Paris events during January ring in the New Year with celebrations and good cheer.

Although days are short and the weather can be damp and chilly, you'll find plenty of warmth inside cozy Paris bistros, jazz clubs, museums, and concert halls, making January the perfect month to explore the "real" Paris without lines of tourists everywhere.

The eagerly awaited January Winter Sales markdowns bring a lot of excitement almost as soon as the New Year's celebrations end, with discounts offered on almost everything in the city: designer fashions, decorative items, jewelry. 

At the end of the month, Chinese New Year brings red lanterns, lion dances, and colorful celebrations to several Paris neighborhoods.

If you don't want to brave the weather, you'll find plenty of tours and cruises to keep you dry while letting you experience top Paris attractions.

Find out about the best places to stay in Paris in the winter

Top photo: Signs in Paris stores in the Marais neighborhood announcing savings for the biannual sales, (c) Paris Discovery Guide

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Winter Sales on Designer Fashions 2025

Winter sales of Missoni, Valentino, Pinko, and other designers in a Paris boutique
Winter sales of Missoni, Valentino, Pinko, and other designers in a Paris boutique

The famous Paris winter sales for 2025 run from January 8 - February 4. 

As always, savings will be spectacular.

Look for Soldes signs in store windows all over the city, often followed by the amount of the reduction - typically 30-40% at the beginning but soaring as high as 70-80% at toward the end. 

Best places to find bargains?  Everywhere!  Luxury labels such as Chanel, Valentino, and Armani draw huge crowds - ditto for the designer boutiques in the "Big 4" department stores:  Galeries Lafayette, BHV, Bon Marché, and Au Printemps.  But don't ignore smaller boutiques (head to the Marais, Les Halles, Saint-Germain-des Prés) and even global mid-market chains like Zara and H&M.

As usual, coveted Hermès bags, ties, scarves, jewelry, and other goodies go on sale for only 2-3 days at the special Hermes sale - scheduled this year for January 10, 11, 12 at Palais de Congrès near Porte Maillot - and yes, the Hermes sale begins one day before the regular sales. 

Again this year, the Hermès sale in Paris is a private invitation-only event.  Invitations reportedly went out only to selected prior customers in France.  If you are a customer but did not receive one, your best chance is to contact your SA (sales associate) and ask (or beg) to be put on the list.

Find out more about Paris Winter Sales 2025

Paris Tours for Fashionistas

Paris Concerts & Musical Events - January 2025

Concert at Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre Church
Ensemble Royal du Paris in concert at Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre Church

January Concerts in Paris

Welcome the New Year with music at Paris concerts during January at the Eiffel Tower, in historical churches, in top musical halls, plus ballet and opera at Palais Garnier and Opera Bastille as well as contemporary artists such as Slimane and Kaaris.  Get your tickets now:

January Concerts in Paris

More Paris classical concerts, opera, & dance performances during January

More Paris rock, pop, jazz, rap, indie, & other concerts during January 

Find Paris concerts for other months

Saint-Jacques Scallop Festival in Montmartre

Scallops and other seafood at a market on Rue des Abbesses
Scallops and other seafood at a market on Rue des Abbesses

As seafood-loving Parisians know, the annual Coquille Saint-Jacques Festival at Place des Abbesses in Montmartre should be on your must-visit list for the weekend of January 25-26.  (to be confirmed)

Although this pop-up festival offers free and fee-based tastings to showcase the fresh scallops, oysters, and other seafood from Brittany from about 20 specialists, you'll find a lot more to love here:  crepes, buttered caramel, and traditional Breton charcuterie, culinary demonstrations and tastings, musical entertainment, and even a fish pavilion. 

Festival hours are 9am - 8pm on Saturday and 9:30am - 7pm on Sunday.  And for even more choices, check out all the seafood, cheese, wine, produce, and chocolate shops along Montmartre's Rue des Abbesses, one of Paris's great market streets.

More Fun Things to Do While You're in Montmartre

Looking for interesting things to do in Montmartre on chilly January days?  Check out our suggestions:

Paris Museum Exhibitions for January 2025

Haute couture on display at Palais Galliera in Paris
Haute couture on display at Palais Galliera in Paris

Here are just a few of the top exhibitions you can see in Paris this month:

  • Musee du Louvre:  Guillaume Guillon-Lethiere - A major exhibition of the paintings and drawings depicting the political upheavals between the Revolution to the July Monarchy by this 19th century African/Guadeloupean-French artist and collector, little-known today but renowned during his lifetime.
    Dates: Through Feb 17, 2025
    Tickets:  22€ adults plus the Louvre's usual 3€ online booking fee; includes special exhibits and permanent collections; book in advance with a reserved time slot and skip-the-line access; can also book in advance for free admission with a Paris Museum Pass
    Location:  Rue de Rivoli, Paris 1;  Metro: Palais Royal/Musée du Louvre
  • Atelier des Lumieres:  Egyptian Pharaohs - Discover ancient Egypt at the time of the Pharaohs in this virtual journey along the Nile River in Upper and Lower Egypt as you see legendary rulers, great battles, famous temples and tombs, and majestic landscapes; purchase online; you can also purchase at the door for 2€ more per ticket but there's no guarantee you'll get in as timeslots are often fully booked
    Dates:  Through January 5, 2025
  • Orsay Museum: Caillebotte: Painting Men - An in-depth look at Caillebotte's focus in his art on masculine forms and portraits of men in response to the realist movement and in ways that challenged the established norms of his era.
    Dates:  Through January 19, 2025
    Musée d'Orsay Tickets:  16€ adults.  Book a reserved access ticket for skip-the-line access, or use your Paris Museum Pass for free entry
    Location:     1 Rue de la Légion d'Honneur, Paris 7;  Metro: Pont de l'Alma; Invalides

