The Christmas markets in Paris open from mid November 2026 and the biggest ones run into early January 2027. This guide lists the Paris markets that have official 2026 dates, where they are and when they open, then gives you a one-day plan to see three of them, practical tips and answers to common questions.
Every date below comes from the City of Paris event calendar or the organiser's own website, checked on 5 November 2026. Paris markets change a lot from year to year, so we only list a market as confirmed when a 2026 source says so. Dates and hours can still change, so check the official link before you go.
Plan it faster: pick the markets you want to see, then let Travo, the AI trip planner, turn your Paris days into a day-by-day itinerary.
2026 dates at a glance
| Market | Where | 2026 dates |
|---|---|---|
| Paris La Défense | Parvis de La Défense | 12 Nov - 3 Jan 2027 |
| Champs-Élysées | Lower end of the avenue (8th) | 22 Nov - 4 Jan 2027 |
| Notre-Dame | Square René Viviani (5th) | 26 Nov - 27 Dec |
| Beau Commun (makers) | Quartier Général (11th) | 5 - 6 Dec |
| Klin d'œil (makers) | Carreau du Temple (3rd) | 12 - 13 Dec |
| Tuileries Garden | Jardin des Tuileries (1st) | Not confirmed yet |
The three big markets are all open at the same time from 26 November to 27 December 2026. That is the best window if you want to see them in one trip.
The Christmas markets in Paris for 2026
1. Champs-Élysées Christmas market
The Champs-Élysées Christmas market is back in 2026 after almost ten years away, according to the City of Paris. It runs from 22 November 2026 to 4 January 2027 at the lower end of the avenue in the 8th arrondissement, with wooden chalets selling festive products. Entry is free. Opening hours were not published yet when we checked. The city also notes that the police can ask the market to close at times, for example around the New Year's Eve celebrations, so check before you go on 31 December.
2. Notre-Dame Christmas market
The Notre-Dame Christmas market sets up in Square René Viviani (2 rue du Fouarre, quai Montebello, 5th arrondissement), a short walk from Notre-Dame Cathedral. It runs from 26 November to 27 December 2026. Hours are 10:00 to 21:00 on Fridays and Saturdays, and 10:00 to 20:00 on the other days. It is an all-French market with 40 selected exhibitors and French craftspeople, organised by L'Art et la Seine. Entry is free, and the city's listing shows it open every day of its run, including Christmas Day.
Want to see more of the area? Our Paris city guide covers Notre-Dame, Sainte-Chapelle and the other sights nearby.
3. Paris La Défense Christmas market
The Paris La Défense Christmas market is in the La Défense business district, just outside the city. Its organisers call it the largest Christmas market in the Île-de-France region. The 31st edition runs from 12 November 2026 to 3 January 2027 on the Parvis de La Défense, across more than 15,000 m² and with more than 300 chalets.
The market has two parts. The traditional market has craft chalets, food stalls, rides for children and the house of Father and Mother Christmas. The "Sommet" area has a 500 m² rink with real ice, a giant Christmas tree and a stage with music every evening. Food comes from many French regions, such as Alsace, Savoie and the South West, plus Canadian poutine and raclette sandwiches. Take-away food comes in reusable cups and bowls with a €2 deposit.
Dates to note in 2026: the opening party on Friday 13 November, free ice hockey taster sessions on the rink on Wednesdays 9, 16, 23 and 30 December (14:00 to 15:30), and the closing party on Saturday 2 January 2027. The Christmas lights across the district stay on until 14 January 2027. Metro line 1, RER A and RER E all stop at La Défense.
4. Weekend makers' markets
For gifts made by small French designers, two weekend markets are on the City of Paris calendar:
- Beau Commun, Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 December 2026 at Quartier Général, 71 rue de la Fontaine au Roi (11th), with more than 50 makers. Free entry.
- Klin d'œil, Saturday 12 (11:00 to 20:00) and Sunday 13 December 2026 (11:00 to 19:00) in the hall of the Carreau du Temple, 4 rue Eugène Spuller (3rd), with 95 French makers and DIY workshops. Free entry.
Not confirmed for 2026 yet
Tuileries Garden. Last season the Tuileries Christmas market ran from 15 November 2025 to 4 January 2026, with about 80 chalets, fairground rides and a small rink at the foot of the big wheel. On 5 November 2026 neither the City of Paris calendar nor an organiser site had published 2026 dates, so we do not list it as confirmed. Some guides give 2026 dates, but we could not confirm them on an official page.
