Christmas fun and entertainment for families in Paris
Entertainment, shows, attractions ... a selection of events to enjoy the magical atmosphere of Christmas.
In Paris, there are lots of special events at Christmas time for kids and adults that make this an extra magical time of year with lots of fun and special moments together.
There is something extra magical about Paris during the festive season. Decorations and shimmering lights create an enchanting atmosphere for visitors in gardens, chateaux, monuments, museums, department stores and amusement parks:
A magical Christmas for the 30th anniversary of Disneyland® paris
Disneyland® Paris is one of the favourite destinations for families. And the famous theme park is celebrating Christmas in style ! From 12 november 2022 to 8 january 2023, the magic will take hold of Disney for its 30th anniversary : a 24-metre high Christmas tree, illuminations on Main Street, encounters with the mythical Disney characters in their Christmas costumes, the unmissable presence of Father Christmas, the beautiful party parade Mickey and his Sparkling Christmas Parade, a musical show "Let's sing Christmas" and the return of the famous Disney Dreams sound and light show and fireworks display, in front of the Sleeping Beauty's Castle. An Enchanted Christmas as we like it!
Buy your tickets for Disneyland® Paris
The Lights of "Mini-Mondes en voie d’illumination" in the Jardin des Plantes
From 14 november 2022 to 15 january 2023, the National Museum of Natural History is offering a new and enchanting night-time tour: The light festival ‘Mini-Mondes en voie d’illumination’. Hundreds of luminous structures - to be discovered in the alleys of the Jardin des Plantes - explore the infinitely small and its mysterious species. Young and old alike will come across "small creatures" such as the millipede and many other little-known species.
Buy your tickets for the Grande Galerie de l’Évolution - Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle
Buy your tickets for the Ménagerie, the zoo at the Jardin des Plantes – Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle
Christmas the Jardin d'acclimatation
The Jardin d'Acclimatation, located in the Bois de Boulogne and next to the Fondation Louis Vuitton, celebrates Christmas from 19 November 2022 to 8 January 2023 with 3 festive attractions, aisles strewn with candy canes, ribbons, fir trees, a glittering bear and a giant elf. In the main aisle, the brand new « Sapin Merveilleux » ("Wonder Tree") will be spinning (from 26 November), while « Le Traineau Express » ("The Express Sleigh") will take you to Lapland with colourful reindeer for a new rollercoaster (from 19 November). « La Rivière enchantée » (The "Enchanted River") is transformed into a « Rivière enneigée » ("Snowy River") to navigate between penguins and snowmen. Not forgetting all the park's attractions, Christmas songs and the "Secret of Christmas" show from 3 December!
Buy your tickets for the Jardin d'Acclimatation
Lumières En Seine At The Domaine National De Saint-Cloud
From 18 november 2022 to 8 january 2023, we are heading for the Saint-Cloud national estate to discover Lumières en Seine. The superb park designed by Le Nôtre - easily accessible by metro - hosts a festive and immersive night show: a two-kilometre-long route, music, light shows, water games, projections, a marvellous labyrinth, a fireworks festival, etc.
The Noël Gaulois at Parc Asterix
The magic of Christmas will take hold of Parc Asterix for the 2022 end-of-year celebrations. On the programme: bright and magical Christmas decorations, entertainment for all the family, musical atmosphere, events (ice rink, children's area, toboggan runs), a Christmas market, a souvenir photo of Father Christmas and a pyrotechnic sound and light show at night.
From 17 december 2022 to 1st january 2023
- Parc Astérix - A1 motorway - Between exits 7 and 8 - 60128 Plailly
Enchanted Paris
In December 2022, the City of Paris' free Paris Enchantée ("Enchanted Paris") event will bring the large square in front of the Hôtel de Ville to life! From 2 December 2022 to 1 January 2023, the Place de l'Hôtel de Ville will be transformed to make way for the magic of the end-of-year festivities: a forest of white fir trees, sculptures of animals on wood made by the woodcutters of Paris, Christmas chalets (delicacies and creations from craftsmen with the "Made in Paris" label to offer), sports activities (sledging, climbing wall, wooden horses. ...), decorated and animated Christmas windows, and of course, a meeting with Santa Claus (on Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays and every day of the school holidays) to the delight of the children. White and gold snowflakes will be projected on the façade of the Town Hall, illuminated in blue, until 10pm.
