The best things to do in France in December revolve around light, markets and the run-up to Christmas. In 2026 the Lyon Festival of Lights runs from Saturday 5 to Tuesday 8 December, the big Alsace and Lorraine Christmas markets are in full swing, and the French school holidays begin on Saturday 19 December, which changes crowd levels and prices in the final two weeks. This page lists France events in December with a status for each: Confirmed means the organizer or the city has published the date, and TBC means the date or details are still to be confirmed.
Schedule last checked: October 2026. Dates on this page are for December 2026 and January 2027. Programs change from year to year, so we re-check them each season, and you should confirm hours with the organizer before you book anything non-refundable.
Choose Your Christmas Destination in France: Things to Do in December
| Destination | Best for | Main event and dates | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strasbourg | The classic Christmas market | Christkindelsmärik, opens 27 November, closes 24 December (closing date TBC) | Crowded on weekend evenings |
| Colmar | A small, walkable fairytale town | Christmas markets, 23 November to 29 December | Compact old town and Petite Venise |
| Lyon | A big light festival | Fête des Lumières, 5 to 8 December | Free, busiest on weekend evenings |
| Paris | Lights, windows and a city break | Tuileries Christmas market and fairground, mid-November to early January (exact days TBC) | Easy to add to a city break |
| Nancy | Saint-Nicolas parades and a lesser-known market | Fêtes de Saint-Nicolas, 20 November to 3 January; Grand Défilé on 5 December | Check the program for parade times |
| Nice | Christmas without freezing temperatures | Village de Noël, 27 November to 3 January | Milder weather on the coast |
Things to Do in France in December at a Glance
| Date | Event | City and venue | Ticket | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 5 to Tue 8 December 2026 | Fête des Lumières | Lyon | Free | Confirmed (program TBC) |
| 23 November to 29 December 2026 (gourmet market and wheel to 3 January 2027) | Colmar Christmas markets | Colmar, Alsace | Free entry | Confirmed |
| 27 November to 24 December 2026 | Christkindelsmärik | Strasbourg | Free entry | Opening confirmed, closing TBC |
| 20 November 2026 to 3 January 2027; Grand Défilé Sat 5 December | Saint-Nicolas festivities | Nancy, Lorraine | Free; some activities paid | Confirmed |
| 27 November 2026 to 3 January 2027 | Village de Noël | Nice (Jardin Albert 1er, Place Masséna) | Free entry | Confirmed |
| Mid-November to early January | Tuileries Christmas market and fairground | Paris | Free entry; rides paid | TBC |
| 27 November to 27 December 2026 | Bordeaux Christmas market | Place des Quinconces, Bordeaux | Free entry | Confirmed |
| 19 December 2026 to 4 January 2027 | Christmas school holidays (all zones) | Nationwide | Not applicable | Confirmed |
| Fri 25 December | Christmas Day | Nationwide | Not applicable | Public holiday |
| Thu 31 December | New Year’s Eve celebrations | Paris and other cities | Varies | 2026 program TBC |
Things to Do in France in December: Fête des Lumières in Lyon
When: Saturday 5 to Tuesday 8 December 2026, with the evening of 8 December as the historic anchor of the festival. Where: across Lyon, with installations on the Presqu’île, in Vieux Lyon, at Place Bellecour and in Parc de la Tête d’Or in recent editions. Tickets: free.
The festival grew out of the tradition of placing candles in windows on 8 December, and today the city is transformed each evening by projections and light installations. The official artistic program for 2026 had not been published when this page was last checked, and it usually appears in the autumn. Hours also differ by source: the city’s information points to roughly 19:00 to 23:00 on Saturday, Monday and Tuesday and 18:00 to 22:00 on Sunday 6 December, while other sites give 18:00 to midnight. Treat all hours as provisional until the official program is out.
Tip: weekend evenings are the busiest, and Tuesday 8 December is generally calmer. Expect crowd-control measures around the main sites, including pedestrian-only routes and road closures, so walk rather than drive and follow the signs on the night. Book accommodation early, since these dates fill quickly. Our guide to where to stay in Lyon by neighborhood covers the Presqu’île, Vieux Lyon and Croix-Rousse, and for the city itself see our Lyon travel guide.
