The City of Light truly lives up to its name during the holiday season. Storefronts sparkle with colorful displays, patisseries overflow with festive treats, and restaurants craft special holiday menus brimming with traditional seasonal specialties like fresh oysters from Brittany, foie gras, truffles, chestnuts, and champagne.

The magic of Noël in Paris is everywhere, from the millions of twinkling lights that adorn the Champs-Elysées, the Eiffel Tower, and Hotel de Ville, to the bustling Christmas markets scattered throughout the city. Wooden chalets tempt your senses with mulled wine, roasted chestnuts, and gingerbread, while chocolatiers show off their exquisite creations in the shop windows. In 2024, Paris will be more enchanting than ever, but it's set to be a busy season. Be sure to plan ahead and book early, as tours and activities sell out quickly!

The Best Paris Christmas Experiences 2024

Christmas Eve & Christmas Day on the River Seine

For a memorable Christmas experience in Paris, celebrate Christmas Eve or Christmas Day aboard a bateau cruising the Seine River. Imagine enjoying a VIP gourmet meal as you glide past the city's most iconic landmarks. Whether you choose a lunch cruise, an early evening cruise, or the late 9:15 PM option (our personal favorite), you'll be surrounded by the magic of Paris illuminated for the holidays. With breathtaking views and an exquisite menu, this is a celebration you'll cherish for years to come. Cruises are available on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, but these sailings will sell out, so book right now…

A Christmas Day Dinner Cruise in Paris

Christmas dinner on the Seine River with the landmarks of Paris on display and lit up for the holiday season. Does it get any better? The Excellence Menu cruise on December 25, complete with champagne, is a rare chance to experience Paris on the biggest holiday of the year. You can bet that this activity is going to sell out, so book right now…

New Years Eve Dinner Cruise & Party – LIMITED

On this night of nights, celebrate New Year's Eve in style aboard a glass-walled bateau for an unforgettable 5-hour dinner cruise along the Seine. Toast with champagne and enjoy a multi-course feast while Paris sparkles around you. After dinner, the celebration continues as you welcome 2025 with a festive Parisian party. With wine, stunning views, and a night to remember, this exclusive event is sure to sell out fast. Don't wait — book now!

Ballet – The Snow Queen

Experience the magic of The Snow Queen performed by the Ballet Company of the National Opera of Ukraine at the iconic Théâtre des Champs‐Élysées. Despite facing immense challenges in Kyiv, these talented artists bring a story of enchantment and resilience to the Paris stage. With performances from December 22 to January 4, including Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, this is a chance to witness their dedication and support their journey. Tickets are disappearing quickly—don't miss out!

Classical Christmas Concerts in Paris

Surround yourself with the magic of the holiday season by attending a classical concert at one of Paris' most breathtaking historic venues. Hear masterpieces by composers like Bach, Beethoven, Purcell, Vivaldi, and Chopin, performed in stunning locations such as La Sainte-Chapelle, Palais Garnier, and Église Saint-Sulpice. Concert dates and programs will be announced later in 2024, so be sure to check back for updates. These enchanting performances are a perfect way to celebrate Christmas in Paris and are an experience not to be missed.

Christmas Season VIP Dinner Cruises

Set sail on a luxurious dinner cruise to experience the enchanting winter beauty of Paris from the Seine. Dine on a festive holiday meal created on board by expert French chefs, all the while sipping champagne and listening to live music. As you sail past the city's most iconic landmarks, the glass-walled boat offers stunning panoramic views. For the ultimate experience, opt for the Service Premier package, which includes the best menu and premium seating for a memorable night on the river.

Holiday Dinner Cruise with Live Music

Picture this: You, in Paris, at Christmas, gliding along the Seine on a magical dinner cruise. The evening begins as you step aboard, where over two delightful hours, you'll savor a gourmet three-course meal by Maxim's de Paris and sip fine French wine. As the illuminated landmarks of Paris drift by, you'll be mesmerized. For the ultimate experience, book the 9:15 PM dinner cruise — available most December evenings!

Moulin Rouge Cabaret + Champagne

Create a lasting Parisian holiday memory with a dazzling night at the legendary Moulin Rouge. Picture yourself sipping champagne as you're swept away by an extraordinary cabaret performance, the perfect way to celebrate the season. Available for the holiday week, including Christmas Day, this enchanting evening promises to be the highlight of your holiday. Don't miss your chance — book now for an unforgettable experience!

