Paris at Christmas is magical. There are Christmas markets, lights, concerts, cabarets, exhibitions, day trips, Disneyland celebrations, and 50+ other activities happening simultaneously, so you’ll need a proper plan.
This hub organizes Christmas in Paris by category and links you to detailed guides for each. Start here, then dive deeper into what interests you.
Last update: October 2026
Quick Start: Is Christmas the Right Time to Visit Paris?
December Rating: ★★★★☆
✅ Best for: Families, anyone who wants Paris at its most cinematic
⚠️ Watch out for: High season means higher prices and crowds (especially mid-December through New Year’s), some restaurants/shops/venues may close on Dec 25.
💡Local verdict: Christmas is high season in Paris, but it’s a completely different experience from summer tourism. The crowds aren’t sightseeing hordes – they’re Parisians shopping, meeting friends, and enjoying the city’s museums, theatres and cafés. If you can handle the cold and rain, you’ll be rewarded with postcard-worthy scenes and a festive atmosphere.
Quick stats:
- Average temperature: 5-10°C (41-50°F) highs / 1-5°C (34-41°F) lows
- Rainfall: Frequent rain and occasional snow
- Crowd level: 8/10 – High (holiday season = peak crowds, but different vibe than summer)
- Hotel prices: High (premium rates, especially Dec 20-Jan 1)
- Daylight: 8.5 hours/day (sunset around 4:45pm by month’s end)
- Book in advance: Yes, especially for Dec 15-Jan 1 (hotels, theatre, restaurants). Early December offers more flexibility.
Christmas Markets in Paris
Paris’s Christmas markets run from late November through December, with hundreds of wooden chalets selling gifts, decorations, and seasonal treats. Here are three of the best:
Tuileries Garden Christmas Market (Paris 1st)
This is of Paris’s largest markets with over 120 chalets spread throughout the historic Tuileries Garden. The setting is beautiful with fountains and sculptures as backdrop. Full guide to the Tuileries Christmas Market →
Notre-Dame Christmas Market (Paris 5th)
This is a smaller, more intimate market with 50 chalets and Notre-Dame Cathedral in the background. Perfect for artisan goods and local products in an unforgettable setting. Full guide to the Notre-Dame Christmas Market →
La Défense Christmas Market (La Défense Business District)
Easy to reach with the Paris metro, this is an expansive market with 150+ chalets in a modern setting. Best for serious Christmas shopping with fewer crowds. Full guide to La Défense Christmas Markets →
Want to explore all of Paris’s Christmas markets? See the complete guide to Christmas Markets in Paris with all locations, hours, and neighborhoods.
Christmas Events, Activities, and Celebrations
For other events, weather, and practical travel tips, see my Paris in December guide →
Lighting Ceremony on the Champs Elysées
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 illuminations are already installed (since mid-September!) the lighting ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, 22 November 2026, 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!
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.
Salon Saveurs des Plaisirsr Gourmands
Located at Espace Champerret, in Paris 17, the Salon Saveurs des Plaisirs Gourmands is a fair dedicated to seasonal local products, most of them closely tied to the French Christmas Dinner and New Year celebrations in France.
From 4 to 7 December 2026, expect traditional French food, pastries, and of course, wine and champagne. Visit the different stands, learn about the Christmas Traditions in France, talk to the exhibitors, and taste some samples! See official site for more information and booking →
Decorated Department Store Windows
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! You can find other charming store windows in My Christmas in Paris Map.
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 or when kids are still at school; the area gets crazy after 6 p.m. and on weekends!
The department stores are also beautifully decorated inside and offer a welcome break from the cold days of winter in Paris. Galeries Lafayette is famous for its spectacular Christmas Tree, displayed beneath its magnificent glass cupola, with a short Christmas show taking place 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).
Concerts at the Sainte-Chapelle (Paris 4) are among the most spectacular, thanks to the chapel’s breathtaking setting. When the music begins and sunlight filters through the glowing stained-glass windows, the atmosphere becomes truly magical.
