December 10
French movies with English subtitles
Lost in Frenchlation presents Le Père Noël Est une Ordure (Santa Claus Is a Stinker), directed by Jean-Marie Poirée.
L’Epée de Bois, Paris
December 11
Songs of the sea
Spotlight on forgotten composer Jean Cras, a naval officer who took inspiration from the sea, at this concert: Mélodies de Jean Cras et ses Contemporains.
Bibliothèque Musicale La Grange-Fleuret, Paris
December 12
French movies with English subtitles
Lost in Frenchlation presents Le Sens de la Fête (C’est la Vie!), directed by Eric Toledano and Olivier Nakache.
L’Arlequin, Paris
December 15
Santa Dash
Thousands of people in Santa costumes take to the streets of Issy-les-Moulineaux for the Corrida de Noël, a 10K run in support of several charities.
Issy-les-Moulineaux, Île-de-France
December 7-19
Culture in the 12th arrondissement
Festival 12×12 showcases the best sculpture, photography, dance, music and theater of the 12th arrondissement.
Various locations, Paris
November 27-December 21
The dark side of cinema
The Fondation Jérôme Seydoux-Pathé’s festival Aux Origines du Film Noir dans le Cinéma Muet looks back to silent films like Louis Feuillade’s Fantômas, Fritz Lang’s Doctor Mabuse the Gambler and Alfred Hitchcock’s The Lodger in search of the origins of film noir.
Fondation Jérôme Seydoux-Pathé, Paris
November 15-December 24
African music and film
The Africolor cultural festival puts African music in the spotlight.
Various venues, Paris suburbs
November 23-December 29
Family fun
La Villette will light up for Winter Party, a month-long series of events for the whole family, ranging from ice skating to circus acts and a lantern parade. Pictured above: last year’s lantern parade at La Villette.
Parc de la Villette, Paris
Throughout December
Festive activities
Magical châteaux, ice skating and family fun: a comprehensive list of Paris’s Christmas events.
Various locations, Paris
November 17-early January
The lights go on
The golden holiday lights on the Champs-Élysées. will go on Nov. 17, an event closed to traffic and open to the public.
Champs-Élysées, Paris
December 27-January 5
Holiday wonderland
The Festival du Merveilleux returns with a fabulous celebration of antique fairground rides.
Musée des Arts Forains, Paris
November 15-January 6
Holiday markets
Mulled wine and gifts galore: a full list of holiday markets in Paris.
Various locations, Paris
November 30-January 18, 2025
Emerging artists
The Île-de-France department presents “FoRTE #6,” an exhibition of creative projects by emerging artists who received regional funding.
Frac. Romainville
January 23-26, 2025
Literature live
The theme of this year’s Nuits de la Lecture, with readings set to music and other events, is patrimoines (heritages).
Various venues, Paris & online around the world
Through January 26, 2025
Contemporary arts festival
The Festival d’Automne presents leading international talents in art, dance, film, theater and more.
Various venues, Paris & Île de France
Through January 31, 2025
Dance festival
The Fondation EDFs Dans(e) la Lumière festival presents dance performances and art exhibitions inspired by light.
Fondation EDF, Paris & Île de France
December 4-April 6, 2025
10 women directors
The festival Elles Sont Là pour Rester spotlights the films of 10 French women directors of the same generation.