Planning to visit Paris in December? Need tips about what to do during the Christmas holidays in Paris? Unsure of what to pack to tackle the chilly Parisian weather? Welcome to StillinParis.
No matter how long you spend in Paris, you will undoubtedly be impressed by the city’s unforgettable architectural and cultural heritage.
You will also be able 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 in Paris in style at the Champs Elysée with 300,000 other people.
Weather in Paris in December
Average Temperatures in Paris en December
- average minimum temperatures in Dec. in Paris : 2°C / 36°F
- average maximum temperature in Dec. in Paris: 7°C / 45°F
- average rainfall : 59 mm
Although the Parisian climate can be chilly towards the end of December, temperatures are rarely below freezing (on average between 2°C/36 ° F and 7°C/45°F). The first couple of weeks of December are milder but are still cool as Winter settles in.
Paris can be cloudy during December, and there are on average 15 rainy days (however, the showers are generally light). Of course, there is also a possibility of snow over the Christmas period. To see a snow-covered Paris is to witness the city at its most beautiful.
With plenty of Christmas and New Year’s Eve celebrations over the festive season, Paris certainly lives up to its famous nickname – the ‘City of Light’.
What to Wear in December in Paris
If you are visiting Paris this month, you should be prepared for cold weather.
Aside from the usual winter coat, scarf, and gloves, an umbrella might be useful (but a raincoat can make walks easier) , as well as shoes with a good tread to ensure you don’t slip over!
Don’t forget to leave room in your luggage for any shopping or souvenirs you might pick up during your stay. See 5-day weather forecast for Paris
Paris in December: Events, Musicals, and Opera in Paris
Festive Lights and Windows
You can see many beautiful Christmas lights in Paris. The most famous are those of the Champs Elysées Illuminations, Montmartre Hill lights and Galeries Lafayette Christmas Window.
Galeries Lafayette is one of the most famous department stores in Paris. Here you can find brand-name items and fashion of every variety. The Christmas window is a real spectacle of the city, adorned with lights and stunning decorations to welcome in the festivities. A cruise of the river Seine is a fantastic way of seeing the Christmas illuminations in all their glory.
There are many tours available from Champs Elysées avenue to Notre Dame Cathedral and the wonderful Concorde Place, which are organized to let you discover Paris’ beauty during the Christmas period.
>Book your illumination Tours by Tootbus
Wonderful Christmas Cruise on Seine River
Enjoy an unforgettable Christmas Cruise on the Seine River! It is an unmissable opportunity to have a gourmet Xmas meal while being impressed by top Parisian monuments and illuminations
Many companies propose a gourmet Christmas Eve dinner on Dec. 24, 2022 like Bateaux Parisiens, Capitaine Fracasse or Yachts de Paris.
Some companies like Bateaux Parisiens and Bateaux Mouches have also an offer for Xmas lunch on Dec. 25, 2022.
>> More info on Xmas Cruises in Paris
Selection of Xmas activities in Paris:
Open-Air Ice Skating
During this period, many open-air ice skating rinks offer the chance to enjoy winter entertainment with friends or family through outdoor activities at ice-rinks. These can be found on the square in front of the Paris City Hall (Hôtel de Ville), on the Champs-Elysées at Grand Palais, and in the Jardins du Trocadéro.
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 and attractions will be closed as well as the shops.
Nevertheless, some museums and monuments are open on Christmas day such as the Museum of Montmartre or Espace Dali and The Pompidou Centre – the most important Contemporary Art Museum in Paris.
Some churches and religious monuments are open, such as Notre Dame Cathedral, Sacré Coeur Basilica and Madeleine Church. These Churches often organize events and special celebrations on 24th and 25th December where you can see exceptional live choir performances.
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.
During the New Years Eve celebrations on the Champs Elysée avenue, several surprise events are planned to welcome the new year into the city.
New Year and Xmas at Opera Bastille: Raymonda By Nureyev
until 31 December 2022 – Opéra national de Paris
The Ballet Don Quichotte by Nureyev.
