Unique Things to Do in Paris at Christmas 🎄✨

When you think about Christmas in Paris, you probably picture hot chocolate ☕, twinkling lights ✨, and charming Christmas markets 🎄. And yes, those are amazing. But Paris is also full of original and unexpected holiday activities that go way beyond the usual.

If you’re looking for something different this year — whether with kids 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦, friends 🎉, or your partner 💕 — here’s a guide to the most unique things to do in Paris at Christmas 2026. From treasure hunts 🕵️‍♀️ to luminous gardens 🌌 and skating rinks ⛸️, the magic of December comes in many shapes and surprises.

1) Puzzle Your Way Through the Covered Passages 🕵️‍♀️✨

Paris’s covered passages are architectural gems from the 19th century: glass-roofed galleries filled with boutiques, cafés, and history. In December, they become extra magical, draped with garlands and Christmas lights.

👉 For something unique, try a treasure hunt in the covered passages. Equipped with a puzzle booklet, you’ll explore Verdeau, Jouffroy, Panoramas and Galerie Vivienne while solving clues and uncovering quirky stories.

It’s perfect when the weather is cold ❄️, and it turns a simple stroll into an adventure. Families love it, friends make it competitive, and couples get to share a playful holiday memory.

2) Be Dazzled at the Jardin des Plantes 🌟🦕

Every winter, the Jardin des Plantes hosts “En Voie d’Illumination” — a night walk through giant glowing lanterns.

• 🐋 Expect whales taller than houses.

• 🦖 Dinosaurs glowing against the night sky.

• 🐅 Jungle animals and fantasy creatures.

The festival mixes education and wonder, making it ideal for kids and adults. Plan about 90 minutes to walk the full trail, and don’t forget gloves and scarves — it’s outdoors and chilly.

🎟️ Tip: to avoid the crowd, try to visit on weekdays and avoid the holiday time if you can

3) Wander Through the Light Odyssey at Parc Floral 🌌🌲

Looking for something a little less crowded? The Parc Floral, inside the Bois de Vincennes, hosts the Light Odyssey — another spectacular illuminated walk.

Each edition has a new theme 🎨, so even locals return year after year. Compared to central Paris, it feels calmer, with more space to breathe and admire the glowing installations.

For families, it’s stroller-friendly 👶 and for couples, it’s wonderfully romantic 💕.

4) Go Ice Skating in Stunning Settings ⛸️❄️

Skating outdoors under twinkling lights is a Christmas classic, but in Paris the backdrops are unbeatable:

• 🏛️ Hôtel de Ville rink: central, free or low-cost, and perfect for kids.

• 🗼 Champ-de-Mars rink: skate with the Eiffel Tower shining above you.

• 🎠 Grand Palais Éphémère rink: one of Europe’s largest indoor rinks when open, with music and lights.

Even if you’re clumsy on skates 😅, it’s a joyful way to spend time with friends or family — and you can always warm up with crêpes 🥞 or mulled wine 🍷 afterwards.

Enjoy the Covered Passages with a game

5) Enjoy a Magical Christmas Show 🎭🎶 Unique things to do in Paris

December is one of the busiest months for Parisian theatres. Holiday programming is designed to amaze:

• 🎶 The Nutcracker at the Opéra Bastille: a timeless ballet that still enchants.

• 🎪 Cirque d’Hiver: acrobats, clowns and festive acts under a historic circus dome.

• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family-friendly plays and musicals, often with Christmas themes, in theatres across the city.

💡 For something unforgettable, book a candlelit concert at Sainte-Chapelle: imagine Christmas music surrounded by stained glass glowing in the night.

6) Warm Up With Festive Food & Drinks 🍫🍷

Part of what makes Christmas in Paris unique is the food. Yes, there are markets, but there are also cosy cafés and seasonal treats that make winter special:

• ☕ Hot chocolate at Angelina or Carette, rich enough to count as dessert.

• 🧀 A fondue dinner at Chez Monix, in vintage ski gondolas 🚠.

• 🍰 A festive tea time at The Peninsula, with pastries shaped like Christmas ornaments.

Paris in December is one long invitation to indulge — and that’s part of the magic.

7) Step Into a Château Wonderland 🏰✨

Want to feel like you’re in a fairy tale? Just outside Paris, several castles transform for the holidays:

• 🎄 Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte: monumental projections, decorated halls, and even treasure hunts for kids.

• 🌟 Château de Fontainebleau: festive tours and lights in royal surroundings.

Both are easy day trips 🚆, and both feel worlds away from the bustle of Paris.

8) Discover Rooftops & Secret Views 🌆✨

December nights in Paris are cold, but rooftops make it worthwhile. Many set up heated domes, blankets, and festive drinks:

• 🌇 Galeries Lafayette rooftop: panoramic views of Christmas lights.

• 🍷 Le Perchoir: trendy rooftop bars with mulled wine.

• 🗼 Terraces near Montmartre: cosy, intimate, with Eiffel Tower glimpses.

Few experiences are as magical as sipping a hot drink while watching the city sparkle ✨.

9) Add a Cultural Twist 🎨📚

Christmas is also a time to explore Paris’s cultural side:

• 🎨 Atelier des Lumières: immersive digital art shows, often themed around light — perfect for the season.

• 🤩 Musée Grévin: wax museum fun for families.

• 📖 Temporary exhibitions: many museums stay open during the holidays.

It’s a reminder that Paris is more than decoration: it’s a city of creativity all year round.

From treasure hunts 🕵️‍♀️ in the covered passages to glowing gardens 🌌, skating ⛸️ under the Eiffel Tower, castles 🏰 lit like fairy tales, and cosy rooftops 🌆, there are endless unique things to do in Paris at Christmas 2026.

👉 Whether you want adventure, culture, food, or festive lights, Paris delivers it all — and always with a twist.

So wrap up warm, grab your puzzle booklet or hot chocolate, and let yourself be surprised. Because in December, Paris doesn’t just sparkle — it plays, sings, and invites you to join the magic ✨🎄.