Note: More events will be listed throughout the month, check back!
Holiday Events
Through January 2
The largest ice skating rink in Paris is opening once more under the glass dome of the Grand Palais des Glaces. Open 10am-2am (Christmas Eve and December 31st until 6pm); tickets €15-27 (depending on time of day) and €12 for kids.
Through January 2
If you saw Midnight in Paris you’ll recognize the Musée des Arts Forains, a private museum of antique carnival and fair rides and decor in a stunning setting, open by reservation only for the holidays, La Festival du Merveilleux. Guided tours of 2 hours by an elf, where you’ll get a chance to go on the rides and attend a magical music show. Tickets €16, tours daily (including Christmas), in French with an English handout. 10am — 6pm
Through January 3
The Jardin d’Acclimatation offers a great series of holiday activities, from 11 am to 6 pm, Monday-Friday (till 7 pm on Saturday). If you have kids too young for Disneyland, this is a perfect alternative.
Through January 8
The annual Christmas Village on the Champs-Elysées includes over 180 chalets selling holiday gifts, local specialties, mulled wine, warm hats and gloves, toys, jewelry and every kind of sweet imaginable. There is also a fun Olympic-sized ice skating rink, amusement park rides for kids and Santa visits. There’s a hand-made 11-meter tall Eiffel Tower and a “Village des Artisans” dedicated to handcrafted items made in France. A great place to wander with an appetite and a Christmas shopping list! I made a Christmas Village video three years ago, but this year’s is much better in terms of quality and variety. Open daily noon-midnight (until 1:00 a.m. Friday and Saturday).
Through February 19
Skate on the Eiffel Tower! This year the ice skating rink on the first level of the Eiffel Tower is back, free for those who already have a ticket for the Tower, open daily 10:30am-10:30pm. Skip the line by taking the stairs, it will help you warm up, too! Skates size 25-47 (EU), sleds and scooters for kids, gloves are required. This year’s theme is Ice Hockey, though it will be less brutal than the NHL!
Through March 1st
At the Place de la Concorde is the Grande Roue Ferris Wheel. Each enclosed “car” holds six people. €10 for adult, €5 for kids under 10, open daily 11am-midnight.
December 18-March 6
The ice rink at the Hôtel de Ville is unfortunately on hiatus this year. However, a similar rink is available at Montparnasse. Free entry, €6 skate rental, gloves or mittens obligatory. Tlll 10 pm daily.
Shows & Concerts
Through January 8
Book your places now for the English production of 42nd Street at the Châtelet Théâtre, a musical based on the financial crash of 1929. Reviews have been excellent, so expect this to sell out quickly! Tickets starting at €25 up to €79. Note that the website is in French, but the show is in English with French surtitles (above the stage).
Until February 19
Quintessence — another circus, at the the Alexis Gruss tents at the Porte de Passy (16e), from 20€ to 70€. Check out the teaser here.
Through February
See the complete list for other circus and circus-like spectacles.
Daytrips from Paris
Through January 3
The family-owned Château Vaux-le-Vicomte (the 17th-century palace that inspired Versailles) becomes a Christmas wonderland in December, decorated from top to bottom, each room in a different holiday theme, fireplaces ablaze, and holiday music playing. And at night the château facade and the gardens are lit with festive lights. It’s a magical experience, not to be missed! There are even carriage rides on the grounds. Open the weekends of December 3-4, December 10-11, and every day from December 17-December 31 (closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day) from 10:30am-6pm. Entry €17.50 for adults, reserve in advance online (where you’ll also find the schedule for the shuttle from Melun train station to the chateau).
Consumerism “Events”
January 11 – February 21
The annual winter sales, aka Les Soldes. Honestly, the rules about when and how sales can take place in France since the economic crise have essentially made the sales irrelevant. There are sales all of the time now (often called “promotion” or “7 Jours BHV” or something like that).
Other Paris Calendar Links
- For general events around Paris: Que Faire à Paris?
- For literary events, readings, and classes: Monthly Paris Listing
- For indie/alternative music concerts see Gigs in Paris
- For art exhibitions in galleries and museum see Slash Paris
- For mainstream events visit the Paris Office of Tourism
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