The Paris Festival of Lights is a must-festival of winter in Paris. After the success of the previous editions, the Jardin des Plantes will once again brighten up the end of the year with this extraordinary Paris light show of giant sculptures.
If you visit Paris in December, November, or January, don’t miss this wonderful night show, one of the best events in Paris!
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 must-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
- 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.
What is the Festival of Lights at Jardin des Plantes?
The Festival of Lights Paris – Jardin des Plantes (Festival des Lumières in French) is a night exhibition that takes place at the Jardin des Plantes in the 5th arrondissement.
This Paris light festival is an enchanting experience for kids and adults, with monumental light structures set in the alleys and pitches of this beautiful garden.
The Jardin des Plantes Festival of Lights always has a different subject, usually related to endangered species around the world, so it’s a fun and educational way to spend a night in Paris.
Recently, I read a publication describing the Jardin des Plantes illuminations as “Jardin des Plantes Christmas lights,” but this description does not match reality, in my opinion. This is a winter event that lasts two months, from November to January, and the illuminated sculptures follow a specific theme that has nothing to do with Christmas.
Since its inauguration in 2018, we have seen other light festivals in Paris, but the Festival of Lights at Jardin des Plantes is still the best light show in Paris!
READ MORE – Quick Guide to Paris for Kids
Paris’ Festival of Lights 2024-2025: Jurassique en Voie d’Illumination
After five brilliant shows, the sixth edition of the Festival of Lights Paris 2024-2025 is named Jurassique en Voie d’Illumination. This exhibition will embark you on a memorable journey of 200 million years to discover the species of the Jurassic… illuminated!
From deep oceans to verdant valleys dominated by dinosaurs, learn about the species that once inhabited our planet, such as the plesiosaurs, archaeopteryx, and ammonites.
This open-air exhibition combines art, science, and poetry. Admire past biodiversity while letting yourself be carried away by the magic of lights.
The entrance to the Light Festival Paris 2024 is through 2 Place Valhubert. The closest metro station is Gare d’Austerlitz (lines 5 and 10).
Light Festival Paris 2024 – Dates & Opening Times
The Festival of Lights Paris 2024 dates are from 20 November 2024 to 19 January 2025. The exhibition will be closed on 24 December.
Opening Hours Outside School Holidays:
- Wednesday to Sunday, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Opening Hours During School Holidays:
- Every day, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Tickets can be purchased only online, and you will have to choose a time slot to access the park. Tickets are for a specific date and time slot, and they cost from 15€ (reduced price) to 18€ (full price). There are family discounts and free entrance for kids under three years old.
Visitors can access the Paris light show until one hour before the closing time.
Festival of Lights Paris – Top Tips
» For this light show, Paris is already in high season, warming up for the winter holidays, so be sure to book your tickets online well in advance.
» If possible, avoid the weekends and Christmas holidays. This light show in Paris has always been a big success from the very first day, and everybody wants to visit it!
» I am unsure about the best time to visit this Paris light festival. From 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., overexcited kids are running everywhere, while later, there are fewer kids, but it’s much colder. So, in the end, it’s up to you, depending on what (cold vs. kids) you resist best!
» The Jardin de Plantes Light Festival 2024-2025 covers most of the surface of the park, so allow 1-1.5 hours to visit everything. And wear extra warm clothes! – Check out what to pack for Paris in December
» I also recommend bringing a thermos flask with hot tea or something similar to keep your body warm; Paris is cold in winter!
» If you are traveling on a budget and don’t want to spend 18 €, you can see the giant lanterns during the day for free. However, they are not as beautiful as when they are lit up at night.
Jardin des Plantes Festival of Lights – Past Exhibitions
Here’s the list of the Jardin des Plantes’ Illuminations since their creation:
2023- La Jungle en Voie d’Illumination. This illuminated night stroll was dedicated to the creatures and ecosystems living in the jungle
2022- Mini-mondes en Voie d’Illumination. A spectacular night walk to discover the tiny wildlife
2021- L’Evolution en Voie d’Illumination. A fabulous night tour to discover the astonishing species that have populated the earth over the last 600 million years.
2019- Océan en Voie d’Illumination
2018- Espèces en Voie d’ Illumination.
And here’s a foretaste of what to expect at the Paris Festival of Lights 2024. Follow me along a magical moonlit stroll to discover some lovely sculptures from the previous exhibitions.
Winter nights in Paris are cold, but I am sure that these giant lanterns (perhaps with the help of a mulled wine) will warm your heart!
About the Jardin des Plantes in Paris
The Jardin des Plantes de Paris is a park and botanical garden located in the 5th district of Paris, which opened to the public 400 years ago. In addition to the typical green spaces and flower beds, there is also a menagerie, greenhouses, several museums, food stands, and a carousel.
The Jardin des Plantes is great for kids and adults to learn about flowers and plants or just for a stroll.
Other Things to Do In and Around the Jardin des Plantes (day and night):
- Grande Galerie de l’Evolution (Gallery of Evolution)
- Ménagerie – Zoo at the Jardin des Plantes
- Galerie de Paléntologie et d’Anatomie Comparée
- Galerie de Géologie et Minéralogie
- Grandes Serres du Jardin des Plantes (Greenhouses)
- The Latin Quarter
- Arènes de Lutèce
- Seine River Cruise
- The Panthéon of Paris
- Le Marais
