Christmas in Paris with kids is a magical experience, and this time of year offers endless family-friendly activities to enjoy. As the weather gets colder, the city comes alive with festive events and attractions, perfect for exploring together. Here’s my list of must-see Christmas events and activities to make the most of the 2024 holiday season in Paris with your children.
Magical Christmas experiences for families in Paris
Paris goes all out for Christmas, filling the city with lights, markets, and cozy holiday attractions that families will love.
Paris Christmas Lights and Displays Kids Will Love
Christmas lights in Paris are a must-see with kids, with popular locations like the Champs-Élysées, Place Vendôme, and Le Marais sparkling with elaborate displays. Each neighborhood puts its own twist on holiday decor, and some, like the Champs-Élysées, are pedestrian-only for the season, making it easier for families to explore safely.
Include a visit to the Parisian department stores to admire the stunning festive decorations. Each year, the stores transform their windows into animated Christmas displays, perfect for enjoying with kids in Paris. Here are five stores that promise a magical experience in any given year.
1. Galeries Lafayette Haussmann
Admire the magnificent indoor Christmas tree, the annual centrepiece of the department store, which can be viewed up close from a glass walkway. This year’s display is especially meaningful as the store marks its 130th Christmas. Swiss designer Kevin Germanier, renowned for his work in upcycled fashion, has designed the costumes for the window display characters, adding a touch of responsible fashion to the holiday magic.
Dates: 14 November 2024 – 31 December 2024
Address: 40 Boulevard Haussmann, Paris 9
La Samaritaine
This year, the store is going green, transforming itself into an enchanting winter garden filled with magical foliage and luminous creatures.
Dates: 8 November 2024 – 5 January 2025
Address: 9 Rue de la Monnaie, Paris 1
3. Printemps Haussmann
Step aboard the Printemps Express, where passengers dressed in eco-conscious clothing made from recycled fabrics feature in the Christmas window displays.
Dates: 7 November 2024 – 31 December 2024
Address: 64 Boulevard Haussmann, Paris 9
4. Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche
The theme for this year’s festive display is “Christmas in Paris.” Look for green rabbits hidden in shop windows, lobsters and octopuses dancing in city fountains, and mysterious figures sheltered by Parisian lampposts.
Dates: Starts 8 November
Address: 24 Rue de Sèvres, Paris 7
5. BHV Marais
This year, the department store becomes an enchanted house filled with mischievous elves, who bring the windows to life in a playful, colourful world for an unforgettable holiday experience.
Dates: Starts 6 November
Address: 52 Rue de Rivoli, Paris 4
Best Christmas Markets for Families
Parisian Christmas markets are perfect for families, often featuring carousels, ice skating rinks, and holiday-themed workshops where kids can make crafts or decorate treats. Here are some of the Christmas markets open in Paris for the holidays this year.
1. Tuileries Christmas Market
This is a family-friendly Christmas market in Paris set within the beautiful Jardin des Tuileries. This lively market features iconic wooden chalets and offers plenty of entertainment for kids of all ages, including a Ferris wheel, outdoor ice rink, bumper cars, and a giant slide. While admission is free, rides require separate tickets. There is mulled wine, waffles, cotton candy, and plenty of French specialties involving lots of cheese (like raclette!).
For a dose of history and culture, pair your trip to the market with a visit to the Louvre Museum or the Musée de l’Orangerie, both just a short walk away from the Christmas market.
Dates: 16 November 2024 – 1 January 2025
Address: Tuileries Garden, near the Louvre Museum, Paris 1
2. Notre-Dame Christmas Market
Notre-Dame’s Christmas Market is especially exciting this year, with the Cathedral reopening in early December. Visitors can explore Square René Viviani along Quai Montebello, where French crafts and gourmet treats come together in a festive setting with exceptional views of Notre-Dame. The market offers free entertainment for children, including a visit from Santa Claus. The focus will be on local artisans and creators, ensuring a selection of high-quality, handmade products. You’ll find decorative objects, candles, ceramics, hand-painted ornaments, knitted silk and cashmere scarves, jewellery, and wooden toys.