Find complete ticket and other information, plus more Paris museum exhibitions

Paris Museum and Attractions Passes

Get free admission and skip-the-line access to 60+ museums in and near Paris when you have a Paris Museum Pass for 2, 4, or 6 days.  More info

Recommended January Day Trip from Paris:  Champagne Tour & Tastings!

Champagne being poured for tasting in Mumm Champagne House's tasting room for a Paris day trip tour group
Champagne being poured for tasting in Mumm Champagne House's tasting room for a Paris day trip tour group

What's the best way to welcome January and the New Year? With Champagne, of course! 

On our recommended day trip from Paris for January, you'll visit 2 or more Champagne houses (including a world-famous choice and 1-2 small traditional Champagne houses), savor Champagne and food pairings during lunch, tour the champagne cellars, and join a masterclass conducted in a vineyard (or inside in case of bad weather). 

By the end of your trip to the Champagne region near Paris, you'll have tasted 8 different Champagnes and will have a new understanding of how Champagne is made.  Pickup from your hotel or apartment in central Paris is included, and you can choose a small group (8 people max) or private option.

Find out more about this Champagne Wine Day Tour from Paris

Learn about other popular Day Trips from Paris

Epiphany Day & Galette des Rois in Paris

Galette des rois display at Paul, a popular Paris bakery/pastry maker
Galette des rois display at Paul, a popular Paris bakery/pastry maker

Paris (and the rest of France) celebrates Epiphany, the arrival in Bethlehem of Three Wisemen bringing gifts to Baby Jesus, on January 6.  (Less commonly in France, some people may instead observe this Catholic and Orthodox event on the first Sunday after January 1st.)

The tradition in France is to celebrate with Champagne and galette des rois - Kings' Cake.  This delicious confection is traditionally made from buttery puff pastry and almond paste with a tiny porcelein figurine or bean - la fève - hidden somewhere inside. 

Some Paris bakeries feature creative variations, such as using sweetened pistachio nut paste or even fruit/nut mixtures instead of the almond version.

When the cake is sliced and served, whoever finds the fève (hopefully without breaking a tooth in the process) gets to wear a golden paper crown for the rest of the day and even better, enjoy good luck for the coming year. 

Even though Epiphany is only one day, bakeries keep their windows filled with tantalizing displays of galette des rois in all sizes throughout most of January, because who can stop after sampling just one? 

Then the cakes disappear for the rest of the year - but if you're not in Paris during January, you can enjoy a somewhat similar taste with an almond croissant at any time.

Chinese New Year Parades in Paris - Dates & Locations 2025 (Parade Dates to be Confirmed)

Chinese New Year Parades in Paris - dates and locations

Dragon Dances - Chinese New Year Celebration

Chinese New Year parades, festivities, and other events span about two weeks during late January / early February in Paris, home to Europe's largest Asian community.  Don't miss the chance to experience the big parades with Lion Dancers, colorful dragons, drums, firecrackers, food, and activities!

Chinese New Year (also called Lunar New Year, or Têt) falls on Saturday, January 29 in 2025, which marks the Year of the Snake.  According to traditional beliefs, people born in the Year of the Earth Snake are well-liked, sociable, intuitive, good at business, analytic, and careful with money. 

Most Chinese New Year events in Paris take place this year in January.  In China, celebrations take place over about a 15-day period and that is generally true for Paris as well.

Here are dates and locations of the biggest New Year parades and other celebrations FROM LAST YEAR (so disregard the dates) to give you an idea of what happens; look for updates in early January.)