From 2 December 2022 to 1 January 2023
- Place de l'Hôtel de Ville - 75004 Paris
- Metro : Hôtel de Ville
The Musée de la Magie et des Automates
Situated in the Marais district, the Musée de la Magie et des Automates offers activities all year round. During the Christmas holidays, families can enjoy a daily magic show, a lesson in magic on Saturday (one class for adults, one class for kids), and a visit to the collections of the Musée de la Magie et des Automates.
- The Musée de la Magie et des Automates - 11 rue Saint-Paul - 75004 Paris
- Metro : Saint-Paul
The Festival du Merveilleux at the Musée des Arts Forains
The Musée des Arts Forains, located in Bercy Village, is hosting its Festival du Merveilleux for the end of the year 2022. This is the only time of the year when this unusual museum is open to all. Young and old are invited to discover this magical and wonderful place. The programme includes shows and entertainment: aerial enchantment, tap dancers, musicians, puppets, mechanical music, a ballet of automatons and optical illusion. And to make sure the party is complete, the museum is exceptionally opening some of its attractions and century-old rides.
From 26 December 2022
- Musée des Arts Forains - 53 avenue des Terroirs de France - Paris 12th
- Metro : Cour Saint-Emilion
The Holidays at La Villette
On the Place de la Fontaine-aux-Lions, in front of the Grande Halle de la Villette, the funfair is in full swing with the The Holidays at La Villette. In total, about fifty attractions to have fun with family or friends. Access is free. Attractions: from 2€ to 10€, on sale on site.
In December 2022
- Parc de la Villette - Place de la fontaine-aux-lions - Paris 19th
- Metro : Porte de Pantin
The Féérie des eaux at the Grand Rex
The Féérie des eaux returns for the 2022 holidays in the mythical Grand Rex hall. The 15-minute show (giant waterfall, illuminations, music...) precedes this year's animated film Puss in Boots: The Last Wish. A session like no other!
From 23 November 2022 to 2 January 2023 - (25 December 2022 and 1 January 2023 included) - 3 sessions per day - €12 to €16
- Grand Rex - 1 boulevard Poissonnière - Paris 9th
- Metro : Bonne Nouvelle
Thoiry Lumières Sauvages
The Thoiry Lumières Sauvages festival returns in 2022! The animal park offers a trail where young and old alike can admire luminous sculptures of different animal species. A magical experience!
Until 6 March 2023
- Thoiry ZooSafari - 78770 Thoiry
‘Bel Hiver’ (Beautiful Winter) in Saint-Denis
The event ‘Bel Hiver’ (Beautiful Winter) returns to Saint-Denis for the Christmas season 2022. The traditional Christmas fair on the square in front of the Saint-Denis Basilica Cathedral showcases local craftsmanship and expertise, and a skating rink and special activities for families await visitors.
From 15 december to 24 december 2022
- Parvis de la basilique-cathédrale de Saint-Denis - 93200 Saint-Denis
Christmas at the chateau!
The chateaux of Versailles, Vaux-le-Vicomte, Fontainebleau, Breteuil, the Chantilly estate... offer in their respective parks beautiful decorations and some animations for this Christmas 2022!
The King's Trail at the Château de Versailles - From 10 December 2022 to 1 January 2023
Vaux-le-Vicomte in celebration at the Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte - From 19 November 2022 to 31 December 2022
An Enchanting Christmas at the Château de Chantilly - From 26 November 2022 to 2 January 2023
Celebrate Christmas at the Château de Fontainebleau - From 17 December to 31 December 2022
Fairy lights at the Château de Breteuil - From December 1st 2022 to January 2nd 2023
Christmas in Blandy at the Château de Blandy-les-Tours - From 27 November 2022 to 30 December 2022
From 10 December 2022 to 1 January 2023, the Château de Versailles is organising a tour and show entitled Le Parcours du Roi (The King's Journey), in the evening, from 6pm. The Hall of Mirrors will be animated by dancers and musicians in costume, the Hall of the Rite will be filled with the notes of a harpist and a singer, while the Salon Hercule will be filled with the notes of a lute. Fencing jousts and a "Magic and Father Christmas" show are also on the programme.
From 19 November 2022, the Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte will be immersed in a fairytale world dedicated to Molière. On the occasion of the 400th anniversary of the playwright's birth, a bouquet of festive events will transform the estate into a Palace of the Arts: a performance by actors in a set of automatons to relive the creation of Molière's first comedy-ballet, Les Fâcheux, a new immersive projection of the Bourgeois Gentilhomme in the Grand Salon and an interactive show based on Molière's characters. Also on the programme: magical strolls around golden birches and silver fir trees, workshops, giant wooden games, shadow theatre, or even a gourmet evening and horse-drawn carriage rides.
