Festive Things to do in Paris for Christmas and New Year's 2022

Wondering how to make the most of your time in Paris during the most magical time of the year? Theatre in Paris has the low-down! Whether you’re looking for an enchanted evening in a historic venue or a laughter-filled afternoon out, our list of favorite ways to celebrate Christmas and New Year’s in Paris will bring an extra sparkle to this holiday season!

Attend an enchanting concert on Christmas Eve, Christmas day, or New Year's Eve!

When it comes to Christmas music, there’s more to life than Mariah Carey on repeat, fabulous though she is! The music fans among you are truly spoiled for choice this holiday season – the Sainte-Chapelle concert series resumes for the Christmas period on December 17th. What better place is there to get into the festive spirit than in a chapel whose stained glass windows make you feel as though you’re living in a snow globe?

Plus, La Madeleine Church and the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées will both host Christmas-themed concerts, on the 23rd, and the 16th-17th of December, respectively. On the big day itself, why not delay the post-meal washing up, and head to the Eiffel Tower for a concert? End your Christmas celebrations on a high at the most iconic monument in Europe for a Christmas to tell the grandkids about!

As the year draws to a close, make sure you go out in style at La Madeleine Church, the Eiffel Tower, or at Sainte-Chapelle by attending their New Year’s Eve concerts.

Equally, if you’re looking for an alternative to carols and sleigh bells, you’re just as welcome to liven up those December evenings at the Baiser Salé Jazz Club, playing until the 20th of December.

Christmas Concerts in Paris 2022
★ La Madeleine Concert Series
★ Théâtre des Champs-Élysées Concerts
★ Sainte-Chapelle Concert Series
★ Exceptional Concerts at the Eiffel Tower
★ Jazz Concert at Le Baiser Salé Jazz Club
★ Saint-Séverin Church Concert Series
★ The ballet, Swan Lake, at Palais Garnier in Paris

New Year’s Concerts in Paris 2022-2023
★ La Madeleine Concert Series
★ Sainte-Chapelle Concert Series
★ Exceptional Concerts at the Eiffel Tower
★ Saint-Germain-des-Prés Church Concert Series
★ Saint-Séverin Church Concert Series

Other concerts and shows in Paris the weeks surrounding Christmas and New Year's Eve 2022
★ Crazy Horse Cabaret Show with optional add-ons
★ The ballet, Kontakthof, at the Palais Garnier in Paris
★ The opera, The Force of Destiny, at the Opéra Bastille in Paris
★ The opera, Le Nozze di Figaro, at the Opéra Bastille in Paris
★ Lion King, The Musical
★ Choose from one of many classical theatre shows at Le Ranelagh in Paris
★ The circus show, Play / Replay at La Scala in Paris
★ The one-woman-show, Oh My God She’s Parisian with Julie Collas
★ Baiser Salé Jazz Club concerts
★ Saint-Germain-des-Prés Church Concert Series
★ Saint-Louis-en-L’Île Church Concert Series
★ Saint-Séverin Church Concert Series
★ Sainte-Chapelle Concert Series
★ Exceptional Concerts at the Eiffel Tower
★ Paris Chamber Orchestra at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées
★ Symphonic Concerts at the Philharmonie de Paris

Other Shows just outside of Paris playing the weeks surrounding Christmas 2022
★ The 11th of December: Bach’s Christmas Oratorio
★ The 16th of December: Charpentier’s Baroque Christmas at the Royal Chapel of Versailles
★ The 18th of December: Handel’s Messiah at the Royal Chapel of Versailles
★ The 15th, 16th, and 18th of December: Mythologies at the Royal Opera House in Versailles

Wine, dine, and take your seats...

Christmas is the time for eating and drinking well – and to excess! At Le Crazy Horse, why not enrich your theatre experience with our additional food and drink bundles? Indulge in our Christmas package, including champagne, appetizers, or even a full meal at the famed nearby restaurant, Ginger, to feast your belly as well as your eyes!

Nothing says “Christmas merriment” like a good old hearty laugh, so the Théâtre Bo St Martin is the place to be for Oh My God She's Parisian – don’t forget to choose a champagne add-on when ordering your ticket for a night of sparkling wit AND wine!

For something a little less “Noël” and a little more “Navidad” we also offer a wine and tapas bundle for those of you attending a concert at the Sainte-Chapelle. After all, Christmas is nothing if not a time for sharing, so mark the occasion by sharing those patatas bravas.

At the Cabaret Burlesque, you can truly go the whole hog, with a heavenly three-course meal, including a glass of champagne and two glasses of wine. Follow this up with a dazzling performance in a theatre that literally floats atop the Seine for a Christmas experience that screams decadence.

Christmas shows in Paris with special packages for the holidays!
★ Crazy Horse Cabaret tickets with Champagne, Appetizers, and/or Dinner at Ginger add-ons
★ Oh My God She’s Parisian One-Woman Comedy Show tickets with a Champagne add-on
★ Sainte-Chapelle Concert Series tickets with a Champagne or Wine & Tapas add-ons
★ Cabaret Burlesque tickets with a Champagne and/or Dinner add-ons

Christmas shows in Paris with a champagne add-on option!
★ Eiffel Tower Concert Series tickets with a Champagne add-on
★ The opera, The Force of Destiny, tickets with a glass of Champagne and exclusive access to the Salon Berlioz
★ The ballet, Swan Lake, tickets with a Champagne and exclusive access to the Salon Berlioz
★ Buy tickets for one of five shows at Versailles’ Opera House or Chapel with a Champagne add-on

