Are you planning to visit Paris in December 2026? We invite you to read our comprehensive tips and suggestions on how to maximize your experience during the Christmas holidays in the city of Paris. Additionally, you will find detailed information regarding Paris weather in December and recommendations on what to pack for your visit to Paris for the year’s end holidays. Our objective is to guide you through a memorable adventure in the city of lights. Regardless of the duration of your stay in Paris, you will undoubtedly be impressed by the city’s architectural and cultural heritage.
It is certainly the best period to enjoy the many pleasures of the proclaimed capital of gastronomy, fashion and shopping – especially at this time of the year. On December 31st you could celebrate New Year’s Eve 2027 in Paris in style on the Champs-Élysées, alongside hundreds of thousands of other revellers.
And good news for shoppers: on December 26 there is no Boxing Day in France – shops, museums and monuments are open as usual.
Weather in Paris in December
Average Temperatures in Paris in December
- Average minimum temperature in Dec. in Paris: 2°C / 36°F
- Average maximum temperature in Dec. in Paris: 7°C / 45°F
- Average rainfall: 59 mm
- Daylight: around 8 hours – sunrise near 8.40am, sunset near 4.55pm
Although December in Paris can be cold, temperatures usually stay between 2°C/36°F and 7°C/45°F. The first weeks are milder but still cool as winter arrives. December often brings clouds and about 15 rainy days, though the rain is usually light. There’s also a chance of snow around Christmas, making the city look especially beautiful. With many Christmas and New Year’s Eve celebrations, Paris truly deserves its nickname – the ‘City of Light’.
What to Wear in December in Paris
If you are visiting Paris this month, be ready for cold weather. Bring a winter coat, scarf, and gloves, and consider an umbrella or raincoat for easier walks. Wear shoes with good tread to avoid slipping. Also, leave space in your luggage for shopping or souvenirs. See 5-day weather forecast for Paris
Paris in December: Events, Musicals, and Opera in Paris
Festive Lights and Windows
In Paris, you can admire many beautiful Christmas lights. The most famous are on the Champs-Élysées, Montmartre Hill, and the magical Christmas windows of Galeries Lafayette. The Champs-Élysées illuminations are usually switched on in the second half of November and stay lit until early January.
Galeries Lafayette, one of Paris’ most iconic department stores, is a must-see during the holidays. Its festive window displays, sparkling lights, giant tree under the dome and creative decorations turn shopping into a real spectacle – and they are free to see.
Another great way to enjoy the Christmas atmosphere is with a Seine River cruise. From the Champs-Élysées to Notre-Dame Cathedral and Place de la Concorde, these tours let you discover Paris illuminated in all its holiday charm.
>Book your illumination Tours by Tootbus
Wonderful Christmas Cruise on Seine River
Experience a remarkable Christmas Cruise on the Seine River, an exceptional opportunity to savor a gourmet holiday meal while admiring the majestic Parisian monuments and festive illuminations. Numerous companies, including Bateaux Mouches, Paris Seine, and Yachts de Paris, offer an exquisite Christmas Eve dinner on December 24th. Additionally, companies such as Bateaux Parisiens and Bateaux Mouches provide a delightful Christmas lunch on December 25th. These special sailings sell out weeks in advance, so book early.
>> More info on Xmas Cruises in Paris
Ice Skating in Paris in December
Ice skating is one of the great winter pleasures in Paris. The star of the season is the Grand Palais des Glaces, billed as the world’s largest indoor ice rink: some 2,700 m² of ice laid out under the Grand Palais’ glass roof, usually from mid-December to early January. Note that this one is indoor, not open-air, and tickets should be booked online in advance.
Beyond the Grand Palais, seasonal open-air rinks pop up around the city and the suburbs – typically at the Jardins du Trocadéro, inside the Christmas villages of the Jardin des Tuileries and La Défense, and in several arrondissement town halls. Do note that the well-known rink on the square in front of the Hôtel de Ville has not been set up since 2019, so it is no longer part of the Paris winter line-up.
Paris also has year-round indoor rinks, including the Patinoire Sonja Henie at Bercy and the Patinoire Pailleron in the 19th arrondissement.
See Museums in Paris.
>> Book now your hotel in Paris and save money
25th and 26th December in Paris
Christmas Day, December 25th, is a public holiday – so most museums, attractions and shops are closed. Public transport runs on a Sunday timetable, and many restaurants take bookings for a special Christmas menu rather than opening as usual.
Nevertheless, some museums and monuments are open on Christmas Day such as the Museum of Montmartre or Espace Dalí and the Centre Pompidou. Do check ahead for the Centre Pompidou, which has entered a multi-year renovation and closure programme – its off-site programming continues elsewhere in Paris.