From 26 November 2022 to 2 January 2023, the Château de Chantilly estate will be celebrating Christmas. An enchanting décor will be set up in the park and in front of the castle. A small gourmet Christmas market (with demonstrations of Chantilly cream) is offered to visitors who can admire a Christmas table in the Galerie des Cerfs, decorations and surprises throughout the tour. Christmas carols will be sung on 10 December and Christmas Eve parties will be held on 22, 23, 29 and 30 December from 5 to 8 pm. Not forgetting the Christmas horse show in the Grandes Ecuries: Le Miroir de Bérylune (The Berylune Mirror).
The magnificent Château de Fontainebleau also celebrates Christmas with a Christmas concert "Les Demoiselles de Corbeil" (organ and continuo) on Sunday 18 December 2022 at 3pm. To be seen from 17 to 31 December 2022, the Christmas show "Sur le dos de la Mer" (On the Back of the Sea), a tale inspired by Homer's Odyssey, with music, actors and lights, created by the Compagnie La Cour des Contes, or a family visit "Princesses from the Cold" to discover the story of two princesses who brought back the tradition of Christmas trees to the French court
In December and during the festive season (25 December and 1 January included), the magical Château de Breteuil and its 75-hectare park will be decorated with a wonderful Christmas décor, with decorations in all the rooms of the château, Christmas trees in the main courtyard and along the tour route, nativity scenes in the chapel, and the illumination of the façades and gardens!
From 26 November to 23 December 2022, the Château d'Auvers-sur-Oise, located in the north of Paris and renowned for its immersive show on Impressionism, is celebrating Christmas both inside and outside the château, in the sublime French garden. The programme for Christmas at the château includes decorations, shows (dance, bubble performances, etc.), concerts, an ice sculpture initiation workshop, storytelling walks, the creation of a giant Christmas fresco and a fireworks display with candlelight in the gardens.
The Château de Blandy-les-Tours, located in the department of Seine-et-Marne, is offering afternoon Christmas activities from 27 November to 30 December 2022. The festivities start at 2pm and end at 7pm. The amazed public will discover various shows inspired by the Middle Ages (stilt walkers, jugglers, acrobats, magicians, storytellers, musicians, etc.) hosted by different companies, a Christmas market (delicacies, handicrafts), and unusual visits by comedians. Admission is free on the days of the events. The castle will be closed on 24, 25 and 31 December 2022, and on 1 January 2023.
Book your visit to a chateau for the holiday season in Paris
Visits of Paris during the festive season
Paris is decked out in a thousand lights for the Christmas holidays: department stores' windows, illuminations, Christmas markets... The Christmas holidays are an opportunity to follow a tour full of magic and light. Below are a few ideas for original and themed tours of Paris not to be missed during the holidays:
A visit in song - to revise popular Christmas songs - in the streets of the Montmartre district with Veronica Antonelli. The special "Christmas in Montmartre Enchanted" tour is available from 18 to 25 December 2022.
A tour of the Parisian illuminations in an eco-friendly double-decker bus with Tootbus
A tour of the Paris illuminations in a 2CV with Paris Authentic
An original visit of the Montmartre district with the Petit Train de Montmartre
A musical tour in a 100% electric tuktuk with Tuktuk So' French. Passengers can choose between the 1 hour tour Le Bon Temps or the 2 hour tour Le Complet
A Christmas night tour in a 2CV and a free Saint-James scarf with 4 roues sous un parapluie
A Christmas bike tour with Holland Bikes Tours
Other attractions and visits await the public during the festive season 2022 in Paris. Those wanting to perfect their cooking skills before Christmas can take a ‘Meeting the French’cooking class, with or without a visit to a typically Parisian market (in English only). The agency Memories France is offering two special Christmas visits to admire the capital during the holidays. At the historic Le Cordon Bleu cooking school, it is possible to participate in a Yule log creation workshop.
Read more and book all the experiences you can enjoy during the festive season in Paris
To have fun discovering the city with the family, Milirue offers fun notebooks for children to help them find their way around Paris. Designed for children and tested by families, the booklets offer a discovery trail punctuated by points of interest, games and riddles to better appreciate the surrounding environment. For their part, parents have access to a geolocated map on their phone to guide their children through the monuments, famous streets and authentic views.
Two routes are possible: the Ile de la Cité for number 1 and the Louvre, the Tuileries and the Palais-Royal for number 2. The routes are available in Mini (4-7 years) and Junior (8-12 years) versions.
