Christmas Day in Paris 2024 – A Magical Celebration Like No Other

When the City of Light awakens on Christmas Day, something truly magical happens. The streets shimmer with festive lights, historic landmarks glow under a soft winter haze, and the aroma of freshly baked pastries drifts through the air. It's a day when Paris feels even more enchanting, as the whole city is in holiday mood. Whether you're strolling along illuminated streets or enjoying a gourmet feast, there's a sense of wonder in every corner. Dive into our guide to discover the best ways to experience the city's Christmas magic and create memories on a day that will warm your heart for years to come.

Memorable Christmas Day Events

Unforgettable Christmas Cruises on the Seine

Is this the ultimate way to celebrate Christmas in Paris? Imagine yourself on a VIP gourmet cruise, gliding along the Seine on Christmas Day. It's an experience like no other — sailing through the heart of Paris as its iconic monuments are bathed in holiday lights. All you need to do is choose between a delightful Christmas lunch cruise, a cozy early dinner cruise, or the enchanting late dinner cruise at 9:15 PM. Each option offers an exquisite multi-course meal paired with fine wines, all while the beauty of Paris drifts by your window. This is an unforgettable way to celebrate the season. Don't wait, though — these cruises are incredibly popular and WILL sell out, so secure your spot now for a Christmas Day memory you'll treasure forever!

A Christmas Day Dinner Cruise in Paris

Still available is this Christmas Day dinner on the Seine with the landmarks of Paris passing by, all lit up for the holiday season. The Excellence Menu cruise on December 25, complete with champagne, is a rare chance to experience Paris in this way. This is another activity that certainly going to sell out, so book right now…

A Magical Christmas Opera Ballet at Bastille

Make this the most amazing Christmas Day ever by attending an opera at Paris' internationally famous Bastille Opera House. Luxurious sets and vibrant costumes set the scene in 19th-century Spain for David Coleman's captivating new version of opera Paquita. The dramatic choreography and stirring score will transport you, as the story of love and adventure unfolds on stage. Inside the sleek, modernistic grandeur of the Opera Bastille, with its perfect acoustics and sweeping views of the stage, experience the magic of Paris in a way you'll never forget. Tickets are in high demand — reserve your seats now!

Classical Music for the Season

Candlelight piano performances in historic churches, operas at the splendid Palais Garnier or at Opera Bastille, and special concerts at Salon Gustave Eiffel on the Tower itself. These are December 25 classical music options in Paris. But you must book now before tickets are gone.

Dinner on the Eiffel Tower at Madame Brasserie

Available on Christmas Day (but not for long!), this is a fantastic way to celebrate Christmas in Paris! Zoom up to Madame Brasserie on the Eiffel Tower for a VIP Christmas dinner. As you sip champagne, you gaze down on the iconic landmarks and seasonal lights beneath you. Is this going to sell out? Absolutely — so act now!

Here is another way to cruise along the Seine on December 25 while enjoying a classic French meal. It's a gourmet 3-course lunch with bubbles, wine, cheese, tea or coffee, and dessert. The holiday sights of Paris drift by — the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Notre Dame, Musée d'Orsay — as you relax to the sound of a live band on board a classic bateau mouche.

Moulin Rouge Cabaret With Champagne

It's amazing that you can experience Paris' most celebrated night spot on Christmas Day! At least according to the current availability calendar.

Christmas on the Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower is the one Paris attraction that is open every day of year, including Christmas Day. Instead of standing in a long line outside in the Paris winter, book this guided tour. It's how we do it.

Christmas Season VIP Dinner Cruises

Step aboard one of the luxurious dinner boats and immerse yourself in the winter beauty of Paris while you enjoy a memorable holiday dinner, prepared on board by a team of French chefs. Sip champagne & enjoy live music as you take in the best views of Paris. Choose the Service Premier option for the best seating, the best menu, and the ultimate experience aboard this comfortable, glass-walled boat.

Noël Dinner Cruise with Live Music

There's really nothing more celebratory than sailing down the Seine on a Bateaux Mouches evening dinner cruise. You'll be rewarded with a special Christmas Day four-course meal with the best champagne and wines plus live music. Book now as it will sell out quickly. For the best seating, the best meal, and the ultimate experience choose the Dinner-Cruise Excellence option.

