
There’s an extra dose of magic to a trip to Paris in winter, when the City of Lights is lit even brighter by thousands of twinkling bulbs. Each of Paris’ districts has something festive going on, from window shopping at grand magasins and browsing Christmas markets with a glass of vin chaud, to a spin on an outdoor ice rink and riding a vintage funfair. So dig out your scarf and gloves and join me for nine of the best things to do in Paris at Christmas.
Local restrictions mean events and opening hours are subject to change – please check attraction websites for most up-to-date information.

What’s Paris’ winter weather like?
The weather in Paris in the winter is usually fairly mild – average temperatures range from a high of 8°C (46°F) to a low of 3°C (37°F). It can get frosty at night though and there are a few rain or sleet showers, so pack a waterproof or umbrella. But the city has plenty of cosy cafés, museums and things to do indoors so you can always find a warm spot to thaw out.
Things to do in Paris in winter

1. Admire the Christmas lights
From mid-November, Paris is decked out in her Christmas finery. Trees are draped with twinkling lights and colourful decorations are strung across the streets. Most areas of Paris get an extra dose of sparkle for the festive season, but for the most over-the-top display head to the bustling Champs Elysées. This year’s display runs from 22 November 2020 to 6 January 2021 and includes over a million red and blue bulbs draped across 400 trees.
You’ll also find plenty of sparkling lights lining Boulevard Hausmann (from 14 November 2020 to 3 January 2021), and other streets which go all out with the lights include Rue Faubourg-St-Honoré with its sophisticated blue and white colour scheme, Place Vendôme with its forest of sparkling pine trees, Avenue Montaigne and Bercy Village. If you want to see the best of the illuminations, there’s a city sightseeing bus tour* of the highlights.

2. Go window shopping
Paris’ big department stores dress for Christmas with some impressively festive store window displays. Each year’s decorations have a different theme – from Hollywood glamour to Beauty and the Beast. And they feature lights, animations, music, and plenty of snow and sparkle. The planning for next year starts as soon as the previous year’s decorations get taken down, and there are big opening nights each year when the new displays are unveiled.
You find some of the best festive window displays at Galeries Lafayette – where there’s also a giant tree underneath the building’s central dome – and Le Printemps (both Boulevard Haussmann, nearest Metro: Chaussée d’Antin), Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche (24 Rue de Sèvres, Metro: Sèvres-Babylone) and BHV Marais (52 Rue de Rivoli, Metro: Hôtel de Ville).

3. Visit the Christmas markets
Since they started in Germany, Christmas markets have spread across Europe and beyond to become an annual festive tradition, and you find them in most cities – Paris included. Fill up on festive treats from wooden chalets, selling everything from handmade tree decorations and wooden gifts to cheeses from across France and Eiffel Tower-shaped biscuits.
‘Marchés de Noël’ are normally held across the city during December. However the 2020 pandemic means this year’s markets are being held on a smaller scale than usual or swapping to online shopping events. But you can still get your festive fix at Notre Dame cathedral from 11–27 December 2020 and the Saint Germain des Prés Christmas market from 5 December 2020–3 January 2021. Check details online for opening times and locations.

4. Go ice skating
Many of Paris’ outdoor ice rinks are closed for winter 2020, but you can usually gets your skates on beneath the Eiffel Tower at the Champs de Mars Christmas market as well as in the Jardin des Tuileries. There is also France’s biggest ice rink under the domed glass roof of the beautiful Grand Palais, and rooftop rinks on the roof of the Galeries Lafayette department store and on top of the Grande Arche at La Défense at 110 metres high.

5. Take a trip to the fair
Go back in time with a vintage fairground at the Musee Des Arts Forains. This private collection of fairground rides and stalls dating back to 1850 is normally only open to visitors on guided tours. But at the end of the year it hosts the Festival du Merveilleux, with storytellers, magicians, musicians, dancers and puppeteers (2020’s opening to be confirmed). It’s also free for children to ride on many of the city’s carousels over Christmas.

6. Listen to a Christmas concert
Some of Paris’ most atmospheric buildings hold festive concerts around Christmas. There are classical concerts in the churches at Saint-Germain des Prés, Saint‐Eustache and La Madeleine. But most spectacular of all is Sainte-Chapelle. This Gothic chapel’s walls are made up of 16 huge stained glass windows covering over 600 square metres. When musicians are playing and the light hits the windows and makes them glow, it’s magical.

7. Join in a Christmas church service
If you’re spending Christmas in Paris, services are held in churches across the city. At Sacre-Couer Basilica there’s an organ concert, sung vigil and midnight mass on Christmas Eve as well as several masses on Christmas Day. There are also Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services at the churches of Saint Sulpice, Madeleine and Saint Eustache. They do get busy though so arrive early as numbers may be limited. There are also English-language services held at the American Cathedral in Paris, the Scots Kirk and St Michael’s Church.

