Posted by Walking through Paris during Christmas feels like stepping into a snow globe, even when it is not actually snowing. The city transforms itself into this glittering wonderland that manages to be both romantic and festive at the same time. I have spent more December evenings than I can count wandering these streets, and each year the Christmas events in Paris somehow surprise me all over again. Discover the top Christmas events in Paris, including magical markets, ice skating, and festive lights.
The Champs-Élysées Christmas Market has become one of my annual traditions, and honestly, I cannot imagine December without it. Stretching along one of the most famous avenues in the world, this market offers everything from handcrafted ornaments to steaming cups of vin chaud that warm you from the inside out. The wooden chalets line the street for nearly two kilometers, and you will find yourself stopping at nearly every one because each vendor seems to have something you absolutely must see. Last year, I bought a set of hand-painted baubles from a craftsman from Alsace, and they still hang on my tree today. The market typically runs from mid-November through early January, which gives you plenty of time to explore without feeling rushed.
Over at Notre-Dame, even though the cathedral itself has been under restoration, the Christmas market near Île de la Cité continues to draw crowds who want to experience that classic Parisian Christmas atmosphere. The setting along the Seine creates this almost medieval feeling, especially when the lights reflect off the water in the evening. I always grab a crêpe from one of the stands here because they just taste better when you are eating them while watching the river flow by.
The Tuileries Garden Christmas Market, or Marché de Noël aux Tuileries as locals call it, transforms the historic garden into an amusement park meets traditional market. This one surprises people because it is not just about shopping. You have a giant Ferris wheel that offers incredible views of Paris all lit up for the holidays, ice skating, carnival rides, and yes, plenty of market stalls too. I took my niece here two years ago and we spent four hours there without even realizing how much time had passed. The combination of thrills and Christmas shopping makes it perfect for families or anyone who wants more than just browsing.
If you want to see Paris go completely over the top with Christmas lights, the Avenue Montaigne and the Golden Triangle area will not disappoint. The luxury boutiques compete with each other to create the most spectacular window displays and lighting installations. Walking through this neighborhood at night during Christmas season feels like being inside a very expensive jewelry box. The Galeries Lafayette also deserves a mention here because their giant Christmas tree inside the store has become legendary. Standing beneath that dome with the tree rising up through the center ranks among the most Instagram-worthy Christmas moments in Paris.
Saint-Germain-des-Prés hosts a Christmas market that feels more intimate and neighborhood-focused than some of the larger tourist markets. This market captures that Left Bank artistic spirit, with many local artisans selling their work. I find myself returning here when I want to actually shop for gifts rather than just soak in the atmosphere. The quality of the crafts tends to be exceptional, and you can find truly unique pieces that your friends back home will never have seen before.
The Jardin d’Acclimatation in the Bois de Boulogne offers Christmas festivities that lean heavily toward family entertainment. They set up this entire Christmas village with activities for children, visits with Père Noël, and winter attractions that keep kids entertained for hours. Even if you do not have children, the park takes on this storybook quality during Christmas that makes it worth visiting.
La Défense might seem like an odd choice for Christmas magic given its modern skyscraper landscape, but the Grande Arche area hosts a market that surprises visitors with its size and selection. Being slightly outside the main tourist zones means it stays less crowded, and the prices tend to be a bit more reasonable than markets in central Paris. Plus, seeing Christmas decorations against that ultra-modern backdrop creates an interesting contrast.
For classical music lovers, the churches throughout Paris host Christmas concerts that will give you goosebumps. Sainte-Chapelle with its stained glass windows offers candlelight concerts that feel almost transcendent. I attended one three years ago and found myself wishing it would never end. The acoustics in these old churches make even familiar carols sound completely new.
The ice skating rink at Hôtel de Ville might be the most quintessentially Parisian Christmas experience you can have. Skating in front of that magnificent building, surrounded by Christmas lights and market stalls, while possibly failing spectacularly at staying upright, creates memories that stick with you. I am a terrible skater but I go every year anyway because where else can you fall on your backside in such a photogenic location?
Reference
Office du Tourisme et des Congrès de Paris. (n.d.). Official tourism information for Paris events and seasonal activities. Paris Convention and Visitors Bureau. https://en.parisinfo.com
Office du Tourisme et des Congrès de Paris. (n.d.). Official tourism information for Paris events and seasonal activities. Paris Convention and Visitors Bureau. https://en.parisinfo.com
Mairie de Paris. (2025). Public Christmas events including the Hôtel de Ville ice skating rink and holiday activities. Paris.fr. https://www.paris.fr