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03/04/21
Paris at Christmas Time [2020]
When it comes to things to do in Paris at Christmas time, we Parisians are spoilt for choice. The City of Lights 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 over Christmas? Do you want to know what to do in Paris at Christmas time? Go on reading, we have lots of ideas for you!
Heads Up! We are working hard to be accurate but these are unusual times so please always check before heading out.
Christmas in Paris FAQ
How do Parisians celebrate Christmas in Paris?
Locals usually celebrate Christmas in Paris with family and friends, usually around a delicious meal composed of traditional French food and some delicacies. Of course, there’s also wine, champagne, and sweets. Religious people also go to their nearest church to attend the Christmas Mass.
Does Paris have Christmas Markets?
YES! The most popular Christmas Markets in Paris are the Eiffel Tower Christmas Market, the Trocadéro Christmas Market, and the Tuileries Christmas Market.
Does it snow in Paris in December?
Snow in Paris in December is rare. It usually snows in January and February. However, there’s always a small chance of snow in Paris in December, so don’t lose hope!
Where to buy Christmas decorations in Paris?
It depends on the kind of Christmas decorations you are looking for. For fancy Christmas decorations, head to the Grands Boulevards, to department stores like Galeries Lafayette or Printemps. You can find traditional Christmas decorations and wooden things in the Parisian Christmas Markets.
Weather During Christmas in Paris
The days around Christmas, Paris can be chilly but the temperature rarely goes below 0ºC. However, the weather is cold and wet, with a small chance of snow, so we recommend adding warm clothes and shoes to your Paris packing list. Below, some ideas on what to wear in Paris at Christmas time:
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.
Where to Stay in Paris at Christmas
If you want to spend Christmas in Paris we recommend staying central. However, there’s no right or wrong answer – it depends on what you like and the kind of trip you are planning (budget vs luxury, solo vs couple, family trip…). On the posts below, you will find some suggestions and a glimpse of Paris by Arrondissement.
Best Things to Do During Christmas in Paris [2020]
Paris is a wonderful city to visit at any time of year but at Christmas, it’s even more magical with the streets, squares, and shop fronts lit up by thousands of twinkling lights. Come to Paris to spend Christmas and New Year’s in one of the best Christmas destinations in Europe.
Below, a list of some fun things to do in Paris during Christmas. For more activities and seasonal tips, check out our articles on December in Paris and Winter in Paris.
LOCKDOWN IN FRANCE 2021
- Museums, cultural spaces, theaters, cinemas, and cabarets remain closed until further notice.
- Bars and restaurants remain closed until further notice. However, many restaurants are proposing takeaway services.
- Curfew in all the French territory from 7 pm to 6 am.
- Borders with non-EU countries are closed.
- To enter France from an EU country, a negative PCR test is compulsory.
- Travel to France overseas, only for compelling reasons.
- Non-essential shops are closed.
- Gatherings of more than 6 people are not allowed
Visit the Best Christmas Markets in Paris
Ok, the Parisian Christmas Markets perhaps may not be as interesting as the Christmas Markets in Alsace or in Germany but they are a great place to hang out in the evenings for some Christmas shopping and a jar of mulled wine. Here’s the list of the best Christmas Markets in Paris:
- Tuileries Christmas Market (Paris 1) canceled
- Marché de Noël de la canopée des Halles (Paris 1) canceled
- Saint-Germain Christmas Market (Paris 6) from 10 December 2020 to 3 January 2021
Marché de Noël de Notre Dame de Paris- Eiffel Tower Christmas Market (Paris 7) canceled
- La Défense Christmas Market canceled
Drink a Vin-chaud
Vin-chaud (mulled wine) is Parisians’ favorite winter warmer, especially during Christmas. This is one of the Christmas traditions in Paris, and we locals enjoy drinking vin-chaud especially with friends.
This festive drink is made of hot red wine mixed with sugar, orange, and some spices like cinnamon. You can find vin-chaud in the Parisian Christmas Markets but also in most of the bars and cafes across the city.
Get Ideas for Your Christmas Dinner in Paris
Christmas food festivals or Christmas food tours are great for sampling holiday treats and learn about Christmas food traditions in France.
Salon Noël Gourmand Food Festival is dedicated to all those products which are somehow linked 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 get inspired!
Alternatively, join a Christmas food tour around the neighborhood of Saint Germain-des-Près, in Paris 6. Saint Germain is well known for its chocolate and pastries shops and it also has a small Christmas market.
Enjoy the Paris Christmas Decorations and Paris Christmas Lights
At Christmas, Paris’ most beautiful monuments as well as the main avenues and squares are lit up with multi-colored bulbs and Christmas decorations.
