Like everything else, Paris celebrates the festive season with unmistakable flair. The Champs-Élysées sparkles under a canopy of lights, the Eiffel Tower gleams brighter than ever, and the scent of roasted chestnuts and mulled wine drifts through lively Christmas markets. Inside Galeries Lafayette, a towering Christmas tree steals the spotlight — a Parisian holiday icon as famous as the store itself.
Whether you’re ice-skating beneath twinkling lights at Hôtel de Ville, admiring window displays that could rival scenes from Emily in Paris, or sipping chocolat chaud in a Montmartre café, the city turns into a postcard of winter romance. From classic attractions dressed in festive finery to hidden corners alive with holiday cheer, Christmas in Paris is an utterly magical experience everyone should enjoy at least once.
14 things to do during Christmas in Paris
#1 Shop at the Christmas markets
Paris's Christmas markets are a festive delight. At Les Halles, 30 wooden chalets offer mulled wine and trinkets, alongside a towering 65-foot Christmas tree and Santa's home. La Magie de Noël at the Tuileries Garden turns the heart of the city into a festive village with over 100 chalets, a Ferris wheel, and ice skating. For a unique experience, visit the Eiffel Tower's first-floor market. Here, you can savor seasonal treats like buckwheat galettes, crepes, and waffles, paired with warming drinks from mulled wine to Irish coffee.
#2 Catch sight of Paris Christmas lights
From mid-November, Paris transforms into a festive wonderland. The city's trees sparkle with twinkling lights, and streets come alive with vibrant decorations. The Champs-Élysées steals the show with its dazzling display of over one million lights, illuminating the tree-lined avenue from 5pm to midnight.
More venues with Christmas Lights
- Place Vendôme
- Avenue Montaigne
- Rue Saint-Honoré
- Village Royal
- Le Bon Marché
#3 Spend Christmas in Disneyland Paris
While Disneyland is the most enchanting place on earth, the festive atmosphere in the theme park makes it even more magical during the festive season! Disneyland Paris, brimming with your favorite Disney characters, is the ideal spot to get into the Christmas spirit, as they celebrate "Disney Enchanted Christmas" beginning on November 8,2025. Don't miss Mickey’s Dazzling Christmas Parade featuring colorful floats and nearly 100 performers. Join in for a tree lighting ceremony every evening in Town Square featuring a giant 24-meter Christmas tree with live choir performances and appearances by Mickey and friends.
#4 Gaze at the Christmas lights of the Eiffel Tower at night
During Christmas, the Eiffel Tower becomes a glittering emblem of Parisian festivity. Each evening, the Iron Lady bursts into a five-minute sparkle at the start of every hour from nightfall until midnight. This dazzling display, powered by 20,000 twinkling bulbs, transforms the Paris skyline into a scene straight out of a holiday film. Whether you’re watching from the Trocadéro Gardens, a Seine River cruise, or a cozy rooftop bar, it’s the perfect moment to capture that postcard-perfect shot — one worthy of your Instagram feed and your memories alike.
#5 Attend a classical concert at Sainte-Chapelle
The Sainte-Chapelle is one of France's most visited sites, located just minutes from Notre Dame Cathedral. Euromusic Productions gives you a series of concerts and recitals honoring classical music greats, bringing together the best sets and soloists in Paris. The list includes works by JS Bach, Mozart, Vivaldi, and Handel.
#6 Set Sail on a Seine River Christmas Cruise
On an exquisite Bateaux Parisiens dinner cruise, spend a festive Christmas Eve or Christmas Day drifting along the Seine. With a glass of champagne in hand, toast your friends and loved ones while enjoying views Paris' iconic buildings. Whether you prefer to take in the romantic vistas of the city while sipping champagne, or simply want to see things from a different perspective, a Seine River cruise is a must-do when visiting Paris.
#7 Ice Skating at Hotel de Ville
Another popular seasonal activity is Ice skating at Hotel de Ville (City Hall). This outdoor ice skating rink is known for its a festive atmosphere with holiday lights and decorations. The ice rink usually opens in early December and remains operational until mid-January, aligning with the festive season. The area around Hôtel de Ville is often decorated with Christmas markets, lights, and festive music. The rink itself provides a picturesque setting with views of the historic building illuminated at night.
#8 Nativity Scenes at Saint-Sulpice
Discover intricately crafted Nativity scenes at the historic Saint-Sulpice Church, often adorned with intricately designed figurines and meticulous attention to detail. This historic Roman Catholic church located in the 6th arrondissement of Paris, and is celebrated for its exquisite Baroque architecture and impressive interior. It would make for a wonderful quiet Christmas evening!
#9 Try Mulled Wine
To warm your spirits, savor a cup of aromatic mulled wine at charming Christmas markets in Champs-Elysées, Hôtel de Ville, Tuileries Garden, and Saint-Germain-des-Prés. Sipping vin chaud outdoors amid twinkling lights, festive music, and the joyful buzz of Christmas markets completes the authentic Parisian winter experience.
#10 Check out the Christmas decorations of the grand magasins
Paris's big departmental stores, or grand magasins, such as Bon Marché and Galeries Lafayette, are renowned for their extravagant Christmas decorations. These stores transform into dazzling winter wonderlands during the holiday season, with magnificent window displays, towering Christmas trees, and enchanting decorations capturing the spirit of Christmas.
#11 Indulge in the French yule log, Bûche de Noël
This quintessential French yule log cake, can be found in various patisseries and bakeries throughout Paris, so make sure to take a moment to sample this decadent sponge cake. For other delectable French Christmas specialties, explore local markets and bakeries offering delights like crispy galettes, fluffy choux à la crème, and buttery Bredele cookies!
#12 Montmartre Artists' Village
Venture into the artistic heart of Montmartre during the Christmas season, where the local artists set up stalls offering one-of-a-kind, handcrafted gifts and souvenirs. This will be a perfect opportunity to find unique treasures while immersing yourself in the bohemian charm of this historic neighborhood. The cobbled streets and artistic energy make Montmartre a place where the spirit of Christmas truly comes alive!
#13 Visit the Jardin des Plantes for
Visit the Jardin des Plantes in the 5th arrondissement during its annual Winter Festival of Lights, where the gardens are brought to life with enchanting illuminations, creating a magical atmosphere that's perfect for a festive stroll. Each year's exhibition illuminates a different period or type of species. The exhibition usually spans 2 months, from mid-November to mid-January.
#14 The long-awaited Christmas Eve Mass at Notre Dame
This event holds deep nostalgic value for many locals and offers a chance for all to experience the cathedral's awe-inspiring architecture and spiritual ambiance. Even if you are non-religious, it's worth attending the midnight mass just for the experience. As the clock strikes twelve, step outside to hear a magical Paris tradition: the simultaneous ringing of church bells across the city.
