Christmas in Paris in 2026 has markets open from Nov 14, 2026 to Jan 4, 2027, the Galeries Lafayette windows unveiled on Nov 12 and the Champs-Élysées lights switched on Nov 22. On Dec 24, a Thursday, the city runs almost as usual; on Dec 25 the Louvre is closed and everything else needs a double-check.
| Christmas markets | Tuileries Nov 14, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027; Champs-Élysées Nov 22, 2026 to Jan 4, 2027 |
|---|---|
| Champs-Élysées lights | Switched on Nov 22, 2026, at 6:30 pm; light show from 5 pm to 1 am |
| Galeries Lafayette windows | Unveiled Nov 12, 2026, from 6 pm |
| Louvre on Dec 25 | Closed (official museum rule) |
| Christmas Mass at Notre-Dame | 2026 schedule not yet announced |
| December weather | Average 39 °F to 46 °F (4 °C to 8 °C), with 11 rainy days |
| Hotels in December 2026 | Official average rate not yet published |
Status checked on Nov 7, 2026 on official channels. Market and window dates may change before December.
Which Paris Christmas markets are open in 2026?
In Paris, the first market on the list opens on Nov 14, 2026, at the Tuileries, and the most talked-about of the year is the Champs-Élysées one, which returns on Nov 22, 2026 after ten years away, with 200 chalets in the avenue’s gardens, according to the Sortiraparis markets guide (Sep 2026). The table lists the ones the French press has already confirmed with dates.
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Visitors to Paris at Christmas usually build the day around two or three neighboring markets: the Tuileries and the Champs-Élysées sit side by side, and the Eiffel Tower market, on the Quai Jacques-Chirac, only opens in December.
| Market | Where | 2026-27 dates | Open on Dec 25? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuileries | Tuileries Garden (1st) | Nov 14 to Jan 3 | Yes, by the dates |
| Champs-Élysées | Avenue gardens (8th) | Nov 22 to Jan 4 | Yes, by the dates |
| Notre-Dame | Square René Viviani (5th) | Nov 26 to Dec 27 | Yes, by the dates |
| Saint-Germain-des-Prés | Boulevard Saint-Germain (6th) | Nov 27 to Jan 6 | Yes, by the dates |
| Eiffel Tower | Quai Jacques-Chirac (7th) | Dec 5 to Jan 3 | Yes, by the dates |
| La Défense | La Défense esplanade (outside the center) | Nov 12 to Dec 31 | Yes, by the dates |
| Alsace (Gare de l’Est) | Station square (10th) | Dec 2 to Dec 18 | No, already over |
| Danish House | 8th arrondissement | Dec 4 to Jan 3 | Yes, by the dates |
The Eiffel Tower market pairs well with an evening out: after shopping, it is worth watching the tower sparkle, as shown in the guide to the Eiffel Tower at night and its light show. Each stall’s hours on Dec 24 and 25 have not been announced; confirm on the day. In torreeiffel.com.br’s Nov 2026 survey, seven of the eight markets in the table are still open on Dec 25.
When do the Galeries Lafayette and Printemps windows light up?
The Galeries Lafayette Haussmann windows are unveiled on Thursday, Nov 12, 2026, from 6 pm, under the theme “Au cœur de Noël”, designed by Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, with animated windows and a giant tree under the Coupole, according to Sortiraparis (Oct 23, 2026).
Printemps Haussmann, next door, tells the story “Un Noël bien tricoté”, with cats, mice and balls of yarn; the opening of its windows was postponed and the new date has not been announced. The Boulevard Haussmann lighting, which links the two stores, stays on from Nov 19, 2026 to Jan 7, 2027, according to the same source, so the sidewalk is worth a visit even before the unveiling.
The windows are outside, on the sidewalk, and can be seen without going in. BHV Marais unveils its windows on Nov 17, 2026, and Le Bon Marché has not set a date yet either.
What are the Champs-Élysées Christmas lights like?
