Visiting Paris in December is a beautiful experience to live: sparkling lights along the grand boulevards, store windows of major retailers, joyful Christmas markets, and some of the most significant cultural programs of the year. Here is a practical and up-to-date guide to the best exhibitions, seasonal activities, and special events to enjoy in Paris in December 2025, along with local tips to make the most of your stay.
Top exhibitions to see in Paris in December 2025
John Singer Sargent — “Éblouir Paris” (Sargent: The Paris Years):
23 September 2025 – 11 January 2026
— Musée d’Orsay.
This high‑profile survey explores Sargent’s formative Paris years and runs through mid‑January 2026 (with associated guided visits and evening events).
More info about the Musée d’Orsay
Jacques-Louis David – Musée du Louvre
October 15, 2025 to January 26, 2026
This extensive retrospective traces the exceptional career of Jacques-Louis David through six political regimes, from the Ancien Régime to the Restoration. It showcases major works such as the fragment of the Oath of the Tennis Court and the original version of The Death of Marat. The exhibition reveals a David who is less austere than one might imagine: an artist who is both visionary and expressive, whose pictorial strength and commitment have profoundly impacted the history of art.
Gerhard Richter — Retrospective:
17 October 2025 – 2 March 2026
— Fondation Louis Vuitton.
A major, museum‑wide retrospective of Richter’s long career is installed at Fondation Louis Vuitton through early 2026 — a must for contemporary‑art lovers.
Philip Guston — “The Irony of History”:
14 October 2025 – 1 March 2026— Musée national Picasso‑Paris. The Picasso museum devotes galleries to Guston’s politically charged paintings and drawings in a show running into March.
Minimal
— 8 October 2025 – 19 January 2026— Bourse de Commerce — Pinault Collection.
A wide survey of Minimalism and its global permutations in the Pinault Collection’s flagship space.
“1925–2025: One Hundred Years of Art Deco”
— 22 October 2025 – 26 April 2026— Musée des Arts Décoratifs.
An ambitious centenary exhibition tracing Art Deco across decorative arts and design.
Exposition Générale (Fondation Cartier)
— 25 October 2025 – 23 August 2026— Fondation Cartier. A large‑scale presentation marking the Fondation’s new season in its reinvented space, combining historic and recent works.
Gerhard Richter (gallery show)
— 20 October – 20 December 2025— David Zwirner, Paris.
Alongside the big Richter retrospective at Fondation Louis Vuitton, the David Zwirner gallery presents a complementary selection through 20 December. Great if you combine museum and gallery visits.
“Saved Treasures of Gaza: 5000 Years of History”
— 3 April – 7 December 2025— Institut du Monde Arabe (IMA).
This sensitive archaeological and heritage presentation concludes in early December 2025; if your trip is earlier in the month you may still be able to see it. (Note the closing date is 7 December 2025.)
Read our guide about Paris museums
Seasonal activities and outdoor things to do in Dec. 2025
Christmas markets
The city’s Christmas villages and markets are in full swing. The Marché de Noël de La Défense (the largest in the region) runs mid‑November through about 28 December 2025 and is an easy, atmospheric first stop for handicrafts, specialties from across France, and an ice rink. Smaller, charming markets include the Notre‑Dame / Square René‑Viviani market (late November–25 December) and assorted neighborhood markets and department‑store offerings.
Read our guide about Christmas in Paris
Department‑store windows and giant trees
Head to Galeries Lafayette and Printemps on Boulevard Haussmann for their famous animated window displays and the huge, decorated tree beneath the dome. Windows and displays are typically installed from mid‑November and remain through December/early January.
Illuminations and light walks
The Champs‑Élysées, Avenue Montaigne, Place Vendôme and many shopping streets light up for the season (typically from mid‑November into early January). Evening walks beneath the lights are a quintessential Paris experience.
Jardin des Plantes / Festival of Lights
The botanical gardens stage winter light walks and installations in December and into January — a lovely, family‑friendly nocturne. Advance tickets are often required for timed entries.
Ice skating: Seasonal rinks pop up across the city.
The Grand Palais des Glaces returns as a huge indoor rink under the Grand Palais nave (mid‑December to early January), and La Défense usually installs an outdoor rink as part of its market. These are fun for families and friends, and evening sessions often include DJs or light shows.
Eiffel Tower / Champ de Mars Christmas village
A festive village near the Eiffel Tower and evening views across the Champ de Mars are delightful in December; many visitors pair the market with a Seine cruise at dusk.
