Christmas in Paris with kids is one of the most magical times of the year. As a local, I love seeing how the city transforms each winter with twinkling lights, festive markets, and family activities popping up all over town. This year, I’ve gathered together my recommendations family-friendly things to do in Paris at Christmas so you can see what’s on, get inspired, and plan the kind of holiday season that feels right for your family.
- 1. Visit the Paris Christmas Markets
- 2. Admire the Christmas Window Displays
- 3. Go Ice Skating at Grand Palais
- 4. Festival of Lights at Jardin des Plantes
- 4. Lantern Festival: "Japan in Lights" at Jardin d’Acclimatation
- 5. Lumières en Seine
- 6. Christmas Themed Cooking Class at Chez Bogato
- 7. My First Nutcracker ("Mon Premier Casse Noisette")
- 8. Les Folies Gruss
- 10. Festival du Merveilleux at Musée des Arts Forains
- More on Paris
1. Visit the Paris Christmas Markets
There’s arguably no better way to get into the holiday spirit than by visiting one of the Paris Christmas markets. Holiday markets are a familiar sight across the city and start popping up from late November. Some focus on artisan food and design, while others are all about family fun with carousels, rides, and festive treats. They’re lovely places to wander, soak up the atmosphere, and warm your hands around a cup of hot chocolate.
When we go out as a family, it’s always to the Tuileries Christmas Market. It’s the only one my kids actually get excited about and that says a lot about how family-friendly it is. This year, it runs from 15 November 2025 to 4 January 2026. Set within the beautiful Jardin des Tuileries, it’s one of the biggest family-friendly Christmas markets in Paris, with endless stalls selling raclette, crêpes, and mulled wine. There’s also plenty to keep children entertained – bumper cars, a giant slide, a Ferris wheel, and even an outdoor ice rink.
Another great option for families is La Villette Christmas Market, running from 20 November to 28 December 2025. It has a more modern, playful feel, with a festive village complete with Santa’s Chalet, a skating rink, a climbing wall, and other fun seasonal activities.
2. Admire the Christmas Window Displays
One of my favourite things to do at Christmas in Paris is to stroll past the grand department stores and take in their spectacular window displays. Every year, these shops transform their façades into little works of art – animated scenes that sparkle, twirl, and tell magical winter stories. I’ve made it a bit of a tradition to see them all, and even after a few years, they still manage to surprise me. If you only have time for one, make it Printemps Haussmann as their creativity never disappoints.
This year, Printemps Haussmann is celebrating its first American store opening with a New York–themed Christmas display. The windows take visitors on a journey through the Big Apple’s iconic neighbourhoods, all brought to life by a cast of adorable dog characters. It’s fun, clever, and full of detail – the kind of display you can stand in front of for ages, spotting something new each time.
📅 6 November 2025 – 4 January 2026
📍 64 Boulevard Haussmann, 75009 Paris
Just down the street, Galeries Lafayette Haussmann always puts on a show. Its towering Christmas tree beneath the glass dome is a Parisian holiday icon, and this year’s windows tell the story of Santa’s magical workshop, surrounded by elves and presents. Inside, the decorations continue with a giganticChristmas tree, and if you head to the rooftop, you’ll find an ice rink overlooking the rooftops of Paris and the Eiffel Tower.
📅 6 November 2025 – 31 December 2025
📍 40 Boulevard Haussmann, 75009 Paris
Across the river, the upscale La Samaritaine is dressing up as one giant Christmas present this year with ribbons, bows, and all. The whole building glows with festive cheer, from its sparkling façade to the grand staircase inside.
📅 5 November 2025 – 6 January 2026
📍 9 Rue de la Monnaie, 75001 Paris
Over on the Left Bank, Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche is going for an Alsatian Christmas village theme. Expect wooden chalets, twinkling lights, and animated displays that feel straight out of a storybook.
📅 From 7 November 2025
📍 24 Rue de Sèvres, 75007 Paris
And finally, BHV Marais is once again lighting up the heart of the 4th arrondissement. This year’s theme, Christmas Reverie, will begin with a special sound and light show on 18 November to mark the start of the season.
📅 18 November 2025 – 31 December 2025
📍 52 Rue de Rivoli, 75004 Paris
3. Go Ice Skating at Grand Palais
Ice-skating in Paris is one of the most festive ways to experience Christmas in the city. Each winter, seasonal ice rinks pop up across Paris, offering something for everyone – from panoramic rooftop views to family-friendly spaces for little ones.
If you only visit one, make it the Grand Palais Ice Rink, returning from 14 December 2025 to 7 January 2026. Set beneath the iconic glass dome, it’s the world’s largest indoor ice rink, and it’s a beautiful place to skate. I went last year with my kids, and while it does get busy (keep an eye out for wobbly skaters!), it’s still worth it for the setting alone. There’s a smaller, separate rink for children, which is great if they’re just finding their feet on the ice. During the day it’s family-friendly, and by night, the rink transforms into a lively space with DJs and lights.
🎟️ Buy your tickets here.
4. Festival of Lights at Jardin des Plantes
Parc Floral de Parris in the 12th arrondissement is a fantastic place to visit with kids year-round (read more about it here), but over the Christmas holidays, it transforms into a magical night time experience with stunning light installations. Each year features a new theme, and this year, it’s all about dragons and animals.
