Christmas in Paris: Best Markets, Lights, and Decorations
Paris is magical any time of year, but it transforms into a winter wonderland at Christmas. Elaborate light displays, Christmas markets, decorated department stores, and special holiday events fill the city.
It really is one of my favorite times to explore Paris.
In this guide, I’m sharing the best places to experience Christmas in Paris, including my favorite markets, holiday decorations, and seasonal activities, along with the dates and details for Christmas 2026.
Best Christmas Markets in Paris
Paris has Christmas markets scattered throughout the city, many of them set up next to famous landmarks or in picturesque squares.
Below, I’ve included the main Christmas markets that run for several weeks during the holiday season. There are also plenty of smaller pop-up markets that only last a few days, so you may come across additional markets while exploring Paris.
I’ve included the 2026 dates where available, although some markets haven’t announced their schedules yet.
1. Magie de Noël at the Jardin des Tuileries
The Tuileries Garden hosts the biggest and one of the most popular Christmas markets in central Paris. Known as La Magie de Noël, it’s the market I’d recommend visiting if you only have time for one.
This market is massive, stretching all the way along the north end of the Tuileries Garden, and includes over 100 beautifully decorated, often quite large stalls.
Part of the market is known as the Marché Gourmand, with dozens of stalls selling all sorts of food and Christmas treats. My advice is to walk around and see what’s available before deciding what to eat, because there are so many choices!
The Tuileries Garden is also well-known for its fairground atmosphere. Beyond the market stalls, there are well over a dozen rides or carnival games. I really loved this very unique aspect of the market, as it created a really happy and lively atmosphere.
For example, there was a swing ride, an enormous Ferris wheel, a carousel, a kiddie train, and several “obstacle courses.” One perk of doing the swing or Ferris wheel is that it gives you a bird’s eye view back over the market!
We visited this market on a Tuesday and had very manageable crowds. Weekends, though, are packed. I’d recommend avoiding the weekends at the Tuileries market if at all possible.
Dates: November 14, 2026 to January 3, 2027
2. La Défense Christmas Market
La Défense is one of the biggest Christmas markets in the Paris area. It’s located in the city’s modern business district, just outside central Paris, where you’ll find the huge cluster of skyscrapers.
The market is situated right at the foot of the Grande Arche de la Défense, the enormous, rectangular “arch” that’s an iconic part of this area.
Approximately 150 wooden chalets fill the plaza in front of the arch, with garlands and Christmas lights strung over the walkways. Despite its size, I thought this market had a surprisingly cozy atmosphere.
In addition to chalets selling food, drink, and gifts, you can also find numerous photo ops, as well as smaller rides, like a carousel. There is also a small ice skating rink at the end of the market closest to the arch.
Dates: November 12 to December 31, 2026
3. Eiffel Tower/Quai Branly Christmas Market
Undoubtedly one of the most picturesque backdrops to a Christmas market ever, the Quai Branly Christmas market sits right along the Seine River at the foot of the Eiffel Tower. It’s right next to the Pont d’Iéna bridge.
This is a medium-sized market, with around 40-50 chalets. The stalls are decked out in red and white, which gives it a distinct look from the traditional wooden chalets at most of the other Paris markets.
The exact location and layout can change from year to year, so I’d recommend checking the current location before visiting.
Dates: December 5, 2026 to January 3, 2027 (listed by the event organizer; final details subject to confirmation).
4. Notre Dame Christmas Market
Notre Dame saw the picturesque setting of the Quai Branly market and said “hold my vin chaud.”
This market isn’t set up directly in front of Notre Dame. Instead, you’ll find it in Square René Viviani, a quiet spot just across the Seine. However, the towers of Notre Dame are visible throughout the market and perfectly framed by this forested arch.
The Notre Dame market is known as the French arts, crafts, and local foods market, with about 25 white stalls surrounding the square. There are very few foods available to eat at the market, and it’s mostly gifts and shopping. But the offerings really are fantastic.
For example, there’s a booth selling lavender products from Provence, another with handcrafted sausages and dried meats, another with cheese, and another with candied fruit or locally produced soaps.
My favorite spot, though, was a booth selling handmade plaster models of church facades and rose windows, which I thought was such a unique yet easily identifiable European gift.
We also loved that the middle of the square was filled with Christmas trees and decorations to create a woodland scene.
Dates: November 26 to December 27, 2026
5. Champs-Élysées Christmas Market
After almost a decade without a Christmas market, the Champs Élysées is finally bringing one back for the 2026 Christmas season.