New Year and Christmas at Opéra Garnier
Ashton / Eyal / Nijinski: creations by the contemporary Choreographers. A surprising production. An Original Ballet for Year’s End in Paris
Read more about Christmas Events in Paris
Exhibitions in Paris in December 2022
December 2022 will be a culturally rich month for the French capital , with many fantastic exhibitions taking place in the City of Light.
- Morozov Colletction at the Luis Vuitton Fundation from 22 Sept. 2021 to Feb. 20221
- David Hockney, a Year in Normandie at Musée de l’Orangerie – form Oct. 2021 to Feb 2022
- Signac Collection at Orsay Museum – Oct., 2021 to Feb. 2022
3 days in Paris – Art Exhibition
15 Galleries, more than 60 local artists of the district of Marais with paintings for sale from 200€ to 10 000€.
Christmas at Disneyland Paris
Experience the magic of a family Christmas at Disneyland Paris!
Illuminations, Disney fairies, and fun for all the family… Christmas is certainly the best time to visit Disneyland Paris.
Book your stay at Disneyland Paris!
Paris Christmas Markets in December
It would be a crying shame miss out on the hot chocolate, wine, crepes, and waffles found at the Christmas Markets in Paris.
You can also buy many typical French products like locally-made cheese.
read more : All Christmas markets in Paris
- CHRISTMAS MARKET ON SAINT GERMAIN DES PRES
From mid-November 2022 to early January 2023- 10am-7pm
Eglise Saint-Germain-des-Prés de Paris – 6th arrondissement Metro : Saint-Germain-des-Prés
- CHRISTMAS MARKET ON THE CHAMPS-ELYSÉES
Canceled in December 2022
Avenue des Champs-Elysées – 8th arrondissement Metro : Champs Elysées – Clemenceau
- CHRISTMAS MARKET IN ABBESSES IN PARIS
From late November 2022 to 1 January 2023 10am – 5pm
Place des Abbesses – 18th arrondissement Metro : Abbesses
- CHRISTMAS MARKET IN GARE SAINT-LAZARE From mid-November 2022 to December 2022
Gare de Haussmann Saint-Lazare – 9th arrondissement Metro : Saint-Lazare
33 comments
Hi
We , my husband, 2 children and I are coming to Paris for the New year. Any suggestions for a place of nice family dinner or fireworks or celebrations, as my children will be allowed to wake pass mid night only New Year’s Eve ??
You CAN Go to Double Fond a café théâtre in paris 4th(place sainte Catherine) .There Willbe celebrations, dinner, magic shows but no fireworks. You CAN also celebrate new years eve at the aquarium at trocadero. One advice : book in advance
Hey me and my husband are coming to Paris on this 27th dec till 2nd Jan to celebrate new year so any idea that I can get for the weather in dec there and what best we can do on 31st night and then where is the best place to shop for reasonable price shopping for me and my hubby
Hey I can recommand you many things :
a romantic river cruise on the Seine,
a Special New year’s eve at the Opera
many restaurants in Paris have a special dinner menu for this event (read our special new years eve guide).
For Shopping you can try French designer stock clearance store . ( go to our shopping menu for more details).
are museums and shops open 26 Dec. in Paris? is there a boxing day?
Most of Museums , monuments and stores are open on 26 Dec. There is no Boxing day in France. It´s not a public holiday
When Christmas light in Champs Elysees Ave will be inaugurated this year?
This year the new decorations on World’s most beautiful avenue will be inaugurated on 20 Nov 😉
I was in Paris last year for the end of december. The year before I was in NY. For me Paris is the best place to spend Xmas holidays
You have not visited London ! It’s wonderful for year’s end holidays
London is good for shopping, but I really prefer Paris for its magic atmosphere , its illuminations, its typical Christmas markets…
Is Paris not too cold during festive season? The best reasonable accommodation there pls.
Restaurants are they open for Christmas ?
Yes many restaurants are open for Christmas day even if the most part is closed.
