The Notre Dame Christmas tree by the Seine
See the Christmas tree in the plaza in front of Notre Dame

The trees have lost their leaves and each morning is now greeted by a dusting of frost. Lights gleam off the lingering ice as the smell of king cake drifts through the air. Winter is falling on Paris, but the city itself is more active than ever. From holiday markets and ice skating to parties and events, there’s no better time to visit Paris than during the Christmas season.

In this article, we’ve covered the most interesting and exciting events in the city, so be sure to let us know what you think!

Holiday markets

The holiday markets along the Champs Elysées
Holiday markets along the Champs-Élysées are a great place to pick up last-minute gifts. (Photo credit: Steve Shupe)

Like a city in a snow globe, there’s nothing more romantic than roaming the holiday markets in Paris as crisp winter winds ruffle visitors’ artfully placed hats. Although small markets spring up all over the city, these are some of our favorites.

  • As the most iconic street in Paris, the Champs-Élysées is a prime attraction during the holiday season. In fact, it’s the only street that makes our list of the top 10 must-see sights in Paris! The Christmas market at the Champs-Élysées consists of 100 chalets from the Vosges region. This arts and crafts market offers a wide selection of gifts and holiday food, including everything from arts and crafts to mulled wine and crepes. It runs from November 14 thru January 4, and be sure to visit at night to see the Big Wheel illuminated.
  • Santa’s Village at Saint-Germain-des-Prés (from December 6 thru January 2) is another great holiday market. While the Champs-Élysées is spectacular for the lights that span the street, Santa’s Village is known for its window displays and the elaborate Christmas decorations of the surrounding stores!
  • Deep in the heart of La Défense lies a giant square arch known as the Grande Arche. Completed in 1989, the Grande Arche de la Défense was built as a monument to humanitarian ideals instead of military victories. In this spirit, it illuminates every Christmas season to the delight of thousands of holiday shoppers. Open from November 20 thru December 27 and featuring nearly 350 structures, the l’Arche market is easily one of the largest Christmas markets in the city. It’s open every day from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., so there’s really no reason not to make time for a visit.
The holiday markets at the Place des Abbesses
Drop by the Place des Abbesses for tasty holiday market goodies. (Photo credit: Alessandro Baffa)
  • Cozily snuggled in Montmartre, the Marché de Noël in the Place des Abbesses is open between November 28 and December 31. It’s a collection of about 20 wooden chalets, and this year it hosts the “living Christmas Gourmand in Paris” at the Palais Brogniart. This is a great place to shop for the foodie on your Christmas list given the fine selection of wine, champagne, foie gras, truffles, seafood, and more.

If you want to read about more of the best yearly events in Paris, we’ve got you covered.

Ice-skating rinks

Ice skating at the Hotel de Ville
Skate for free in front of the Paris Hôtel de Ville

Outdoor ice skating has a long history in Paris, but it was during the Belle Époque that it really became popular. Jean Béraud’s famous painting The Skaters is only one example of a depiction of this Parisian trend. Where can you get your skating fix in the present day? Check out our favorite rinks below.

  • Of all the public ice rinks in Paris, there’s nothing quite like skating on the 1,600 square-meter plot in front of the Hôtel de Ville (City Hall). If the architecture and environment aren’t enough to attract you, the fact that it’s free to skate might. No problem if you don’t have your own skates–you can rent skates on-site. There’s even a smaller, separate rink for novices and children.
  • On the left bank of the river Seine, the neighborhood of Montparnasse is famous for its cafés, bars, and thriving artistic community. The Montparnasse Tower’s ice skating rink is less well-known than the Hôtel de Ville rink, but that also means there are fewer tourists! Spend the afternoon skating, then climb to the top of the tower for a bird’s-eye view of Paris.
  • What do you do when the soccer season has come and gone, leaving the once-lush stadium fields stiff and crunchy with frost? You turn it into a ski park, of course! From late December to early January, visit Charléty sur Neige on the Boulevard Kellermann with your kids for a family outing everyone will love. Outdoorsy types can sled down various artificial snow slopes or visit the snow garden, while indoor activites include trampolines for jumping and Wii games to play. Top off the day with a treat from one of the top 10 pastry shops in Paris!

Annual holiday events

What’s a holiday season without a few parties? Spice things up this Christmas by attending one (or all!) of our favorite holiday events in Paris.

