Christmas in Paris With Kids: Best Markets, Lights & Things to Do
There’s something about Paris during the holidays that makes the city feel even more magical. From beautifully decorated storefronts and sparkling Christmas lights to festive markets filled with delicious treats, it’s one of our favorite times of year to be in Paris as a family. The entire city comes alive during the Christmas season, and you can’t help but get caught up in the excitement!
Since we have a second home in Paris, we’ve been lucky enough to experience the city during the Christmas season several times with our three kids. And one of the things I love most is that you don’t have to spend a fortune to enjoy it. There are so many free holiday activities and festive experiences that the whole family can enjoy!
If you’re planning a trip to Paris during the holidays, I’m sharing some of our favorite Christmas markets, holiday displays, and festive things to do in and around the city, along with a few helpful tips for visiting with kids.
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See the Christmas Tree at Galeries Lafayette Haussmann
One of our favorite Christmas traditions in Paris is visiting Galeries Lafayette Haussmann to see the iconic Christmas tree displayed beneath the department store’s beautiful glass dome. Each year features a different theme, with elaborate decorations and festive window displays that are especially fun for kids.
For an even better view of the tree, you can walk out onto The Glasswalk, a glass walkway suspended above the center of the store. It extends 9 meters (about 30 feet) into the open space beneath the dome, giving you a fantastic view of the Christmas tree and surrounding balconies. It’s also a great spot for family photos!
You’ll need to reserve a time slot in advance to access The Glasswalk. Reservations are free, but space is limited to eight people per five-minute session. New reservations are released every Friday for the following week, so I recommend booking as soon as your dates become available. The Glasswalk is located on the third floor of the main Coupole building, near the Café Coutume escalator. Be sure to arrive 10 minutes early and have your reservation confirmation ready on your phone.
You can reserve your free Glasswalk time slot directly through Galeries Lafayette.
Helpful Tip: This department store can get extremely crowded during the holiday season. Try to visit during the week and as early as you can in the day if possible. It can be hard to even get on the elevator with a stroller so plan accordingly.
And don’t miss the free panoramic views of the city while you are here. Follow the signs for La Terrasse on the 8th floor and you’ll find incredible views of the Eiffel Tower, Opéra Garnier, and the Paris rooftops. No reservation or ticket is needed! Just keep in mind that the rooftop may close during bad weather.
Location: 40 Boulevard Haussmann, 9th arrondissement
Walk Avenue Montaigne and See the Dior Display
Avenue Montaigne is home to some of Paris’s most famous designer boutiques and many of them decorate their storefronts for the holidays. It’s a beautiful area to walk around, especially after dark when the entire street is twinkling in beautiful white lights.
One of the most beautiful holiday displays in Paris is at the Dior flagship boutique at 30 Avenue Montaigne. Every year, the building is transformed with elaborate decorations that make it worth a stop. But what makes this stop extra special is the animated light show! During the 2025 Christmas season, the display came to life every 15 minutes between 4 PM and 10 PM, with sparkling lights and moving decorations across the building’s facade.
You can easily combine a visit here with a walk toward the Champs-Élysées. The closest metro stop is Franklin D. Roosevelt (Lines 1 and 9).
Another fun way to see the Christmas lights in Paris: If you’re traveling with kids and want to see more of the city’s holiday decorations without walking everywhere in the cold, consider a Christmas lights bus tour! The Tootbus Christmas Lights Tour takes you past some of Paris’s most beautifully decorated streets and landmarks on an open-top bus. It’s a fun way to experience the city all lit up for the holidays without walking all over the city.
You can check prices and availability for the Paris Christmas Lights Bus Tour before your trip.
Location: 30 Avenue Montaigne, 8th arrondissement
Visit the Tuileries Garden Christmas Market
If you’re visiting Paris with kids during the holidays, the Tuileries Garden Christmas Market is an absolute must!
Located near the Louvre, this festive market is filled with wooden chalets selling holiday gifts, seasonal treats, and plenty of delicious food. Be sure to try the vin chaud (hot wine) and one of my personal favorites, tartiflette. This traditional Alpine dish is made with potatoes, melted Reblochon cheese, bacon, and onions. It’s rich, comforting, and especially delicious on a cold winter day!
What makes this market so much fun for families is that there’s more to do than just browse the stalls and enjoy the food. You’ll also find carnival-style rides and attractions for kids of different ages, making it a fun stop to add between sightseeing activities.
Because of its central location, the market can get crowded, especially on weekends and in the evenings. I recommend visiting earlier in the day if you’re traveling with younger kids.
Helpful tip: The market is completely free to enter, but rides and attractions require separate tickets. It’s easy to combine a visit with the Louvre or a walk through the Tuileries Gardens.
Location: Jardin des Tuileries, 1st arrondissement
Explore the Christmas Displays at Le Bon Marché
Another department store worth visiting during the holidays is Le Bon Marché, located on the Left Bank in the 7th arrondissement.
Like Galeries Lafayette, Le Bon Marché creates a different holiday theme each year, with beautifully decorated windows and festive displays throughout the store.
While you’re in the area, I also recommend stopping at La Grande Épicerie de Paris, located right next door. It’s one of our favorite places for specialty foods, wine and souvenirs to bring home.
Location: 24 Rue de Sèvres, 7th arrondissement
Visit the La Défense Christmas Market Like a Local
If you’re looking for a more traditional Christmas market experience away from the main tourist attractions in central Paris, I highly recommend visiting the La Défense Christmas Market.
