15 Best Things to Do in Paris During Christmas
If you’re planning to visit Paris during Christmas time, you might find yourself in for a surprise – as the city actually plans for the holiday season well with lights and several Christmas markets all over every arrondissement.
Christmas lights in Paris; December 2021
Although not as popular as New York City during Christmas time, Paris elicits its own kind of charm during the holiday season – from Fêtes Tulieiries, the Ferris Wheel, and Rue Saint-Honoré – there’s plenty to do in Paris during Christmas that many tourists may not know about.
Is It Worth Visiting Paris During Christmas?
I think visiting Paris during Christmas can be fun, but I wouldn’t call it the best time of year to visit the city – as late spring and early summer are far nicer. Paris is truly a city best enjoyed outside, and while the holidays are nice – the long, sunny days in spring and summer are much more conducive to enjoy the outdoor terraces and beautiful parks Paris has to offer.
Christmas decorations in Paris; November 2025
Is Paris More Expensive During Christmas?
No, Paris isn’t that expensive to visit during Christmas – the markets may be crowded, but hotels are most full during the summer or special events such as the 2024 Paris Olympics.
View of Paris Westfield mall Christmas tree; November 2025
Is There a Christmas Tree in Paris?
No, Paris doesn’t have a massive Christmas tree the way that New York City does in Rockefeller Center. However, local Parisians often head down to Galeries Lafayette on Boulevard Haussman to see the annual Christmas decorations, often reminiscent of a Christmas tree, in the center of the well-known French department store.
15 Best Things to Do in Paris During Christmas
1. Marché de Noël des Tuileries
Known as the most popular Christmas market for locals and tourists alike, Marché de Noël des Tuileries, better known as Fête des Tuileries, has a plethora of fun Christmas activities for everyone to enjoy – from carnival games, local French cuisine catered to the holiday season, and the infamous Paris Ferris Wheel.
Walking the Christmas Market at Tuileries; December 2024
Pro Tip: On the weekends, Fête des Tuileries will be packed starting in the afternoon – so if you want to explore without crowds, I highly recommend visiting earlier in the morning or during a weekday if you can.
2. Walk Rue Saint Honoré
Similar to 5th avenue during Christmas time in New York City, Paris has a street decked out with high-end stores and special holiday season displays and decorations.
Rue Saint Honoré during Christmas; December 2024
Truthfully, this is one of my favorite streets in Paris during Christmas time – as the decorations are always eye-catching and usually not overdone.
Pro Tip: Although this place never gets too crowded, try to come earlier in the day if you’ll want to take selfies at the designated photo spots.
3. See the Holiday Display at Galleries Lafayette
As mentioned earlier, while Paris doesn’t have a Christmas Tree – the city does put up an annual holiday display.
Wicked Christmas Tree at Galeries Lafayette; December 2024
Pro Tip: I often see tourists head to the Galeries Lafayette on Champs-Élysées, but that’s not the right location – you want to head to the 9th arrondissement near Printemps on Boulevard Haussman.
4. Ice Skating on Top of Galeries Lafayette
From December 1st, 2025 to January 4th, 2026 – tourists and locals alike will be able to skate from the top of Galeries Lafayette on Boulevard Haussaman, which offers stunning, central views of Paris – in particular, the Eiffel Tower from afar.
Pro Tip: Remember to bring gloves with you, as they won’t let you into the rink without it – and try to come with a friend, as I’m sure you’ll want pictures of you skating with the Eiffel Tower lit up behind you!
View from top of Galeries Lafayette; July 2021
5. Square René Viviani Christmas Market
One of my favorite quieter places in Paris is also home to a less touristic Christmas market in Paris.
Nestled by the Notre-Dame, Square René Viviani Christmas Market offers more unique and artisanal gifts and goodies – conveniently located in the city center by the seine.
Pro Tip: While in the area, be sure to check out the nearby Shakespeare & Company bookstore and Jardin du Luxembourg – which is one of my favorite parks in Paris.
6. Wander Rue du Bucci
One of the prettiest streets in Paris, Rue du Bucci only gets prettier during the holiday season – as the charming street is adorned with Christmas lights that hang alongside the endless cafés.
Pro Tip: Most of the cafés on this street are touristic and overpriced – but the chain Maison Sauvage is generally fair for Paris prices. I also like La Diva des Prés.
Rue du Bucci in Paris during Christmas; December 2024
7. Rue Saint Domonique
Maybe I am biased as someone who lives in this neighborhood, but I do think that this is one of the most quintessential views of Christmas in Paris you could have – as the Eiffel Tower and Christmas lights from both the streets and nearby Le Recrutement make it for a picture-perfect Paris holiday postcard shot.
Rue Saint Domonique during Christmas; December 2021
Pro Tip: Be prepared to wait a while to get a person-less shot, as a lot of people love to take pictures here year-round for the commanding street views of the Eiffel Tower.
8. Marché de Noël de la Tour Eiffel
Having only discovered this place after years of living by the Eiffel Tower, I can confirm that the Christmas Market in between Champ des Mars and Trocadero is well worth a visit.