Dates: 29 November 2024 – 25 December 2024
Address: Square René-Viviani on Quai Montebello, Paris 5
3. La Villette
This year, Paris welcomes a new addition—the very first Christmas Market at La Villette. With 30 chalets, you can enjoy comforting treats and browse artisan goods carefully selected for the season. Beyond the delicious food, there will be plenty of activities, including Santa’s Chalet, a ski simulator, a skating rink, a climbing wall, and other festive highlights.
Nearby, you’ll find the Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie, one of the Best Museums in Paris for Kids. Consider pairing your visit to the Christmas market with a trip to this museum.
Dates: 23 November 2024 – 29 December 2024
Address: Place de la Fontaine-aux-Lions, Paris 19
4. Eiffel Tower Christmas Market
The Eiffel Tower Christmas Village is a mid-sized market located at the foot of the Eiffel Tower, featuring around 60 small chalets and food trucks. You’ll find ceramics, soaps, jams, chocolates, and plenty of Christmas gifts. Just a short walk from the Musée du Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac, one of the Best Museums in Paris for Kids. It’s also an ideal spot for photos with the Eiffel Tower. Pair your visit to the market with a visit to the Eiffel Tower for a memorable holiday outing.
Dates: 7 December 2024 – 5 January 2025
Address: Quai Jacques Chirac, Paris 7
5. La Défense
This is the largest Christmas market in Paris, featuring around 200 wooden chalets and family-friendly activities like elf workshops. While it’s not located in central Paris, it’s still easy to reach by public transport. This year, it will include a Christmas ice rink, perfect for kids. You’ll also find a wide range of specialty items not typically seen at smaller markets, such as paintings, books, toys, and unique Christmas gifts.
Dates: 14 November 2024 – 29 December 2024
Address: Esplanade de La Défense, Hauts de Seine
Kid-friendly Christmas activities in Paris
Ice Skating Rinks in Paris for the Whole Family
1. Grand Palais Ice Skating Rink
After a 5-year break, the iconic Grand Palais ice rink is making a grand return! Skaters can once again glide beneath the stunning glass roof of this historic Paris landmark, known as the world’s largest indoor rink. The Grand Palais des Glaces offers 2,700m² of skating space, set to lively music and even DJ sets. With a dedicated area for children, this long-awaited event promises a magical winter experience for skaters of all ages.
Dates: 14 December 2024 – 8 January 2025
Address: 5 avenue Winston Churchill, Paris 8
Tickets: €20 adults, €15 children. Purchase your tickets in advance here.
2. Tuileries Garden Ice Skating Rink
The Tuileries Garden Christmas Market is back, offering plenty of fun activities and rides for kids, along with a festive ice rink. While relatively small, the Tuileries ice rink is packed with fun, giving you a chance to enjoy time on the ice while soaking up the food, entertainment, and festive atmosphere—all just across from the Louvre.
Dates: 16 November 2024 – 1 January 2025
Address: Tuileries Garden, near the Louvre Museum, Paris 1
3. La Villette Ice Skating Rink
La Villette district is launching a Christmas village for the first time this year and it will include a family ice rink, a climbing wall, a ski-simulator and a curling rink.
Dates: 23 November 2024 – 29 December 2024
Address: Place de la Fontaine-aux-Lions, Paris 19
4. La Défense Ice Skating Rink
This large ice skating rink is part of the biggest Christmas market in the Paris region. At its center stands a majestic 9-meter-high deer, adding to the festive atmosphere. No need to pre-purchase tickets—you can buy them on the day of your visit. Just remember that gloves are required for skating, but don’t worry if you forget—they’re available for purchase onsite.
Dates: 22 November 2024 – 5 January 2025
Address: Esplanade de La Défense, Hauts de Seine
Tickets: €10 adults, €5 children (under 13 years old).
