🎄 Your Guide to a Magical Christmas in Paris 2025
- frompariswithfun
- 6 days ago
- 5 min read
There’s something unforgettable about Christmas in Paris. The City of Light glows brighter than ever — twinkling fairy lights in the trees, the smell of roasted chestnuts on the streets, and the sound of carols echoing through historic churches. December in Paris is pure magic: elegant, festive, and cozy all at once.
Whether you’re planning a romantic escape, a family trip, or a festive getaway with friends, winter reveals a softer, more intimate side of the French capital. From glittering window displays and Christmas markets to candlelit concerts and outdoor adventures, here’s your ultimate guide to celebrating Christmas 2025 in Paris.
✨ Paris Christmas Markets
Paris transforms into a festive village during December, with Christmas markets (marchés de Noël) scattered across the city. Each has its own personality — from grand open-air villages to charming neighborhood fairs filled with crafts and warm mulled wine.
📅 November 13 – December 28, 2025🌍 Parvis de la Défense
The largest Christmas market in Paris! Over 150 wooden chalets fill the modern business district with light and festive energy. Expect handmade gifts, regional specialties, and plenty of vin chaud. It’s an ideal stop for families who want to mix traditional charm with Paris’s futuristic skyline.
🎠 Tuileries Garden Market – La Magie de Noël
📅 November 14, 2025 – January 4, 2026🌍 Jardin des Tuileries, 1st arrondissement
Set beside the Louvre Museum, this market is one of the city’s most iconic. You’ll find holiday treats, a funfair, and the sweet aroma of roasted chestnuts filling the air.
💡 Family tip: The market is just steps away from the Opéra–Madeleine district, where our From Paris With Fun treasure hunt turns this elegant neighborhood into a life-sized detective story — and, during December, almost into a Christmas light tour! 🎅As you walk under the glittering illuminations of Place Vendôme, Boulevard Haussmann, and the Opéra Garnier, you’ll be on a mission to protect someone very, very important… (Don’t worry — all top-secret information is strictly classified, but let’s just say their security detail would thank you 😉).
📅 November 25, 2025 – January 1, 2026🌍 Place Saint-Germain-des-Prés, 6th arrondissement
On the Left Bank, this market feels like a postcard come to life. Surrounded by elegant boutiques and historic cafés, it’s perfect for a cozy winter afternoon. Browse the chalets, then warm up with a legendary hot chocolate at Les Deux Magots or Café de Flore — two timeless Parisian icons.
📅 November 28 – December 25, 2025🌍 Square René Viviani, 5th arrondissement
Facing the Seine and the cathedral, this market brings together artisans, food producers, and performers. The setting is pure magic: twinkling lights, medieval towers, and the sound of Christmas carols drifting through the air.
💡 Christmas in Paris Lights & Window Displays
From mid-November, Paris’s boulevards and department stores burst into light. Whether you’re walking through the Marais or under the Haussmann arcades, the city becomes a stage of shimmering colors and festive creativity.
🏙️ Galeries Lafayette Haussmann
📅 mid-November – December 31, 2025🌍 40 Boulevard Haussmann, 9th arrondissement
Under its magnificent glass dome stands the most famous Christmas tree in Paris — a giant, themed masterpiece that changes every year. Animated window displays draw crowds of children (and nostalgic adults) gazing in wonder.
💡 Fun fact: The Opéra–Madeleine treasure hunt actually passes right nearby — so you can solve clues and admire the lights in one go!
🎀 Printemps Haussmann
📅 early November – December 31, 2025🌍 64 Boulevard Haussmann, 9th arrondissement
Next door to Galeries Lafayette, Printemps unveils whimsical, storybook windows full of color and motion. The grand opening in early November feels like the unofficial start of Christmas in Paris — cheerful music, sparkling façades, and smiling crowds.
🛍️ Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche
📅 early November – December 31, 2025🌍 24 Rue de Sèvres, 7th arrondissement
On the Left Bank, Le Bon Marché mixes elegance and artistry. Its Christmas windows glow softly at night, reflecting on Rue de Sèvres — perfect for an evening stroll after visiting the Saint-Germain market.
🌉 La Samaritaine
📅 early November – December 31, 2025🌍 19 Rue de la Monnaie, 1st arrondissement
A blend of modern design and historic charm, La Samaritaine shines with creative displays each year. The mix of art, architecture, and Christmas sparkle makes it a must-see during your holiday stay.
🎄 BHV Marais
📅 early November – December 31, 2025🌍 52 Rue de Rivoli, 4th arrondissement
The BHV Marais traditionally launches the season with its first light-up event of the year. The festive atmosphere on Rue de Rivoli feels local, warm, and full of joy — a great way to kick off your Christmas trip before the crowds arrive.
⛸️ Ice Skating in Paris
Paris offers a variety of rinks in spectacular settings — some grand, others more relaxed, all perfectly festive.
📅 December 14, 2025 – January 8, 2026Skate beneath one of the world’s most beautiful glass domes! The Grand Palais des Glaces transforms into an immense ice rink filled with light and music — a Parisian winter classic for both kids and grown-ups.
📅 November 13 – December 28, 2025At the base of the Grande Arche, this rink combines modern architecture with festive cheer. After skating, warm up with a hot drink and explore the huge Christmas market next door.
🌳 Parc André Citroën
📅 Dates to be confirmedA family favorite in southwest Paris, this open-air rink offers a laid-back winter vibe. Glide under the stars, sip hot chocolate, and enjoy the view of the park’s famous balloon rising above the city.
Music is at the heart of Parisian Christmas traditions. From sacred choirs to fireworks at midnight, there’s something magical for every traveler.
📅 December 29–31, 2025Under its jewel-colored stained glass, Sainte-Chapelle hosts some of the city’s most beautiful concerts. The setting alone is worth the visit — but hearing classical music here is a memory you’ll never forget.
⛪ Saint-Séverin Church New Year’s Eve Concert
📅 December 31, 2025Ring in the new year surrounded by candlelight in one of Paris’s most beautiful Gothic churches. The music, the atmosphere, and the setting in the Latin Quarter make it a serene and inspiring experience.
🎆 New Year’s Eve on the Champs-Élysées
📅 December 31, 2025Paris’s biggest celebration! Join the crowds for concerts, countdowns, and a midnight laser show projected onto the Arc de Triomphe — a spectacular way to welcome 2026.
From glittering markets and sparkling façades to concerts, skating rinks, and treasure hunts, Paris in December feels like a Christmas movie — only better, because you’re in it.
And if you want to experience the magic with a twist, try our Opéra–Madeleine treasure hunt. Between luxury lights and secret missions, it’s half cultural tour, half mystery story — with just enough suspense to make Santa nervous. 😉
👉 Ready to make your holiday unforgettable? Explore the city, follow the clues, and let Paris surprise you — one light, one laugh, and one puzzle at a time.
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