Christmas and Epiphany in Tuscany in Siena
The advantages of spending the Christmas and Epiphany holidays in Siena
Spending the Christmas holidays in Siena is a suggestive and memorable experience that everyone should try.
During the Christmas period, in fact, the City of the Palio is characterized by a unique, extraordinary, fascinating atmosphere and offers all visitors numerous opportunities for recreation, relaxation and fun.
The fact that Siena is one of the most ideal places to spend the Christmas holidays is directly testified by the fact that many typical sweets of the Italian Christmas tradition come from the City of the Palio.
While in this beautiful Tuscan city for the Christmas and Epiphany holidays, it is possible to taste artisanal delicacies such as the Panforte, the Cavallucci, the Ricciarelli, in addition to many other typical local specialties such as the Pan co’santi and the Mandorlata of Montalcino.
Every year, moreover, for the days of the Holy Nativity, the city of Siena comes alive with gastronomic events, Christmas markets and other very interesting initiatives.
Among the recurring initiatives of the Christmas period in Siena it’s worth mentioning:
- Lighting of the lights by the merchants of the historic center
- The Kingdom of Santa Claus at the Medici Fortress
- The town of fun at the Giardini della Lizza
- Orchestral performances in the Sala del Mappamondo of the Civic Museum
- Concerts and shows in Piazza del Campo
As for museum openings on Christmas day all museums are closed, but can be visited on the previous and following days and therefore also on December 24, the day of Christmas Eve, and on December 26th, Boxing Day.
The Christmas program of Siena ends on January 6, the day of the Epiphany, with various appointments focused on the characteristic figure of the Befana.
In this regard, one of the main events for the Epiphany in Siena is Waiting for the Befana in Piazza with the firefighters set up in Piazza del Campo, but for the on the last day of the Christmas holidays, some contradas of Siena usually organize themed events with delivery of stockings sweets to the little kids of the contradas.
In summary, from the exclusive atmosphere to the excellent Christmas flavors, passing by various events and corners of rare beauty, spending the Christmas and Epiphany holidays in Siena is truly an excellent idea.
Events and Christmas markets in the province of Siena
The events of Christmas and Epiphany are also deeply felt in various locations in the province of Siena.
One of the historical manifestations of the Christmas period in Siena is the lighting of the torches at Abbadia San Salvatore. These are pyramidal stacks of wood up to 7 meters high which are set on fire on December 24, the day of Christmas Eve.
Other Christmas exhibitions worth visiting are the Santa Claus town in Chianciano Terme and the Santa Claus village in Montepulciano. Both installations can be visited from early December until the Epiphany.
As far as the representations of the Holy Nativity are concerned, some of the main settings regarding the nativity of Christ include:
- Living Nativity in Contignano , in the municipality of Radicofani.
- Living Nativity in Casole d’Elsa.
- Nativity Scenes Museum from the World in Sarteano.
- Exhibition of Nativity scenes in Bettolle.
- Animated Artistic Nativity Scene of Staggia Senese, in the municipality of Poggibonsi.
Finally, another famous event in the province of Siena that takes place in the period between Santo Stefano and New Year’s Eve is the Game of Panforte in Pienza. The event takes place in the settings of the Town Hall.
Choose Siena Inns for your Christmas holidays in Tuscany!
To make sure that your Christmas holidays in Siena are serene, happy and without worries choose the comfort and hospitality of Siena Inns.
Book an elegant and comfortable accommodation at the Hotel Garden: you can stay in a renowned 4-star hotel, you can have an excellent Christmas lunch with typical dishes of traditional Tuscan cuisine and, at any time of your stay, you can climb the suggestive panoramic terrace to admire the splendid Christmas magic of Siena on the horizon.
If you want to be close to the city center, to the Christmas decorations and to Piazza del Campo, choose the Hotel Italia: this 3-star hotel is located a few hundred meters from Porta Camollia, a few minutes walk from the Christmas “tourbillon” and offers a rich breakfast included in the booking price.
For a romantic Christmas in Siena as a couple, take your partner to the Relais degli Angeli, a heavenly structure in name and in fact. Let those you love live the most beautiful Christmas of their life by staying in suites with four-poster beds, frescoed walls and polychrome showers.
Finally, if you want to spend a beautiful Christmas period surrounded by greenery, rent an apartment at the Agriturismo Villa Agostoli. This farmhouse complex is located a short distance from the historic city center and is the best solution for lovers of natural scenery and rural contexts.