Festive Shows and Performances Kids Will Love
1. Lantern Festival: The Dinosaur Ball at Jardin d’Acclimatation
Taking the kids to Jardin d’Acclimatation is the highlight of our summers in Paris. It’s the best amusement park in the city, and you can easily spend a whole day here. This winter, the Jardin d’Acclimatation invites you on a magical 6-hectare Christmas walk featuring over 2,000 lanterns and around 100 dinosaurs brought to life through giant illuminations. From tyrannosaurs and brontosaurs to velociraptors and triceratops, you’ll discover 40 species of Mesozoic-era dinosaurs along a spectacular 24-stage illuminated route. This event also features thrilling new attractions like the VR Xperience, a dynamic virtual reality adventure, and the 360° Xperience, an immersive film transporting you back to the age of dinosaurs. For an unforgettable view, hop on the new giant Ferris Wheel and admire the dazzling displays from above. Perfect for families!
Dates: 29 November 2024 – 2 March 2025
Address: Jardin d’Acclimatation, Bois de Boulogne, Paris 16
Tickets: €18 adults, €12 children (aged 4-11), free for those under the age of 4. Buy tickets here.
2. Jurassic Illuminated at Jardin des Plantes
The Jardin des Plantes is a fantastic place to visit with kids year-round, 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 Dinosaurs.
Dive into the heart of the Jurassic period during an illuminated stroll through the gardens, brought to life by monumental animated sculptures. Explore fascinating paleoenvironments where dinosaurs, marine reptiles, and the first birds emerge from the shadows. This immersive and educational experience is a chance to uncover the biodiversity of a bygone era while enjoying the festive atmosphere.
Dates: 20 November 2024 – 19 January 2025
Address: Jardin des Plantes, Place Valhubert, Paris 5
Tickets: €18 adults, €15 children (aged 3-12), free for those under the age of 3. Buy tickets here.
3. Lumières en Seine
Lumières en Seine is returning this year 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.
Dates: 15 November 2024 – 12 January 2025
Address: Domaine National de Saint-Cloud
Tickets: €23 adults, €18 children (aged 3-11), free for those under the age of 3. Buy tickets here.
4. 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 and entertaining comedy skits, it’s a sure fire hit if your children are fond of horses. The show lasts 1hr 30mins and there are two performances daily at 3pm and 9pm.
Marking a momentous milestone this year, the Alexis Gruss Company commemorates 50 years of performances in Paris — an extraordinary accomplishment spanning six generations of dedicated artists and the passing down of equestrian expertise.
Dates: 17 November 2024 – 2 March 2025
Address: Carrefour des Cascades, Paris 16
Tickets: €25-80 (depending on seats). Buy tickets here.
5. My First Swan Lake (“Mon premier Lac des Cygnes”)
The famous story of Swan Lake, set to Tchaikovsky’s music, has been simplified and adapted for younger audiences. Choreographed by Fabrice Bourgeois, Ballet Master at the Paris Opera, and performed by Karl Paquette, former star dancer of the Paris National Opera, this production is a perfect introduction to ballet for little ones. The show is recommended for children aged 5 and up and runs for 1 hour and 20 minutes.
Dates: 19 October 2024 – 9 February 2025
Address: Théâtre Mogador, 25 Rue de Mogador, Paris 9
Tickets: €29 – 75 (depending on seats). Buy tickets here.
6. Nursery Fairy Rhymes (“La Fée des Comptines“)
For kids aged 1 and up, this show is perfect for introducing even the youngest children to the magic of Christmas through nursery rhymes. Lasting 50 minutes and performed in French, it’s a fun experience filled with songs, gestures, and Christmas melodies. The show runs on Saturdays and Sundays at 10.30am, with additional daily performances during the Paris school holidays.
Dates: 16 November 2024 – 31 December 2024
Address: Théâtre La Boussole, 29 rue de Dunkerque, Paris 10
Tickets: €15.50 – €18.50. Buy tickets here.
7. The Nutcracker (“Casse Noisette”)
When ‘The Nutcracker’ starts playing, you know Christmas has arrived. Théâtre La Boussole presents a new interpretation of the story as a musical for the whole family to enjoy. The show lasts 70 minutes and runs on Saturdays and Sundays at 6pm, with daily performances during Paris school holidays.
Dates: 23 November 2024 – 26 January 2025
Address: Théâtre La Boussole, 29 rue de Dunkerque, Paris 10
Tickets: €18.50 – €21.50. Buy tickets here.
Share your favourite places and activities in Paris with kids during Christmas in the comments below!
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