Paris in late November through early January is built for slow winter walks: glowing boulevards, pastry windows that look like theater sets, mulled wine steam rising from wooden chalets, and a calendar packed with pop-up rinks and light festivals. This guide covers the 2025–26 Christmas season with practical details (dates, addresses, and opening times where published), plus itinerary ideas and traveler tips so you can plan your trip start to finish.
Paris Christmas 2025–26 at a glance
Best weeks to visit
Now through December 24, 2025: peak “classic Christmas” atmosphere (markets + decorations at full intensity).
December 26–31, 2025: slightly calmer, great for shopping and light trails.
January 1–11, 2026: still festive (several major attractions run into early/mid-January) with fewer crowds.
What to book ahead
Timed-entry light trails (Jardin des Plantes, Lumières en Seine).
Popular ice rinks (Grand Palais des Glaces, Printemps rooftop).
New Year’s Eve plans (restaurants, cruises, cabarets) if you want a seat and a view.
The must-see Christmas lights and winter strolls
Champs-Élysées Christmas illuminations (iconic boulevard walk)
What it is: The classic Paris holiday “main stage.” Even a simple walk here feels like an event—pair it with hot chocolate nearby or a late-night museum visit.
Address: Avenue des Champs-Élysées, 75008 Paris (Arc de Triomphe ↔ Place de la Concorde)
Dates: November 16, 2025 – January 4, 2026
Time: Nightly after dark (best from 6 pm onward)
Local tip: Start at Arc de Triomphe at dusk, then walk downhill toward Place de la Concorde for the best “reveal.”
The best Christmas markets in Paris (with practical hours)
Marché de Noël de Paris La Défense (the giant one)
Why go: Big energy, huge variety (gifts + food), and long evening hours—great if you’re sightseeing all day and want a festive night plan.
Address: Parvis de La Défense, 92800 Puteaux (metro/RER: La Défense–Grande Arche)
Dates: November 13 – December 28, 2025
Opening hours:
Mon–Wed: 11:00–20:30
Thu: 11:00–22:00
Fri: 11:00–23:00
Sat: 10:00–23:00
Sun: 11:00–20:30
Holiday exceptions: Dec 24: 11:00–18:00 • Dec 25: closed
Marché de Noël & ice rink at Jardin des Tuileries (central + funfair vibe)
Why go: A full “winter carnival” in the heart of Paris: chalets, rides, seasonal snacks, and late opening hours.
Address: Jardin des Tuileries (around 113 Rue de Rivoli), 75001 Paris
Dates: November 15, 2025 – January 4, 2026
Opening hours: Daily 11:00–23:45
Early closing: Dec 24 & Dec 31: closes 19:30
Notre-Dame Christmas Market (small, classic, postcard views)
Why go: Cozy atmosphere beside the Seine, ideal for a short stop before/after Île de la Cité.
Address: Square René Viviani / Quai Montebello (near Notre-Dame), 75005 Paris
Dates: November 28 – December 25, 2025
Opening hours:
Mon–Thu: 10:00–20:00
Fri–Sun: 10:00–21:00
Marché de Noël de La Villette (family-friendly “Christmas village”)
Why go: A festive village feel with entertainment—excellent for families and groups.
Address: Place de la Fontaine-aux-Lions, 75019 Paris
Dates: November 20 – December 28, 2025
Opening hours:
Tue–Fri: 16:00–21:00
Sat: 12:00–21:00
Sun: 11:00–20:00
Holiday exceptions: Dec 24: 11:00–18:00 • Dec 25: 11:00–20:00 • Dec 31: 11:00–18:00
Marché de Noël Place Saint-Michel (easy add-on to a Left Bank day)
Why go: Compact, convenient, and ideal for quick gift browsing after a Latin Quarter walk.
Address: Place Saint-Michel, 75005 Paris
Dates: December 5, 2025 – January 5, 2026
Opening hours: Daily 10:00–20:00
Reduced hours: Dec 24, Dec 25, Dec 31 & Jan 1: 10:00–18:00
Ice skating in Paris (from bucket-list to budget-friendly)
Le Grand Palais des Glaces (dreamy skating under the glass roof)
What it is: The showstopper rink—historic architecture + huge festive atmosphere.
Address: Grand Palais, Avenue Winston Churchill, 75008 Paris
Dates: December 13, 2025 – January 7, 2026
Times (session-based):
Morning: 10:00–13:00
Afternoon: 14:00–19:00
Night: 20:00–02:00
Holiday note: early closing at 19:00 on Dec 24 & Dec 31 (session availability varies by date)
Patins en Folie (big open-air rink inside Paris)
What it is: Outdoor skating with a festive “village” vibe—great with friends or kids.
Address: Parc André Citroën, 2 Rue Cauchy, 75015 Paris
Dates: November 22, 2025 – January 4, 2026
Time: Timed-entry sessions (choose a slot when booking)
Printemps Haussmann rooftop rink (free with reservation, Eiffel Tower views)
What it is: A New York–style rooftop skating moment with a Paris skyline payoff.
Address: Printemps Haussmann, Printemps Femme, 7th floor, 64 Boulevard Haussmann, 75009 Paris
Dates: November 7, 2025 – January 4, 2026
Opening hours: Daily 13:00–19:00
Time format: short, reserved slots (limited capacity)
Accor Arena “Patinoire Sonja Henie” (covered rink for reliable skating)
What it is: A dependable indoor rink—useful if weather turns rainy or you want a late session.
