December 2026 in Paris: How to Enjoy the Christmas Spirit as a Family
When your sightseeing bus can drive straight into the Seine, summer has a few obvious advantages. But we have to admit it: Paris at Christmas is pretty special too. The city lights up, seasonal events pop up everywhere, and there are plenty of good reasons to warm up with hot chocolate or melted cheese along the way. Here are a few of our favourite ways to enjoy the Christmas spirit in Paris as a family in December 2026.
Experience Christmas in the Streets of Paris
In December, Paris does not need much encouragement to show off. Every corner starts to sparkle.
Galeries Lafayette, Printemps and Le Bon Marché are the obvious places to begin. Their Christmas windows are quite a show, and they seem to fascinate adults just as much as children. They are well worth a detour during the festive season. They get busy, though, so go early if you want to enjoy them before the crowds arrive.
But the Christmas spirit continues in the streets. Place Vendôme, Avenue Montaigne, Saint-Germain-des-Prés and the Marais all have their own way of dressing up for the season.
And if little legs are starting to feel tired, we have our own way of discovering Paris in its Christmas outfit: on board Les Canards de Paris. From the amphibious bus, families can enjoy the decorated streets, spot famous monuments and listen to our guides’ fun stories about the city without having to drag cold little feet from one end of Paris to the other. And then comes the part that changes everything. Marcel leaves the road, heads towards the Seine and makes his big splash into the water.
Christmas lights for the atmosphere, Paris stories for curious minds, and an amphibious bus for fun. A fairly solid family combination, if you ask us.
Visit Family Attractions Transformed for Christmas
Some places in and around Paris do not simply add a few fairy lights in December. They go all in.
At Disneyland Paris, Christmas time means decorated streets, special festive shows, seasonal parades and characters dressed for the occasion. It is the obvious choice if your family is looking for the full Christmas experience. Disney knows how to create magic.
Of course, Disneyland Paris is very much a full-day adventure rather than a quick festive stop between two Parisian walks.
For something easier to fit into a day in Paris with kids, the Jardin d’Acclimatation is a lovely alternative. Every winter, the park gets a festive makeover, with Christmas decorations, seasonal attractions and family entertainment.
Discover Historic Places at Christmas in Paris
Christmas also suits Paris’s historic side rather well. Notre-Dame is an obvious stop. At this time of year, the cathedral and the Île de la Cité feel even more special, with festive lights, music and that very particular December atmosphere that makes you want to slow down for a while. Yes, Christmas in Paris is about more than shop windows.
For something a little more off the beaten path, our local tip is to head just outside Paris to Vaux-le-Vicomte. The château fully embraces the festive season, with beautifully decorated rooms, crackling open fires and illuminated gardens.
And the cherry on the Christmas cake? An ice rink.
Try a Seasonal Experience This December
And if the ice rink at Vaux-le-Vicomte leaves you wanting a little more skating, keep an eye on the Grand Palais. Each winter, its spectacular glass roof shelters the Grand Palais des Glaces, a giant temporary ice rink right in the heart of Paris. Skating under the Nave is quite magical.
December 2026 also gives you the chance to catch a few experiences before they disappear. BABEL at Le Bon Marché is one of them. After the department store closes, choreographer Mourad Merzouki takes over the space with dancers and circus performers for an unusual show running until December 31. A good one to keep in mind for families with older children or teenagers.
Take a Proper Christmas Goûter
December in Paris is a very good excuse to take goûter seriously. For hot chocolate, you will hear about Angelina in every tourist guide, but we have another favourite: PLAQ. Rich, intense and made for people who really like chocolate. A warm crêpe is another very solid December plan, and Breizh Café makes it easy with several addresses across the city.
If you are more in the mood for festive sweets to take away, À la Mère de Famille is always worth a stop for chocolates, marrons glacés and all sorts of seasonal treats. With several shops around Paris, there is usually one not too far away. They also make very good little gifts to bring back home.
You should also keep an eye on the pâtisserie windows as you walk. At this time of year, they fill up with bûches, chocolates and seasonal creations. Going in ‘just to have a look’ can be risky though.
And if you feel like turning goûter into a proper occasion, Parisian palace hotels know a thing or two about afternoon tea. The Ritz Paris, Hôtel de Crillon, Le Royal Monceau etc… all have their own take on it, usually with beautiful Christmas decorations to complete the atmosphere. Not your everyday goûter, admittedly, but a very good option for a rainy day in Paris too.
End the Day with the Ultimate Winter Comfort Food
You know how proud French people are of their cheese. And winter is usually the season for all sorts of dishes involving large amounts of it, preferably melted.
Of course, the best place to enjoy raclette or fondue is probably somewhere in the Alps after a day in the snow. But Paris has a few very good addresses too.
For a proper raclette or fondue experience, you can head to Le Chalet Savoyard. Come hungry.
If you are after something a little more contemporary, Monbleu is a great option. Part cheese shop, part restaurant, it takes fromage seriously and follows the seasons. In winter, that includes baked Mont d’Or, a famously gooey cheese that only comes around at this time of year.
Paris has a way of making each season feel like a good reason to come back. Spring walks, summer splashes into the Seine, autumn colours… and then Christmas lights all over again. There is always something new to see, and a different way to enjoy the city as a family.
