Experience the Magic of Christmas in Paris
When it comes to things to do in Paris at Christmas time, we Parisians are spoilt for choice. The City of Light is lit up even brighter, and each Arrondissement of Paris has something festive going on.
From glittering Christmas lights to traditional markets and Christmas shows, Paris is a Christmas wonderland, and there’s simply no better place to be!
Are you planning a trip to Paris for Christmas? This article gives you all the information you need to make the most of the festive season – what to see, where to go, and how to experience the magic of Christmas in Paris like a local or a first-time visitor.
Are You Planning a Trip to Paris Last Minute?
If you are booking a last-minute trip to Paris, I’ve got you covered! Below are our guides, top tours, hotels, and more:
» Plan: Paris Travel Planner; Paris Arrondissements Guide; Check out the best Paris Metro tickets for tourists
» Book your flight tickets with Omio; book your train tickets with Omio
Book your transfer from the airport to the city with Welcome Pickups.
» Where to Stay: Best Districts to Stay in Paris
- Le Pavillon de la Reine (historical 5-star hotel in Le Marais)
- Hotel La Comtesse (mid-range hotel with Eiffel Tower view from all the rooms!)
- Hotel Ducs de Bourgogne (super central 4-star hotel near the Louvre)
» Top-Rated Paris Tours & Tickets:
- Louvre Museum Skip-the-Line Ticket
- Eiffel Tower Summit Access Ticket
- Seine River Night Cruise
- Château de Versailles and Gardens
- Catacombs Skip-the-line tour with VIP access to restricted areas
Want skip-the-line access at museums & attractions in Paris? Get your hands on a Paris Museum Pass!
» Don’t leave without travel insurance! SafetyWing Essential plan works well for long and short trips (from 5 days up). Can also cover electronics theft through their add-on.
Table of Contents:
- What to Do in Paris at Christmas Time
- Other Christmas Events in Paris
- What to Do in Paris on Christmas Day
- What’s Open in Paris on Christmas Day
- Where to Stay in Paris during Christmas
- Weather in Paris in December
Read More:
What to Do in Paris at Christmas Time
Paris is a wonderful city to visit at any time of year. At Christmas, Paris is even more magical, with the streets, squares, and shop fronts lit by thousands of twinkling lights. Come to Paris to spend Christmas and New Year’s Eve in one of the best Christmas destinations in Europe!
Here’s what to do in Paris at Christmas time. Keep in mind that the city begins to dress up for the season in the last week of November, when lights, decorations, and festive cheer start to take over the streets!
Champs‑Élysées Christmas Lights
Each year, Paris officially kicks off the holiday season with a festive lighting ceremony on the Champs‑Élysées, when the iconic avenue comes alive with thousands of sparkling lights.
While the details for the 2025 event have not yet been announced, it typically takes place in late November (last year, the ceremony was held on 24 November at 6:30 p.m.), featuring a public countdown and a celebrity guest who flips the switch to illuminate the entire avenue.
Don’t miss this dazzling Parisian tradition if you are in the city in late November!
Visit the Paris Christmas Markets
Take some time out from sightseeing to visit one or two Christmas Markets in Paris. Hundreds of wooden chalets will tempt you with unique gifts, traditional Christmas decorations, and culinary delights. Here’s the list of my favorite Christmas Markets in Paris (but you’ll find more in the dedicated article):
- Tuileries Garden Christmas Market (Paris 1)
- Notre Dame Christmas Market (Paris 5)
- La Défense Christmas Market (at La Défense business district)
Enjoy Paris’ Christmas Food
Food festivals and food tours are great for sampling holiday treats and learning about France’s Christmas food traditions.
Salon Saveurs des Plaisirs Gourmands (from 5 to 8 December 2025, at Espace Champerret in Paris 17) is a gourmet food fair dedicated to seasonal local products, and most of them are closely tied to Christmas and New Year celebrations: traditional French food, French pastries, and of course, wine and champagne. Visit the different stands, talk to the exhibitors, and taste some samples!
