Throughout December
Christmas markets
Mulled wine and gifts galore: a full list of Christmas markets in Paris.
Various locations, Paris
Through January 30
Evolution in lights
L’Évolution en Voie d’Illumination: this year’s Jardin de Plantes festive illuminations will focus on the process of evolution.
Jardin de Plantes, Paris
December 2-January 2
A number of light installations will light up the Parc de la Villette during the festive season. A lantern parade will take place on December 4.
Parc de la Villette, Paris
Through January 2
The Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte will be decorated with lights inspired by animals from fables for Vaux-le-Vicomte en Lumières.
Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, Île-de-France
December 4-5
Charity sale
Nearly 100 creators come together to sell clothes, decorations and more in aid of Prométhée Humaine, a charity supporting street children in Madagascar, Senegal and Haiti.
Métro Filles de Calvaire, Paris
December 26-January 2
Holiday wonderland
The Festival du Merveilleux returns, celebrating all things fairground.
Musée des Arts Forains, Paris
Throughout December
Magical châteaux, ice skating and family fun: a comprehensive list of Paris’s Christmas events.
Various locations, Paris
December 9-January 8
Student art show
Students at Beaux-Arts de Paris present original work during Le Théâtre des Expositions.
Palais des Beaux-Arts, Paris
December 8
Camille Claudel
The pioneering 19th-century sculptor is celebrated at the Musée de Rodin on her birthday with guided tours and conferences.
Musée de Rodin, Paris
December 17-January 11
Anselm Kiefer
The renowned German artist presents “Pour Paul Celan,” an exhibition about European collective memory that incorporates the poetry of Romanian poet Paul Celan. Above: “The Secret of the Ferns” (2021) © Anselm Kiefer, Photo: Georges Poncet.
Grand Palais Éphémère, Paris
Through December 18
Looking forward
GESTE Paris 2021, an art exhibition/conference will include meetings with artists and installations on the theme of imagining the future. Make an appointment on the website.
10 Rue Croix des Petits Champs, Paris
December 3-6
Gourmet food fair
Just in time for Christmas, the Salon Saveurs des Plaisirs Gourmands brings together 300 gourmet food producers from the regions of France.
Espace Champerret, Paris
December 3-4
Wine fair
The Grand Tasting features both big-name wineries and up-and-coming ones, along with master classes and food-and-wine pairing workshops.
Carrousel du Louvre, Paris
December 2-5
Independent winemakers’ fair
French winemakers bring their vintages to Paris for the 40th annual Salon des Vins des Vignerons Indépendants.
Porte de Versailles, Paris
Through January 1
The Music of Cole Porter
The show “Cole Porter in Paris” celebrates the music of one of the best-known American ex-pats in Paris during the Roaring Twenties.
Thêatre de Châtelet, Paris
December 3-4
English-language book sale
SOS Help is back with a classic “Bag of Books” Sale: pay €15 to enter and take as many books as you want. Proceeds benefit the English-language SOS Helpline.
Bill and Rosa’s Book Room, Boulogne-Billancourt
Through December 1
Local photography
Photography takes centre stage at the Rencontres Photographiques du 10e.
Various locations, Paris 10
Through December 22
African music and film
The Africolor cultural festival puts African music in the spotlight.
Various venues, Paris suburbs
Through January 9
Art of tomorrow, today
Performances and installations using new technology are on show at the Biennale Némo.
Various locations, Île-de-France
Through December 31
Contemporary arts festival
The Festival d’Automne presents leading talents in art, dance, film, theater and more from around the world.
Various venues, Paris & Île de France
Through January 16
Fashion meets film
Some of cinema’s most iconic costumes along with the films in which they appeared will be on show at the Cinémathèque, selected by a legend of haute couture for Cinémode Par Jean-Paul Gaultier.
Cinémathèque Française, Paris
December 3
French movies with English subtitles
Lost in Frenchlation presents Les Magnétiques, directed by Vincent Maël Cardona, followed by a Q&A with the two lead actors and the sound director.
L’Entrepôt, Paris
Ongoing
Save the Musée de l’Éventail
A crowdfunding campaign is underway to help save the Musée de l’Éventail, Paris’s museum of fans and fan-making.