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Chrisymas Lights in Paris - Concorde

December in Paris: Weather and What to Do during the Christmas Period

by stillinparis

Are you planing to visit Paris in December? Read our tips and suggestions on how to make the most of your Christmas holidays in the city of Paris. Find also complete info about Paris weather in December and what to pack if your visiting Paris for Year’s end holidays. We are here to guide you through a memorable adventure in the city of lights!

No matter how long you 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 in Paris in style at the Champs Elysée with 300,000 other people.

On December 26, the is no boxing day : everything is open in Paris.

Weather in Paris in December

Paris weather in December (Snow)
Paris weather in December (Snow)

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

Lafayette Xmas Windows December
Galeries Lafayette Paris Xmas 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

Paris en Scène Dinner Cruise

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, 2023 like Bateaux Mouches, Paris Seine or Yachts de Paris.

Some companies like Bateaux Parisiens and Bateaux Mouches have also an offer for Xmas lunch on Dec. 25, 2023.

>> More info on Xmas Cruises in Paris

Ice Skating at Grand Palais - Paris
Ice Skating at Grand Palais – 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 CathedralSacré 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

Casse noisette Opera in Paris

The Casse Noissette Opera will take place in Opera Bastille for New Year’s Eve and Xmas period.

until 31 December 2023  – Opéra national de Paris

New Year and Christmas at Opéra Garnier

Ballet at Opera Garnier for Xmas & NYE

Creations by the contemporary Choreographer, Jiri Kylian An amazing production. This Original Ballet is worth it for Year’s End in Paris

Read more about Christmas Events in Paris

Exhibitions in Paris in December 2023

December 2023 will be a culturally rich month for the French capital , with many fantastic exhibitions taking place in the City of Light.

  • Nicolas de Stael at Musée d’Art Moderne de Paris funtil to Jan. 2024
  • Van Gogh at Auvers sur Oise at Orsay Museum – Oct., 2023 to Feb. 2024
  • Chagall at work – at Centre Pompidou.

Christmas at Disneyland Paris

Christmas at Disney Land PAris
Christmas show at Disney Land 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. A lot of shows and special events take place at DisneyLand for Year’s End celebrations.

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.

Christmas Market Champs Elysées Paris
Champs Elysées Christmas market in Dec.
  • CHRISTMAS MARKET ON SAINT GERMAIN DES PRES

From November25th 2023 to January1st 2024- 10am-9pm

Eglise Saint-Germain-des-Pr̩s de Paris Р6th arrondissement Metro : Saint-Germain-des-Pr̩s

  • CHRISTMAS MARKET ON THE JARDIN DES TUILERIES

November 16th 2023 to January 7th

Jardin des Tuileries – 2nd arrondissement Metro : Concorde- Tuileries

  • ALSATIAN CHRISTMAS MARKET IN GARE DE L’EST

This famous Christmas market proposes food and product from Eastern France .

From December 1st to December 17th, 2023

Read more : All Christmas markets in Paris

Gare de L’Est – 2nd arrondissement Metro : Gare de l’Est

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34 comments

Sarah 22/12/2013 - 2:17 am

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 ??

Reply
Parisianguy 22/12/2013 - 11:09 am

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

Reply
Isha Narang 01/10/2014 - 8:43 am

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

Reply
stillinparis 02/10/2014 - 12:10 pm

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).

Reply
David 22/10/2014 - 1:20 pm

are museums and shops open 26 Dec. in Paris? is there a boxing day?

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stillinparis 04/11/2014 - 8:41 pm

Most of Museums , monuments and stores are open on 26 Dec. There is no Boxing day in France. It´s not a public holiday

Reply
Julia 04/11/2014 - 8:44 pm

When Christmas light in Champs Elysees Ave will be inaugurated this year?

Reply
stillinparis 04/11/2014 - 8:54 pm

This year the new decorations on World’s most beautiful avenue will be inaugurated on 20 Nov 😉

Reply
kristin 05/11/2014 - 12:21 am

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

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David 05/11/2014 - 12:26 am

You have not visited London ! It’s wonderful for year’s end holidays

Reply
kristin 05/11/2014 - 12:29 am

London is good for shopping, but I really prefer Paris for its magic atmosphere , its illuminations, its typical Christmas markets…

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Kelly 25/11/2019 - 6:29 am

Is Paris not too cold during festive season? The best reasonable accommodation there pls.

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Anonymous 05/11/2014 - 8:58 pm

Restaurants are they open for Christmas ?

Reply
stillinparis 08/11/2014 - 11:59 am

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/

Reply
Liz 07/11/2014 - 1:22 pm

Is ice skating free during year’s end holidays?

Reply
stillinparis 08/11/2014 - 12:02 pm

Ice skating is free on the Ice skating of the City Hall, but you have to rent skates (about €5)

Reply
Nicole 18/11/2014 - 10:34 pm

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?

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stillinparis 20/11/2014 - 11:15 pm

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.

Reply
Maria Angeliki 20/11/2014 - 5:02 pm

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?

Reply
stillinparis 20/11/2014 - 8:14 pm

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).

Reply
Miriam 08/11/2015 - 3:13 am

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?

Reply
stillinparis 09/11/2015 - 2:07 pm

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 …)

Reply
Fiona 21/12/2015 - 12:20 pm

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!

Reply
stillinparis 25/12/2015 - 11:40 am

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

Reply
stillinparis 25/12/2015 - 11:45 am

For the 2nd January there is no specific restriction but Metro service starts at 5.34 am at convention

Reply
ching 11/12/2016 - 5:53 pm

Hello,

Is there any fireworks on new years eve this year? Thank you!

Reply
stillinparis 11/12/2016 - 8:22 pm

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.

Reply
N. Lipiz 11/11/2019 - 2:58 pm

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?

Reply
stillinparis 12/11/2019 - 12:32 pm

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

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Christina Trama 25/09/2022 - 4:07 pm

We arrive in Paris Dec 26. We are so excited for the beautiful of Paris at Christmas!

Reply
Brid 17/11/2022 - 11:06 pm

Bonjour

Please can you recommend the best way to travel from Disneyland Paris to Orly with 2 young children.

Reply
stillinparis 18/11/2022 - 9:49 am

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.

Reply
Belle 20/11/2022 - 12:32 pm

Hello 🙂
Please recommend any restaurant for celebrate New Year with view of Eiffel tower, can see firework, good spot for take photo.
Thank you

Reply
Sally Gee 21/10/2023 - 8:31 pm

If you haven’t experienced it before I highly recommend the four-day jam packed Hogmanay Celebration (New Years) in Edinburgh, Scotland. The city just on its own is spectacular , their Hogmanay events wonderful, and the midnight fireworks over the castle seen from Prines Street Garden are some of the best I’ve ever seen. I used to live in NY and wouldn’t go to Times Square on NYEve for all the tea in India… but this year will be my third Hogmanay!

Reply

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