Throughout December
Festive activities
Magical châteaux, ice skating and family fun: a comprehensive list of Paris’s Christmas events. Pictured: the light trail in the Jardin des Plantes.
Various locations, Paris
January 2
French movies with English subtitles
Lost in Frenchlation presents Vie Privée, starring Jodie Foster.
Balzac, Paris
December 26-January 4
Holiday wonderland
The Festival du Merveilleux returns with a fabulous celebration of antique fairground rides in this incredible museum.
Musée des Arts Forains, Paris
January 4, 2026
French movies with English subtitles
Lost in Frenchlation presents Jules et Jim.
Studio des Ursulines, Paris
Mid-November-early January
Holiday markets
Mulled wine and gifts galore: a full list of holiday markets in Paris.
Various locations, Paris
November 14, 2025-January 11, 2026
Spectacular night lights
Lumières en Seine is an interactive light show in the park.
Domaine National de Saint Cloud. Saint Cloud
November 18, 2025-January 11, 2026
Emerging artists
The Île-de-France department presents “FoRTE,” an exhibition of creative projects by emerging artists who received regional funding.
Frac. Romainville
January 21-25, 2026
Literature live
The theme of this year’s Nuits de la Lecture, with readings set to music and other events, is villes et campagnes (city and countryside).
Various locations, France & online around the world
January 24-25
Architectures vivantes
The Musée d’Orsay kicks off the celebration of its 40th anniversary year with an immersive show, Quelques Secondes d’Éternité.
Musée d’Orsay, Paris
January 25
Vintage vehicles
Over 800 retro cars and motorbikes take to the streets of Paris for the winter version of Traversée de Paris, beginning at the Château de Vincennes.
Paris
November 4, 2025-January 31, 2026
Dance festival
The Fondation EDFs Dans(e) la Lumière festival presents dance performances and art exhibitions inspired by light.
Fondation EDF, Paris & Île de France
January 7-February 3
Bargain hunting
The official government-sanctioned winter retail sales period.
Paris & most of France
October 31, 2025-March 8, 2026
Light in the darkness
Light Cycles immerses visitors in magical light shows amid the shadows of the park.