11 Best things to do for Christmas in Paris
Looking for the perfect Christmas activities in Paris?
You are in for a treat!
Paris really turns into dreamland during the Christmas period. I mean who wouldn’t want to be in the City of Light on Christmas eve and Christmas day?
But you really want to make your Christmas in Paris super special – and with so many options, it can really be overwhelming to decide what to do.
I have visited Paris a couple of times in the Holiday season and it can be hard to understand what Christmassy things to do in Paris as most of them – like concerts or even ice skating, are often targeted at Parisians. This means it can actually be pretty hard to get the information you need as most guides about Paris are focussed on Paris in summer or Paris in spring.
I honestly love how Paris transforms at Christmas so I am super excited to share the best Chrismtas activities in Paris. I will point you in the direction of the best Christmas markets, Ice skating, and even some amazing Christmas concerts.
On-y va!
Christmas tours and experiences tend to fill up fast. Here are my favourites:
- Paris: Open-Top Christmas Bus Tour
- Paris: Christmas Lunch or Dinner Cruise
- Christmas Lights private city-tour in a modern rickshaw
- Paris: Private Christmas Food Tour with Local Guide
- Paris Christmas Lights Walking Tour with Local Guide
01. Explore the Paris Christmas Markets
Paris in December transforms into a winter wonderland, with Paris Christmas markets popping up all over the city. I love that not every market is the same. Some of them are known for their drinks and food while others are known for their one-of-a-kind gifts. Here is a short overview!
Each market has its own unique vibe and festive treats to discover. Here are a few of my favorites:
- Champs-Elysées Christmas Market (Jardin des Tuileries):
- Location: Jardin des Tuileries (near Place de la Concorde)
- Known For: This market is one of the largest and most popular in Paris. There are over 100 wooden chalets selling Christmas decorations, gifts, and festive food. There is also an ice skating rink, a Ferris wheel, and you can find various other rides for kids and adults alike.
- La Défense Christmas Market:
- Location: Parvis de La Défense (near the Grande Arche)
- Known For: The largest Christmas market in the Paris region. I kid you not, there are over 300 stalls. This amazing Christmas markets offers a wide variety of international products, artisanal goods, and gourmet food.
- Saint-Germain-des-Prés Christmas Market:
- Location: Boulevard Saint-Germain (near the Saint-Germain-des-Prés Church)
- Known For: This market is smaller and more intimate. Here you will only find about 30 stalls. The market at Saint-Germain-des-Prés is incredibly charming and here you will find high-quality artisanal products, including jewelry, crafts, and gourmet food. One of the best things about this market is that you can try the food before you buy it!
- Montmartre Christmas Market:
- Location: Place des Abbesses (in the heart of Montmartre)
- Known For: This is an incredibly picturesque market set in the bohemian district of Montmartre. This Christmas market offers a cozy and artistic atmosphere with stalls selling local crafts, handmade gifts, and delicious regional food.
- Notre-Dame Christmas Market:
- Location: Square René Viviani (near Notre-Dame Cathedral and Paris city hall)
- Known For: This is a smaller market with a focus on arts and crafts. It features local artisans and creators offering unique handmade items, jewelry, and festive decorations.
- Gare de l’Est Christmas Market:
- Location: Place du 11 Novembre 1918 (in front of Gare de l’Est)
- Known For: This is a Christmas market specializing in Alsatian products. If you don’t know the Alsace – it is literally a Chrismtas wonderland! Here you can buy pretzels, mulled wine, and gingerbread, as well as purchase traditional decorations and gifts.
Pro Tip: Don’t just stick to one market! Explore a few different ones to soak up the different vibes and find the perfect Christmas treasures. Who knows, you might find the perfect products for a French Christmas dinner!
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02. Admire the Christmas Lights in Paris
When you are visiting Paris for Christmas and New Year you will notice that the city is decked out in gorgeous lights and festive decorations. I would really recommend to try and see the Christmas lights in Paris during Christmas time. Here are my recommendations of where to find the best ones on your trip to Paris:
- Champs-Elysées: This famous boulevard is beautifully lit from the Arc de Triomphe to Place de la Concorde.
- Avenue Montaigne: This street is very well known for its luxury boutiques. They all have their own decorations but the Avenue itself is also beautifully lit.
- Place Vendôme: This square is known for its prestigious jewelry stores and large Christmas trees.
- Galeries Lafayette and Printemps Haussmann: you cannot miss these department stores! They are literally famous for their Christmas decorations. From Lafayette you will also have one of the best views of Paris!
- Le Village Royal: This is a chraming pedestrian street that is beautifully decorated and a must-see when visiting paris in winter.
