The full Christmas list of things to do in Paris for 2015

It's time to eat, drink, shop, play and be merry

Wednesday 2 September 2015

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Feeling overwelmed by the festive season? We've broken down the capital's essential Christmas activities into five simple categories – food and drink, shopping, events, outings and kids – in order to take the stress out of your yuletide social life.

Been there, done that? Think again, my friend.

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Festive outings

Christmas lights in Paris

Things to do

This Christmas, 130 streets and public squares in the French capital will be aglow with festive illuminations.

Kids
Playgrounds

Come Christmastime, Paris goes mad for merry-go-rounds, with free carousels set up in almost every arrondissement.

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Paris ice skating rinks

Attractions

©lsantilli/Shutterstock.com

What’s more Christmassy than strapping on a pair of ice skates and doing figure-8s under the stars?

Film

From psycho Santas and home-invading thieves to feelgood fireside frolics and cockle-warming cosiness, our cinematic sack is bulging with treats.

Gourmet Christmas shopping

Shopping

Extraordinary volumes of well-fed turkeys, luxurious foie gras and fresh oysters are shifted through the French capital during the Christmas season.

Cafés

Paris has woken up to the idea of hot chocolate as a serious drink, so here’s our pick of the best purveyors in the city.

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8 sexy Christmas bûches to tempt you

Pâtisseries

Shake up tradition and get your paws on one of these eye-popping bûches de Noël.

Tea rooms

Not to indulge your sweet tooth in Paris would be a crime – here’s our pick of Parisian patisseries, bakeries and chocolatiers.

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Bars with open fires

These bars and restaurants will all welcome you around a cosy, flickering flame – and feed and water you to boot.

Come winter, warming up sometimes takes more than just a good hot chocolate.

Christmas markets in Paris

Shopping
Markets and fairs

The best dedicated Christmas markets operating in Paris this Christmas. Stock up on decorations, gifts and pretty much unlimited mulled wine.

Shopping
Chocolate and sweets

Velvety ganache, molten 'chocolat chaud' and light, airy truffles abound in our pick of Paris's top chocolate shops.

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English language bookshops in Paris

Things to do
Literary events

Stock up on the season's best English language titles from some of Paris's most romantic bookstores.

Shopping
Vintage shops

Britta Jaschinski

For unique Christmas style without the credit card bills, hit Paris's vintage boutiques. Rockabilly leather, '50s glamour dresses, retro sunglasses and much more will get you a slew of afforable new looks in no time.

Stage

Marie-Agnès Gillot © Lisa Roze

Get the most out of Christmas with our guide to the capital’s biggest and best stage events – well worth planning your festive diary around.

Film

Big, bold, colourful, popcorn-fuelled flicks that are perfect for long winter nights and getting into the technicolour spirit of the season.

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Music and clubbing

Music

Escape the never-ending tinsel and over-eating with a no-holds-barred night of clubbing, or plump for serenity with a classical concert or two.

Kids

Don’t let all that chocolate-fuelled over-excitement and festive energy go to waste.

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Winter exhibitions

Art
Galleries

Discover the season's glorious cultural offerings – the big rentrée exhibitions run right through, and new seasonal shows are opening up all the time. Keep track of them right here.

Cooking classes

Kids

Alys Tomlinson / Time Out

These Parisian cooking workshops will cater specially for your little chefs.

Kids
Playgrounds

Between December 20 and January 4 2016, the city lets children ride the many carousels for free.

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Toy stores

Shopping
Maternity

©DR

The best shops for timeless toys, bonnets for babies and t-shirts for terrible teens.

Shopping
Chocolate and sweets

Karl Blackwell / Time Out

You know a country is serious about its candy when it has a national union of sweetshops and a dedicated annual Day of Guilty Pleasures.

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Rainy day activities

Kids

It might be miserable outside, but there's endless fun to be had where it's warm and dry for all the family.

Been there, done that? Think again, my friend.

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Awesome, you're subscribed!

Thanks for subscribing! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon!

Been there, done that? Think again, my friend.

By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions.

🙌
Awesome, you're subscribed!

Thanks for subscribing! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon!

The full Christmas list of things to do in Paris for 2015

Festive outings

Christmas lights in Paris

Carousels in Paris

Paris ice skating rinks

The 50 best Christmas movies

Food and drink

Gourmet Christmas shopping

Paris' top hot chocolates

8 sexy Christmas bûches to tempt you

Best patisseries

Bars with open fires

The best heated terraces in Paris

Shopping

Christmas markets in Paris

Chocolate shops in Paris

English language bookshops in Paris

Vintage shopping guide

Events and shows

Stage

Film

Music and clubbing

Events for kids

Winter exhibitions

Kids

Cooking classes

Carousels

Toy stores

Best sweet shops

Rainy day activities