  • What will you be doing on November 20th? France will be celebrating wine. We’re not joking; Beaujolais Nouveau Day is a whole holiday dedicated purely to the first release of this particular wine. It’s the most popular vin de primeur in the country, and is released to local markets at precisely 12:01 a.m. local time. The whole holiday began as a race to bring the first bottles from Beaujolais to Paris. Be sure to purchase a bottle and enjoy it with a lovely warm baguette from one of the top 10 bakeries in Paris!
Don’t forget to watch Paris light up from the Champs Elysées
The Illumination of Paris kicks off at the Champs-Élysées
  • Kicking off a carnival season that lasts for weeks, the Illumination of Paris at the Champs-Élysées is a festival of lights that starts on November 20 and lasts until January 8. Different neighborhoods all illuminate during this season, but none is as spectacular as the Champs-Élysées Christmas Illumination ceremony. Arrive early for the best spot in the crowd and wait for the collective gasp as the Christmas season officially bursts into light.
  • Speaking of the Champs-Élysées, you can’t say you’ve been to a New Year’s Eve party until you’ve been to the one on this avenue. People from all walks of life convene here to celebrate together. Grab a coffee nearby to make sure you last through the evening; we promise it’s worth it. Depending on how late you stay out, you might also want to arrange a ride home. The Paris Metro closes just after midnight, and procrastination is not worth the cold walk home. Don’t miss our other practical tips for a hassle-free stay in Paris. You don’t want to be left high and dry!
Winter Soldes in Paris
The Winter Soldes season is one of the two biggest shopping events in the country
  • It seems like America has a sale season every few weeks. Paris, however, only has sale seasons twice per year. One is during the summer, and the other runs from January 8 to February 12. The Winter Soldes are a huge hit all across the country, and it’s a great time to find some of the city’s best deals. Nearly every store participates, so come in the morning or evening to beat the crowds and walk away with a bargain.
  • We all have our Christmas traditions, but few are as charming as the French tradition of the Galette des Rois. Literally translated as “the cake of kings,” this pre-lent confection is a kind of cross between a Danish and a cinnamon roll. Bakers tuck tiny figurines into each cake, so that whoever gets the slice of cake with the figurine is declared the king or queen of the feast!

Celebrate holiday season in an apartment

When the weather outside is frightful, there’s nothing as delightful as tucking your feet into a warm blanket while you sip a home-brewed hot chocolate. Staying in a vacation rental bridges the gap between travel and home for a short vacation, while a sublet apartment is a great choice for longer stays. If you want to make new friends with whom you can share the Christmas spirit, consider staying in a B&B–‘tis the season, after all!

Things to do and see during the holiday season

Staying inside can be nice, but what’s the point of traveling if you never leave your apartment? We promise these activities are worth braving the wind and cold, so don’t miss them!

Christmas at the Galleries Lafayette
Magnificent Christmas decorations are an annual feature of the Galeries Lafayette
  • If there are two places that reliably have some of the best lights around, it’s the Galeries Lafayette and Printemps Haussmann (along with a few other top Paris shopping spots). Both department stores spend dozens of hours making sure every last staircase and column is decked floor to ceiling with garlands, lights, and statues. Walking into these stores is like walking into Christmas itself, and if you look closely, you may even see Santa or his elves dashing around preparing presents for Christmas.
Place de la Concorde Ferris wheel
Ride the Ferris wheel at the Place de la Concorde
  • Most people don’t think of riding a Ferris Wheel in the middle of winter, so most people miss out on the magnificence that is the Place de la Concorde Ferris Wheel. Located more or less in the center of Paris, the wheel’s view at the top is one of the most spectacular in town. Besides seeing the city itself, you can also get a great view of some of Paris’s best parks! There’s no need to worry about riding in freezing winds; each capsule is fully enclosed and heated.
  • There’s something about an ancient cathedral on a snowy Christmas Eve that can’t help but inspire awe, humility, and wonder. When that cathedral is Notre-Dame and you’re celebrating Christmas Eve in Paris, there’s just no competition. Come for the service and leave with a beautiful memory and a revived sense of reverence. Listen closely and you might just hear the lingering sound of Victor Hugo’s Quasimodo crying “Sanctuary! Sanctuary!”
Paris Jours de Fête Au Grand Palais
The Jours de Fête Au Grand Palais in Paris
  • From December 21 thru January 5, you can visit the Jours de Fête Au Grand Palais, a fabulous indoor funfair within a hall once reserved for royalty. Enjoy unlimited access to over 50 attractions, with fun for children and grown-ups alike. Whirl around carousel rides or nibble on toffee apples; it’s up to you!
  • If you combine the magic of Disney with the magic of Christmas, what’s the result? At the very least, an enchanting time! From November 9 thru January 7, Disneyland Resort Paris is proposes an Enchanted Christmas to complete your Paris holiday trip.

With so much to do during the holiday season in Paris, it’s hard to choose what to do first. Which activity are you going to try?