Lunch on the Tower + River Cruise + Louvre Tour

That's right, this holiday season tour gives you Paris In One Day! Start with a guided tour of the Eiffel Tower followed by lunch at Madam Brasserie. Next is a guided cruise along the Seine to view the city's most iconic monuments riverside. The cruise ends at the Louvre, where a guide awaits to show you the most important art museum in the world. This activity, too, is going to sell out, so book now. Right now.

Museums Open on Christmas Day

Musée Jacquemart-André

It will come as no surprise that there are not many Paris museums open on Christmas Day,, but we've managed to find a few that will be open and are worth investigating. Of course, the Louvre, Musee d'Orsay and the Pompidou will be shuttered that day. Here are a few museums that have been open on Christmas Days past. But, be sure to check on the museum website before you just show up on December 25!

Musée Jacquemart-André

Set in a magnificent 19th-century mansion, Musée Jacquemart-André on Boulevard Haussmann in the 8th is open every day, including Christmas Day and New Years Day.

• 58 Boulevard Haussmann 75008
• Guide to the museum…
• Museum website…

Musée d'Art et d'Histoire du Judaïsme

The Jewish history museum, (MAHJ) is open every day except Mondays. On national holidays the hours are 11 AM to 7 PM, although the museum is closed on January 1.

• 71 Rue du Temple 75003
• Museum website…

Institut du Monde Arabe

The museum of everything Arab is also open on Christmas Day and only closed on Mondays. So, for 2023, since Christmas Day falls on Monday, this normally-open museum will be closed! Built on the banks of the Seine in 1987, the stunning building designed by Jean Nouvel is a landmark worth visiting. On the 9th floor, the rooftop terrace has remarkable views of the monuments of Paris, including Notre-Dame.

• 1 Rue des Fossés-Saint-Bernard, Place Mohammed-V 75005
• Museum website…

Christmas Decorations in Paris

Each Christmas season hundreds of trees on iconic Avenue des Champs-Elysées are decorated. From Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe these arbres de noël are aglow with a bevy of colorful, energy-efficient lights. It's a delight to walk along the avenue at dusk during the holiday week

Christmas lights in other areas also set Paris twinkling. Extra-special care is put into decorating the lavish windows and the streets around the department stores and other shopping districts. A few favorites streets and stores are —

• Galeries Lafayette, Boulevard Haussmann
• Printemps, Boulevard Haussmann
• Le Bon Marché, 7th Arrondissement
• BHV, in the Marais
• Faubourg Sainte-Honoré, 8th Arrondissement
• Forum des Halles, 2nd Arrondissement
• Place Vendôme, 1st Arrondissement

Christmas Day Restaurants

December 25 and January 1. The restaurants that are open offer a special dinner menu on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Eve. It takes a bit of research to find one that fits your budget. The sky is the limit. For instance at Le Cinq, the restaurant at the Four Seasons George V Hotel, the Christmas holiday menu started at over 700€ per person the last time we checked. And they're not even open on Christmas Day this year!

If you are planning to have dinner on Christmas Day in Paris — and we think it's a great idea, it's a wonderful experience — you must book well in advance. As December nears, restaurants will post their special holiday menus and hours online. It's necessary that you make a reservation, and as soon as you can.

We suggest you start with restaurants located at the top hotels in Paris — most of these are pretty darn good, with quite a few Michelin stars sprinkled among them. If they don't have their holiday menu and hours posted, just send them a message.

Le Violon d'Ingres in the 7th Arrondissement

There are other, more casual brasseries that are open 365 days and cater to a tourist crowd. Many, if not most, of them are past their glory days as far as food goes, but they can still be a fun experience. We're thinking of the brasseries that are part of the Flo Group, like Bofinger, La Coupole, Julien, Le Vaudeville, Terminus Nord, Brasserie Balzar, Le Boeuf sur le Toit. They're likely to be open Christmas day.

Don't Forget Our Guide to Christmas in Paris

One more reminder — for the latest updates of what's on in Paris at Christmas, be sure to read our complete guide. We'll keep it updated as things change.