Paris is definitely one of the most MAGICAL places to spend Christmas. There are SO many festive things to do in Paris at Christmas that you might need a second holiday just to fit them all in (or extend your trip by a few days). Into ice-skating with a killer view? Done. Obsessed with Christmas lights? Paris has you covered. Eager to devour festive snacks? You’re totally in the right place. Whatever your vibe, you’ll find the perfect holiday spirit in this great collection of Christmas-themed things to do in Paris.
*Some of the links in this article will earn a small commission if you click them and then purchase something. Thanks in advance for your support!
Hunt down the best holiday lights
Paris really shows off its nickname of the “City of Light” over the holiday season. From elegantly decked-out posh shopping areas to charming market streets strung with lights, the city is completely glowing. I’ve rounded up all my favorite spots in this article on the best Christmas lights in Paris, but don’t forget to bring your cozy scarf and your camera.
Image Courtesy of Galeries Lafayette and La Samaritaine via Facebook
Feast your eyes on the amazing Parisian department store window displays
This is a classic Parisian holiday tradition, and locals take it VERY seriously. The big department stores (called the Grands Magasins in French) go all out with their Christmas window displays. Galeries Lafayette usually steals the show, but Printemps, La Samaritaine, and Le Bon Marché all put on their own special holiday flair.
Each store picks a fun, festive theme for its displays, and a few of my recent favorites have been “Rock’n’Roll Christmas” and “Santa in Space”. The theme is depicted by moving figurines, lights, and music that really stoke up your holiday spirit. These are pretty popular, so to avoid being swallowed by crowds, go during the week when they tend to be less busy.
Browse around Paris’s vibrant Christmas markets
One of the best things to do in Paris at Christmas is to visit some of the city’s fabulous Christmas markets. Called marchés de noël in French, these brighten up little squares around the city from late November into January.
They’re perfect for hunting down unique gifts and for grabbing a festive snack or a steaming cup of vin chaud (mulled wine) to keep you warm as you browse. You can find the best in my article on the best Christmas markets in Paris.
Image Courtesy of Noël La Villette via Facebook
Step into full-on Christmas wonderlands
Beyond the regular Christmas markets, you might also want to visit a few holiday festivals. Along with traditional Christmas market stalls, they have other fun activities and are overflowing with special holiday magic.
If you’re traveling with kids, stop by La Magie de Noël in the Tuileries Gardens. It’s got a skating rink, a Ferris wheel, and other fun fair-style rides that’ll entertain the whole family for hours. If you’d like something more local, stop by the Noël à la Villette. A new event for 2025, it’s got over 100 stands as well as an ice rink, a cool carousel, and even a fondue chalet.
And don’t miss the Le Festival du Merveilleux at the Musée des Arts Forains. It’s a private museum of vintage funfair rides that comes alive for the holidays with shows, food stands, beautiful decorations, and even access to some of the old-school rides.
Go skating in an unforgettable place
If you don’t end up doing some ice skating at the Christmas markets or festivals mentioned above, there are a few other fantastic opportunities in Paris over the holidays. My favorite is the Grand Palais, a huge glass-domed building that gets taken over by a massive skating rink. I recommend going at night, when the lights and music make it feel like you’ve slipped into a snow globe.
In addition to admiring the Christmas windows, you’ve got another reason to stop by Galeries Lafayette or Printemps, as both have added little skating rinks on their rooftop. So you can zip around while taking in STUNNING views of the city.
Image Courtesy of Le Petit Bouillon Pharamond via Facebook
Treat yourself to a special holiday meal in Paris
The French LOVE eating well all year round, but their most over-the-top meals are definitely savored over the holidays. So, treating yourself to a special meal is definitely one of the best things to do in Paris at Christmas.
Luckily, you can join in festive season indulgence without blowing your entire trip budget. You can get a bargain holiday meal at the Petit Bouillon Pharamond or splash out on a fancier meal at the Le Train Bleu. Check out my other top choices in my complete guide to Christmas.
Image Courtesy of Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre
Attend a Christmas concert in a gorgeous Parisian church
For something a bit different that combines music and architecture, take in a concert at a beautiful historic church. Many of the city’s best churches (yep, including Notre-Dame) put on Christmas concerts before and over the holidays, and the ambiance is truly magical.
The Madeleine, Saint-Germain-des-Près, Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre, and the Sainte-Chapelle are all other top churches that I think are perfect settings for Christmas concerts. These will be on dates scattered over the holidays, so be sure to check their websites in advance to see what’s on during your trip.
Image Courtesy of Devour Tours
Take a Christmas-themed tour around Paris
If you want to sprinkle a bit of extra holiday magic onto your trip, then you can’t go wrong with a Christmas-themed tour. Explore the best markets with a guide, learn about traditional French holiday treats, or cruise around Paris in a vintage car to enjoy the holiday lights. I’ve rounded up the best festive tours in this article to make planning super easy.
Joyeux Noël! Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!
After browsing my list of top things to do in Paris at Christmas, read these next:
Pin this…