Interesting events and activities in December 2025
Musical Comedy Notre Dame de Paris
The globally successful musical based on the work of Victor Hugo is back in Paris. Join us at the Palais des Congrès for an unforgettable show starting at €38.
Paris Art Expo (winter edition)
— 3–7 December 2025
— independent art‑fair programming and gallery openings are clustered in early December; check fair and gallery calendars for openings and talks.
Concerts and special performances at Fondation Louis Vuitton
— including a creation by composer Bryce Dessner with Isabelle Huppert and Alice Sara Ott on 12–13 December 2025; the Foundation’s program blends contemporary art exhibitions with live performance.
Grand Palais holiday season and special New Year’s programming
— the Grand Palais des Glaces schedules special sessions for the holidays and often hosts a New Year’s Eve themed evening (tickets and time slots sell out quickly).New Year’s Eve 2025 / 2026 — public celebrations and light shows
The main public celebrations traditionally concentrate around the Champs‑Élysées and the Arc de Triomphe (sound/light show and countdown), with other organized events across the city. Expect heavy crowds on 31 December and some traffic/transport adjustments — plan ahead. City programs change year to year; check this page about New Year’s Eve in Paris.
Insider tips for tourists
Book high‑demand museum tickets and special events in advance. Several institutions (including the Louvre) require timed tickets during busy seasons; buying online will save long waits and stress.
Check opening days around holidays: many museums and smaller sites close on national holidays — notably Christmas Day (25 December) and New Year’s Day (1 January). For example, Musée national Picasso‑Paris lists closures on 25 December and some museums publish special hours for 24/31 December; always check each venue’s official page before planning.
Take advantage of late openings: some museums offer extended‑hours evenings in December (e.g., Musée d’Orsay has Thursday late nights during the exhibition season), letting you combine daytime shopping and evening collection visits. Book guided evening slots when available.
Dress in layers, bring a water‑resistant coat and comfortable walking shoes: December days are short and often chilly and damp. Hot chocolate, mulled wine (vin chaud) and cafés make great pitstops to warm up. See the weather section below for averages. (Practical note: many cafés fill up quickly on the weekends — consider making a reservation for popular spots.) (weather-atlas.com)
Avoid peak crowds at popular sites by visiting early weekday mornings or during museum late openings; pick a lesser‑known museum or gallery in the afternoon (Paris gallery scene in Le Marais and the 7th/8th arrondissements is lively in December). Smaller museums are often quieter and full of character.
Watch your belongings in crowded markets and holiday hotspots. Pickpocketing can increase in very busy public spaces. Use a secure cross‑body bag or money belt and keep valuables in an inside pocket. (This is practical common sense for any big European city at peak tourist times.)Average temperature and weather in Paris in December
December is genuinely wintery in Paris. Expect short days, cool daytime highs and chilly nights:
– Average daily high: around 7–8°C (45–46°F).
– Average nightly low: roughly 2–3°C (36–37°F).
– Rain is frequent (many days with light rain); snow is possible but not guaranteed. Bring layers, an umbrella, gloves and a warm hat. Daylight hours are short — plan outdoor walks for late afternoon/early evening to enjoy the illuminations after sunset.
Practical planning (transport, tickets, timing)
– Reserve timed entries for blockbuster shows and big museums (Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, Fondation Louis Vuitton, and Pinault Collection) — online booking is the standard.
Use the Métro and RER to get around quickly; for airport transfers consider RER B, CDG‑Val, rideshare or taxis. On New Year’s Eve expect crowd management and occasional station closures near major gathering points — give yourself extra time.
If you want a special evening: book a Seine dinner cruise, a holiday concert at one of Paris’s churches (La Madeleine, Sainte‑Chapelle or Saint‑Eustache often host concerts), or a festive cabaret revue (Moulin Rouge, Lido) well in advance.
Final thoughts — an invitation to explore
Paris in December blends museum riches with a festive, luminous public life. Whether you’re moving between a warm, wood‑panelled café and a world‑class exhibition, gliding on an ice rink beneath a glass nave, or lingering under the sparkling Champs‑Élysées lights, the city creates memorable winter moments. Pack warm layers, reserve tickets for the big shows, and leave a little time for aimless wandering — that’s how many of the best Parisian discoveries are made. Enjoy the season, and bienvenue — the City of Light is waiting.
Enjoy your trip — and savor equal parts exhibitions, cafés, and winter light.
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