Luminaries lit in the streets dedicated to Christmas shopping (hours 16.00-22.00)
while in Gramsci Square opening of the rides, to the delight of all children.
In Castelfiorentino the “magic” of Christmas is beginning to be felt. In fact, from Saturday, November 26, the “start” will be given to the merry-go-rounds in Piazza Gramsci and to the Luminarie, which this year in homage to energy-saving requirements will observe a more restrained schedule for the entire Christmas period: from 4-10 p.m. Almost at the same time (Friday 25 and Saturday 26), downtown merchants will launch “Black Friday,” with dedicated discounts and promotions (on the U.S. example, where this date coincides with the start of Christmas shopping) so as to offer an extra opportunity to those who wish to pack early for gifts to be placed under the tree, while Sunday openings will begin from Sunday, December 4.
Events will come into full swing from the feast of the Immaculate Conception (Thursday, Dec. 8) when the streets of the center will be set up with many stations where children can write and mail their letter addressed to Santa Claus: dreams, emotions, wishes, requests for gifts. The location of these “mailboxes” is secret: the fun will be just accompanying the children in this quest. Also on December 8, there will also be the “Mickey Mouse” character and “Santa’s Throne,” where it will be possible to take a souvenir photo. And then doughnuts and hot chocolate (Corso Matteotti) sweets and candy for the little ones, in a day accompanied by the traditional chestnut party organized by Avis. Finally, in the upper historic center, “The Street of Nativity Scenes” will be open, set up by the association “In the Shadow of Membrino,” with many artistic and handcrafted nativity scenes along shop windows, windows and outdoors (a “maxi” luminous nativity scene will be visible from the Pieve di Sant’Ippolito)
On Saturday, Dec. 10, interactive and fun games for children will be organized by the Cetra Association, while the streets of the center will be enlivened by Christmas music performed by the “Bandina dei Bambini” of the Wind Ensemble of the Castelfiorentino School of Music.
On Sunday, Dec. 11 – starting in the morning – the “Santa Clauses” on bicycles of “La Rotonda” will burst into the city center, an initiative born spontaneously by a group of “two-wheelers” enthusiasts, who make their appearance every year in December, animated by a big heart and the desire to bring a little cheer, especially among children and the elderly. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., the “Santas” will also administer Paella, to be eaten on the spot or taken away, and in the afternoon roasted chestnuts and mulled wine, until inviting the children to board their sleigh, in an atmosphere cheered by Christmas carols.
On Saturday, Dec. 17, workshops for young and old (by Cetra Association) and music by the brass band “Squilibrass.” Still active will be the “Santa’s Throne” where children can have their picture taken in a very special souvenir photo in the company of Mickey Mouse. Sunday, Dec. 18, wooden games for young and old by the Good Solace Engineering Association, and Christmas Eve still in the company of “Santa’s Throne” for the last souvenir photos, with stores open. Finale Jan. 6 with the Treasure Hunt and the traditional delivery of stockings filled with sweets.
“Christmas in Castelfiorentino” is organized by the CCN “Three Squares” association with the contribution and sponsorship of the City of Castelfiorentino.
“This year,” notes Paolo Antilli, president of of the CCN “Tre Piazze” association, “we have limited the lighting time of the Luminarie in deference to energy-saving requirements, even though we have been using low-consumption LED lights for years now. As for events, we have focused mainly on initiatives dedicated to children and families, in collaboration with associations in our area. The CCN Board of Directors would like to thank all the activities that contributed to the creation of the Luminarie, and also the City Council for its contribution, which made it possible to prepare a joint calendar of initiatives aimed at making the entire Christmas season more enjoyable in the center of Castelfiorentino.”
“We are happy with the work we have done,” observes the Councillor for Commerce, Simone Bruchi, “because we have managed to find a reasonable point of balance between the need not to waste energy unnecessarily with that, equally important for the commercial fabric, of making our city center attractive as a prime location for Christmas shopping. Thanks to the Three Squares Association and other associations that collaborated on the initiatives planned in the calendar, which have always been a strength of our community.”