Located just outside central Paris, La Défense is the largest Christmas market in the Paris region, with more than 350 wooden chalets selling everything from handmade gifts and Christmas decorations to regional French specialties and delicious holiday treats.
Unlike the Tuileries Christmas Market, which has more of a carnival atmosphere, La Défense feels more like a traditional European Christmas market. It’s a great place to wander through the stalls, enjoy some seasonal food, and shop for unique gifts. You’ll also find activities and entertainment for kids, making it a fun day for the whole family.
Helpful tip: Don’t let the location outside central Paris discourage you! The market is incredibly easy to reach. Take Metro Line 1 to La Défense–Grande Arche, and you’ll come out right near the Christmas market.
Location: Parvis de La Défense, just outside central Paris.
Experience the Magic of Christmas at Disneyland Paris
During Disney’s Enchanted Christmas, the parks are transformed with beautiful holiday decorations, sparkling lights, and festive entertainment. Main Street comes alive with its enormous Christmas tree and Sleeping Beauty Castle in the background. It’s such a magical time of year to visit!
In addition to the decorations, you’ll find Mickey’s Dazzling Christmas Parade, festive shows, seasonal treats, and Disney characters dressed in their holiday outfits. For 2026, the Christmas celebrations also extend to the new World of Frozen at Disney Adventure World.
You’ll want to book tickets in advance as popular dates can sell out. Check Disneyland Paris ticket prices and availability.
Helpful tip: Disneyland Paris is easy to get to from central Paris. Just take the RER A train toward Marne-la-Vallée–Chessy, which drops you just a two-minute walk from the park entrances. The journey is about an hour and so much fun for kids of all ages.
2026 Christmas dates: November 7, 2026 – January 6, 2027.
Tuileries vs. La Défense: Which Christmas Market Is Better With Kids?
| Tuileries Christmas Market | La Défense Christmas Market | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Families who love rides and attractions | A more traditional European Christmas market |
| Location | Central Paris, near the Louvre | Just outside central Paris |
| Main attractions | Giant Ferris wheel, carnival rides, ice rink, food stalls | 350+ chalets, ice rink, carousels, holiday entertainment |
| Getting there | Metro Line 1 to Tuileries | Metro Line 1 to La Défense |
| Admission | Free; rides and skating cost extra | Free; skating and some activities cost extra |
If you’re visiting Paris with kids for the first time and only have time for one Christmas market, I would choose Tuileries. Between the giant Ferris wheel, carnival rides, and convenient location near the Louvre, it’s an easy addition to a sightseeing day.
When Do Christmas Markets and Decorations Start in Paris in 2026?
Most Christmas decorations in Paris begin appearing in November, with markets and festive displays continuing through December and sometimes even into early January.
Here are some of the dates for the 2026 holiday season:
| Attraction | 2026 holiday dates |
|---|---|
| Tuileries Christmas Market | November 14 – January 3, 2027 |
| La Défense Christmas Market | November 12 – December 31, 2026 (traditional market); selected activities through January 3 |
| Champs-Élysées Christmas Lights | November 22 – early January 2027 |
| Galeries Lafayette Haussmann | Holiday displays generally begin in November |
| Le Bon Marché | Holiday decorations begin appearing in late October/November |
Holiday dates and attractions may change, so I recommend checking official websites before your visit.
Tips for Visiting Paris at Christmas With Kids
See some decorations after dark. I know it can be hard to keep the kids out later this time of year when it’s cold and everyone is tired, but seeing some of these spots at night is just magical! It does get dark early this time of year, so plan on taking a stroll down Avenue Montaigne to catch the Dior light show or visit the Tuileries Garden Christmas Market for dinner one night.
Dress for cold and rainy weather. Paris in November and December can be chilly, especially when you’re spending a lot of time outside at Christmas markets. Warm layers, comfortable waterproof shoes, a cozy scarf and long coats are essential. We love these stroller blankets that attach to the stroller to keep little ones warm this time of year. They are waterproof too. Make sure you bring a rain cover for your stroller and an umbrella.
Visit popular attractions earlier in the day. Galeries Lafayette and the larger Christmas markets can get extremely crowded, especially on weekends. Visiting earlier can make the experience much more enjoyable with kids.
Group nearby attractions together. I recommend visiting Galeries Lafayette and Printemps together, or pairing the Dior decorations with an evening walk along Avenue Montaigne and the Champs-Élysées. This helps avoid additional travel across the city.
Use the Paris Metro. The Metro is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to get around Paris as a family, especially when the weather is cold. For more tips, read my complete guide to taking the Paris Metro with kids.
Don’t try to do everything in one day. Christmas markets are more fun when you have time to look at all the stalls, enjoy the food, and let kids explore without feeling rushed.
Is Paris Worth Visiting at Christmas With Kids?
Absolutely! Paris is a wonderful destination during the holiday season, the entire city is decorated so beautifully and it really gets you in the holiday spirit.
So many of these experiences are completely free and fun for the whole family. Walking through the decorated shopping districts, checking out the department store windows, and exploring Christmas markets are all great ways to enjoy the season without booking expensive activities.
You can easily mix these holiday experiences into a regular Paris sightseeing itinerary rather than planning your entire trip around Christmas attractions.
If you’re planning your first family trip, be sure to check out our 3-day Paris with kids itinerary for more ideas on how to organize your visit.
More Paris Planning Tips
Planning a family trip to Paris? Here are a few more guides to help you:
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