Things to Do in France in December: Christmas Markets in Alsace and Lorraine
Strasbourg Christmas Market: Christkindelsmärik
When: from Friday 27 November, the date confirmed by the city, to 24 December 2026. Most sources give 24 December as the closing date, but the city had not published it in mid-October, so treat the end date as TBC. Where: the old town, with the historic market at Place Broglie and smaller markets spread across the Grande Île to Place Kléber. Hours: listings give about 11:30 to 21:00 daily, opening later on the first day and closing earlier on 24 December. Tickets: free to enter. The market is dated to 1570.
Tip: the old town gets crowded on weekend evenings, so weekday mornings are far more comfortable. The Christmas school holidays start only on 19 December, so the first three weeks are the lower-pressure window. Our Strasbourg and Alsace Wine Route guide helps you plan the region.
Colmar Christmas Markets
When: 23 November to 29 December 2026 for the themed markets, with the gourmet market and Ferris wheel reported to run to 3 January 2027. Hours: generally 11:00 to 19:00 Monday to Thursday and 10:00 to 20:00 Friday to Sunday, with an early close of about 17:00 on 24 December. Hours for 25 and 26 December differ between sources, so check them. Where: the old town and Petite Venise. Tickets: free entry.
The compact center makes Colmar easy to see on foot, and the market at the old customs house is the best known. See our Colmar travel guide for the town and its wine villages.
Nancy: Saint-Nicolas
When: the Fêtes de Saint-Nicolas run from 20 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, with the Grand Défilé on Saturday 5 December and the main weekend on 5 and 6 December. Where: central Nancy, around Place Charles III for the village and Place Stanislas for the evening show. Type: parade, market and fireworks. St Nicholas’s Day itself is 6 December, which is why Lorraine celebrates first. Check the city’s program for parade times before planning a trip around it.
Things to Do in France in December: Nice, Bordeaux and Paris
Nice: the Village de Noël runs from 27 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, with about sixty chalets at Jardin Albert 1er and a few on Place Masséna, with free access. It suits travelers who want Christmas atmosphere without freezing temperatures. Our guide to where to stay in Nice and the French Riviera explains the neighborhoods.
Bordeaux: the Christmas market is listed from Friday 27 November to Sunday 27 December 2026, daily from about 11:00 to 21:30 including 24 and 25 December, at Place des Quinconces. Older pages place it on the Allées de Tourny, but local reporting points to Quinconces for 2026. For lodging, see our guide to where to stay in Bordeaux.
Paris: the Tuileries Christmas market and fairground, with a large Ferris wheel, is listed from mid-November to early January 2027. The exact opening and closing days differ between sources (14 or 15 November and 3 or 5 January), so they are TBC. Entry is free, with paid rides and skating. Paris also lights its avenues and department-store windows through December. See the Paris travel guide and our Paris hotel guide for the Right Bank, Left Bank and Marais.
Christmas Closures, Alsace-Moselle Holidays and Transport
- 24 December: not a public holiday, but many shops and attractions close early, and markets such as Strasbourg and Colmar close earlier than usual.
- 25 December (Friday): a public holiday. Many shops, restaurants and some attractions close or reduce hours, and Christmas markets have special hours. Check each venue.
- 26 December (Saturday): not a public holiday in most of France, but it is a public holiday in Alsace and Moselle (Saint-Étienne), under that region’s local law. Expect closures in Strasbourg, Colmar and Metz that day, and check hours for markets and restaurants.
- Transport on 24 to 26 December: train and bus services are often reduced on 25 December, and the days around Christmas are among the busiest for travel. Check SNCF and local operators for your date, and book tickets and seats early.
- 1 January 2027: New Year’s Day is a public holiday.
New Year’s Eve: Things to Do in France in December
When: Thursday 31 December. Paris has traditionally staged a free event on the Champs-Élysées with a projection on the Arc de Triomphe and fireworks at midnight. For the previous edition, the concert was dropped to limit crowd risks, with video mapping and fireworks kept. We found no confirmed program for 31 December 2026, so the 2026 format is TBC, and New Year’s Eve plans must be re-confirmed every year. Fireworks and concerts are not guaranteed, so do not book non-refundable travel around them.
Whatever the format, arrive early, expect security checks and bag restrictions, and plan how you will get home, because the metro and other services run to special arrangements on the night. For a dinner alternative, book a restaurant well in advance, since 31 December is one of the busiest nights of the year.