This is going to be one of the biggest Christmas markets in Paris, with around 200 wooden chalets set up in the gardens along the lower Champs-Élysées.
The stalls will sell everything from handmade gifts and jewelry to French specialties and Christmas treats. There will also be a Santa’s House at Place Clemenceau and an outdoor ice skating rink near Pavillon Ledoyen.
Dates: November 22, 2026 to January 4, 2027
6. Place de l’Étoile Christmas Market
Another new Christmas market for 2026 is opening right next to the Arc de Triomphe, at the beginning of Avenue de la Grande Armée, on the opposite side of the monument from the Champs Élysées.
This is a smaller market, with approximately 25 wooden chalets selling handmade gifts, regional French products, and Christmas treats. You’ll also find food stalls serving traditional holiday favorites, including roasted chestnuts and hot drinks.
You could easily combine a visit to this market with the much larger Champs-Élysées Christmas market, located farther down the famous avenue.
Dates: November 20 to December 23, 2026
7. Saint-Germain-des-Prés Market
The Saint-Germain-des-Prés Christmas market is set up along Boulevard Saint-Germain, right next to the famous Café de Flore and the historic Saint-Germain-des-Prés church.
This is one of the smaller Christmas markets in Paris, with around 15 white wooden chalets lining the sidewalk. Most sell gifts and artisan products, although there are usually a couple of stalls serving hot drinks and Christmas treats.
It’s a convenient stop if you’re already exploring the neighborhood, but I wouldn’t necessarily go out of my way to visit this market on its own.
Dates: 2026 dates not announced yet, but typically end of November to early January
8. Place des Abbesses Christmas Market
Place des Abbesses is in the Montmartre neighborhood, about a 10-minute uphill walk from Sacré-Cœur. Around 30 stalls fill the square, which has a much more relaxed atmosphere than the larger Christmas markets in central Paris.
Dates: 2026 dates not announced yet, but typically end of November to early January
9. La Villette Christmas Market
La Villette is one of the more unusual Christmas markets in Paris, located in the large Parc de la Villette in the 19th arrondissement.
Unlike most of the other markets, which are primarily focused on shopping and food, La Villette has traditionally offered a variety of winter activities alongside its approximately 20 Christmas chalets.
In previous years, activities have included ice skating, rock climbing, a ski simulator, and even curling. There have also been special performances and activities scheduled throughout the Christmas season.
I’d recommend visiting on a weekend if possible, since that’s when more activities tend to be scheduled. When I visited during the week, the market was fairly quiet.
Dates: November 28 to December 27, 2026 (organizer-listed dates; 2026 activities still to be confirmed).
10. Hotel de Ville Market
2026 Update: The City of Paris hasn’t officially confirmed whether the Hôtel de Ville Christmas village will return this year. Some websites have published tentative dates, but these haven’t been verified. I’ll update this section when more information becomes available.
The Christmas village at Hôtel de Ville has traditionally been one of the most beautiful Christmas displays in Paris, set up in the square directly in front of the city’s impressive town hall.
In previous years, the entire facade has been illuminated with blue lights, while hundreds of decorated Christmas trees have transformed the square into a festive forest. This is a market to for sure visit after dark, when all the lights are glowing.
The Christmas village has also included wooden chalets selling food, drinks, and locally made gifts, along with activities for children, such as a carousel, toboggan slide, and visits from Santa.
Best Light and Decoration Displays
Besides Christmas markets, Paris also has numerous decorated streets that are oh-so-very-charming. Here are our favorites:
11. Champs Elysées Avenue
The Champs-Élysées is one of the most famous places to see Christmas lights in Paris. Every year, the trees lining the grand avenue are covered in thousands of lights, creating a beautiful view toward the Arc de Triomphe.
For the best picture, head about halfway down the avenue and zoom in slightly to capture both the Arc de Triomphe and the Christmas lights.
12. Place Vendôme
Place Vendôme is one of the most upscale squares in Paris, filled with luxury hotels and boutiques and the Vendôme Column at the center.
During the Christmas season, the square is usually decorated with illuminated Christmas trees, and some of the luxury boutiques put up elaborate decorations on their facades.
One store that’s particularly worth checking out is Louis Vuitton. When I last visited, the building was decorated with lights resembling the brand’s signature stars, and the Christmas windows featured adorable carousel animals.
13. Village Royal
Village Royal is a small pedestrian passage near Place de la Concorde that puts up some of the most creative Christmas decorations in Paris. The displays change from year to year, but they’re usually centered around a large installation in the middle of the passage. In 2024, there was an adorable illuminated hot air balloon!
