Chateau de Vaux-le-Vicomte From 24 November 2018 to 6 January 2019

The Chateau de Vaux le Vicomte is located one hour away from Paris by car.  Every year, during Christmas time, the Chateau gets redecorated for an exceptional visit in a special magical Christmas setting: outdoor and indoor decorations, enchanted figures, illuminated woodland groves, and more. This year the theme is vintage toys, which will delight children and adults alike. The chateau, its courtyards, outbuildings and immaculate French gardens will be transformed into a wonder world, where twinkling lights and animations will enchant the entire family.

Dates and opening hours
24 November-23 December: Wednesday to Sunday, 11 AM to 5.45 PM (6.45 PM on Saturdays and Sundays)
24 December to 6 January : Daily, 11 AM to 6.45 PM (closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day) (Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve the last entry is at 4.45pm)

Hotel de Ville From 14 December 2018 to 6 January 2019

The square in front of the Hôtel de Ville (City Hall) becomes a huge forest with lights, a merry-go-round, an old-fashioned little train, and stands with crepes, mulled wine, and regional products

Grand Palais des Glaces at the Grand Palais From 16 December 2018 to 9 January 2019

The biggest temporary ice rink in France will be housed in the beautiful nave of the Grand Palais.

Crédit photo : Didier Lefevre / Groupe Ludéric

River banks of the Seine From 22 December 2018 to 2 January 2019

Climbing wall, curling rink, and biathlon are all on the agenda as well as the spectacular screening of giant images on the theme of Paris and Christmas, every day from 5pm to midnight, on the wall of the Quay between the Pont Notre-Dame and the Pont-au-Change.

Disneyland Paris From 10 November 2018 to 6 January 2019

The  theme park is all decked out with its spectacular Christmas decorations and welcomes visitors in a magical atmosphere with a Christmas parade, wonderful lights and a gigantic Christmas tree.

Shining a light on Species at the Jardin des Plantes from 16 November 2018 to 15 January 2019

This one-of-a-kind exhibition at Paris’s natural history museum is not a Christmas event per se, but we thought we would include it in our list as it is a winner with kids. The visitor trail is dotted with imposing illuminated structures such as dinosaur-shaped lanterns and a zoo transformed into a habitat of anxiety-inducing beasts, shedding light on the world’s extinct and endangered species.

Madeleine Church Concerts

Several musical evenings with Christmas carols will be taking place in the Madeleine Church. The magical Christmas Concert: music for Christmas time takes place on 25 December.
Wednesday, December 19 at 4pm: Christmas concert: « Noël baroque and American Christmas »
Sunday, December 23rd at 8:30pm: Traditional songs of Christmas
Tuesday, December 25th at 4pm Christmas concert

Concerts

For a list and to buy tickets of concerts in December, click here

 

CHRISTMAS MARKETS

Village de Noel - Eiffel on ice Champ de Mars (next to the Eiffel Tower) from 15 December 2018 to 06 January 2019

Christmas Village at La Defense from November 22nd to December 26
The biggest christmas market in the Paris region (over 13,000m²) with 250 chalets, a 18-metre high decorated tree, an ice skating rink on the roof of the Grande Arche, puppet shows…

 

The Magic of Christmas at the Tuileries Gardens from 24 November 2018 to 06 January 2019
Christmas Market, ice rink, big wheel, children's theatre

Christmas Market at the City Hall/Hotel de Ville from 14 December 2018 to 06 January 2019
Little train, enchanted forest and Christmas specialities on the square in front of the City Hall

Christmas market at Notre Dame Cathedral from 14 December 2018 to 23 December 2018
A festive atmosphere at Notre-Dame de Paris

Marché de Noël du Sacré-Coeur from 12 to 24 december
Parvis du Sacré-Coeur

Saint Germain des Près Christmas village on the square in front of the church St Germain des Prés from 01 December 2018 to 06 January 

Marché de Noël Paris Beaubourg at the Centre Pompidou from 01 December 2018 to 02 January 2019

Christmas market under the Canopy of Les Halles from 08 December 2018 to 06 January 2019
The Canopy at the Forum des Halles will house a large ice rink. Open from 2pm to 7pm on weekdays and from 11am on weekends and during school holidays.

 

CHRISTMAS WINDOW DISPLAYS

In keeping with tradition, the facades of Parisian department stores are adorned with the most stunning festive decorations. Check: Galeries Lafayette and Printemps in the Opera district, Bon Marché on the Left Bank.