Christmas concerts in Paris
Every year, carol concerts cast a warm glow over the festive season getting everyone into the Christmas spirit. And the big churches and cathedrals provide an enchanting setting.
A series of concerts is organised in the exceptional setting of the Maison de la Radio auditorium. On 15 December 2022, the Radio France Choir and the Orchestre national de France will come together for a symphonic concert dedicated to the Christmas Oratorio by Johannes Sebastian Bach, conducted by Václav Luksles.
The following day, 16 December 2022, the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, conducted by Mikko Franck, offers a programme devoted to Rachmaninov with the Concerto for piano and orchestra No. 1 and String Quartet No. 1, as well as to Richard Strauss and his symphonic poem A Hero's Life, with the pianist Anna Vinnitskaya.
On 21 December 2022, a Christmas concert with the Canadian contralto Marie-Nicole Lemieux awaits the audience. Rossini, Gounod's ballet Faust, excerpts from L'Arlésienne, Reger's Maria Wiegenlied, the traditional song Les anges dans nos campagnes ("The angels in our countryside") and Minuit chrétien ("Christian midnight") will all be part of this exceptional event.
Then, on 30 and 31 December 2022, the New Year's Eve concerts will take place: Offenbach, sung by the soprano Patricia Petitbon and the tenor Cyrille Dubois, for a symphonic concert by the Orchestre National de France.
On Friday 16 and Saturday 17 December 2022, the Radio Classique Christmas concert will be held in the exceptional setting of the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées with a programme featuring a selection of composers such as Bizet, Strauss, Dvorak, Tchaikovsky, Mendelssohn, Bach and Handel. The cast includes the Appassionato ensemble, conducted by Mathieu Herzog, the Unikanti Choir and the Maîtrise des Hauts-de-Seine.
On 15 and 16 December 2022, the Maîtrise Populaire de l'Opéra comique will alternate traditional Christmas arias with modern melodies for its Christmas concert at the Opéra comique.
La Seine Musicale also celebrates Christmas from 1 December 2022 with Christmas music from the Messe de Minuit by composer Marc-Antoine Charpentier. In the jazz register, the Italian singer Roberta Gambarini, nominated several times for Grammy Awards, sings Christmas on Thursday 8 December 2022, with Kirk Lightsey on piano, Darryl Hall on double bass and Mario Gonzi on drums.
The sumptuous Eglise de la Madeleine is the setting for several evenings of music with Christmas carols. The magical Grand Christmas Concert takes place on Friday 23 December 2022, organised by the Helios Orchestra.
On 25 December, a Christmas concert takes place at 4pm in the Eglise de la Madeleine, with organist François-Henri Houbart, while the orchestra Les Violons de France, accompanied by soprano Cécile Besnard, will perform at 8pm, as well as on 20, 27 and 28 December 2022. The orchestra will return on 1 January 2023 for the New Year's concert with Vivaldi's Four Seasons and Christmas carols on the programme.
The Philharmonie de Paris is scheduling its Grand concert de Noël de l'Orchestre National d'Île-de-France on 18 December 2022 for an Offenbach evening with American conductor Karen Kamensek at the helm. The day before, on 17 December, the children's and youth choirs of the Orchestre de Paris offer an enchanted journey through Christmas songs.
Christmas illuminations in Paris
The streets and squares of Paris were once again adorned with a thousand lights this year to offer an enchanting spectacle. At Bercy Village, a magical decoration can be discovered in the open air, with the "Christmas in the Sky" illuminations. You can admire a flight of hot air balloons under the glittering trees and a sky dotted with stars. A selfie spot gives you the opportunity to win a balloon ride for two by sharing your most exciting photo on social networks. An enchanting ride from 17 November 2022 to 4 January 2023. Also to be found in the aisles, a parade of funny reindeer (26 and 27 November), the magical quest of an elf (3 and 4 December), a show of 3 dapper fairies (10 and 11 December), a band of musicians in bright costumes and of course the visit of Santa Claus (17 and 18 December).
The very chic and luxurious Faubourg Saint-Honoré is also celebrating Christmas with its Winter Time 2022. The kick-off of the illuminations of the famous artery is launched on 17 November 2022 with the presence of the impressive Chezy brass band, followed by a parade of the Garde Républicaine, in a decor of luminous and glittering trees. The highlight of the festivities is the big digital tombola on the Instagram account @wintertimeparis and on the Winter Time in Paris website. It runs from 17 November 2022 to 15 January 2023. The prize: numerous gifts from the most prestigious brands. All donations will be given to the association Premiers de Cordée. The godmother of the operation is the presenter and journalist Laury Thilleman, author of several best-sellers on well-being. The sponsor is Vincent Clerc, the best try scorer in the history of the French rugby championship.