Some restaurants have special Xmas menu.
You can opt for a Xmas diner of lunch in a boat river cruise https://www.still-in-paris.com/todoin/attractions/best-paris-river-cruises/
Is ice skating free during year’s end holidays?
Ice skating is free on the Ice skating of the City Hall, but you have to rent skates (about €5)
If I wore waterproof suede knee high apres boots (the nice looking ones, but with a thick heel), would I be out of place or too under dressed?
You will certainly not be under dressed, thigh boots are trendy in Paris. But if your are planning to walk it can be difficult to walk in Paris with thick heels. And if it snow it is almost impossible.
Hello I’m going to celebrate my 18th birthday in 10th of December in Paris!!! Could you recommend me a place to find a good birthday cake and and a bar to go on that special day?
Hey Maria, thanks for reading us! you can find good birthday cake at this place http://www.mesjolisgateaux.fr/votre-gateau-sur-mesure
the best si to order in advance. You can also find god cakes in many tradional “boulangerie” . where will you have your habitation?
. There is a huge place to celebrate your birthday in Paris.
For a unique birthday , the retaurant “La coupole” at 102, boulevard du Montparnasse 75014 Paris (Metro Montparnasse)
For a festive birthday, “Les caractères” a club not too expensive situated at , 25 Rue des Grands Augustins, 75006 Paris (Metro Odeon).
Hi,
My husband, two young daughters and I will be in Paris for about 6 days for Christmas from somewhere hot. Please, where can we get affordable winter wear on arrival?
Hi,
there are many places easily accessible from Paris Center where you can find affordable clothes for kids and there parent :
Italie 2 Shopping Center , C&A at boulevard Haussmann. Saint Lazare Shopping Mall (Camaieu, promod …)
Hello, my boyfriend and I will be in Paris for 4 days over new year, very excited! I’m not sure where the best place to go is on new years eve, we are thinking the Champs Elysee but also keen to go the eiffel tower – where would be best do you think? Also, we leave on the 2nd December and will be travelling by underground from Convention to Charles De Gaulle, do you know of any restrictions on 2nd January as we’ll be leaving our hotel around 5am!
Hello Fiona
Thanks for reading us. There are many ways to celebrate NYE in Paris. This year there is a public audio and video show over the Arc de Triomphe on the Champs-Elysées. (it gather about 500 000 people)
For the Eiffel Tower, the best thing is to have a reservation in a restaurant or a diner-cruise with a view on the Tower. (It can be expensive !)
Many people celebrate also the New Year on the Trocadero where you have a wonderful view on the Eiffel Tower
For the 2nd January there is no specific restriction but Metro service starts at 5.34 am at convention
Hello,
Is there any fireworks on new years eve this year? Thank you!
Generally, there is no fireworks scheduled for the new year’s eve in Paris but a video on the Arc de Triomphe.
But in 2015, the City of Paris organized a surprise with an exceptional.
My wife and I will be in Paris during the first two weeks in December celebrating our 40th wedding anniversary. What do you suggest for us to do during our visit? What should we wear to be prepared for the weather?
Hello,
Thanks for contacting us . You can find many things to do there : https://www.still-in-paris.com/visit-paris/paris-4-5-days-travel-guide/
You will have the possibility to visit the Chateau de Versailles. You can also try Fontainebleau or Vaux le Vicomte. A dinner cruise should be perfect to see Christmast light from the Seine. The weather can be cold in Paris but not excessively . You should wear a good coat
We arrive in Paris Dec 26. We are so excited for the beautiful of Paris at Christmas!
Bonjour
Please can you recommend the best way to travel from Disneyland Paris to Orly with 2 young children.
Hello The best way is to use a shuttle . You can also use Parisian transportation : RER-A until chatelet/les halles station and then RER-B until Antony. You will find there the Orlyval.
Hello 🙂
Please recommend any restaurant for celebrate New Year with view of Eiffel tower, can see firework, good spot for take photo.
Thank you