Experience Europe’s culinary traditions at a Christmas market

Of course, when it comes to gastronomy, you couldn’t possibly miss the Christmas markets that pop up all over Paris throughout December. It’s not Christmas until you’re standing in the Jardin des Tuileries with mulled wine and a plate of raclette, the traditional Swiss dish consisting primarily of melted cheese – my mouth is watering already! – while waiting in line for the ferris wheel.
For a truly magical shopping trip, there will also be a market in the shadow of the Notre Dame Cathedral. Sample the traditional roasted chestnuts, sausages, and cheeses whilst the kids are enthralled by Santa Claus and storytelling.
If you really want to live life like a Hallmark Christmas movie, you simply must visit the Christmas market held in the Champ de Mars, right at the foot of the Eiffel Tower. This market specializes in regional specialties, such as Alsatian and Savoyard food. It’s a great idea, especially if you need to buy a tasty gift for a foodie friend – although there may not be much of their present left by the time the 25th rolls around!

CHRISTMAS MARKETS IN PARIS 2022
★ Jardin des Tuileries Christmas Market in Paris
Where: Jardin des Tuileries, Pl. de la Concorde, 75001
When: 19th November- 8th January
★ Notre Dame Christmas Market in Paris
Where: Notre Dame de Paris, Pl. Jean-Paul II, 75004
When: 9th - 26th December
★ Champ de Mars Christmas Market in Paris
Where: Champ de Mars, All. Adrienne Lecouvreur, 75007
When: 16th December - 2nd January

See the sparkling Christmas lights that only add to Paris’ nickname, the City of Light!

There’s no more enchanting time of year to take in the Parisian sights than at Christmas, so make sure you visit the oh-so-glamorous department store, the Galeries Lafayette, for some of the most stunning panoramic views in the city. But that’s not all: the Galeries Lafayette is famed for its annual Christmas tree decorations. Each year, a new artist is tasked with realizing a different theme – previous ones have included “The Arctic,” “From Another Planet,” and “1,2,3… Christmas!” The sight of the tree suspended from such a mesmerizing art nouveau cupola is sure to take your breath away.
You may well have heard Joe Dassin’s famous song, “Les Champs Élysées,” but you can truly live the lyrics this festive season by walking along the titular street underneath the Christmas lights. As you approach the Arc de Triomphe, you’ll truly understand why they call it the City of Light.

DECORATED CHRISTMAS TREE IN GALERIES LAFAYETTE
When: Very soon...
Where: Galeries Lafayette Haussmann, Paris 9th arrondissement
Bonus: Click here to see an opera, ballet, or theatre piece in the 9th arrondissement before enjoying the lights!

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS ON THE AVENUE DES CHAMPS-ELYSEES
When: 20 November 2022 to 2 January 2023
Where: Arc de Triomphe to Place de la Concorde, Paris 8th arrondissement
Bonus: Click here to see the cabaret show, Crazy Horse, in the 8th arrondissement before enjoying the lights!

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS IN SAINT GERMAIN-DES-PRÉS
When: November 2022 to January 2023
Where: Saint-Germain-des-Prés District, Paris 6th arrondissement
Bonus: Click here to buy tickets to a concert at the Saint-Germain-des-Prés church before enjoying the lights!

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS IN FRONT OF THE CITY HALL
When: From December 2022 to 2 January 2023
Where: Place de l'Hôtel de Ville, Paris 4th arrondissement
Bonus: Click here to see a one-woman comedy show in the 4th arrondissement before enjoying the lights!

Whether you’d like to be warmed by some vin chaud, a choral concert, or by the Christmas spirit itself, there’s something for everyone in Paris this December. To help you understand Christmas in Paris a little bit better, below we have provided answers to common questions from foreigners and travelers about both Christmas and New Year’s in Paris!

Do people in Paris decorate their homes with lights for Christmas?
Whilst French people don’t tend to deck the halls on the outside of their houses, it is still common for them to hang up string lights indoors. Many Parisian arrondissements also put up a large, decorated Christmas tree outside their town hall.

Do French people hang up their stockings for Christmas?
Not quite! French children will leave out their shoes out overnight, which will magically become filled with gifts from Père Noël by the morning… provided they’re on the nice list, that is! Otherwise, they might receive a whipping from his evil counterpart, Père Fouettard. Ouch! I’d rather take the coal!

Do French people take down their decorations on the twelfth day of Christmas?
In fact, they wait until la Chandeleur on the 2nd of February, which is a whopping 40 days after Christmas, to take down their nativity scenes!

Do French people have turkey for Christmas dinner?
They very well might, along with oysters, foie gras, other meats, and cheeses. For dessert, instead of a Christmas pudding, the French tend to favor chocolate logs, otherwise known as bûches de Noël.

Do French children leave out carrots for Santa’s reindeer on Christmas Eve?
This anglophone tradition has yet to really take hold in France, however, you may find at a French fireplace a glass of milk, cookies, a clementine, some chocolates, some liqueur, and possibly some carrots for Rudolph and his colleagues!

What is a galette des rois?
The galette des rois is a special tart that is traditionally eaten on the Épiphanie on January 6th. The tradition dictates that the youngest member of the family assign the slices to each person, and whoever finds the fève (a small object like a bean or ceramic figurine) in their slice is crowned the king or queen for the day. This holiday celebrates the arrival of the three kings at Bethlehem.

How do Parisians celebrate New Year’s?
Traditionally, French families gather together on New Year’s Eve for a great meal. The French call this holiday ‘Le Réveillon’, or otherwise, ‘Le Réveillon de la Saint-Sylvestre,’ after Pope Sylvester I. There is no set menu for this meal, but popular dishes include foie gras, oysters, snails, lobsters, salmon, and scallops. What decadence!