attractions, one of the most immediately visible is the series of stunning special light projection displays that are cast onto the facades of some of the city’s most famous monuments and buildings. Arezzo Christmas Light takes place daily from the 20th of November 2021 to the 9th of January 2022 and sees the Cathedral, the Parish Church, the Library, and the Piazza Grande all come alive with special light shows that have been designed for the event and work in tandem with the regular Christmas lights that dress the town and the architecture of this historic gem of a city itself to create a truly magical spectacle.
It is also hard to miss the large Ferris Wheel in town, especially at night when it too is lit up. Set up in the Prato delle Meraviglie, the highest part of the city, it boasts truly exceptional views over Arezzo and the surrounding area and is a rather romantic and exciting way to take the city in, whether you are there on a date or with friends or family. Open throughout the entirety of the festival, like the lights, the Ferris Wheel runs from 3pm to 11pm on Monday to Thursday, from 10am to 12am on Friday and Saturday, and on Sunday from 10am to 11pm (Note: the Ferris Wheel does stop running early, at 6pm, on the 24th and the 31st of December). Tickets cost €8 for adults, €6 for those 3 to 10 years of age and over 65, and free for children under 2 and up to 100cm in height.
It is also hard to miss the large Ferris Wheel in town, especially at night when it too is lit up. Set up in the Prato delle Meraviglie, the highest part of the city, it boasts truly exceptional views over Arezzo and the surrounding area and is a rather romantic and exciting way to take the city in, whether you are there on a date or with friends or family. Open throughout the entirety of the festival, like the lights, the Ferris Wheel runs from 3pm to 11pm on Monday to Thursday, from 10am to 12am on Friday and Saturday, and on Sunday from 10am to 11pm (Note: the Ferris Wheel does stop running early, at 6pm, on the 24th and the 31st of December). Tickets cost €8 for adults, €6 for those 3 to 10 years of age and over 65, and free for children under 2 and up to 100cm in height.
One of the most important permanent fixtures of the festival is the Market of Wonders Christmas market that takes place in the Prato, a large green area in the city. Here you will find the Alpine-style wooden huts that are synonymous with European Christmas markets and that are very charming to look at. From these huts, in this fairytale setting, you’ll find delicious snacks to enjoy and all sorts of gifts, souvenirs, local crafts, local culinary gems, toys, homewares, and more to purchase. Running from Friday to Sunday throughout the festival from 10am to 9pm, there will also be special openings on the 7th, 8th, 9th, 22nd, 23rd, 28th, and 29th of December 2021 and the 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th of January 2022. The other key Christmas market in town is the picturesque Tyrolean Village in the Piazza Grande. With the projections and lights illuminating the square and some 32 wooden houses clustered in the square, it is a rather picturesque spot to browse the typical crafts and products being sold by exhibitors from Tyrol, Germany, and Austria. Don’t forget to head to the two stalls selling beer and typical Tyrolean dishes to get the full experience and fill up on some tasty treats. This market runs just from the 20th of November until the 26th of December 2021 on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 10am to 9pm, with special openings on the 7th, 8th, and 9th of December. In addition to these two larger markets, there are daily markets where local food and products are sold in Piazza San Jacopo and Piazza Risorgimento, as well as a special handcrafted goods market in Piazza Guido Monaco from the 20th of November to the 19th of December 2021 on Saturday and Sunday from 8am to 7.30pm, and special fairs in the Cloister of the Library showcasing local craftsmanship and antiques on various dates.
Finally, the other permanent, and rather unique, fixture of the Arezzo Christmas festival is the Christmas Brick Arezzo, a village made from Lego bricks that boasts almost 400 square meters of exhibits, workshops, and more. Truly magical and a must for kids and children at heart, this gem is open from the 20th of November until the 26th of December 2021 on Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 6pm (with a special opening on the 8th of December). Entry costs €5 for adults and children (those under three go free) and you must have a Green Pass to enter unless under 12 years of age.
Added to all this Santa is set up in a little winter wonderland of his own and can be visited and there is also, of course, the calendar of events such as guided tours of the city and markets, a circus, parades, musical acts, dance performances, and more. So, if you’re looking for a Christmas full of excitement and things to see, do, and experience, then a vacation rental in Arezzo is just the place to spend the Holidays in Tuscany this year!
Added to all this Santa is set up in a little winter wonderland of his own and can be visited and there is also, of course, the calendar of events such as guided tours of the city and markets, a circus, parades, musical acts, dance performances, and more. So, if you’re looking for a Christmas full of excitement and things to see, do, and experience, then a vacation rental in Arezzo is just the place to spend the Holidays in Tuscany this year!