A Magical Christmas Opera at Bastille

Make this season truly special with an evening at Paris’ famous Bastille Opera House for a stunning performance of Paquita. This vibrant production, set in 19th-century Spain, comes alive with lavish sets, dazzling costumes, and breathtaking choreography. The modern design of Opera Bastille creates a perfect setting for this timeless story of romance and adventure. Immerse yourself in an memorable night of music and magic. Reserve your seats now, and make this Christmas one to remember!

The Best Christmas Activities – Paris 2024

Louvre Masterpieces Tour

So far this Christmas, we've taken you on a river cruise, treated you to gourmet meals, and dazzled you at the Moulin Rouge. What's missing? A visit to the world's most iconic art museum—the Louvre. Skip the lines and dive straight into the masterpieces on this semi-private, guided tour. You'll see world-renowned works like the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo, all while learning fascinating insights from an expert guide. Click here to make your holiday in Paris complete!

Champagne Cruise Along the Seine

Imagine this: a leisurely cruise along the Seine, sipping champagne as the City of Light glides by. Your adventure starts with priority boarding onto the bateau, where you are escorted to a private tasting room at the front of the boat for the best views of Paris — there's the Eiffel Tower! And Notre-Dame! And, of course, there's beaucoup de bubbly. Your sommelier takes you through a flight of three champagnes as the best of Paris slowly drifts past.

Skip the Lines at the Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower is very popular, and there are always very long lineups. We don't like to stand out in the cold in a Paris December… for that matter, we don't like to wait in line, period! So we always book a skip-the-line tour.

To our way of thinking, the best aerial views of Paris are from Level 2 (the middle level) of the Eiffel Tower. It's like seeing a human-scale model of Paris. But, it you want the full experience of seeing Paris like a bird, book a tour that takes you to the very top, the summit, Level 3. Whichever your choice, these tours will sell out quickly, so book as soon as possible. It's important to know that Eiffel Tower tours can be booked only 90 days in advance.

Christmas in Paris 2024 – Food & Wine Activities

Cheese Tasting in a Paris Cheese Cellar

Step into French culinary heritage with this cheese and wine tasting experience in an authentic Paris cheese cellar. Located beneath the streets of the city, this atmospheric cellar is the perfect setting to discover the secrets of French cheesemaking. Guided by a master fromager, you sample a selection of France's finest cheeses, paired with the perfect French wines. Learn the art of cheese aging and savor flavors that capture the essence of France. A truly immersive experience for food lovers seeking an authentic taste of Paris.

Wine Tasting in the Heart of Paris

Sign up for a in-depth wine tasting — that allows enough time to explore all the best regions of France, including Champagne. In this informal & informative wine tasting a professional French sommelier pours wine from the regions while giving an in-depth explanation of each. It takes place in a charming, centrally-located wine cellar.

A Taste of Montmartre Food & Wine Tour

If you've never to Paris during Christmas you're in for a treat. Discover the flavors of the city on a 3-hour Montmartre cheese, wine, and pastry tour. Stroll through the iconic streets of this historic neighborhood as you indulge in typical French specialties. From artisanal cheeses and freshly baked pastries to perfectly paired wines, you'll sample the best Montmartre has to offer. Led by a local food expert, this tour introduces you to hidden gems and authentic culinary delights. A must-do for food lovers seeking an immersive gourmet experience in the heart of Paris!

Chocolate & Pastry Tour – Holiday Edition

During the holiday season you can hook up with the special Christmas edition of this very popular chocolate and pastry walking tour. As we said, Christmas in Paris is all about food, and chocolate is perhaps the best example. Everyone's in the holiday mood as they pass out plenty of samples! This is one of the most popular food activities and, hence, likely to sell out.

Gourmet Food Tour – The Christmas Edition!

In Paris, La Saison Des Fêtes, the holiday season, is all about great food. On this small-group walking tour of the City of Celebration, you delve deep into the world of seasonal goodness — and you sample heartily! The tour starts at the renowned Christmas market on Place Saint-Sulpice, right in front of the magnificent church, and wanders through Saint-Germain. Bonnes Fêtes ! Available Monday through Saturday in December.

More Reasons to Spend Christmas in Paris!

Christmas at Hotel de Ville, photo Ville de Paris

1. Hotel de Ville Christmas Decorations - Enchanted Paris

You won't want to miss the place in front of the Hôtel de Ville. This year it will be decked out in festive attire with a forest of fir trees and winter chalets. Top Paris florists will add their expertise to this year's theme, Enchanted Paris. As always, there'll be plenty of free activities for everyone including the old-fashioned carousel, a climbing wall, a toboggan run, and a chance to meet Pêre Noël. December 2 to January 1, 2024

2. Hotel de Ville Christmas Market

While you're admiring the Christmas decorations at Hotel de Ville, visit the Christmas chalets displaying seasonal foods and beverages, as well as gifts featuring the Made in Paris stamp of quality approval. December 2 to January 1, 2024. Open until 11:45, with the exception of New Year's Eve with a 7 pm closing.