The Avenue Montaigne, a prestigious artery in the "Golden Triangle" of Paris, is adorned with elegant illuminations to invite visitors to a warm and magical stroll. The luxury houses are displaying creative and traditional decorations to dress up their windows and façades for Christmas. On Sundays in December, the "Christmas Montaigne" experience offers a programme of activities for discoveries and tastings in a friendly atmosphere.
The Eiffel Tower is offering its visitors a magical end of year! From 6 December 2022 until 1 January 2023, the first floor of the tower will be fitted with a transparent dome with plants, in a golden décor decorated with LED lights. An ideal spot to admire the view over the whole of Paris, at an altitude of 57 metres, comfortably seated on warm plaids and cushions, and to enjoy a good hot chocolate. As an added bonus, Santa Claus will be dropping off his sleigh (on 7, 10, 11 and 14 December and every day from 17 to 24 December), a great invitation for family photos!
Enjoy access to the Eiffel Tower and an extra activity with the Best of Paris Passlib'
The major Parisian hotels also offer Christmas decorations and activities. This is the case for the Plaza Athénée, for example, which is unveiling its superbly decorated Chalet for a Savoyard fondue and champagne dinner, and its skating rink for twirling in the snow. For its part, the Ritz is installing a temporary Christmas chalet on Place Vendôme, from 6 December, for a cosy atmosphere, gourmet gifts, champagne aperitifs and mulled wine.
Under the canopy of the Forum des Halles, in the centre of Paris, a superb 23-metre high giant Christmas tree envelops young and old in its magic. Its countless baubles and glittering decorations fascinate young and old alike for a moment of enchantment, perfect for a nice photo with family or friends. From 5 December 2022, an eco-friendly ice rink, made of ecological synthetic material, will be set up at the foot of the tree for free access to all (from 11am to 1pm and from 2pm to 7pm, until 19 December). Shows and concerts are organised on Saturdays in December at the Westfield Forum des Halles, with a showcase of the rapper Soprano on Saturday 3 December, Christmas songs and choirs from the Conservatoire Mozart de Paris, on Saturday 13 December, and the appearance, on Saturday 17 December, of the young winner of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2020, Valentina, with her new album All I want for Chrismas is You for a magical moment with the family.
Illuminations can also be seen in many areas of Paris, such as Rue du Commerce or Avenue des Champs-Elysées.
More informations on Christmas lights 2022 in Paris
Shop windows illuminations in Paris
The windows of the department stores also compete in beauty and light to present marvellous installations full of enchantment. A magical world of colourful garlands, effigies and enchanting decorations is created in front of the facades of Parisian department stores. Go to Galeries Lafayette, Printemps Haussmann, Samaritaine, Bon Marché or BHV to discover them.
For Christmas, Galeries Lafayette is offering a dreamlike journey around a tale, Planète Sapin (Fir Tree Planet), imagined for the occasion by the novelist Claire Castillon. Reactive video projections come to life as you move to discover the adventures of Nordmann. See you on the 4th floor of the department stores' from November 17 to December 23, 2022.
Printemps Haussmann will entertain visitors with its windows dedicated to the world of the circus. Balloons, a trapeze artist's ballet, a whirling Ferris wheel and a team of juggling acrobats are all part of the show for the inauguration on 9 November at 5.30pm.
At La Samaritaine, it's a dance party for the end of year celebrations! The shop is decorating its windows with different styles of choreography from 9 November. The festive programme continues with the Dancefloor Christmas Extravaganza every Sunday from 20 November to 18 December 2022. The programme includes five sessions of dance lessons, with styles ranging from Janet Jackson to Mariah Carey, to be discovered in the exceptional setting of the shop's glass roof.
At Le Bon Marché, giant Christmas trees welcome visitors. The windows are decorated with multicoloured hand-painted or hand-blown glass baubles and messages signed by the Toqué Frères elf duo, to fill with wonder and fun.
More informations on Christmas window displays 2022 at the big department stores
And for Christmas and New Year's Eve dinners, find all our ideas to celebrate in Paris :
Where to have dinner on Christmas Eve 2022 in Paris
Where to have dinner on New Year’s Eve 2023 in Paris
New Year 2023 in Paris: 10 ideas for a festive New Year’s Eve