Chocolate is a timeless treat during Christmas in Paris! You’ll find top-quality chocolates in pastry shops and chocolatiers all across the city. For the most authentic experience, skip the larger commercial brands and seek out local artisan chocolate makers instead. Need a little help getting started? Try this free, self-guided chocolate tour through Le Marais, a delicious way to discover some of Paris’s best hidden gems.
You can also join this Christmas Gourmet Tour of Saint-Germain-des-Près. This Paris neighborhood on the Seine’s Left Bank is well known for its chocolate and pastry shops and has a small Christmas market.
Another favorite of Christmas time in Paris is the Bûche de Noël. These sponge cakes are covered with chocolate buttercream to look like festive yule logs. You can buy them in pastry shops and bakeries, and there are mini bûches for one person.
Admire Paris’ Christmas Decorations and Lights
If you visit Paris at Christmas time, don’t miss the Christmas decorations and lights of Champs-Élysées, Avenue Montaigne, Place Vendôme, or Montmartre. More than ever, Paris is a moveable feast!
The Open-top Christmas Lights Bus Tour is a great way to enjoy Paris’ Christmas lights and decorations. This 1.5-hour bus tour includes a hot drink, an audio guide, and personal earphones playing traditional Christmas songs.
You can also discover the best decorations with this Christmas lights walking tour with a local or, if you want to cover more ground, follow your guide on two wheels with this Christmas guided bike tour. Take in the illuminated Paris landmarks as you pedal along on your bike after dark.
Christmas Shopping in Paris
Beyond the Christmas markets, one of the most beloved holiday traditions in Paris is the enchanting display of decorated department store windows.
The most spectacular can be found at Galeries Lafayette and Printemps Haussmann, both located on Boulevard Haussmann in the 9th Arrondissement. Their intricate, themed displays draw crowds every year! Don’t miss the charming windows at BHV Marais as well, beautifully set across from the Hôtel de Ville in Paris 4.
These Christmas shop windows are usually sponsored by luxury brands and show dreamlike worlds with animated figures. If possible, visit these Christmas shop windows during the week; the area gets crazy on weekends!
Galeries Lafayette is also famous for hosting one of the most beautiful Christmas Trees in Paris. It is located under its magnificent glass cupola and usually has a short Christmas show every hour.
Explore the Covered Passages of Paris
If you are still missing some Christmas gifts but prefer shopping in a more intimate atmosphere, head to the covered passages of Paris. These Paris walkways are a world apart from the busy Grands Boulevards, and during the Christmas holidays, their beautiful 18th-century architecture is usually decorated with festive ornaments.
Don’t miss their elegant cafés and vintage shops; these covered passages are among the top hidden gems in Paris!
Listen to a Christmas Concert
Some of Paris’s most atmospheric religious buildings hold festive concerts around Christmas. Classical performances are typically held at Saint-Sulpice (Paris 6), Saint-Germain-des-Prés (Paris 6), Saint-Eustache (Paris 1), and La Madeleine (Paris 8), especially in the days around Christmas.
Concerts at the Sainte-Chapelle (Paris 4) are among the most spectacular, thanks to the chapel’s breathtaking setting. This Gothic royal gem is lined with 16 towering stained glass windows covering more than 600 square meters. When the music begins and sunlight filters through the glowing glass, the atmosphere becomes truly magical. Christmas-themed concerts take place here from 20 to 31 December (excluding Christmas Day).
Vintage Funfair at Musée des Arts Forains
Are you looking for unique things to do in Paris during Christmas with kids? Usually open for cocktail parties and private events, the Musée des Arts Forains (53, Avenue des Terroirs de France, Paris) is exceptionally open to the public during Christmas time in Paris.
From 26 December 2025 to 4 January 2026, this museum of fairground rides and vintage stalls hosts the Festival du Merveilleux (Wonder Festival), featuring storytellers, magicians, musicians, dancers, and beautiful restored rides.
Considered one of the most beautiful museums in Paris, the magical atmosphere of Musée des Arts Forains will delight kids and adults alike!
Other ‘Christmas Events’ in Paris
This section covers events just outside Paris and other activities that, while not strictly Christmas-themed, capture the spirit of the season perfectly.