3. Jardin des Plantes Christmas Lights Spectacle

In the middle of Paris is the spectacular Natural History Museum, found in the Jardin des Plantes. This holiday season the gardens will be decorated for Noël in a theme of Tropical Wonders. Come to see the lighting magic where fearsome felines, astonishing frogs, giant flowers and other wonders will dazzle you in a maze of intricate lighting displays. November 22 to January 21, 2024.

4. Champs-Elysées New Year's Fireworks

Celebrate the start of 2024 with thousand of revelers on the Champs-Elysées. Music, mulled wine, merriment, and spectacular fireworks will bring in the new year with a flourish. The fireworks show commences at midnight following a two-hour "pre-game" party event.

• 10:00 PM to 11:59 PM. An outdoor party includes music with laser light shows at the Arc de Triomphe.
• Midnight. The countdown begins, culminating with pyrotechnic wonders on the Arc de Triomphe.
• Midnight to 12:09 AM. The fireworks show lasts for exactly nine minutes that may turn out to be the most memorable moments of 2024.

5. Dragons and Lanterns Festival

Head to the pretty Jardin d'Acclimatation in the Bois de Boulogne for the first Dragons and Lanterns Festival. Take an incredible journey with fantastical creatures from the classic of Chinese literature, The Book of Mountains and Seas. Admire the traditional lanterns adorning the pathways, designed and made by artisans from the Shanghai Yuyuan Garden.

6. Christmas Markets

What would Christmas in Paris be without its traditional Noël markets? The classic chalets will start to display their artisanal products in mid November. Every corner of Paris has its own Christmas market — from Notre-Dame to Les Halles, La Défense to the Jardin des Tuileries. Paris will be decked out with seasonal markets for the best of holiday crafts, jewelry, fashion, food, and fun.

7. Le Grand Noël at Vaux-le-Vicomte

Sure, there's Versailles, which you can easily visit from Paris. But if you want to discover a rare treasure of France, head to this other spectacular chateau for a memorable Christmas. Every year the Vaux-le-Vicomte celebrates Christmas with pomp and splendor. It's a royal occasion that finds the courtyard, the chateau, and the French garden enhanced for the season. Wander through the enchanted forest with its decorated fir trees and Christmas wreaths. Visit the chateau's state rooms adorned with thousands of lights taking you to a world of refinement from the 17th century. A highlight is the eight-metre-tall Christmas tree, outfitted with 1,500 sparkling decorations.

Christmas in Paris 2024 – Seasonal Events

Christmas Markets – Marchés de Noël

Bundle up warm and go out exploring to see how the French celebrate Christmas. Every year seasonal Christmas markets spring up in many quartiers of Paris. It's where Parisians shop for crafts, decorations, and other seasonal specialties. From the middle of November to early January you can find Christmas Markets throughout the city. (Exact locations of some markets may change as the season progresses. We'll do our best to keep the list up to date!)

• Saint-Sulpice (and Père Noël Village), 6th Arrondissement
• Saint-Germain-des-Prés (and Père Noël Village), 6th Arrondissement
• Place de la Nation, 11th Arrondissement
• Place des Abbesses in Montmartre, 18th Arrondissement
• Gare de l'Est, 10th Arrondissement
• Trocadero, 16th Arrondissement
• Place de la Concorde, Norwegian Christmas Market, 1st Arrondissement

• Notre Dame, Square Viviani, 5th Arrondissement
• Saint-Sulpice (and Père Noël Village), 6th Arrondissement
• Saint-Germain-des-Prés (and Père Noël Village), 6th Arrondissement
• Eiffel Tower, Quai Branly, 7th Arrondissement
• Eiffel Tower, Port de Suffren, near the Vedettes de Paris, 7th Arrondissement
• Jardin des Tuileries, just off Place de la Concorde, 1st Arrondissement
• Gare de l'Est, Alsatian Christmas, 10th Arrondissement

• Place de la Nation, 11th Arrondissement
• Place d'Italie, 13th Arrondissement
• Tour Montparnasse, 15th Arrondissement
• Made in France Market, Place Charles-Michels, 15th Arrondissement
• Trocadero, 16th Arrondissement
• Place des Abbesses in Montmartre, 18th Arrondissement
• La Defense, at Line 1

Notre Dame Christmas Market

Notre Dame at Christmas

The magic of the Notre-Dame Christmas market is back! Just across the river from the cathedral the Christmas vendors will be open from December 9 to 26. Marvel at the reconstruction of the cathedral that was nearly lost in the 2019 fire while you sample French seasonal delights and shop for authentic arts & crafts. The square's famous 400-year-old tree will be decorated for the season. So, grab a mug of mulled wine as you wander through the chalets, shopping for artisanal gifts, nibbling on roasted chestnuts.