Christmas-themed concerts take place from 20 to 31 December (excluding Christmas Day) and you can book through these links:
Vintage Funfair at Musée des Arts Forains
The Musée des Arts Forains (Paris 12) is a museum dedicated to fairground rides and vintage attractions. During the last weeks of the year, it opens its doors to the public for the Festival du Merveilleux, one of the most enchanting events in Paris at Christmas time, featuring storytellers, magicians, musicians, and dancers, all performing in a wonderfully festive atmosphere. Visitors can admire the museum’s beautifully restored rides and games and even try many of them.
Want to visit the Festival du Merveilleux? See the article on the Musée des Arts Forains with dates, hours and what to expect.
Paris Cabaret Dinner and Show
For a festive night out in Paris, consider an evening at one of the city’s legendary cabarets. During the Christmas season, they offer special holiday shows paired with dinner, making for a glamorous and entertaining way to celebrate the festive season.
The Moulin Rouge is open on 24 and 25 December, Le Paradis Latin welcomes guests on 24 December 24, while the Crazy Horse offers a special 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
Don’t know what cabaret to choose? See my guide to the best cabarets in Paris →
Take an Enchanted Stroll at the Paris Festival of Lights
The Paris Festival of Lights transforms the Jardin des Plantes (Latin Quarter) with glowing light installations from mid-November through January. This is a magical experience for kids and adults. See my guide to the Paris Festival of Lights →
What’s Open in Paris on Christmas Day
Christmas Day in Paris is quiet and slow-paced. However, there’s always something to do, besides the church services and leisurely strolls.
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.
- Right Bank: Sacré-Cœur Basilica (Montmartre) or the Madeleine Church (Paris 8), which organizes prestigious celebrations on 24 and 25 December with exceptional choirs and concerts.
- Left Bank: Saint-Sulpice Church (Paris 6) and Saint-Germain-des-Prés (Paris 6), which is noted for its wonderful acoustics.
- Americans visiting Paris looking for celebrations similar to those in the US: American Cathedral in Paris (Paris 8) and American Church in Paris (Paris 7).
- Other celebrations in English: Scots Kirk (Paris 8) and St Michael’s Church (Paris 8).
Museums & Landmarks Open on 25 December
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 – celebrates Christmas with holiday-themed rides and shows
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)
Beyond Paris: Christmas Magic at Nearby Castles & Markets
Visit Disneyland Paris at Christmas Time
Disneyland Paris becomes a winter wonderland from 7 November to 4 January 2027, with light shows, festive decorations, and magical entertainment. Book well in advance – Christmas is peak season! See my complete Disneyland Paris Christmas guide →
Enjoy a Fairy Tale Day Trip to Château of Vaux-le-Vicomte
From 14 November to 3 January 2027, 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! Here are the best ways to visit You can visit the Château independently or book a private guided tour from Paris.
Elisa’s Tip: round up your experience with this Grand Noël guided tour from Paris which visits both Château de Fontainebleau and Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte with a photo stop at Blandy Les Tours to admire its impressive château.
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. You can get to Strasbourg in less than 2 hours by train. Book your train tickets well in advance for the best prices.
A personal favorite, the Colmar Christmas Market is voted year after year as one Europe’s most charming. 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 train from Paris to Colmar takes 2,5-3 hours, 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!
When to Go
- Last week of November: Christmas atmosphere (illuminations, decorations), first Christmas markets and events, lower prices and lesser crowds.
- Early December: Christmas season in full swing, full program, crowded but bearable. Prices increase.
- Days around Christmas and New Year’s: higher prices and crowds, some restaurants /shops /venues may close on 25 December and 1 January.
Where to Stay
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.
- Hotels near the Louvre Museum (Paris 1)
- Hotels in the Le Marais (Paris 3 and 4)
- Hotels in the Latin Quarter (Paris 5)
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.
Want to explore other options? See the complete guide to the Best Arrondissements to Stay in Paris for all travel styles.
What to Pack
Around Christmas, Paris can be chilly, though temperatures rarely go below 0ºC. The weather tends to be cold and damp. For a complete packing list and how to combine the different items, see my detailed guides:
And there you have it, your Paris Christmas hub with everything organized by category and quick links to detailed guides on experiences and activities that interest you most.
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