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Paris Christmas Markets 2026: Dates, Lights and Practical Tips

Tuileries, La Défense and Notre-Dame markets, the Champs-Élysées lights, Disneyland and Versailles: 2026 dates, where to stay and how to plan a festive trip to Paris.

When are the Paris Christmas markets in 2026?

Paris celebrates the 2026 festive season with Christmas markets from 12 November 2026 to early January 2027, led by La Défense, the Jardin des Tuileries and the square René-Viviani facing Notre-Dame. The Champs-Élysées lights are switched on on Sunday 22 November, and Disneyland Paris runs its Christmas season through the same weeks.

The most comfortable time to visit is a weekday between late November and mid-December, when every market is open and the school holidays have not yet started. The weekends just before Christmas are the busiest of the year in the city centre.

Which markets are worth your time?

Jardin des Tuileries
La Magie de Noël runs from 14 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, daily from 11:00 to 23:45, at the Concorde end of the garden. Around 95 wooden chalets, regional food stands, an ice rink, a big wheel and children's rides. Entry is free.
La Défense
The largest market in the Paris region fills the esplanade in front of the Grande Arche with more than 300 chalets from 12 November to 31 December 2026. The Sommet area with the ice rink stays open until 3 January 2027.
Notre-Dame, square René-Viviani
A smaller market of French craftspeople and designers runs from 26 November to 27 December 2026, right across the river from the cathedral.
Saint-Germain and neighbourhood markets
Smaller seasonal markets in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Montmartre and other districts usually run from late November to early January.

Where are the best lights and window displays?

The Champs-Élysées lights come on at 18:30 on Sunday 22 November 2026 and stay up until 4 January 2027. They usually shine from 17:00 until midnight, a little later at weekends, and all night on 24 and 31 December. A walk from Concorde up to the Arc de Triomphe after dark is one of the classic Paris evenings.

The department stores on Boulevard Haussmann usually unveil their animated Christmas windows and giant indoor trees in mid-November.

How do Disneyland Paris and Versailles fit in?

Disney's Enchanted Christmas season starts on 7 November 2026 and runs into early January 2027, with a Christmas parade, a large tree on Main Street and a new seasonal show in the World of Frozen area. Check the final day and park hours on the official site before booking.

Versailles is quieter in winter than in summer, and the palace and gardens make a calm half-day away from the market crowds. Note that the palace is closed on Mondays and on 25 December and 1 January, so plan your visit around those days.

Getting there and where to stay

Charles de Gaulle (CDG) is 27 km from the city centre, usually about 62–78 min by road, and Orly (ORY) is 24 km away, about 60–75 min. If Disneyland is your first stop, CDG is the better airport: 43 km, about 49–62 min. From Orly, Versailles is 30 km, about 39–49 min. For a late arrival, a family with young children or a lot of winter luggage, HotelTaxi can arrange a private transfer with a local provider, booked online or on WhatsApp, with the price agreed before you travel.

For the markets, stay in the 1st, 7th or 8th arrondissement for Tuileries and the Champs-Élysées, or the 5th and 6th for Notre-Dame and Saint-Germain.

Practical checklist

  1. Book early

    Hotels for December weekends and New Year's Eve, Disneyland tickets, Versailles time slots and any Christmas Eve or New Year's Eve dinner.

  2. Pack for the cold

    December daytime highs are usually around 5–9 °C, with nights close to freezing and frequent drizzle. Bring warm layers, gloves and waterproof shoes.

  3. Plan around holidays

    Many shops and restaurants close on 25 December and 1 January, and markets shorten their hours on 24 and 31 December.

Frequently asked questions

Are the Paris Christmas markets free to visit?

Yes, entry to the Tuileries, La Défense and Notre-Dame markets is free. You pay only for food, drinks, gifts and attractions such as the ice rinks or the big wheel.

Are the markets open on Christmas Day?

The Tuileries market is listed as open every day of its run, and La Défense runs until 31 December. Opening hours on 24, 25 and 31 December can be shorter, so check with each organiser shortly before your visit.

Which airport is better for a Christmas trip to Paris?

Both work well for the city centre, with similar drive times of roughly an hour or more in traffic. CDG is the natural choice for Disneyland Paris, while Orly is closer to Versailles and the southern side of the city.

Is one week enough to see the markets, Disneyland and Versailles?

Four to five days is usually enough: two or three days for the markets and lights, one or two at Disneyland and half a day at Versailles.

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