Other neighbourhood markets. Some guides also list markets at Saint-Germain-des-Prés, in Montmartre near Place des Abbesses and an Alsace market at Gare de l'Est. None of them had official 2026 dates on the City of Paris calendar or an organiser site when we checked. The City of Paris Christmas market calendar is updated through the season, so check it again closer to your trip.
A one-day plan to see three Paris Christmas markets
This plan works on any day from 26 November to 27 December 2026, when all three big markets are open. It goes from the smallest market to the biggest, and ends with the lights in the evening.
- Morning: Notre-Dame. Start at the Notre-Dame market when it opens at 10:00, while it is still quiet. Then visit the cathedral or walk along the Seine.
- Afternoon: Champs-Élysées. Head to the lower end of the Champs-Élysées and walk through the chalets. Check the opening hours first, as they were not published when we wrote this guide.
- Evening: La Défense. Take metro line 1 or the RER A to La Défense for the biggest market, dinner at the food stalls, a turn on the ice rink and music on the stage.
On 5 and 6 December or 12 and 13 December, you can add one of the weekend makers' markets in the morning. Staying longer in Paris? Use our 5-day Paris itinerary for the main sights, and add a market every evening.
Want this plan for your own dates? Add Paris and your days to Travo and it builds the day-by-day plan for you. Going on to other cities? Our guide to the best Christmas markets in Europe has official 2026 dates for Strasbourg, Colmar, Vienna, Prague and more.
Practical tips for the Paris Christmas markets
- Check hours before you go. The Champs-Élysées market had not published its hours yet, and hours on holidays are often different.
- Watch New Year's Eve. The city says the Champs-Élysées market may have to close at the request of the police, for example for the 31 December celebrations.
- Go in the evening at least once. The lights are the main show. La Défense has music on its stage every evening, and its district lights stay on until 14 January 2027.
- Come early for the small markets. The Notre-Dame market opens at 10:00 and is quieter in the morning.
- Keep €2 for the cup. At La Défense, take-away cups and bowls have a €2 deposit.
- Dress for the cold. You will stand outside for hours, so wear warm layers and comfortable shoes.
Plan your Paris Christmas trip in Travo
Travo is an AI trip planner for iOS and Android. Tell it your cities, dates and interests, and it builds a day-by-day itinerary you can change as you go. You can see each day's route on a map and keep all your trip details in one place on your phone. Add the market evenings you care about most, then let Travo fill in the sights around them.
The free plan includes 2 trips and 2 AI itineraries, which is enough for one Christmas trip to Paris. Premium costs $2.99 a month or $24.99 a year in the US (€3.09 or €25.99 in the eurozone) and adds unlimited trips and full offline access.
Get Travo: Download on the App Store or get it on Google Play. Prefer a bigger screen? Start planning in your browser.
FAQ
When do the Christmas markets in Paris open in 2026?
Paris La Défense opens first, on 12 November 2026. The Champs-Élysées market opens on 22 November and the Notre-Dame market on 26 November. The Tuileries market had not confirmed its 2026 dates when we checked.
What is the biggest Christmas market in Paris?
The Paris La Défense market, just outside the city. Its organisers call it the largest Christmas market in the Île-de-France region, with more than 300 chalets on over 15,000 m². Inside the city, the Champs-Élysées market is the one to watch in 2026: it is back after almost ten years away.
Is the Tuileries Christmas market open in 2026?
Not confirmed yet. Last season it ran from 15 November 2025 to 4 January 2026. On 5 November 2026 there were no official 2026 dates on the City of Paris calendar or an organiser site.
Are the Paris Christmas markets free?
The City of Paris lists the Champs-Élysées, Notre-Dame, Beau Commun and Klin d'œil markets as free to enter. You pay for what you buy, and rides or ice skating can cost extra.
Are the Paris Christmas markets open on Christmas Day?
The City of Paris listing for the Notre-Dame market shows it open on 25 December 2026. The Champs-Élysées and La Défense markets run until early January, but their Christmas Day hours were not published when we checked, so check the official sites.
Can you see the Paris Christmas markets in one day?
Yes. Between 26 November and 27 December 2026 you can see Notre-Dame in the morning, the Champs-Élysées in the afternoon and La Défense in the evening. See the one-day plan above.