Christmas lights in Paris appear each year earlier than the last. This year, the celebrations started as early as mid-November. French people don’t celebrate Thanksgiving, so Christmas is the next big holiday after Halloween, which is why they tend to decorate earlier than in the US.
At Dayin we love seeing the city getting its sparkle, and even though it doesn’t cover the whole city, it’s always a magic touch to keep us going until the end of the year!
Christmas lights and decorations are mainly present in big department stores or on main avenues. I’ve selected the best spots of 2025 in an itinerary that you’ll find at the end of this article!
Galeries Lafayette
November 12th, 2025 - December 31st, 2025
Every year, Parisians impatiently await the immense Christmas tree standing under the splendid dome of the department store. And that’s because the design changes every year!
I like this year’s tree, it’s decorated with illustrated ribbons, making it look like a huge present!
On your way out, make sure to stop by the windows, to see the little elves, still in their pajamas, getting busy preparing for Christmas.
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Printemps Haussmann
November 7th, 2025 - January 4th, 2026
Next door, another department store has installed their Christmas tree at the heart of the shop, decorated traditionally with bulbs and tinsels.
The neighbors and rivals compete all year long and Christmas is no exception under their colorful stained glass dome.
Outside, the windows showcase animated dogs having the time of their life in a snow covered New York—very popular with the kids.
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Place Vendôme
November 19th, 2025 - January 12th, 2026
The Place Vendôme is classic and classy. Tall trees stand in every corner of the square and every arch of the surrounding buildings are covered with lights. At night, the trees’ and arches’ lights sync up to give a beautiful sparkly show.
One of my favorite spots in Paris during Christmas time.
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Rue Saint-Honoré
November 17th, 2025 - Early January 2026
On this street you’ll see the lights of famous luxury brands like Chanel, Dior and Louis Vuitton. They outdo themselves every-year, and I wonder what design they’ll choose every year.
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Avenue des Champs-Elysées
November 16th, 2025 - January 4th, 2026
The lines of trees on the Champs-Elysées are covered in lights every year. This end of year tradition started in 1980 and they haven’t missed a year yet. When the avenue lights up, it always feel like the official kick-off of Christmas season.
A Christmas light show with animations and music takes place every 30 minutes, from 6:30pm to 11:30pm. It’s definitely worth going to see it!
Avenue Montaigne
November 15th, 2025 - January 4th, 2026
This year’s highlight is the Dior boutique’s storefront: a central circular screen resembling a giant clock, surrounded by illuminated flowers. Every 15 minutes from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., you can admire the animation of the screen. And just like on the Champs-Élysées, the trees lining Avenue Montaigne are draped in sparkling lights.
Le Bon Marché
November 7th, 2025 - December 31st, 2025
This department store is also worth going to, they really outdid themselves transforming the place into a French Christmas market. With their realistic decor of quaint log cabins mounted on the escalators under the glass roof, it really feels like shopping in Santa’s Workshop.
Outside, the windows showcase animated bunnies busy getting ready for Christmas. It’s super cute, and my personal favorite!
Your Perfect Itinerary
- Start by the two big department stores : Printemps Haussmann & Galeries Lafayettes
- Stop by Place Vendôme to admire the trees
- Walk up the Rue Saint Honoré to see the high-end brands’ storefronts
- Pass by the Place de la Concorde and walk up the Avenue des Champs-Elysées, making a detour to the Avenue Montaigne
- Go to Le Bon Marché. You can take the metro line 1 at George V station, switching to the line 12 at Concorde station and getting off at Sèvre - Babylone station. Or you can take a taxi or an Uber.
If you want to discover Paris as a winter wonderland, our unique Christmas Lights tour is perfect for you 🙂 our expert guide will show you the most beautiful holiday spots in the city, introduce you to French Christmas culture, and even stop for some sweet treats along the way ... Book a tour here!
Bonus : Disneyland Paris - Magical Christmas
Christmas season: November 8th, 2025 - January 6th, 2026
About an hour outside of Paris, the whole Disney village invites you to their Christmas parade and many other special surprises only available during the Christmas season. Every year, your favorite characters put on their best Christmas attire! So, if you’re a Disney fan you definitely shouldn’t miss out!
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Merry Christmas!
I hope you’ll enjoy Paris’ Christmas vibes and its little hints of sparkles. If you’re in the Christmas mood, there are also many Christmas Markets taking place in the city. Come take a look, here!
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