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03. Ice Skating in Paris at Christmas
I absolutely LOVE ice skating! And where better to go ice skating than in Paris! There are lots of amazing places to skate in Paris, such as the Hotel de Ville Christmas market of at the tuileries Christmas market, but here are my three favourite ones:
- Grand Palais des Glaces:
- Location: Grand Palais, 8th arrondissement
- Highlights: Skate under the stunning glass dome of the Grand Palais. It’s huge and I love how the lights play off the glass dome!
- Patinoire de l’Hôtel de Ville:
- Location: In front of the Hôtel de Ville, 4th arrondissement
- Highlights: This rink is right in front of the city hall. It’s great for families and beginners, and you get beautiful views of the historic building.
- Patinoire des Champs-Elysées:
- Location: Near the Place de la Concorde, 8th arrondissement
- Highlights: Here you can skate on the famous Champs-Elysees! This is an amazing skating rink connected to the Christmas market!
Try to go on a weekday or earlier in the day to avoid the biggest crowds, especially on the weekends.
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04. Visit Galeries Lafayette for Christmas Decorations in Paris
As I’ve mentioned before, you cannot come to Paris during the Christmas season without visiting Galeries Lafayette.
This iconic department store goes all out when it comes to Christmas decorations. The star of the show has to be the massive Christmas tree that stands under the store’s gorgeous dome.
There are also lots of beautiful Christmas window displays that make your trip to Paris totally magical. You can also head up to the rooftop terrace of Galeries Lafayette. The prices are okay, especially for the amazing panoramic view over Paris.
You do need to plan carefully, though, because if I’m not mistaken, it is closed on Christmas Day.
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05. Go to a Christmas Concert in Paris
Another thing you can do when you’re visiting Paris in the winter is head to some of the Christmas concerts in the city’s churches.
Most of the churches play beautiful classical music, and it is honestly such a treat and one of the best ways to see these churches and enjoy the Christmas atmosphere.
Here are a few of my favorite Christmas concerts in Paris.
- Sainte-Chapelle Christmas Concerts:
- Location: Sainte-Chapelle, 1st arrondissement
- Highlights: I absolutely LOVE Sainte-Chapelle and it is even better during the Christmas season in Paris. Here you can enjoy baroque and classical music during the holiday season and the stained glass windows really make this into something very special and atmospheric.
- Église de la Madeleine Christmas Concert:
- Location: Église de la Madeleine, 8th arrondissement
- Highlights: If you love grand settings, this is the spot. Their Christmas concerts feature choirs and orchestras in a beautiful neoclassical church, and the sound is amazing.
- Saint-Eustache Church Christmas Concert:
- Location: Saint-Eustache Church, 1st arrondissement
- Highlights: This church is known for its great acoustics and impressive Gothic architecture. The Christmas concerts here are a real treat, with a mix of classical and sacred music.
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06. Take a Christmas Day Lunch Cruise
If you’re planning to spend the holiday season in Paris, you can also take a Christmas Day lunch cruise.
Now, you need to book these cruises way in advance, but imagine seeing Paris all dressed up for Christmas while you float along the Seine River. It is honestly one of the best ways to celebrate Christmas in Paris because you get to see all the best sights on Christmas Day.
If you want to see the city in all its Christmassy glory, you can also decide to take a Christmas and New Year’s dinner cruise instead, because then you can see all the lights while having a delicious meal.
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07. Explore the Covered Passages of Paris in December
If you are visiting Paris in December, you can also explore the covered passages of Paris. These covered passages are beautiful, often 18th and 19th-century streets that are covered with either beautifully ornamented roofs or glass domes.
Many of them are beautifully dressed up with decorations for Christmas.
Here are my favorite covered passages to visit for Christmas in Paris.
- Passage des Panoramas:
- Location: 2nd arrondissement
- Highlights: This historic passage is beautifully decorated with festive lights and holiday displays. It’s a great spot for a cozy stroll with its charming shops, cafes, and restaurants.
- Galerie Vivienne:
- Location: 2nd arrondissement
- Highlights: Galerie Vivienne is stunning during the holiday season. I especially love the decorations here. The mosaic floors and vintage boutiques really do add to the festive atmosphere.
- Passage Jouffroy:
- Location: 9th arrondissement
- Highlights: This amazing passage is known for its antique charm. Passage Jouffroy is also beautifully lit and decorated for Christmas. It’s home to unique shops and the Musée Grévin.
- Passage Verdeau:
- Location: 9th arrondissement
- Highlights: Passage Verdeau offers a quieter but equally charming Christmas experience. It is located right next to the famous Passage Jouffroy. The Christmas decorations in this passage really add a festive touch to the antique shops and art galleries you can visit here.
