- October 1, 2023
- Theatre in Paris exclusives
- Acadia Klepeis
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As fall leaves crunch beneath our feet and twilight hour inches ever earlier in the day, even the most hard-hearted among us yearn for a mug of steaming apple cider or hot cocoa. When cozy season sets in, it can be tempting to settle into hibernation mode. However, as the weather gets colder, the city unveils a whole new array of festive activities in preparation for Halloween on October 31st. Bundle up – spooky season has come to Paris!
1. Spine-tingling Performances in Paris!
Dive into the modern reinterpretation of one of Shakespeare's most iconic and legendary tales, the story of Macbeth. Pascal Dusapin, one of France’s most brilliant music composers, will take you on an extraordinary operatic journey where you will experience an unmatched modern harmony heavily inspired by classical influences to create a dark and eerie atmosphere that will send shivers down your spine this Halloween. We promise you a mythical play with incredible costumes, lighting, and designs that will leave you mesmerized! So, are you daring enough to join us for this thrilling play soirée at Opéra Comique, running until the 12th of November 2023? Click here to buy tickets to Macbeth Underworld at Opéra Comique! When: Until November 12th, 2023 Where: Opéra Comique, Place Boieldieu 75002 Paris Price: From €50 per person
2. Below Ground
If you’re seeking a real thrill this Halloween, look no further! Descend 131 steps beneath the streets of Paris and discover the macabre world of the dead at the Paris Catacombs. 20 meters (nearly 70 feet) underground, you’ll find the remains of more than six million people. Walk through skull-lined tunnels and ponder the lives (and deaths) of the former Paris residents for a truly unforgettable outing. Not one for the faint-hearted! For fewer skulls but just as much history, take a gander at a Parisian crypt! Beneath the Saint Denis Basilica, you’ll find the necropolis that once held the bones of more than 130 royal figures, including Marie Antoinette, Louis XVI, and Catherine de’ Medici. If desired, you can book a guided tour in English or choose from a number of languages on available audio guides. If one wasn’t enough, you can also visit the crypt at the Pantheon! Famous permanent residents include Rousseau, Voltaire, Victor Hugo, and Marie Curie. If you’re inspired by the monument to Josephine Baker, check out the biographical Joséphine Baker the musical, now playing at the Bobino Theatre.
Click here to buy tickets to Joséphine Baker the musical! When: Every Wednesday until December 7th Where: Bobino, Rue de la Gaité, 75014 Paris Price: From €49 per person Find details about the Catacombs here! What: A museum visit in Paris to celebrate Halloween with history and skeletons When: Every day Where: Catacombs of Paris, Avenue du Colonel Henri Rol-Tanguy, 75014 Paris Price: From €27 per person Find details about the Pantheon here! What: A visit to a famous crypt to celebrate Halloween When: Every day Where: Place du Panthéon, 75005 Paris Price: Free entry to some areas, other tickets from €9 per person
3. Hunt for the Ghost of the Phantom of the Opera!
One of the world’s most famous ghost stories comes to life at the Palais Garnier, the opera house that inspired Gaston Leroux’s 1910 novel The Phantom of the Opera. The novel in turn inspired countless adaptations and reimaginings, including a record-breaking Broadway musical. Here in the heart of Paris, discover the mythic setting for yourself! You can even book a nighttime tour to discover the secrets of the opera house after hours. To this day, balcony number five remains empty to appease the ghost (and entice the tourists!). If you want to appreciate the opera house at its best, book tickets to see a show in this theatre of unparalleled splendor.
What: Hunt for the phantom of the opera and see a show at the Palais Garnier to celebrate Halloween When: Every day, at a variety of time slots Where: Opéra Garnier, on the corner of rue Auber and rue Scribe, 75009, Paris Price: From €13 per adult Click here for more details about the nighttime tour.
4. A Haunted House, Parisian-Style!
Outside of Disneyland’s famous festivities, Paris’ biggest Halloween event can be found at Parc Astérix, for its "Peur sur le Parc" ("Fear in the Park") event! Explore the haunted houses, filled with live actors and grisly tales. Attractions such as the cursed ship, Le Sirius, cater to the old and young alike, with extra-special, extra-scary performances after dark for adults only. From October 1 through November 6, the famous theme park featuring all things Astérix will be transformed beyond imagining. Book tickets to guarantee your night of fright!
What: Visit a Haunted House in Paris to celebrate Halloween When: October 1 - November 6, 2022 Where: Parc Astérix, 60128 Plailly Price: From €42 per adult Click here for more details.
5. Cemetery Strolls
Want more of Paris’ famous dead? Visit the Père Lachaise Cemetery, the crown jewel of Parisian burial grounds! Among the 70,000 people interred here, you’ll stumble across the crème de la crème of celebrities, including French figures like Edith Piaf, Molière, and Balzac, as well as international ones like Jim Morrison, Frédéric Chopin, and Oscar Wilde. Book a guided tour or take a self-directed stroll through the vast graveyard, where those we've lost don’t feel quite so far away.
What: Celebrate Halloween with a guided visit to a famous cemetery in Paris When: Every day (hours vary) Where: Père Lachaise Cemetery, Bd. de Ménilmontant, 75020 Price: Free, or from €21 per person for the guided tour Click here for more details.
BONUS SHOW: The Rocky Horror Show
(February 27th to April 7th, 2023)Brace yourselves, ladies and gentlemen! The Rocky Horror Show has finally touched down in Paris! This is not just another simple play, but a cultural staple that has left an indelible mark on pop culture and has amassed a cult following over the last 50 years. Take a seat in the newly renovated Lido2Paris and unravel the story of Brad Majors and Janet Weiss, a newly engaged couple whose fateful encounter with the enigmatic Dr. Frankfurter, a mad scientist, leading them on a wild night of unexpected adventures. Created at the hand of the creative genius Richard O'Brien, this theatrical extravaganza will leave you enchanted by its rock n’ roll musical score famous for its catchy tunes. This Broadway musical will leave you stupefied, so grab yourself a ticket and don’t miss out on it!
Hopefully, these hair-raising ideas have helped inspire you to organize your Halloween plans! Before you go, we’ve included a few quick questions about Halloween in Paris to help you understand the holiday’s cultural place in this very international yet very French city.
Quick Questions about Halloween in Paris
Do Parisians celebrate Halloween?
Halloween celebrations in Paris might not look like those back home, but you can definitely find plenty of spooky events leading up to and on October 31st. See above for ideas!
Do Parisians dress up for Halloween?
Those who choose to celebrate Halloween, especially at bars and clubs, often do in a festive costume – sometimes even earning free entry or drinks as a result!
Do Parisians go trick or treating?
American-style trick-or-treating is nowhere near as popular in France, although some French children participate in locally organized outings with friends, in their building, or in part of their neighborhood. Don’t expect most French homes to be prepared with candy, however.
Do people in Paris decorate for Halloween?
Many shops and stores will have autumnal or Halloween-themed decor, but it may not be as widespread as what you’re used to in the United States or abroad.