Eiffel Tower view at Christmas market; December 2024
Pro Tip: This place can be crowded as hell in the evenings, meaning I really recommend you visit during a weekday in the middle of the days. Otherwise, you’ll be subject to something worse than the Bryant Park Winter Village – you won’t even be able to move, stuck like sardines in a can for a while.
9. Ice Skating at Grand Palais
After having been closed for years, Grand Palais reopened its doors to tourists for Ice Skating during the 2024 holiday season.
With blinding, colorful disco lights in one of the prettiest buildings in Paris – tourists and locals alike love to ice skate here for its social media savvy presence and fun photos for social media.
When is Grand Palais Ice Skating Open?
Ice Skating at Grand Palais, or Le Grand Palais des Glaces 2025, will be open from Sunday, December 14th, 2025 to Wednesday, January 7th 2026.
Pro Tip: The line to enter this ice skating rink often loops around the entire Grand Palais, even on weeknights – meaning if you’re determined to visit this very Parisian holiday spot, plan to book your tickets for the early in the morning. This can also help to avoid crowds whole within the rink itself, which is often full to the brim with skaters – making the ice rink at Grand Palais in Paris hard to navigate for beginners.
10. Le Village Royal
One of the cutest places in Paris during Christmas, this is where the annual holiday “hot air balloon” makes its stay in the city during the holidays.
It’s located in a little corner near Madeline, and is well worth walking by to see.
Le Village Royal; December 2024
Pro Tip: I usually do this in combination with walking Rue Saint Honoré as the two are in close proximity to one another!
11. Place de Vendome
Another classic Parisian spot during Christmas, Place de Vendome completely transforms into a cozy, warm holiday circle with its two Christmas tree and lights surrounding the area.
Place de Vendome during Christmas; December 2021
Pro Tip: Be sure to come at night or when it’s already dark, as it won’t hit the same if you visit during the day – the lights and lit up Christmas trees are really essential for both photos and the feeling for Place de Vendome during Christmas time.
12. Avenue Montainge
One of the most famous lit up streets in Paris, and perhaps the most beautiful during the holiday season – Avenue Montaigne is a gem to walk down during Christmas in Paris.
Avenue Montainge with Christmas Lights; January 2022
Pro Tip: Walk by here after visiting the Arc de Triomphe, it’s extremely close and an excellent halfway point in between the Champs Élysées and the Eiffel Tower.
13. Place de la Concorde
One of the more underrated places in Paris during Christmas, Place de la Concorde has recently set up its own little holiday market.
While it’s smaller than the other Christmas markets in Paris, there is a subtle charm about this one being located smack in the middle of the city – with less crowds, as not many know it exists and is fairly new.
Christmas Market at Place de la Concorde; December 2024
Pro Tip: While it’s nice in the day for people watching, visiting at night allows you to see all of the lights lit up – of which is especially important here as Place de la Concorde has a little of little Christmas trees!
14. Paris Ferris Wheel
An iconic part of the famous Christmas Market at Jardin des Tuileries – you can ride the Paris Ferris Wheel during the holiday season in Paris, usually running from late November to early January every year.
Paris Ferris Wheel during Christmas; December 2024
What Time of Year is Best to Go Up the Paris Ferris Wheel?
Personally, I prefer to go up the Paris Ferris Wheel during the summer – as the sunshine makes for a clearer view of the city, whereas winter can be cloudy and the shorter days means for harder to see at night views.
That being said, if you’re only in Paris during Christmas – you should still go up the Ferris Wheel as it really does have one of the best views of the city.
Pro Tip: It’s more expensive than ever to go up the Paris Ferris wheel, costing up to €20 per ticket per person – so plan your finances accordingly if you want to go up the Paris Ferris wheel.
15. Christmas Market in Saint-Germain-des-Prés
Probably my favorite and most “authentic” Christmas market in Paris, the stands surrounding Place Saint-Michel and the surrounding streets aren’t as overpriced or overcrowded as other Christmas Markets in Paris.
Check out the markets in my Paris Christmas vlog below!
Pro Tip: Visiting during the day is much better than at night, as it’s easier to see what all of the stands offer – many of which are very authentic French holiday goodies from special cheeses, macaroons, and nougat.
🎄🇫🇷 FAQ on Paris During Christmas ✨
| 🎅 Is Paris more crowded during Christmas? | No, as a local having lived here for years – I don’t find Paris to be exceptionally crowded during Christmas. The city tends to get the majority of its tourists during the summer, not the winter. |
| 💸 Is Paris more expensive during Christmas? | No, I don’t find Paris to be expensive during Christmas – in fact, I find hotel prices and touristic things to be less expensive during the winter as Paris is usually booming with tourism during the summer, such as with during the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics . |
| ⛸️ Is Ice skating in Paris worth it? | Honestly, ice skating in Paris doesn’t have the same hallmark feel as it does in New York City – and I would say visiting the Christmas markets while in Paris and Europe is more worthwhile. However, if you really do love ice skating – I would opt for Grand Palais as it’s an actual ice skating rink and the other ones tend to be roller rinks. |
| 🎁 What is the best holiday market in Paris? | In my local opinion, I really think that the holiday markets near Notre-Dame and Saint-Michel in the 5th and 6th arrondissements are best – as they tend to be free of tourists and far less expensive as the ever-popular Marché des Tuileries. |
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Last updated: December 4, 2025