During your Paris Christmas holidays don’t miss the Paris Christmas lights and Paris Christmas decorations at Champs-Élysées, Avenue Montaigne, Place Vendôme, or Montmartre: more than ever, Christmas in Paris is a moveable feast!
A great way to enjoy the Paris Christmas lights and decorations is with the Open-top Christmas Lights Bus Tour. This 1.5-hour bus tour comes with a hot drink, audio guide, and personal earphones playing traditional Christmas songs.
Click here to book your Open-top Christmas Lights Bus Tour
Christmas Shopping in Paris: Admire the Department Store Windows
One of the most celebrated Christmas traditions in Paris is the decoration of the city’s shop windows. This is especially spectacular at Galeries Lafayette or Printemps Haussmann department stores (both on Boulevard Haussmann, Paris 9). Their Christmas shop windows, usually sponsored by luxury brands, show dreamlike worlds with animated figures.
If possible, try to 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 Paris Christmas Tree, under its cupola, and it usually comes with a short Christmas show every hour.
Explore the Covered Passages of Paris
If you are still missing some Christmas gifts but you prefer doing your Christmas shopping in a more intimate atmosphere, head to the covered passages of Paris. The Paris walkways are a world apart from the busy Grands Boulevards and their beautiful 18th-century architecture is usually decorated with festive ornaments during the Christmas holidays.
Don’t miss their elegant cafes and vintage shops, the covered passages are one of Paris’ best-kept secrets!
Go Ice Skating
After all the sweets, chocolate and Christmas meals in Paris, a bit of sport is always a good idea. Ice skating is a fun and popular activity during Christmas in Paris and you’ll find many ice skating rinks set for the holidays. Here’s the list of the most popular ice skating rinks in Paris at Christmas time:
- Tour Eiffel: on the first floor of the tower
- Grand Palais: under the glass cupola
- Hôtel de Ville: right in front of the beautiful building
- Grande Arche: on the top of the Grande Arche with a great view of Paris
- Jardin des Tuileries: inside the Christmas Market
- Galeries Lafayette: on the terrace!
TIP: We recommend the ice rink of Grand Palais – ice skating under its amazing glass cupola is even more magical.
Vintage Funfair at Musée des Arts Forains
– This event is canceled for Christmas in Paris 2020 –
Looking for things to do in Paris at Christmas time with kids? Usually kept for cocktail parties and private events, the Musée des Arts Forains, in Paris 12, is exceptionally open to the public during Christmas in Paris.
From TBD December 2020 to TBD January 2021 this museum of fairground rides and stalls hosts the Festival du Merveilleux, with storytellers, magicians, musicians, dancers, and of course wonderful rides!
Considered one of the most beautiful museums of Paris (well, at least for us), the magical atmosphere of Musée des Arts Forains will delight kids and adults alike.
Visit Disneyland Paris at Christmas
– This event is canceled for Christmas in Paris 2020 –
In Disneyland Paris, Christmas is a big thing. Disneyland Paris is always a world apart, a magical world which becomes even more special during Christmas time with light shows and streets dripping in Christmas decorations.
Check out our Disneyland Paris crowd calendar to enjoy Disneyland Paris’ Christmas celebrations without the longest lines and book your Disney tickets right now.
To save money and the hassle of taking public transportation, consider the bundle Disneyland Paris tickets + Disneyland Paris Express. The bus Disneyland Paris Express has three departure points in the city and takes you to the park before it opens and returns to Paris at 9 pm.
TIP: do you want to extend your Disneyland experience? Spend one night at one of the Disneyland hotels
Take an Enchanted Stroll at The Lights Festival
– This event is canceled for Christmas in Paris 2020 –
The Jardin des Plantes Light Show is one of the best events during Christmas and winter in Paris. It is an enchanting experience, for kids and adults, with monumental light structures set in the alleys and pitches of Jardin des Plantes and Ménagerie in the Latin Quarter of Paris.
This magical show was inaugurated two years ago (2018-2019) with a fantastic exhibition on creatures that disappeared millions of years ago or currently threatened by human activity or climate change. After its big success, the Festival of Lights was back from November 18 2019 to January 20 2020, with an exhibition named Océan en Voie d’Illumination (Illuminated Ocean).
Enjoy a Fairy Tale Day Trip at Château of Vaux-le-Vicomte
Spend an unforgettable day at the 17th century Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, one of the most beautiful castles near Paris. Visit the different rooms and halls, all in a festive Christmas atmosphere. Admire the beautiful, twinkling Christmas lights adorning the castle facades and the impressive gardens.
Children can dress up in period costumes and play as Kings and Queens for the day!