The Champs-Élysées switches on its Christmas lights on Nov 22, at 6:30 pm, with actress Cate Blanchett pressing the button, and the light and sound show follows the rhythm of Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons, four times an hour, from 5 pm to 1 am, according to Sortiraparis (Oct 28, 2026). On Dec 24 and 25 the program calls for green and red lighting.
The walk from the Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe is about 1.2 miles (2 km) and takes 30 minutes at a relaxed pace; the guide to the Champs-Élysées avenue shows what is on each stretch. With the Christmas market in the avenue’s gardens, you can have dinner, stroll and watch the show in the same area.
Where can you ice skate in Paris at Christmas?
The easiest rink to fit in is on the Printemps Haussmann terrace: free, open from Nov 7, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027, from 1 pm to 7 pm, for ages 6 and up, with 15 skaters at a time in 12 sessions of 30 minutes and advance registration, according to Sortiraparis (Oct 28, 2026).
The Galeries Lafayette set up another rink on its terrace from Nov 24, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027. The Grand Palais de Glace opens Dec 12 and runs until Jan 6, 2027, with three sessions a day and nights until 2 am; tickets were already on sale on Nov 5, 2026. At La Défense, the 504 m² (5,425 sq ft) rink runs from Nov 12, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027.
Is there Christmas Mass at Notre-Dame?
Notre-Dame usually celebrates its Christmas Eve Mass on Dec 24, but the 2026 time and format were not yet in an official source on Nov 7, 2026. On Dec 24, 2024, the first midnight Mass after the reopening was open to everyone, with no advance reservation, according to the Paris Notre-Dame magazine of the Diocese of Paris (Jan 2025).
The esplanade in front of the cathedral also gets Christmas lights on Nov 29, 2026, according to Sortiraparis, and the Square René Viviani market is next door. If you want to attend Mass, arrive well in advance; the visiting and ticket rules are in the guide Notre-Dame has reopened: what changed.
What is open and closed on Dec 24 and 25?
In 2026, Dec 24 falls on a Thursday and Dec 25 on a Friday. The Louvre keeps its normal Thursday hours (9 am to 6 pm) on Dec 24 and is closed on Dec 25, a rule that applies every year, according to the museum’s official website (Nov 2026). The museum costs €32 for visitors living outside the European Economic Area (since Jan 14, 2026).
| Attraction | Thursday, Dec 24 | Friday, Dec 25 |
|---|---|---|
| Louvre | Open, 9 am to 6 pm (normal Thursday hours) | Closed (official rule) |
| Eiffel Tower | Confirm on the official website | Confirm on the official website |
| Notre-Dame | Visit and Christmas Eve Mass: confirm | Daytime Masses: confirm |
| Christmas markets | Open by the dates (except Alsace) | Open by the dates (except Alsace) |
| Champs-Élysées lights | Green and red, 5 pm to 1 am | Green and red, 5 pm to 1 am |
| Printemps rink | Within the period 1 pm to 7 pm; confirm | Within the period 1 pm to 7 pm; confirm |
The Eiffel Tower had no hours for Dec 24 and 25, 2026 in the sources consulted on Nov 7, 2026; on Dec 24, 2024 it was operating, so much so that an evacuation caused by a short circuit was reported that day. In 2026, an adult (25+) ticket costs €36.70 for the summit by elevator and €23.50 for the 2nd floor by elevator (Nov 2026); the wait for timed entry is covered in the guide on how to avoid the Eiffel Tower line.
For the metro, the Dec 24 and 25, 2026 service plan had not been published either; check the RATP app close to the date and see the guide to getting around Paris. For tickets and passes, see the transport pass guide.
For an evening plan that does not depend on a museum being open, the Seine River boat cruise goes out with the riverbanks lit up; book ahead for Christmas dates.
What is the weather like in Paris at Christmas?
December in Paris has an average high of 46 °F (8 °C) and a low of 39 °F (3.8 °C), with 2.4 inches (62 mm) of rain over 11.4 days and only 56.9 hours of sun in the month (about 1h50 a day), according to Météo-France’s 1991-2020 normals reproduced on Wikipedia (Climate of Paris).