Public Holidays, School Holidays and Strikes
- School holidays: the Christmas holidays run from Saturday 19 December 2026 to Monday 4 January 2027 for zones A, B and C alike. Expect busier trains, higher prices and fuller markets from that weekend.
- 8 December: not a public holiday, but it is the key date for Lyon.
- Strikes: transport strikes are possible at any time in France and can hit busy departure weekends. We have no confirmed notices for December 2026, so check SNCF and your airline closer to travel, and keep flexible tickets if you can.
- Fixed holiday list: see our France public holidays and festival calendar.
Weather and Crowds for Things to Do in France in December
Things to do in France in December depend on the weather: December is cold across much of France, with short days, and mountain areas are colder still, so pack warm layers, a hat, gloves and waterproof shoes with grip for cobblestones. Daylight is limited, which suits light festivals and market evenings. The Mediterranean coast is milder than the north and east, though winter can still be cool and wet. For a broader seasonal comparison, see our guide to the best time to visit France.
Crowds follow the calendar for every one of the things to do in France in December. The first two to three weeks are the best value window for markets, apart from the Lyon weekend. From 19 December families travel, and transport and lodging get tighter. The days around Christmas and New Year are the most expensive, while big-city sights can be quiet on 25 December because so much is shut. Compare current rates for your dates.
Where to Stay for Things to Do in France in December
- Lyon for the Festival of Lights: the Presqu’île, Vieux Lyon and the Croix-Rousse slopes put you near the main routes. See where to stay in Lyon.
- Alsace markets: sleeping in the old towns of Strasbourg or Colmar is atmospheric but books out first. A stay a short train ride away can be calmer.
- Paris: a base in the Marais, near the Tuileries or on the Left Bank works for lights, windows and markets.
- Riviera and Bordeaux: for a milder Christmas, see the guides to Nice and Bordeaux.
What Should Tourists Prioritize
- Fête des Lumières in Lyon (5 to 8 December): the most distinctive December event, free and walkable. Confirm the schedule and book lodging early.
- An Alsace market, ideally on a weekday: Strasbourg or Colmar, before the 19 December holiday surge.
- Nancy’s Saint-Nicolas weekend: a lesser-known option for 5 and 6 December.
- Paris lights and the Tuileries market: easy to add to a city break once the dates are confirmed.
- Nice or Bordeaux Christmas villages: good for a milder, less crowded alternative.
- New Year’s Eve: only if the official 2026 program is confirmed. Otherwise a dinner reservation is the safer plan.
Plan the Months Around December
Planning a longer trip? See what is on in November before the markets open, and look ahead to January for the winter sales and Epiphany season. The full year of fixed dates is in our France public holidays and festival calendar.
Things to Do in France in December: FAQ
What are the best things to do in France in December?
The headline events are the Fête des Lumières in Lyon (5 to 8 December 2026), the Christmas markets of Strasbourg, Colmar and Nancy, and the Christmas villages in Nice, Bordeaux and Paris. Check the status of each event before you book.
When does the Strasbourg Christmas market open in 2026?
The city has confirmed Friday 27 November 2026. Most sources give 24 December as the closing date, which is still to be confirmed.
When is the Lyon Festival of Lights in 2026?
Saturday 5 to Tuesday 8 December 2026. The official program and hours were not yet published when this page was last checked.
Are Christmas markets free to enter?
The markets in Strasbourg, Colmar, Nice and Bordeaux are free to enter, and you pay for food, drinks, rides and shopping. Some activities at fairgrounds and in Nancy are paid.
Is 26 December a public holiday in France?
Not in most of France, but it is a public holiday in Alsace and Moselle, so expect closures in Strasbourg, Colmar and Metz.
Will there be fireworks on New Year’s Eve in France?
Not guaranteed. Formats change every year and the 2026 program for Paris was still to be confirmed, so check the organizer and do not rely on it for non-refundable bookings.
Bottom Line
For the best things to do in France in December 2026, build the trip around the Lyon festival if you want the strongest single event, or around an Alsace market if you want the classic Christmas setting, and travel before 19 December when you can. Confirm the items marked TBC, watch for closures on 24, 25 and 26 December (and in Alsace-Moselle on 26 December), and keep your bookings flexible in case of strikes.