• Square René Viviani
• December 9 to 26
• Information…

Christmas Lights on Champs Elysées

Christmas lights along the Champs-Elysées in 2019, photo by France24

Paris lights up for the holidays and you find light displays in shop windows and on streets throughout the city. But the most famous light show, and perhaps the most spectacular, is on Champs Elysées. In late November each year a celebrity has the honor of turning on the lights, kicking off the holiday season at the ceremony alongside Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo. The lights will be turned on between 5:00 PM and 2:00 AM and will stay on all night on Christmas Eve and New Years Eve.

Paris Museums Open During Christmas 2024

The Louvre

• Open: Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve
• Closed: Christmas Day & New Year's Day
• Closed Tuesdays

Musee d'Orsay

• Open: New Year's Day
• Closed: Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve
• Closed Mondays

Pompidou Centre

• Open: New Year's Eve
• Closed: Christmas Day & New Year's Day
• Closed Tuesdays

What to Do on Christmas Day in Paris

"What's open on Christmas Day in Paris?" readers ask us. So, for the lucky visitors who will be here on December 25, we've compiled the best things to do.

Christmas Eve & New Year's Eve Schedule

Most shops, museums and many restaurants will be open. Although Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve are not official holidays in France, the train stations will be packed as Parisians head out for their Christmas getaway.

But be warned — chocolatiers, fromageries and anywhere food and wine are sold will be jam-packed with locals stocking up for Christmas and New Year celebrations. Make sure to stock up yourself as most everything will be closed on Christmas Day and New Year's Day. If you plan to dine out, make reservations well in advance around the holidays.

The good news is that the Eiffel Tower is open 365 days a year.

Christmas in Paris 2024 – Churches & Cathedrals

Christmas Eve & Christmas Day

As you'd expect, at the historic churches and cathedrals of Paris there are many religious services during the Christmas season in Paris. Traditional Midnight Mass at Notre Dame Cathedral will probably not be held this year, but keep your eyes open for special outdoor service. But here we've collected some other options. Tip: the only way to secure a seat for mass is to to arrive early.

Notre Dame Cathedral

The most famous gothic church in the world will reopen (following the near-fatal) April 2019 fire) in time for Christmastime services. We don't yet know about the details of the services, but there is a new online reservation system for access to the cathedral.
• Information …

Église Saint Germain des Prés

Founded back in 542 AD (remember those years?),this Left Bank Paris church has history. Noted for its wonderful acoustics, it's an ideal destination for Christmas mass. Check their website for more details. (In French only).
• Information …

Saint Eustache

Although a church has been on this site since 1213, the first stone of the current church was laid in 1532 by Francis I. Fun fact — Saint Eustache's floor-plan and structure will remind you of Notre Dame, with a nave flanked by double aisles and chapels.
• Information …

Holy Trinity Cathedral

Nestled in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower the immense Russian mega-spiritual center with no less than five gleaming onion domes opened in 2016 and has become a popular religions destination.
• Information …

Sacre Coeur Basilica, Montmartre

Celebrate Christmas at the famous snow-white basilica set on the highest point of Paris. There is a Christmas Eve organ concert at 10:00 PM and an 11:00 PM vigil and Midnight Mass. On Christmas Day there is Mass at 7:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 6:00 PM & 10:00 PM. It's recommended to arrive at least 30 minutes before the service.
• Sacre Coeur Christmas Schedule …

Sainte-Etienne-du-Mont

Just kitty-corner from the Pantheon, Sainte-Etienne features stained-glass windows that date from the 16th and 17th centuries. By the way, the steps on the northwest side of the church were used as a location for Woody Allen's Midnight in Paris ! Place Sainte-Genevieve, 5th Arrondissement
• Website…

Saint Alexandre Russian Orthodox Cathedral

Set in the 8th Arrondissement close, to Parc Monceau this was the first Orthodox church in France, (established in 1861). Pablo Picasso and Olga Khokhlova were married here in 1918. 12 Rue Daru
• Website…

The American Cathedral in Paris

This historic monument is a a center for English-speakers in Paris. 23, avenue George V, 8th. • Website…

American Church in Paris

This was the first American church established in Paris, in 1814. It's located on the left bank of the Seine between Pont d'Alma and Pont des Invalides. 65 Quai d'Orsay, 7th.
• Website…