Paris in December 2025: What to Expect

We're nearing the end of 2025, and Paris is as busy as ever. I'm certainly excited for December to roll over because I love the holidays. Celebrating Christmas in Paris is truly unlike any other; arguably, it is the most enchanting experience I have the pleasure of enjoying every year. With that said, however, there's more to expect in Paris this December 2025! Since next month will signal the start of winter, this is when the city opens up its ice skating rinks, the best of which is in the iconic Grand Palais. Hanukkah starts on the 14th, too, and though I'm not Jewish myself, I always like seeing these sorts of celebrations all over Paris!

Catch International Artists Live in Paris

2025 has been a good year when it comes to concerts in Paris, and I'm glad that this December will be no different! International artists are still slated to perform live here, and there are two I'm especially excited about. The first is my first love, English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran, who will take to the stage at the Zénith de Paris on December 1, 2025. What a way to start the month, right? Afterward, if you cried to the hit song “Broken Vow” (1999) in the early oughties like I did, you'll be at the Accor Arena seeing Belgian-Canadian singer Lara Fabian live on December 7, 2025.

Shop at Paris’s Unique Christmas Markets

Many of Paris's best Christmas markets have already opened by November 2025, but some of the more unique ones will open for a limited time this December. One that's truly worth seeing at least once is the Medieval Christmas Market at Tour Jean Sans Peur in the 2nd arrondissement. To be held from December 6 to 7, 2025, it's like going back in time and experiencing what Christmas was like during the Middle Ages (if the holiday existed back then, that is). As a proud girl's girl, I'll also be checking out the Feminist Christmas Market at Ground Control on Rue du Charolais on December 17, 2025.

Skate in Inside The Grand Palais

Are you into ice skating? I admit I'm not exactly Michelle Kwan or Kristi Yamaguchi myself, but I do enjoy trying it out from time to time. I particularly love it when Paris sets up its annual ice skating rinks for the holiday season. There's something so magical about gliding on ice surrounded by the most beautiful city in the world. And if you truly want to experience this to the fullest, skate in the iconic Grand Palais starting December 13, 2025. Imagine getting to skate in the same place where Chanel holds its grand, often-viral fashion shows!

Where: Grand Palais - 75008 Paris, France

When: Opens on December 13, 2025

Witness Hanukkah's Festival of Lights

Christmas isn't the only holiday that's celebrated throughout Paris. With the city's fairly big Jewish community, Hanukkah is just as popular here. Paris even goes so far as to set up giant menorahs so that Jewish locals and tourists alike get to engage in their annual holiday traditions, no matter where they are in the city. And while Christmas is admittedly the flashier holiday, it's still fascinating to see Hanukkah celebrated up close. Many of my Jewish friends have even invited me to their homes for their celebrations, even though I'm not part of the religion myself.

When: December 14 to 22, 2025

Go to a Church Christmas Concert

I know it's not exactly popular to confess that I'm a devout Catholic nowadays, but stay with me! One of the best parts of celebrating Christmas is getting to attend such beautiful holiday concerts, and there are many of them in Paris around this time. They usually begin around December 19th and hold performances until right before New Year's Eve. My favorites are the ones at Sainte-Chapelle Church in the 1st arrondissement, the most beautiful church in the city. Paired with talented choirs singing our favorite Christmas carols and hymns, it's always a breathtaking experience, no matter how often I've seen it.

When: December 19 to 28, 2025

Celebrate Christmas in Paris

You didn't expect me to make a list of the most anticipated events in Paris this December 2025 without mentioning Christmas, did you? Celebrating Christmas in Paris is truly one of the best, arguably even more so than New York! I know the Big Apple is famous for its annual holiday traditions, but there's something about celebrating the holidays in the 'City of Lights' that's something else. I invite people over to my place for a grand feast, but I know others can also go see the lights on Champs-Élysées, have fun at the Christmas markets, hang out at a chic cafe, and more.

When: December 25, 2025

Welcome 2026 with a Bang!

Now, for the year-end party to end all year-end parties! To say that celebrating New Year's Eve in Paris is famous is an understatement! Ending the year in the French capital is second only to New York City's iconic ball drop on Times Square. I'm sure you've seen the fireworks display by the Arc de Triomphe every December 31st! Or how the Eiffel Tower sparkles especially more brightly once the clock strikes 12. When I say that the entire city of Paris becomes one huge party every New Year's Eve, I'm not even exaggerating! That's just how fun it is to welcome the new year here!

When: December 31, 2025



December 2025 in Paris is about to be the most exciting time of the year. From all the holiday cheer to the winter cold that has everyone covering up, I've always found that Paris is at its most enchanting in this month!