Click here to book your tickets to Vaux-le-Vicomte
How to Spend Christmas Eve in Paris
The night before Christmas in Paris (24th December) is usually spent with family and friends. Expect shops and businesses closed earlier than usual to let people get ready for the Christmas dinner.
Looking for a good restaurant for your Christmas Dinner in Paris? Not all the restaurants are open during Christmas Eve in Paris so if you have a specific restaurant in mind, check on its website if it is open, and book well in advance!
For a Christmas Eve in Paris, there are always some interesting proposals:
Take a Seine River Cruise with Christmas dinner and sail the Seine River with the city lit up for Christmas, this can be a memorable experience!
Click here to book your Christmas Dinner Cruise with Bateaux Parisiens
PARISIAN CABARET SHOW + DINNER
If you are looking for a more festive way to spend Christmas Eve in Paris, head to a Parisian cabaret, with a special Christmas Eve Dinner + Cabaret Show. Not all the cabarets are open for Christmas Eve so book well in advance! This is the list of Parisian Cabarets proposing a Christmas Eve Dinner and Show:
- Le Paradis Latin Christmas Dinner and Show
- Le Lido Paris Christmas Dinner and Show
- Moulin Rouge Christmas Dinner and Show
TIP: Don’t know what is the best Cabaret in Paris for you? Check our Parisian Cabarets Quick Guide
CHRISTMAS MASS
To celebrate Christmas in a traditional way go to the church, most of them organize vigils and masses. For such a special occasion we recommend the Basilica of Sacré-Cœur in Montmartre, or the Madeleine Church in Paris 8, both organizing prestigious celebrations on 24 and 25 December with exceptional choirs and concerts.
Christmas Masses at Basilique du Sacré Coeur de Montmartre (Right Bank) to be confirmed for Christmas in Paris 2020
24 December
6 pm: first evensong of Christmas
10 pm: organ concert
Midnight: Midnight Mass
25 December
11 am: solemn mass
4 pm: solemn Vespers
10 pm: Christmas Mass
Christmas Masses at Sainte Madeleine Church (Right Bank) to be confirmed for Christmas in Paris 2020
24 December
9:30 pm: doors open
10:00 pm: vigil and evening Mass
25 December
11:00 am: solemn verses
6:00 pm: Christmas Mass
Christmas Masses at Saint-Sulpice Church (Left Bank) to be confirmed for Christmas in Paris 2020
24 December
19 pm: Children mass
23 pm: Christmas vigil sang and Midnight Mass
25 December
1 am: Christmas High Mass
Église Saint-Germain-des-Prés (Left Bank) to be confirmed for Christmas in Paris 2020
Noted for its wonderful acoustics, it’s an ideal destination for Christmas Mass.
24 December
19 pm: Children mass
23 pm: Christmas vigil sang and midnight mass
25 December
1 am: Christmas High Mass
Americans visiting Paris and looking for celebrations similar to the ones in the US can head to the American Cathedral in Paris or the American Church in Paris.
The American Cathedral in Paris – 23 avenue Georges V, Paris 8
Christmas events still to be defined for Christmas in Paris 2020
The American Church in Paris – 65 Quai d’Orsay, Paris 7
Christmas events still to be defined for Christmas in Paris 2020
What to Do on Christmas Day in Paris
Christmas Day in Paris is a bit like the 15th of August: not much happens in the city. Apart from the church services (information above), don’t expect much going on in Paris.
Some of the city’s top attractions, however, are open on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and also on 1st January so it is a good idea to keep them for these holiday days when everything else is closed.
The Eiffel Tower never closes for holidays! You can climb up the Eiffel Tower every day of the year, sun or rain.
Click here to book your Eiffel Tower tickets
- Open: Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve
- Closed: Christmas Day & New Year’s Day
- Closed: Tuesdays
Click here to book your Louvre Museum tickets
ORSAY MUSEUM
- Open: New Year’s Day
- Closed: Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve
- Closed: Mondays
Click here to book your Orsay Museum tickets
CENTRE POMPIDOU
- Open: New Year’s Eve
- Closed: Christmas Day & New Year’s Day
- Closed: Tuesdays
Click here to book your Centre Pompidou tickets
- Open: New Year’s Eve
- Closed: Christmas Day
- Closed: Mondays
Click here to book your Versailles tickets
How to Spend New Year’s Eve in Paris [2020]
It’s never too early to make your plans for New Year’s Eve in Paris — plenty of parties and events sell out months in advance!
Here’s our list of cool things to do during New Year’s Eve in Paris. It contains our best tips, daytime events, and parties that go on well into the night to celebrate the new year.
And there you have it, the list of best things to do at Christmas in Paris. Christmas is a wonderful time to be in Paris and we are sure that you are going to love it.
Click here to read more Paris Travel Tips
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