The Luminous Odyssey at the Parc Floral de Paris, is running from 19 November 2025 to 11 January 2026. It’s a lovely evening walk through illuminated scenes and shimmering sculptures. This year’s edition will even feature a drone show three times a night and a giant bubble show.
🎟️ Buy your tickets here.
4. Lantern Festival: “Japan in Lights” at Jardin d’Acclimatation
Taking the kids to Jardin d’Acclimatation is the highlight of our summers in Paris. It’s the Top Paris Amusement Park for Kids, and you can easily spend a whole day here.
From 10 December 2025 to 8 March 2026, the Jardin d’Acclimatation will once again glow with its spectacular annual Lantern Festival, Japan in Lights. This year’s edition features 2,000 luminous creations celebrating the spirit of Japan. The walk unfolds in three parts, beginning in the Empire of Traditions, where torii gates, temples, and samurai figures light the way, before diving into a burst of color in the Pop-Modern Odyssey filled with manga characters and neon lights. The journey ends in the tranquil Garden of Dreams, surrounded by cherry blossoms, koi carp, and the gentle glow of Mount Fuji. Between displays, families can warm up at the food court with mochi, ramen, or a classic hot chocolate before ending the evening with a ride on the Ferris wheel for a sparkling view of Paris.
🎟️ Buy your tickets here.
5. Lumières en Seine
Lumières en Seine is returning this year on 14 November 2025 to the Domain National de Saint-Cloud with another journey of sound and light through a night time walk. Technically, it is not in Paris; Domain National de Saint-Cloud is just west on the river Seine’s banks. However, it’s within easy reach by metro. Lumières en Seine is a more than 2km night walk with magical light installations and glowing sculptures, which will take between 1hr and 1hr 30mins to view.
🎟️ Buy your tickets here.
6. Christmas Themed Cooking Class at Chez Bogato
Chez Bogato is a creative and festive pastry shop located in Marais. They are well known for creating amazing tailor-made cakes, but they also have pastry workshops throughout the year where you can learn to bake like a real pastry chef, with family or not. In fact, all pastry workshops can be purchased as gifts, so save this as an idea for a Christmas present this year.
Read my review of the Christmas baking class I took with my daughter this December here.
There are three different categories of Christmas workshops for kids:
- Teen masterclasses (for ages 10+), lasting between 1h30 and 2hrs at €45
- Kids workshops (for ages 4+), lasting for 1h30 at €45
- Parent/Child duo workshops (for ages 4+) lasting 1h30mins at €39
Chez Bogato presents various festive workshops this holiday season, including Christmas and Snowman Cupcakes, Christmas Macarons, Christmas Cookies, Decorated Christmas and Gingerbread Shortbread, Christmas Log, and Fir Tree Cake.
The store is in a lovely spot, just a short walk from the beautiful Hôtel de Ville and the BHV Marais department store. Stroll around the Marais neighbourhood and browse through wonderful shops nearby.
7. My First Nutcracker (“Mon Premier Casse Noisette”)
To round out the season’s lineup of performances, no Christmas in Paris would be complete without Casse-Noisette, or The Nutcracker. This year, the British Festival Ballet brings Tchaikovsky’s timeless score and dreamy sets back to Paris in a performance that captures the wonder of Christmas perfectly. You can catch it at the Grand Rex on 14 and 15 November 2025, or at the Théâtre du 13ème Art from 23 December 2025 to 3 January 2026.
🎟️ Buy your tickets here.
8. Les Folies Gruss
The Gruss family-owned circus Les Folies Gruss is an excellent outing for the whole family. Renowned for its equestrian showcase featuring acrobatic feats, it’s a sure fire hit if your children are fond of horses. From 19 October 2025 to 29 March 2026, Les Folies Gruss return for the 52nd creation with an all-new show. The show lasts about 1hr 30mins and there are two performances daily at 3pm and 9pm.
🎟️ Buy your tickets here.
10. Festival du Merveilleux at Musée des Arts Forains
The Festival du Merveilleux is an opportunity to discover the Museum of Fairground Arts in a different way. The museum houses a collection of heritage objects, including rides and attractions dating back to the 19th century. At the end of each year, the museum opens its doors for the Christmas Festival du Merveilleux. During this special event, all museum rooms are accessible, and there are live performances from aerial dancers, tap dancers, burlesque clowns, and others. This year, the Festival runs from 26 December 2025 to 4 January 2026.
🎟️ Buy your tickets here.
Share your favourite places and activities in Paris with kids during Christmas in the comments below!
More on Paris
The Best Areas to Stay in Paris with Kids (and WHY!) – help with choosing the right neighbourhood to stay in.
Paris Itineraries with Kids – 8 free day itineraries that cover top attractions, family-friendly activities and restaurants.
What to do in Paris with kids on a rainy day – options for keeping children entertained and dry in the city.
Join me on Instagram to get more inspiration for things to do and see in Paris.
My Ultimate Guide to Paris with Kids is also packed with family-friendly tips and recommendations on things to see and do in Paris.
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