- Passage du Grand-Cerf:
- Location: 2nd arrondissement
- Highlights: This passage features a high glass ceiling and absolutely stunning Christmas decorations. I really love the mix of artisan shops and trendy boutiques. It’s a great spot to do some Christmas shopping!
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08. Visit Disneyland Paris during the Christmas Season
If you’re traveling to Paris with little kids, I would highly recommend going to Disneyland Paris.
It’s really easy to get to Disneyland Paris from the city.
I have to be honest, the whole park is just one Christmassy winter wonderland. They have Christmas parades, themed shows, and enchanting decorations. The whole park is incredibly beautiful during Christmas.
There is so much to do and see. It’s also not as expensive as the Disneyland parks in the U.S. Even though it’s pretty busy during the holiday season, it’s probably not as busy as the parks in the United States.
I would really recommend buying your tickets online before you go, because that way you can actually save a lot of money.
The park is less crowded if you go during the week, so go on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday if you want the least wait time at attractions.
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09. Enjoy a Special Christmas Afternoon Tea at a Paris Hotel
Okay, hear me out. I am a super massive fan of afternoon tea, and that is why I would always recommend anyone to go for an afternoon tea for Christmas.
If you are visiting Paris over the holiday season, I would really recommend you go for afternoon tea in one of these five places.
- Le Meurice:
- Location: 228 Rue de Rivoli, 1st arrondissement
- Highlights: Le Meurice offers an elegant afternoon tea experience in a luxurious setting. The tea room, designed by Philippe Starck, features beautiful decor and a delicious selection of pastries, finger sandwiches, and a wide range of teas.
- Hôtel Ritz Paris:
- Location: 15 Place Vendôme, 1st arrondissement
- Highlights: The Ritz is synonymous with luxury, and its afternoon tea is no exception. Served in the elegant Salon Proust, you can enjoy a selection of fine teas, delicate pastries, and classic French madeleines in a refined atmosphere.
- The Peninsula Paris:
- Location: 19 Avenue Kléber, 16th arrondissement
- Highlights: The Peninsula offers a sumptuous afternoon tea in its stunning Lobby Kléber. Expect a delightful array of finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, and exquisite pastries, all served with a selection of fine teas.
- Café Pouchkine:
- Location: 16 Place de la Madeleine, 8th arrondissement
- Highlights: Known for its Russian-inspired decor and pastries, Café Pouchkine offers a unique afternoon tea experience. Enjoy beautifully crafted pastries, savory bites, and a selection of teas in an opulent setting.
- Shangri-La Hotel, Paris:
- Location: 10 Avenue d’Iéna, 16th arrondissement
- Highlights: The Shangri-La’s afternoon tea is served in the elegant La Bauhinia restaurant, under a stunning glass cupola. The tea includes a selection of refined sandwiches, scones, and pastries, along with an extensive tea menu.
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10. Attend Christmas Eve Church Services in Paris
Another thing you can do if you’re into that kind of stuff is to attend a Christmas Eve church service in Paris.
You can go to a midnight mass, which is the service held at midnight on Christmas Eve. These services are a beautiful tradition connected to the spiritual side of the holiday.
I, myself, am not really a Christian, so I’m not someone who would ever do this, but I know that, for instance, my family-in-law, when they went to Paris for Christmas, really loved doing this.
You can go to the Sacré-Cœur Basilica, which is on top of Montmartre. It’s not a very old basilica, but from here you will have a gorgeous view over the whole city.
Then you’ve got Saint-Sulpice Church, which is known for its stunning architecture and is very famous for its organ music. You can also go to Notre-Dame Cathedral once it has been reopened.
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11. Visit the Jardin des Plantes Light Festival
Last but not least, and I think this is actually the coolest thing to do in Paris during the Christmas season, is going to the Jardin des Plantes light festival.
You have probably heard of the light festivals all over Europe. I know there’s one in Antwerp, I know Kew Gardens in London is doing one, and obviously in Paris, you also find one, this time in Jardin des Plantes.
Every single year, the Jardin des Plantes is decorated with hundreds and thousands of lights and lanterns. Sometimes they’re shaped like animals and natural scenes, other times it’s more Christmas-themed.
You will be able to see all kinds of animals, like lions and elephants, butterflies and birds, all lit up with beautiful colors, and obviously also thousands of lanterns in the trees and around the park.
Do make sure you wear warm clothes because it can be pretty chilly in the garden at night. Also, put on some quality shoes because it’s a pretty big garden and you will probably want to see everything. It’s a great place to take the kids if you’re visiting Paris in the Christmas season with your family.
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