14. Place Maurice Barrès
Place Maurice Barrès is a small square near Place Vendôme that’s known for its elaborate Christmas decorations. When I was here last, there was a large illuminated snow globe in the middle of the square, along with beautiful decorations on the surrounding luxury boutiques.
The Chanel building had an enormous ribbon and bow across its facade, while Dior had an elaborate ocean-inspired display. The designs change from year to year, but this is definitely an area worth walking through during the Christmas season.
Best Department Store Displays
Paris is home to several beautiful historic department stores, and three of the most famous put up elaborate Christmas displays every year.
Galeries Lafayette, Printemps, and BHV are all worth visiting for their Christmas windows and decorations, even if you’re not planning to do any shopping.
15. Galeries Lafayette Tree + Windows
Galeries Lafayette is easily the most famous department store in Paris, thanks to its Art Nouveau dome and well-known brand, and the enormous Christmas tree is legendary. The design changes every year, but it’s always a unique and beautiful crowd-pleaser.
You can admire the tree from the ground floor or from the banisters along each level surrounding the rotunda.
For a unique perspective, you can also go out on the Glasswalk, a suspended overhang on the top level. The Glasswalk is free, but you do have to reserve your 5-minute time slot online in advance.
On the exterior of Galeries Lafayette, you can admire the Christmas windows, some of the most intricate in Paris. Nearly a dozen windows are filled with beautiful scenes and moving pieces.
Galeries Lafayette has several buildings along Boulevard Haussmann, but the famous Christmas tree and decorated windows are at the flagship women’s store (location here).
Galeries Lafayette also has a rooftop ice skating rink. More info on that in the last section of this article.
16. Printemps
Printemps is right next to Galeries Lafayette on Boulevard Haussmann, and it’s another department store that’s known for its elaborate Christmas window displays.
Every year, the windows feature a different theme, with detailed miniature scenes and moving decorations. These pictures are from 2024, when the displays told the story of a family’s Christmas journey home. This was probably my favorite window display that year.
Since Printemps and Galeries Lafayette are right next to each other, it’s very easy to visit both while you’re in the area.
17. BHV
BHV is literally right across the street from Hotel de Ville, and is an easy stop to make when you’re visiting the Hotel de Ville market.
Ice Skating & Other Events During the Holidays
18. Grand Palais Ice Skating Rink
One of the most spectacular places to go ice skating in Paris during the Christmas season is inside the Grand Palais, where an enormous skating rink is set up beneath the building’s famous glass roof.
Known as the Grand Palais des Glaces, this is the largest indoor ice skating rink in Europe, covering approximately 2,700 square meters.
During the day, the rink is open for regular skating sessions, while the evening sessions have a fun party atmosphere, with a DJ, lights, and a disco ball.
The rink only opens in mid-December, so you’ll miss it if you’re visiting earlier in the month. I’d also recommend booking online in advance, although some tickets are available on-site. Final tip: everyone is required to wear gloves.
Dates: December 12, 2026, to January 6, 2027
19. Galeries Lafayette Ice Skating
One of the most unusual places to go ice skating in Paris this Christmas is on the rooftop terrace of Galeries Lafayette, where a seasonal skating rink offers incredible views over the city.
You’ll be skating high above Boulevard Haussmann, surrounded by Parisian rooftops, with the Eiffel Tower visible in the distance.
One thing to know is that this is a synthetic ice rink rather than real ice. Each skating session lasts 30 minutes, and skate rental is included in the ticket price. Like the Grand Palais, everyone needs to wear gloves.
Reserve your tickets in advance here
Dates: November 24, 2026 to January 3, 2027
20. Festival du Merveilleux at the Musée des Arts Forains
If you’re visiting Paris between Christmas and New Year’s, there’s a particularly unusual holiday event worth checking out at the Musée des Arts Forains, a fascinating museum dedicated to historic fairgrounds, carnival rides, and entertainment.
I’ve visited the museum on a guided tour, and it’s such a cool place. The collection includes beautiful antique carousels, elaborate fairground decorations, and all sorts of unusual objects from historic amusement parks.
And the best part is that you actually get to ride some of the historic carousels and try out old-fashioned fairground games.
Normally, you can only visit the museum on a guided tour, but during the Festival du Merveilleux, visitors can explore the museum’s different spaces at their own pace. The festival also includes live performances, magicians, musicians, and opportunities to ride some of the historic fairground attractions.
Get more information here: Festival du Merveilleux
Dates: December 26, 2026 to January 3, 2027