Address: 222 Quai de Bercy, 75012 Paris
Dates: September 1, 2025 – June 28, 2026
Opening hours: Daily 15:00–00:30
Light festivals worth planning an evening around
En voie d’illumination: “Lumières de la Nature” (Jardin des Plantes)
What it is: A ticketed night walk among large illuminated installations—beautiful for photos and surprisingly immersive.
Address: Jardin des Plantes, Place Valhubert, 75005 Paris
Dates: November 12, 2025 – January 18, 2026
Opening hours (published schedule):
Nov 12 – Dec 19, 2025: Wed–Sat + Sun, 18:00–22:00
Dec 20, 2025 – Jan 4, 2026: Daily, 18:00–22:00
Jan 5 – Jan 18, 2026: Wed–Sat + Sun, 18:00–22:00
Lumières en Seine (near Paris, spectacular date-night option)
What it is: A 2 km illuminated and musical trail in the Domaine National de Saint-Cloud—very popular, very pretty.
Address: Domaine National de Saint-Cloud, 1 Avenue de la Grille d’Honneur, 92210 Saint-Cloud
Dates: November 14, 2025 – January 11, 2026
Opening hours: 17:00–23:00 (last entry 21:00)
Closures: closed Dec 24 and Dec 31; also typically closed Mon–Tue outside school holidays
Le Japon en Lumières (lantern festival at Jardin d’Acclimatation)
What it is: A long-running lantern walk that extends well past New Year—excellent if you’re visiting in January/February too.
Address: Jardin d’Acclimatation, Bois de Boulogne, 75016 Paris
Dates: December 10, 2025 – March 8, 2026
Opening hours: Daily 18:00–21:30 (some weekday closures may apply outside school holidays)
Department store window displays (free, classic, and very Paris)
Paris “window season” is practically an art form—go early evening when streets are lively and you show up hungry for crêpes.
Galeries Lafayette Haussmann (windows + giant tree under the dome)
Address: 40 Boulevard Haussmann, 75009 Paris
Dates (displays): November 12 – December 31, 2025
Time: during store opening hours
BHV Marais Christmas windows
Address: 52 Rue de Rivoli, 75004 Paris
Dates: November 18 – December 31, 2025
Time: during store opening hours
La Samaritaine holiday décor & windows (“Paris m’emballe” theme)
Address: La Samaritaine, Rue de la Monnaie area, 75001 Paris
Dates: from November 5, 2025 into early January 2026
Time: during store opening hours
New Year’s Eve in Paris (what to do on December 31, 2025)
Champs-Élysées New Year’s show & fireworks (free public celebration)
What it is: The city’s big countdown moment with a large public gathering.
Location: Champs-Élysées / Arc de Triomphe zone (access managed from Place de la Concorde)
Date: December 31, 2025
Times:
Access from 19:00
Projection on the Arc de Triomphe from 23:50
Fireworks at 00:00 (midnight)
Safety tip: Go light—expect security checks and very dense crowds.
Christmas services (for the atmosphere, music, or tradition)
Christmas Eve at Notre-Dame de Paris (December 24, 2025)
Why go: Historic setting, strong choral tradition, and a deeply “Paris” way to experience the season.
Address: Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris, 6 Parvis Notre-Dame – Place Jean-Paul II, 75004 Paris
Date: December 24, 2025
Service times:
16:00 Christmas evening Mass
18:00 Christmas evening Mass
20:00 Christmas evening Mass
23:00 Christmas Vigils
00:00 Midnight Mass
Food and holiday treats you should try
Vin chaud (mulled wine) and chocolat chaud from market stalls—perfect “warming breaks” between neighborhoods.
Marrons chauds (roasted chestnuts) from street vendors on cold nights.
Bûche de Noël (Christmas yule log cake): look for classic pâtissiers in your neighborhood and buy individual slices if you want to taste-test.
Foie gras, cheeses, and regional charcuterie from market stalls—ideal for a picnic-style dinner in your hotel/apartment.
Budget hack: Build one festive meal from market finds (cheese + bread + charcuterie + dessert) and spend your restaurant budget on one memorable dinner.
A simple 3-day Christmas itinerary (works for most first trips)
Day 1: Classic Paris lights + department stores
Late afternoon: Galeries Lafayette (tree + windows), then walk toward Printemps windows nearby.
Evening: Metro to Champs-Élysées for the illuminations and a night stroll to Place de la Concorde.
Day 2: Markets + Seine views
Morning/early afternoon: Notre-Dame Christmas market + a Seine walk.
Late afternoon/evening: Tuileries Christmas market (stay late—it’s designed for nighttime).
Day 3: Choose your “big ticket” winter experience
Pick one:
Jardin des Plantes light trail (beautiful, central), or
Grand Palais des Glaces (bucket-list skating), or
Lumières en Seine (best “wow” factor if you don’t mind leaving central Paris).
Practical tips for a smooth Christmas trip
Weather: Expect cold, damp conditions—pack waterproof shoes and a warm mid-layer. Paris feels colder when it’s humid.
Closures: Many shops and some attractions close or shorten hours on December 25 and January 1. Plan “walk days” for those dates.
Transport: Use the metro/RER for markets beyond central Paris (La Défense, Saint-Cloud). Late evenings are normal in December.
Crowds: Go early on weekends (before 16:00) for markets; go late (after 21:00) for Tuileries if you want more space.
Reservations: If an activity is “free,” it may still require booking (especially rooftop skating and timed light trails).