Festive Paris Rings in 2026 With Dazzling New Year's Celebrations

Bonjour, fellow Parisians and visitors, and welcome to your ultimate guide for what to do in Paris today through the weekend as we bid adieu to 2025. Today, Wednesday December 31st, the City of Light explodes into festive glory with New Year's Eve kicking off right now. Head to the Champs-Élysées for the massive street party starting at 7 p.m., where Dealsfor.me reports live music from French singer Slimane, electric DJ sets by top female artists, giant karaoke, and aerial performances drawing over a million revelers from Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe. At 11:40 p.m., the Arc lights up with a 10-minute laser and video-mapping show by Ena-Eno and André Manoukian, as Sortiraparis details, culminating in midnight fireworks that ripple across the sky, perfectly visible from Trocadéro or Champ de Mars.

For a glamorous twist, book a Seine dinner cruise with Bateaux Parisiens, offering multi-course feasts, unlimited champagne, and front-row Eiffel Tower fireworks views, according to France Tourisme. Cabaret fans, Le Crazy Horse delivers the Totally Crazy revue with burlesque, lasers, caviar, and bubbly, while Cabaret Sauvage in Parc de la Villette throws a Latino New Year's bash of salsa, reggaeton, and costumes. Catch jazz at Caveau de la Huchette in the Latin Quarter or classical concerts in Sainte-Chapelle under stained glass, per Paris Discovery Guide. Families, the Champs party is free and fun, though arrive early for spots.

Tomorrow, Thursday January 1st, the magic lingers with brunch in Le Marais, Seine lunch cruises, or Bastille Opera shows amid holiday lights. Glide on the Grand Palais Ice Rink under a massive Eiffel Tower replica, open through January 7th, as Sortiraparis highlights, with hot chocolate on site. Stroll the Eiffel Tower Christmas Market on Quai Jacques Chirac until January 4th for artisan gifts and treats, or immerse in the Luminous Odyssey at Parc Floral with 1,000 lanterns, drone shows, and Northern Lights through January 11th.

Over the weekend, chase holiday vibes at Parc Astérix's Magical Christmas through January 4th, featuring a new ice rink, expanded market, light parades, and Obelix slides. Venture to Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte for Grand Christmas illuminations and a temporary ice rink until January 4th, or Lumières en Seine's 2-km light trail at Domaine de Saint-Cloud through January 11th. Art lovers, catch Drawings Without Limits at Grand Palais from Centre Pompidou's collection through March.

Bundle up against the chill, plan transport early with metro closures, and dive into Paris's sparkle. Thanks for tuning in, listeners—subscribe for more weekly guides. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease.ai.

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI