Paris Celebrates: The Champs-Élysées Light Display and Christmas 2026

Starting Sunday, November 22, the holiday lights will officially kick off the holiday season in Paris. Through early January 2027, the capital will be filled with animated store windows, Christmas markets, ice rinks, concerts, and New Year’s Eve celebrations along the avenue. From the Hôtel Napoléon, a 5-star Parisian hotel on Avenue de Friedland, the Arc de Triomphe and the top of the Champs-Élysées are less than a five-minute walk away.

When will the lights on the Champs-Élysées be turned on in 2026?

The lighting ceremony on the Champs-Élysées is scheduled for Sunday, November 22, 2026. On that day, the avenue will be closed to traffic, and the lighting ceremony will bring together the mayors of Paris with one or more prominent figures serving as honorary sponsors.

The 400 trees lining the avenue, decorated with garlands by Blachère Illuminations, then shine every evening until midnight, and all night long on December 24 and 31. The lights will remain in place until January 3, 2027.

Our tip: Leave the hotel at dusk, head to Place Charles-de-Gaulle via Avenue de Friedland, then walk down the avenue toward Place de la Concorde and enjoy nearly two kilometers of lights stretching out before you. For the return trip, Metro Line 1 connects Place de la Concorde to Charles de Gaulle–Étoile in just a few stops. Our guide to the Arc de Triomphe neighborhood rounds out the walk.

Avenue Montaigne, Galeries Lafayette, Place Vendôme: Decorations Not to Be Missed

Beyond the Champs-Élysées, four locations feature the most beautiful Christmas decorations in Paris, all within a 20-minute walk from the hotel.

Montaigne Avenue and the Golden Triangle

Avenue Montaigne adorns its chestnut trees with white garlands that frame the facades of the fashion houses. They are usually lit up in mid-November. It’s about a 15-minute walk from Avenue de Friedland—a great opportunity to combine the stroll with an afternoon of luxury shopping in the Golden Triangle.

The department stores on Boulevard Haussmann

Le Printemps Haussmann unveiled its animated window displays on Thursday, November 5, 2026, featuring a story of mischievous cats, mice, and balls of yarn. Galeries Lafayette Haussmann unveiled its own displays on Thursday, November 12, 2026, with the theme “At the Heart of Christmas,” conceived by Jean-Charles de Castelbajac. Inside, the giant Christmas tree set up beneath the dome remains one of the season’s most photographed sights.

Place Vendôme and Rue du Faubourg-Saint-Honoré

During the holiday season, large, decorated Christmas trees traditionally surround the column in Place Vendôme. Rue du Faubourg-Saint-Honoré, meanwhile, lights up starting in mid-November, with garlands strung above the street and the windows of jewelry stores and fashion houses decorated for the occasion.

Which Christmas markets should you visit in Paris in 2026?

Five Christmas markets are easily accessible from the Hôtel Napoléon, either on foot or via Metro Line 1, which runs directly from the Charles de Gaulle–Étoile station.

Avenue de la Grande Armée (17th arrondissement): November 20 through December 23, 2026, across from the Étoile, less than a 10-minute walk from the hotel.
Champs-Élysées: November 22, 2026, through January 4, 2027, on the lower section of the avenue, near Place de la Concorde.
Tuileries Garden, “The Magic of Christmas”: November 6, 2026, through January 8, 2027, featuring about 100 wooden chalets, an outdoor ice rink, and carousels. Tuileries Station, Line 1.
Notre-Dame: November 26 through December 27, 2026, at Square René-Viviani (5th arrondissement), across from the cathedral.
La Défense: From November 12 to December 31, 2026, nearly 400 chalets on the plaza, along with an ice rink. Take Line 1 or the RER A from Charles de Gaulle–Étoile; the trip takes about 10 minutes.

The La Défense market closes at 6 p.m. on December 24 and remains closed on December 25. For other markets, holiday hours vary: our concierge service will check them for you before you head out.

Ice rinks, concerts, and New Year's: other holiday highlights

Skating under the glass roof of the Grand Palais

The Grand Palais des Glaces returns from December 13, 2026, to January 6, 2027, featuring approximately 2,700 m² of ice in the main hall and a dedicated children’s area. Evening sessions, from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m., feature DJs and light shows. During the day, admission is €27 per adult in the morning (10 a.m.–1 p.m.) and €32 in the afternoon (2 p.m.–7 p.m.); evening admission is €39, regardless of age. Admission is free for children under 3. The Grand Palais is about a 20-minute walk from the hotel. The ice rinks at the Tuileries and La Défense round out the options.

Christmas Concerts

Notre-Dame de Paris will hold its Christmas concert in the cathedral on December 15 and 16, 2026. At the Sainte-Chapelle, a concert of sacred music is scheduled for December 24 and 26, 2026, beneath the 13th-century stained-glass windows. These dates often sell out quickly: be sure to book as soon as tickets go on sale.

New Year's Eve on the Champs-Élysées

On December 31, the Champs-Élysées is closed to traffic starting at 7 p.m. The main entrance is via the Place de la Concorde, with secondary entrances on the avenues Montaigne, Matignon, and Franklin D. Roosevelt. The program includes entertainment, video mapping (projected animated images) on the Arc de Triomphe, a countdown, and fireworks at midnight. The event is free; glass bottles and alcohol are prohibited. Several nearby metro stations close in the afternoon, so staying within walking distance of the Étoile will help you avoid relying on public transportation to get home.

Why stay at the Hôtel Napoléon during the holidays?

The Hôtel Napoléon, located at 40 Avenue de Friedland in Paris’s 8th arrondissement, puts all the holiday highlights within walking distance: holiday lights, the Grande Armée market, Avenue Montaigne, and the Étoile New Year’s Eve celebration. On the evening of December 31, guests can walk back to the hotel without having to wait for the metro to reopen.

Our Clefs d'Or concierge service can book your tickets to the Grand Palais des Glaces or Christmas concerts, as well as your holiday dining reservations. After a day at the markets, Bar Le 1807 serves hot drinks and signature cocktails. To extend the holiday season, discover our rooms and suites and our vacation packages, which you can book directly on our website at the best rate.

Gifts from Paris: Our Gift Sets

This Christmas, our gift sets offer the perfect getaway at the Hôtel Napoléon. The “Parenthèse Parisienne” includes one night in a Superior Room with breakfast and champagne; “Le Brunch de l’Empereur” features Sunday brunch at Le Bivouac; and “L’Élixir Napoléon” includes a signature cocktail at Bar Le 1807. Gift certificates let the recipient choose their own experience, and the online gift fund allows multiple people to chip in. All are valid for 12 months from the date of purchase.

Key Facts

Champs-Élysées Light Display: November 22, 2026, through January 3, 2027, every evening until midnight.
Champs-Élysées Christmas Market: November 22, 2026, through January 4, 2027; free admission.
Tuileries Market: November 6, 2026, through January 8, 2027.
Grand Palais des Glaces: December 13, 2026, through January 6, 2027.
New Year's Eve: The avenue will be closed to traffic starting at 7 p.m. on December 31, with fireworks at midnight.
Hôtel Napoléon: 40 Avenue de Friedland, 75008 Paris, about a 5-minute walk from the Arc de Triomphe.

FAQ

When will the Champs-Élysées holiday lights go on in 2026?

The Champs-Élysées light display will be unveiled on Sunday, November 22, 2026, during a ceremony on the avenue, which will be closed to traffic for the occasion. The 400 trees will remain lit every evening until midnight, and all night long on December 24 and 31, through early January 2027. Admission is free.

Which Christmas market is closest to the Arc de Triomphe?

The market on Avenue de la Grande Armée, open from November 20 to December 23, 2026, is located just across from Place Charles-de-Gaulle. The Champs-Élysées market, running from November 22, 2026, to January 4, 2027, is set up in the lower section of the avenue, on the Concorde side, about a 30-minute walk from the Étoile.

How can I celebrate New Year's Eve on the Champs-Élysées?

On December 31, the avenue opens to pedestrians at 7 p.m., with the main entrance at Place de la Concorde. The light show projected onto the Arc de Triomphe precedes the countdown and the midnight fireworks display.

What's a good gift to give for a trip to Paris during the holidays?

A gift certificate from the Hôtel Napoléon lets you give the gift of a night’s stay with breakfast at a 5-star hotel near the Champs-Élysées, brunch at Le Bivouac, or a signature cocktail at Bar Le 1807. Valid for 12 months, gift certificates and gift cards can be purchased online, and the recipient can then book their dates directly with the hotel.