Snow is rare: the average is 2.1 days with snow in December. Pack a waterproof coat, a hat, gloves and closed shoes with non-slip soles, because the days are short and damp. The Paris in winter guide details what to wear and what to prioritize on the coldest days.
How much does a hotel in Paris cost at Christmas?
There is no official average rate published for December 2026; what exists is the previous year’s demand pattern: from Dec 23 to 30, 2025, the hotel occupancy rate was 5.4 points below 2024’s, and from Dec 31 to Jan 4 it rose 6.5 points, according to the Paris je t’aime barometer (Dec 2025). That suggests more slack in Christmas week than in New Year’s week, which usually helps the nightly rate.
Compare rates with free cancellation for fixed dates between Dec 20 and 27, avoid the area around the Champs-Élysées if your budget is tight, and aim to be within a 10-minute walk of a metro station. The guide on where to stay in Paris compares neighborhoods, and the one on how much a trip to Paris costs adds up the other expenses.
What nobody tells you about Christmas in Paris
- Dec 25 catches people off guard: with the Louvre closed and uncertain hours at the Tower and in shops, leave Friday for markets, lights and the open-air ice rink.
- The market that has already ended: the Alsace one ends on Dec 18 and the Notre-Dame one on Dec 27; if you arrive after Dec 28 you will find fewer options.
- Packed Mass: in 2024 the midnight Mass was open without reservation, which creates a line; arrive early and bring warm clothes for waiting outside.
- Printemps window postponed: if your itinerary depends on the unveiling day, check the new date before buying your ticket.
- The free rink has few spots: the Printemps one takes only 15 people per session and requires registration.
Entry rules depend on your nationality: many visitors, including Brazilians, enter France without a visa for up to 90 days; ETIAS is not yet in operation and the European Union has not announced a date (Jul 2026). Passport and other rules are in the guide to documents for traveling to France.
Frequently asked questions
Is Christmas in Paris worth it?
Christmas in Paris is worth it for those who prefer lights, markets and shop windows to museums, because the Louvre closes on Dec 25, 2026 and the average cold of 39 °F to 46 °F (4 °C to 8 °C) calls for short outdoor activities; in 2025 Christmas week had less crowded hotels than New Year’s week.
Is the Eiffel Tower open at Christmas?
The Eiffel Tower was operating on Dec 24, 2024, but the Dec 24 and 25 hours were not published in the sources consulted on Nov 7, 2026; confirm on the official website toureiffel.paris and book a timed-entry ticket.
Is the Louvre open on December 25?
The Louvre Museum closes every December 25, as well as January 1 and May 1, according to its official website; on Dec 24, a Thursday, the normal hours are 9 am to 6 pm.
Does it snow in Paris at Christmas?
Snow is rare in Paris at Christmas: Météo-France’s 1991-2020 normals show an average of 2.1 days with snow in December, versus 11.4 days with rain, so pack a waterproof coat instead of counting on snow.
When do the Paris Christmas markets start in 2026?
The Paris Christmas markets in 2026 start on Nov 14, at the Tuileries, and the Champs-Élysées one opens Nov 22 and runs until Jan 4, 2027, according to Sortiraparis; the Eiffel Tower one opens Dec 5.
Conclusion
Christmas in Paris pays off in 2026 for those who build the itinerary around Nov 22 to Dec 24: lights, markets and windows are already on, the Louvre is open on Dec 24 and Dec 25 is left for walking and skating outdoors. If you go on Dec 25, don’t count on museums. Book a hotel with free cancellation, confirm the Eiffel Tower and the Notre-Dame Mass close to the trip and save the rest of your time for the Tower’s light show at night.
How we gathered this information
Dates for markets, windows, lights and rinks: Sortiraparis (Sep to Nov 2026). Louvre: louvre.fr (Nov 2026). Weather: Météo-France 1991-2020 via Wikipedia. Hotels: Paris je t’aime barometer (Dec 2025). Notre-Dame: Diocese of Paris (Jan 2025). Photos: Pexels and Wikimedia Commons, credited in the captions.