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So once again this weekend we have another holiday coming up: New Year’s Day! Practically everything will be closed on Sunday, even those museums usually open on that day.

Like last weekend, on New Year’s Eve most everything will be open but closing about an hour earlier than usual. This includes the Uffizi and Accademia.

So after your late-night celebration on New Year’s Eve (see our post from yesterday offering suggestions of what to do), you might want to sleep in a bit on Sunday. No problem at all! But eventually you’ll get hungry and then after a meal you might want to do something in the afternoon, like see a little more of Florence .

Don’t despair – not everything is closed!
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Will you be welcoming 2012 in Tuscany? Many restaurants, discos and pubs organize special dinners or events (at fixed prices, where you need to reserve ahead of time) but there are also events planned for spending New Year’s Eve at the opera, watching a play or listening to music in the the main squares of the main Tuscan cities!

To help you plan exactly where you’ll be on the stroke of midnight December 31st, here are some ideas:

In Florence

If you prefer to join the crowds outdoors, the city of Florence selects five squares across the city to stage 5 different types of musical concerts. You can head to Piazza della Stazione in front of the Santa Maria Novella train station for rock/pop music which turns out into the main New Year’s Eve event in Florence. This year, starting at 9pm, dance to the Street Clerks then enjoy Pippo and his Polar Penguins and then dance to the beat of the Brunori Sas. At midnight, Italian rapper and big bill Caparezza takes the stage to make the city dance!

Keep reading about New Year's Eve celebrations in Tuscany »

Many of you will be celebrating Christmas in Florence and seeing your questions on our forum, we know you want to know what to do – and what you can do – particularly on December 25 when all museums will be closed. Did you know that December 26 is also a national Italian holiday?

Keep reading more »

The next few days will see Florence under some very special lighting! The Firenze Light Festival, or F-LIGHT for short, will run from December 8-11 and will see the monuments in Piazza Signoria, Ponte Vecchio, Piazza Pitti, Ponte Santa Trinita’, the Santa Maria Novella Piazza and Piazza della Repubblica all lit up in various ways. From highlighting their geometric shapes to artistic installations, make sure to walk around after dark and take the city in a whole different light! We’ll try to go out and take some pictures to share with you in the next few days

Additionally, tomorrow December 8 the Christmas tree in Piazza Duomo will be officially lit up by Florence’s major, Matteo Renzi. It will be a magical night to walk around the city and enjoy your holiday shopping or just the season!

Christmas markets are everywhere in Tuscany! Continuing after our post from last week about Christmas in Florence, we’d like to point out a few markets in the region.

SIENA
From December 1, you’ll find a Christmas village and skating rink at La Lizza gardens.

VIAREGGIO
Starting December 8, you’ll find the Christmas market in Piazza Mazzini with lots of fun activities for the kids and for the family. Runs through December 26.

MARRADI
On December 11 and 18, live the holiday cheer in the historical center of Marradi, high in the Appenines betwene Florence and Bologna. Handmade items perfect for gifts and Christmas decorations and more, music and shows for the little ones make these Sundays before Christmas special.

PALAZZUOLO SUL SENIO
On December 8, 11 and 18 Palazzuolo celebrates Advent Magic, a market in the small mountain town to celebrate the holiday season. Beautifully decorated streets with many gift ideas, you’ll follow each street surrounded with Christmas songs while admiring the various Crepe/Nativity scenes. Santa Clause will be present for the little ones. Taste traditional winter dishes and enjoy the street entertainment and lights.

FIESOLE
On Tuesday and Wednesday December 13 and 14, the medieval cloister of the Badia Fiesolona within the European Union Institute in San Domenico di Fiesole opens up its doors to showcase Christmas items, from handmade Christmas decorations to many gift ideas and jewelry. Many stands will showcase the craftsmanship of artisans from across Tuscany. A Christmas concert will take place Tuesday afternoon.  From 3-9pm Tuesday, and 10am-6pm on Wednesday at Via dei Roccettini, 9 – Fiesole.

FLORENCE
Another two Christmas markets to point out in Florence, whose proceeds will go to charity:

AILO Christmas Bazaar: In the Pagliere near Porta Romana, the American-International League organizes a bazaar and lottery with all funds going to local non-profit organizations. Gifts, toys, house items, baked homemade cookies and other treats, books, Christmas decorations and so much more will be available. From 10am to 5pm.

Mercatino di Natale di Chicco: From December 8-11, the Caricentro organizes this market where you’ll find clothes, toys, books, house items, Christmas decorations and much more. Saturday afternoon entertainment will be available for the little ones. All proceeds go to the A.Ma.R.T.I. ONLUS (association dedicated to helping children with liver disease in Tuscany). At the Caricentro, Lungarno Generale dalla Chiesa, 13

Hope you find all your Christmas gifts soon!!

Photo credit: ComunicaTI