Visit Disneyland Paris at Christmas Time
In Disneyland Paris, Christmas is a big time. Disneyland Paris is always a world apart, a magical world that becomes even more special during Christmas time (this year from 8 November 2025 to 6 January 2026), with light shows and streets dripping in Christmas decorations.
Check out my quick guide to Christmas at Disneyland Paris and this Disneyland Paris crowd calendar to enjoy the magic of Disney without the longest lines. If possible, book your Disneyland tickets well in advance (Christmas is the high season in Disneyland Paris!).
A day trip to Disneyland Paris is very easy to organize. To save money and the hassle of taking public transportation, consider the bundle Disneyland Paris tickets + Disneyland Paris Express. The Disneyland Paris Express bus has three departure points in Paris, takes you to the park before it opens, and returns to Paris at 9 p.m.
TIP: For a unique Christmas experience, consider booking one of the Disneyland Paris hotels.
Paris Cabaret Dinner and Show
If you’re looking for a festive way to spend an evening in Paris, head to a cabaret for a special holiday show and dinner. The Moulin Rouge is open on 24 and 25 December, Le Paradis Latin welcomes guests on 24 December only, while the Crazy Horse offers a Christmas night show exclusively on 25 December.
- Le Paradis Latin Dinner and Show
- Le Paradis Latin Christmas Dinner and Show (link only for the 24 December show)
- Moulin Rouge Christmas Dinner and Show
- Crazy Horse Cabaret Show
TIP: Don’t know what cabaret to choose? Check out this quick guide to the best cabarets in Paris.
Take an Enchanted Stroll at one of the Light Festivals in Paris
The Paris Festival of Lights is one of the best Christmas events in Paris. It is an enchanting experience for kids and adults, with monumental light structures set in the alleys and pitches of the Jardin des Plantes in the Latin Quarter of Paris.
From 12 November 2025 to 18 January 2026, Paris’ main botanical garden will be populated by bioluminescence, fluorescence, and incandescence all around, thanks to the exhibition event “Lumières de la Nature.”
But this is not the only light festival in the city! There are other enchanting light festivals in Paris and nearby, usually hosted in beautiful parks and gardens. From arty strolls to dragons and lanterns festivals, there’s something for everyone!
Best Exhibitions During Christmas in Paris
For those looking to take a break from Christmas lights and festive bustle, Paris offers plenty of interesting temporary exhibitions alongside its permanent collections.
Step into the warmth of the city’s museums for a dose of art, history, and culture this holiday season.
Enjoy a Fairy Tale Day Trip to Château of Vaux-le-Vicomte
From 14 November 2025 to 6 January 2026, Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte celebrates the “Grand Noël,” a magical Christmas event at one of the most beautiful castles near Paris.
Spend an unforgettable day exploring this stunning 17th-century residence, where every room and hall is filled with festive cheer. Admire the sparkling Christmas lights that illuminate the château’s facades and its magnificent formal gardens.
Children can dress in period costumes and play the Kings and Queens for the day! You can visit the Château independently or opt for a Grand Noël guided tour from Paris, which visits both Châteaeu de Fontainebleau and Château Vaux-le-Vicomte during the Christmas season.
Take a Day Trip to Strasbourg or Colmar for a Unique Christmas Experience
If you have one spare day in Paris, hop on a train to Alsace for more Christmas fun. Set in some of the region’s most picturesque cities, towns, and villages, a visit to the Christmas markets in Alsace is both a shopping experience and a destination discovery.
The Strasbourg Christmas Market is France’s most famous. Expect over 300 wooden chalets spread around different squares in the city, offering unique gifts, Christmas decorations, and delicious food in a fairytale atmosphere.
The journey from Paris to Strasbourg takes less than 2 hours by train. Book your train tickets well in advance for the best seats and prices.
The Colmar Christmas Market is voted year after year as one of the best Christmas markets in Europe! A sublime “light path” takes the visitors to discover Colmar’s six Christmas markets, each nestled in an idyllic setting and with its own identity and theme.
The journey from Paris to Colmar takes 2,5 to 3 hours by train, depending on whether it is a direct train or with one transfer. There are a few direct trains to Colmar, so book your train tickets as soon as possible before they sell out!
