things to do on Christmas Day in Paris.
Paris is always mesmerizing, but it becomes dreamlike during Christmas. The City of Lights turns into a jar of fireflies during the big and bold Christmas celebration. Carols and silver bells, wine and cookies, Santa and reindeer — Christmas marks the official holiday season. It’s time you trim your Christmas trees, bake chocolate cakes, feast on a lot of ham and oysters, attend rousing carols, and shop for gifts until you drop.
Be it the extravagant window displays or vibrant parades, the city is soaked in the festive spirit, right from the Champs-Élysées to Disneyland Paris.
Let’s find out what Paris has got for you during the end of the year:
1. Transport to childhood at Disneyland Paris
Wear adventure on your sleeves as you duck into the world of fun and entertainment at Disneyland Paris. The festive spirit comes to life at this theme park, with exciting parades, dressed-up Disney characters, live bands, classic shows (like Frozen), hot chocolate, and endless surprises. Warm up at boutiques, chalets, and restaurants. Then, dive into the action on a high-speed train, Adventure Isle, Big Thunder Mountain, and an array of rides. The entire park looks majestic, with a sky-piercing setup, colorful illumination, garlands hung in the air, and jaw-dropping decor.
2. Go Ice Skating
The weather in Paris during December is cold, crisp, and gorgeous. And what’s a winter without skating? Take a spin on the famous outdoor ice rinks in Paris, which are unique, thrilling, and grand. The Grande Arche Rooftop offers a 360-degree view, Galeries Lafayette Rooftop has free access, and Champ-de-Mars Christmas Village boasts the amazing backdrop of the glittering Eiffel Tower. The twinkling fir-pine trees helm in the Plaza Athénée. The Grand Palais will turn into the world’s largest ice skating rink, spread over 3000 square meters. Skating has never been this fun before!
3. Fall in love with the Christmas Lights
Paris is decked up with brilliant, colorful decorations across the avenues and streets. As it hires the best lighting designers from around the world, the city looks swanky and flashy with pine trees, sparkling umbrellas, life-size chandeliers, and an extra dose of glitter. But the Champs-Élysées is something out of the box. Over a million white and blue light bulbs are strung over the streets. You can hop on an open bus and snuggle up in a blanket to ride past the city’s most brilliant Christmas lights and notable landmarks such as Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, and Paris Opera House.
4. Scour through the Christmas Markets
It is November, and the Christmas markets have started to pop up around the cobbled-stone lanes. Awaken your senses with the smell of mulled wine and roasted chestnuts in the traditional markets. Hundreds of chalets are lined with gastronomic specialties, regional arts and crafts, and unlimited souvenirs to take back home. Champ-de-Mars Christmas Village has an outdoor ice skating rink, La Magie de Noël Tuileries Garden Market is tucked next to the Louvre, and La Défense uses energy-saving LED lights to create the Christmas magic.
Check Out Best Christmas Gift Ideas
5. Browse the giant Window Displays
Image Credit: sortiraparis.com
What grabs the eyeballs are Paris’s big department stores and high-end boutiques with festive window displays. Galeries Lafayette, Printemps Haussmann, Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, and Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche are a few of the lavish department stores that will spell magic on you with their upscale decor and vista. There are musicals, cheerleaders, lofty Santas, cheese tastings, photo booths, and a lot of things to do at Christmas. You definitely would not want to miss the Bercy Village; it is a wholesome package away from the city center with a movie theater, restaurants, and last-minute shopping.
6. Attend the soulful Concerts
Christmas is yet another excuse to watch the ostentatious concerts in Paris. From Sainte-Clotilde Basilica to La Madeleine, there will be a week of shows, events, galas, and concerts going on. But Sainte Chapelle steals the limelight because of its ingenious architecture. There comes a time during the concert when the music plays, and the light is thrown on its 16 huge luminescent glass windows. Wait for the wonder; the beauty of the 14th-century Gothic Chapel astounds the audience. Here are some of the top Christmas concerts you shouldn’t miss out in Paris during Christmas.
1. Babar et le Père Noël
Location: Champs Elysees Theatre
Date: December 10 and 11, 2023
2. Gloria de Vivaldi & Stabat Mater
Location: Saint-Louis-en-l’Ile Church
Date: December 16, 2023
3. Christmas Concert
Location: Saint-Eustache Church
Date: December 21, 2023
4. Christmas Concert
Location: Saint-Louis-en-l’Ile Church
Date: December 23, 2023
5. Christmas Eve Concert
Location: Saint Julien le Pauvre Church
Date: December 24, 2023
7. Christmas Concert: Piano Jazz
Location: Saint Julien le Pauvre Church
Date: December 25, 2023
8. Christmas Concert at Eiffel Tower
Location: Eiffel Tower
Date: December 24 and 25, 2023
7. Cruise down the UNESCO-listed Seine River
Step aboard one of the luxurious boats of Bateaux Parisiens drifting along the Seine. Sail across glamorous Paris as you cozy up on an embellished and opulent cruise for two and a half hours. The onboard team of French chefs will bring some of the finest dishes to the table. Tuck into a five-course gourmet dinner with wine. Feel the bliss when you watch the Eiffel Tower reflect on the Seine. Plus, the trained performers will serenade the diners with live entertainment.
8. Gorge on the most Delectable Food and Be Merry
Well, it’s not every day you are in Paris during Christmas and the New Year. So, rock your wallet this time and dine in top-notch restaurants like the Ritz, Four Seasons, and Le Meurice Alain Ducasse. These are undoubtedly luxurious and welcoming. You will enjoy some of the finest champagne ever. But if you live a frugal life and need to eat at a place that doesn’t break your bank, don’t lose your heart. Paris is dotted with charming cafes and brasseries. Le Vaudeville, Bouillon Chartier, and Au Pied de Cochon are a few affordable places to eat and hang out in Paris.
Conclusion
There is never a wrong time to be in Paris, but Christmas takes it up a notch. Make sure to add these activities to your bucket list. Get ready to create special holiday memories.