Some churches and religious monuments are open, such as Notre-Dame Cathedral – reopened to visitors since December 2024 – Sacré-Cœur Basilica and the Madeleine Church. These churches often organise events and special celebrations on 24th and 25th December where you can hear exceptional live choir performances. For Midnight Mass at Notre-Dame, expect long queues and free but limited access.
The 26th of December is not a holiday – there is no Boxing Day in Paris – so most museums, monuments, and shops will be open for business.
On New Year’s Eve, the Champs-Élysées hosts the city’s biggest free party, with a video-mapping show projected onto the Arc de Triomphe and a midnight fireworks display. The avenue is pedestrianised and access is filtered by security checkpoints from the early evening; public transport is generally free overnight. Read our full guide to New Year’s Eve on the Champs-Élysées.
Exhibitions in Paris in December 2026
December 2026 is set to be a month of considerable cultural richness for the French capital, featuring numerous outstanding exhibitions in the City of Light. Here are the shows worth planning your days around – all of them run through the holidays and into January 2027.
| Exhibition | Venue | Dates | Main Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cézanne and Us | Grand Palais | Sept 23, 2026 – Jan 17, 2027 | The season’s blockbuster: Cézanne and the artists he inspired |
| Zurbarán | Musée du Louvre | Oct 7, 2026 – Jan 25, 2027 | A rare Paris retrospective of the Spanish Golden Age master |
| Mary Cassatt, The Independent | Musée d’Orsay | Oct 6, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027 | The American Impressionist who made Paris her home |
| Auguste Bartholdi: Liberty Enlightening the World | Musée d’Orsay | Sept 15, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027 | The making of the Statue of Liberty |
| Andy Warhol: Line and Image | Musée du Luxembourg | Sept 16, 2026 – Jan 10, 2027 | Warhol’s drawings and graphic work |
| Kerry James Marshall | Musée d’Art Moderne de Paris | Sept 18, 2026 – Jan 24, 2027 | Major retrospective of the contemporary American painter |
| The Eternal Tintoretto | Musée Jacquemart-André | Sept 11, 2026 – Jan 24, 2027 | Venetian drama in an intimate mansion setting |
Tip: book timed-entry tickets online for the Grand Palais, the Louvre and the Musée d’Orsay. The week between Christmas and New Year is the busiest of the whole winter.
Read more about Christmas Events in Paris.
Christmas at Disneyland Paris
Experience the magic of a family Christmas at Disneyland Paris!
Illuminations, Disney characters, and fun for all the family… Christmas is certainly one of the best times to visit Disneyland Paris. The Christmas season normally runs from early November to early January, with a lot of shows and special events for the year’s end celebrations.
Book your stay at Disneyland Paris!
Paris Christmas Markets in December 2026
It would be a crying shame to miss out on the hot chocolate, mulled wine, crepes, and waffles found at the Christmas Markets in Paris. You can also buy many typical French products like locally-made cheese, foie gras and Alsatian gingerbread.
- CHRISTMAS MARKET ON THE CHAMPS-ÉLYSÉES
The Christmas market is back on the lower part of the avenue, between the Rond-Point des Champs-Élysées and Place de la Concorde. According to the City of Paris, the 2026 edition is scheduled from 22 November 2026 to 4 January 2027. Free entry.
Avenue des Champs-Élysées – 8th arrondissement. Metro: Champs-Élysées–Clemenceau or Concorde
- CHRISTMAS MARKET AND FUNFAIR AT THE JARDIN DES TUILERIES
The biggest of them all: around 100 wooden chalets, an ice rink, and a 70-metre Ferris wheel with sweeping views over central Paris. It usually opens in mid-November and runs to the first week of January – the 2026-2027 edition is expected to follow the same pattern. Free entry, with paid rides.
Jardin des Tuileries – 1st arrondissement. Metro: Concorde or Tuileries
- CHRISTMAS MARKET AT SAINT-GERMAIN-DES-PRÉS
A small, elegant market of artisan chalets on the square beside the church, typically from late November to the first days of January, open around 10am-9pm.
Église Saint-Germain-des-Prés – 6th arrondissement. Metro: Saint-Germain-des-Prés
- ALSATIAN CHRISTMAS MARKET AT GARE DE L’EST
This famous market brings food and products from Eastern France to the station forecourt: bredele biscuits, gingerbread, Alsatian wines and mulled wine. It usually runs for about two weeks in early December.
Gare de l’Est – 10th arrondissement. Metro: Gare de l’Est
Exact 2026 opening dates for most markets are confirmed by the organisers and city halls in the autumn, so check before you travel.
Read more: All Christmas markets in Paris
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