Christmas in Paris 2026: Lights, Window Displays, Markets and Ice Rinks

October 25, 2026

Illustration of a tree-lined Paris avenue with warm Christmas lights at dusk

The short answer: Paris starts glowing in early to mid November and stays festive until the first days of January. The department store windows on Boulevard Haussmann usually open first, in early to mid November, followed by the Christmas markets and then the Champs-Élysées lights (local press reports a switch-on around November 22, 2026; it was November 16 in 2025). The Grand Palais ice rink runs from December 13, 2026 to January 6, 2027. For the most open at once, go between late November and December 23.

Many 2026 dates were still unconfirmed by the organizers as of October 2026, so we note below what's official, what's reported and what's last year's pattern.

When do the Christmas lights in Paris turn on in 2026?

Short answer: the Champs-Élysées lights usually switch on in the second half of November and stay up until early January.

Champs-Élysées. In 2025, the illuminations ran from Sunday, November 16, 2025 to Sunday, January 4, 2026, according to the City of Paris, with the trees along the avenue lit by Blachère Illumination and a short sound and light show triggered each hour in the evening. For 2026, Sortiraparis reports a kickoff on November 22, 2026, with the avenue closed to traffic for the event, but we couldn't confirm that date with the city or the Champs-Élysées committee yet. Check closer to the date.
How to see it. Walk the avenue from Place de la Concorde up toward the Arc de Triomphe after dark, which in late November means from about 5pm. If you love a quieter view, go on a weekday evening rather than a weekend.

When do the Christmas window displays open in 2026?

Short answer: usually in the first half of November, and they stay up until around the end of December or early January.

Store	2025 opening	2026 status (as of October 2026)
Galeries Lafayette Haussmann	Wednesday, November 12, 2025, with a 16 meter tree under the dome	Not officially announced; expect mid November
Printemps Haussmann	November 6, 2025 ("Un Noël à New York")	Not officially announced; one listing reports November 7, 2026

Galeries Lafayette Haussmann (40 boulevard Haussmann, 9th). The tree under the glass dome is the reason to go inside. In 2025, the windows and decorations stayed up until December 31. Go on a weekday morning if crowds bother you.
Printemps Haussmann. Right next door, so you can do both in one walk. The animated windows are free to look at from the sidewalk, and kids love them.

The two stores sit side by side on Boulevard Haussmann, near the Opéra. Plan an hour for both windows and the tree, longer if you go inside to shop.

Which Christmas markets are on in Paris in 2026?

Short answer: the Tuileries market is the big, festive one; Notre-Dame's is small and crafty; La Défense is the largest if you want lots of stalls in one place.

Market	Where	2026 dates	Status
Tuileries Christmas market	Jardin des Tuileries, 1st	Reports differ: opening November 6 or 14, 2026, closing early January 2027	Not confirmed by the organizer; it ran November 15, 2025 to January 4, 2026 last year
Marché de Noël Notre-Dame	Square René Viviani, 5th, across the river from the cathedral	November 26 to December 27, 2026, per event listings	Check before you go
La Défense Christmas market	Parvis de La Défense, west of Paris	November 12 to December 31, 2026, per Paris press	The ice rink area reportedly stays open to January 3, 2027

If you love a fun, loud evening out: the Tuileries market, between the Louvre and Place de la Concorde, mixes food stalls with a funfair and rides. Go after dark for the lights.
If you want handmade gifts: the Notre-Dame market in Square René Viviani has featured French makers since 2009, and it's small enough to walk in half an hour. Pair it with the cathedral and a walk along the Seine.
If you want the biggest selection: La Défense, reached by Metro line 1 or RER A. It's a business district, so it feels less romantic, but it's practical for shopping.

Dates for markets in Paris are often confirmed late, so recheck the week before you go.

Where can I go ice skating in Paris at Christmas?

Short answer: the Grand Palais, if you want the grand experience under the glass roof.

Le Grand Palais de Glace. The official site lists December 13, 2026 to January 6, 2027, with early closing at 6pm on December 24 and 31. Sessions are ticketed, so buy ahead for the day you want, especially for an evening session.
La Défense. The 2026 market includes an ice rink, according to Paris press.
Rooftop rinks. Galeries Lafayette had a rooftop rink in 2025; check whether it returns for 2026.

Can I go to Christmas mass at Notre-Dame?

Short answer: yes. The cathedral reopened in December 2024 and held its first midnight mass in six years on December 24, 2024, open to everyone without reservation.

The 2026 schedule wasn't published when we checked. Look at the cathedral's official site in December for the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day mass times and any entry rules. Expect a very long line for midnight mass, so arrive well before it starts, and dress warmly for the wait. If you'd rather avoid the crowd, a Christmas Day morning mass is usually calmer than midnight.

What's open in Paris on December 24 and 25?

Short answer: December 24 is a normal day until the evening; December 25 is quiet, with many shops and some museums closed.

December 24: shops and markets are open but often close early. The Grand Palais rink closes at 6pm. Book Christmas Eve dinner well ahead, because some restaurants serve only a set menu that night and tables go early.
December 25: the Louvre is closed on December 25 (and on January 1 and May 1), per its official site. Most shops are closed. The Eiffel Tower has historically stayed open through the holidays; check its official site for the 2026 hours.
Getting around: the Metro runs on Christmas Day, but service can be reduced and some stations near crowded markets have closed at busy times in past years. Check RATP before you set out.

Christmas Day is a good day for a long walk: the Seine, the Marais, Île de la Cité and the lit avenues are calm in the morning.

Is it worth combining Paris with Strasbourg?

Short answer: yes, if Christmas markets are the point of the trip. Strasbourg's market opens on Friday, November 27, 2026, and the TGV from Paris Gare de l'Est takes about 1 hour 46 minutes on the fastest trains. It works as a long day trip or one night away.

How should I plan a Christmas trip to Paris?

Best window: late November to December 23, when the lights, windows and markets overlap.
Best order: windows on Boulevard Haussmann in the late afternoon, then the Champs-Élysées after dark, ending at the Tuileries market.
Weather: expect cold, damp evenings; bring a warm coat, gloves and waterproof shoes.
Crowds: weekends in December are busy everywhere. Do the big sights on weekdays.

Paris Christmas checklist

Check the 2026 dates for each market and the Champs-Élysées switch-on the week before you go
Grand Palais de Glace tickets bought ahead
Christmas Eve dinner reserved
Notre-Dame mass times checked on the official site
TGV to Strasbourg booked early, if you're going
Warm layers and waterproof shoes packed

FAQ

When do the Champs-Élysées Christmas lights turn on in 2026? Local press reports November 22, 2026. It wasn't confirmed officially as of October 2026. In 2025, the lights were on from November 16, 2025 to January 4, 2026.

When does the Tuileries Christmas market open in 2026? Published reports differ (November 6 or November 14, 2026), running into early January 2027. Check the organizer's site before you go.

When is the Grand Palais ice rink open? December 13, 2026 to January 6, 2027, with early closing at 6pm on December 24 and 31.

Is the Louvre open on Christmas Day? No. The Louvre is closed on December 25.

Can tourists attend midnight mass at Notre-Dame? Yes. In 2024, the first midnight mass after the reopening was open to all without reservation. Check the 2026 arrangements on the cathedral's official site.