What to Do in Paris on Christmas Day
Christmas Day in Paris is a bit like the 15th of August: quiet and slow-paced. Aside from the church services and leisurely strolls through the parks to walk off the Christmas lunch, there’s not much happening in the city.
Join a Christmas Church Service
To celebrate Christmas more traditionally, go to the church for Christmas Mass. Most of the churches in Paris organize vigils and masses.
For such a special occasion, I recommend the Sacré-Cœur Basilica (Montmartre) or the Madeleine Church (Paris 8), which organizes prestigious celebrations on 24 and 25 December with exceptional choirs and concerts.
If you are staying on the Seine’s Left Bank, Saint-Sulpice Church (2 Rue Palatine, Paris 6) hosts a vigil and midnight mass, and Saint-Germain-des-Prés (Paris 6) is noted for its wonderful acoustics.
Americans visiting Paris will find celebrations similar to those in the US at the American Cathedral in Paris (23 Avenue George V, Paris 8) and the American Church in Paris (65 Quai d’Orsay, Paris 7). There are also English-language services held at the Scots Kirk (17 Rue Bayard, Paris 8) and St Michael’s Church (5 Rue d’Aguessau, Paris 8).
Church services in Paris at Christmas do get busy, though, so arrive early, as numbers may be limited. It’s also worth calling into the churches before Christmas, as many have ornately carved nativity scenes on display.
What’s Open in Paris on Christmas Day
What’s open in Paris on Christmas Day? You can climb the Eiffel Tower every day of the year, including Christmas Day – Click here to book your Eiffel Tower tickets
Other interesting museums /tourist sites that are also open on Christmas Day are:
- Notre Dame Cathedral
- Musée Jacquemart-André
- Musée Maillol
- Atelier des Lumières
- Bourse du Commerce – Pinault Collection
- Zoological Park
- Jardin d’Acclimatation
Another fun thing to do on Christmas Day in Paris is World in Paris’ (self-guided) treasure hunt – Queen Marie’s Treasures in the Luxembourg Gardens. This hunt is ideal for families and groups of friends and is a great way to learn the history of Paris while having fun.
In this blog, you will also find a variety of free self-guided walking tours you can do on Christmas Day in Paris. Some focus on specific neighborhoods, while others follow a particular subject or theme.
Take a Seine River Cruise
A Seine River cruise with lunch or dinner is a magical way to spend Christmas Day in Paris. As you glide past the city’s landmarks, enjoy festive cuisine and sparkling views from the warmth of the boat.
- Seine River Dinner or Lunch Cruise by Bateaux Parisiens (24 and 25 December)
- Christmas Lunch Cruise by Bateaux Mouches (25 December)
Where to Stay in Paris During Christmas
If you’re planning to spend Christmas in Paris, I recommend staying in a central location. In general, the central districts of Paris offer the best Christmas decorations and festive atmosphere.
There are many good hotels near the Louvre Museum for all budgets. Hotels in the Le Marais (Paris 3 and 4) and the hotels in the Latin Quarter are good options, too.
For a unique Christmas holiday in Paris, book a hotel with an Eiffel Tower view – there’s nothing like watching the Eiffel Tower sparkle at night to remind you that you’re in the City of Light.
Ultimately, there’s no right or wrong answer – it depends on your preferences and the type of trip you are planning (budget vs. luxury, solo vs. couple, family trip…). In the posts below, you will find more suggestions along with a quick guide to the best Paris neighborhoods.
Weather in Paris in December
Around Christmas, Paris can be chilly, though temperatures rarely go below 0ºC. The weather tends to be cold and damp, so I always recommend packing warm clothes and sturdy shoes. Below are some suggestions on what to wear during your Christmas holidays in Paris:
Also, the chances of rain are high (15 days on average), so don’t forget your foldable travel umbrella for those rainy days in Paris!
Winter days in Paris are short, with the sun setting early. Check out the sunset times in Paris in December and plan your outdoor activities accordingly.
And there you have it, what to do in Paris at Christmas and my best local tips to get the most out of your holiday. Christmas is a wonderful time to be in Paris, and I am sure you will love it!
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