Christmas and New Year’s Eve in Paris guide
During the festive season, Paris gets filled with Christmas decorations, lights and chalets giving the city a very special atmosphere. To make sure you don't miss out on any of the Parisian events at this time of the year, discover our guide to visiting Paris during Christmas and New Year’s Eve. From November to January, you will enjoy the Christmas spirit by strolling along the city's most beautiful avenues, discovering department store windows and taking part in the Parisian festive events.
Plan your visit
Paris is a great tourist destination where to spend the festive season. Indeed, the city offers a great variety of activities and events then. To make the most of your stay in Paris during Christmas and New Year’s Eve, you should organize it beforehand and book your tickets to make sure you have everything sorted out before your arrival: hotel, restaurant, museum visits, Seine river cruise...
- Book your tickets before your departure to avoid wasting time standing in line.
- You should also bring a map of the city and a public transport map with you if you want to save time when travelling around in Paris.
Do the activities that are you are most interested in in the morning from 9:30AM to avoid peak times.
The activities
Whether you are travelling alone, as a couple or with your family, many activities are available during the festive season:
- Go to the ice rink with the children
- Admire the department store windows, decorated especially for the occasion
- Have dinner in a starred gourmet restaurant
- Discover the most beautiful Christmas decorations in the streets of Paris
- Christmas shop at the Christmas markets
- Enjoy a mulled wine while watching the city lights
- Meet Santa Claus in children’s toy shops
The events
During Christmas and New Year's Eve, enjoy the cheerful Christmas atmosphere by participating in the different events organized. Here are some great ideas of activities to celebrate New Years’s Eve in Paris:
- New Year's Eve cruise on the Seine river
- Sound and light show on the Champs Elysées on December, 31st at 11:30PM.