8. Warm up with a vin chaud
A steaming cup of vin chaud is a French festive staple. Dry red wine is mixed with sugar, orange and fragrant spices like cinnamon, star anise, cardamon and cloves to make a real winter warmer (sometimes with an extra nip of cognac). You can find it on sale in bars and cafés across Paris as well as in the Christmas markets – it often comes in a commemorative mug which you pay a few euros deposit for and can take home as a souvenir.

9. An Enchanted Christmas at Disneyland Paris
Unfortunately due to current restrictions Disneyland Paris is closed until February 2021. Normally the park hosts an ‘Enchanted Christmas’ event with shows and parades, markets, light displays and streets dripping in decorations. A day ticket costs £47 on weekdays or £70 at weekends. You can catch the Disneyland Paris Express from Gare du Nord which to reach the park for 10am and return to the city at 9pm for a full day of festivities.

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24 Comments
Suzanne Jones
October 31, 2018 at 5:27 pmSo now I want to go straight back to Paris to soak up the Christmas magic!
Lucy
November 4, 2018 at 5:47 pmAlways a good excuse for a trip to Paris!
Mehek Punatar
November 1, 2018 at 8:11 amAbsolutely love this! Gave me all the wintery feels and I feel like booking a ticket right away. Christmas markets are the best 🙂
Lucy
November 4, 2018 at 5:49 pmThank you! I do love a Christmas market – guaranteed to get me feeling festive!
Kathryn @TravelWithKat
November 8, 2018 at 5:41 pmI love Paris any time of year but agree it is extra special at Christmas. I went a few years ago. I remember having lunch at Galeries Lafayette on a balcony overlooking that lovely golden Christmas tree under the glass dome. Magic!
Lucy
November 28, 2018 at 8:19 pmThose decorations at Galeries Lafayette are really something special!
Explore With Ed
December 4, 2018 at 10:14 pmI’ve only ever been in the summer – it really does look magical at Christmas!
Lucy
December 5, 2018 at 11:44 amIt does add some extra special sparkle – but there’s never really a wrong time to visit!
Urbansider
January 30, 2019 at 9:00 amLove the Christmas decorations and the festive ambiance in the department stores !! A pity it doesn’t last longer 🙂
Lucy
February 3, 2019 at 8:04 pmDefinitely!
Ali Oliveira
March 3, 2019 at 8:57 pmAwesome recommendations! I need to go back to Paris now.
Lucy
March 5, 2019 at 9:49 pmParis is always a good idea!
Guy
March 5, 2019 at 12:15 amI was in Paris in October 2017 when my bike guide said, “Look! They’re putting up lights for Christmas already. You should see the city then!” I was intrigue…so…I am returning to Paris In December to ring in 2020. I can’t wait! Thank you for the blog.
Lucy
March 5, 2019 at 9:49 pmHope you have an amazing time, it really is magical at that time of year!
Marianne
April 4, 2019 at 3:33 amCan you recommend a special restaurant for dinner on Christmas Day.
Lucy
April 15, 2019 at 8:30 pmAfraid I’ve not eaten out on Christmas Day but there are some good suggestions here: https://www.tripsavvy.com/best-restaurants-open-for-christmas-in-paris-4179060
Nina PETITHALGATTE
May 14, 2019 at 4:37 pmThe Christmas Market of Paris Notre Dame has been named by french press the most charming Christmas market in Paris. I would be happy to send you pictures ! it will be from 13th-29th december 2019, square Viviani, 75005- 30 meters from the Notre Dame Cathedral. In that little square you can also see the oldest tree in Paris (dated 1630). Don’t hesitate to contact me. Best regards. NIna
Lucy
May 26, 2019 at 9:32 pmSounds great – thanks!
Girl177
October 11, 2019 at 8:57 pmThank you so much for this. It helps a lot. Husband and I are traveling to Paris this Christmas. It will be our first time and we can’t wait. 🙂
Lucy
October 13, 2019 at 5:07 pmHope you have an amazing time, it’s a brilliant time to visit!
Hanna
November 8, 2019 at 11:49 pmHi, do you have any recommendations on accommodation in Paris over Christmas time for a family of 5?
Lucy
November 11, 2019 at 6:09 pmHi there, I usually stay in apartment rentals – my favourite areas are St Germain or Montmartre as they are both easy access to the big sights – but this post has some budget hotel recommendations which might be helpful: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/france/paris/articles/cheap-hotels-in-paris/
Dan
December 8, 2019 at 1:27 amWe are booked at the Hotel Marignon in the Latin Quarter over Christmas. It looks cozy and is very accommodating. Dan
Lily
December 7, 2020 at 9:34 amAlways wanted to go to Paris.
Going now after this website.