  • Chinese New Year Celebration at Bastille Market - Saturday, February 17, 12 noon - 9pm - More than 40 stands offering delicious Chinese and other Asian food specialties in the Bastille Market area along Boulevard Richard-Lenoir near Place de la Bastille.  Entertainment with Lion Dances, martial arts, and other traditional cultural arts and activities starts at 4pm. (to be confirmed)
  • Faubourg Saint-Honoré (where it intersects Rue Royal) - Tuesday, February 13, 1:30 - 3:30pm - Festive red lanterns and a colorful parade with about 30 lion dancers, dragons, and drummers. (to be confirmed)
  • 13th Arrondissement Spring Festival & Parade - Sunday, February 18, 2:30-5pm.  The largest Chinese New Year Parade in Paris with lion and dragon dances, and many marchers and even more watchers.  The 13th district reflects numerous Asian cultures: Chinese, Vietnamese, Cambodian, Tibetan, Mongolian.  Parade route & more details (to be confirmed)
  • Belleville Chinese New Year Parade - Saturday, February 3, 2pm, with food stands available along the route from 12 noon-9pm - The parade kicks off at 56 Rue de Belleville in the 20th arrondissement.   (to be confirmed)
  • Belleville Food Market (Boulevard de Belleville, 20th arr) - Thursday, February 15, 6pm-10:30pm - Asian chefs from some of the neighborhood's top restaurants will set up stalls and at the outdoor market and its adjacent food court. Come feast on all of the delicious Asian cuisine, and enjoy drumming and lion dance performances to celebrate the Lunar New Year. (to be confirmed)
  • Guimet Museum - Saturday, February 10, 3pm & 4pm - Two colorful 40-minute shows with Lion Dances, drummers, and acrobats, free with museum admission.  Check the museum's website for more details and to find out about other Lunar New Year events taking place between Feb 9 - 21. (to be confirmed)
  • Marais Chinese New Year Parade - Parade starting from Place de la Republique - Date to be confirmed

Find details for Paris Chinese New Year Parades including routes, other activities and things to do, and nearby places to stay

Future Chinese New Year dates:  January 29, 2025, February 17, 2026, February 6, 2027, January 26, 2028, February 13, 2029, February 3, 2030

Aura at Les Invalides - 2025

Les Invalides - Site of a spectacular night show
Les Invalides - Site of a spectacular night show

The Aura immersive show takes place during evening hours and brings to life the architecture and history of the Invalides Dome with spectacular lighting effects, imagery, and music designed to showcase the site's beauty and heritage.

For about 50 minutes, brilliant video projections inside the interior of Les Invalides will take you through the creation of the dome and the panorama of events associated with this important monument. 

Please note:  This is walking experience as you move to different parts of the dome; you will need to take stairs outside and inside the dome, so not accessible for wheelchairs; also, please know that no restrooms are available onsite.

Book your Aura tickets

Dates: Through 2033
Location: Invalides Dome, 2 Place Vauban, 7th arr;  Metro: Ecole Militaire, Tour Maubourg, Varenne, Saint-François Xavier

Want to visit Les Invalides, Napoleon's Tomb, and the Army Museum during regular visiting hours?  Book priority entry tickets online.

District 13 Art Fair @ Hotel Drouot

Street art in Paris's 13th arrondissement
Street art on Boulevard Vincent Auriol in Paris's 13th arrondissement

Thirty two international galleries will exhibit works of the best established and emerging contemporary urban street artists at the District 13 International Art Fair held at the prestigious Hotel Drouot auction house from January 10-12, with a preview on January 9. 

Look for works by Obey, Stool, Olivia Ferrand, D*Face, Brusk, Maye, Invader, and L'Atlas presented by numerous top galleries such as Galerie Itinerrance, Bonobolabo, and Galerie One, as well as talks by artists and live performances.  Selected works will be auctioned on Saturday, January 11. (to be confirmed)

Location:  Hotel Drouot, 9 Rue Drouot, Paris 9th arr 
Tickets:  10€ for 1-day pass; 15€ for a multi-day pass; 25€ for multi-day pass + opening
More information:  Event website

More Ways to See Street Art in Paris


More about Paris in January


Paris Fashion Week - January 2025

Palais Royal in Paris - fashion photograhy shoot during Paris Fashion Week
Fashion photography shoot in Palais Royal courtyard

Fashion Week brings a special buzz to Paris during January, when designers, celebrities, and fashionistas from around the world converge to see the latest trends in Haute Couture (January 27-30) for the Spring/Summer 2025 season. 

This is when renowned and trending fashion houses such as Hermès, Agnès b., Jil Sander, Pigalle Paris, Victor & Rolf, Fendi Couture, Isabel Marant, Dior, Chanel, Stéphane Rolland, Zuhair Murad, Valentino, Ungaro, Courrèges, and Ami reveal their newest collections.

The best places to glimpse the models (assuming you're not going to the invitation-only shows) are around the venue locations - the Grand Palais in the ritzy 8th arrondissement (although temporarily relocated to Champs de Mars), Palais de Tokyo and Palais Galliera in the 16th, Espace Eiffel near the Branly Museum in the 7th, Palais Brongniart in the 2nd, and at a variety of smaller, hipper venues scattered around the city.  The trendy Marais neighborhood, especially around Place des Vosges, and Palais Royal are always good model-spotting locales. 

Even if you're not remotely interested in these shows, here's what you need to know:  every hotel in central Paris neighborhoods fills up with attendees and rates soar (unlike Paris hotel rates during the rest of January) - so if you're planning a visit during this period, book as early as possible to get the best rates - shift your dates a bit to miss this period.

Festival of Lights at Paris's Jardin des Plantes

Walking through a tropical rainforest during the Festival of Lights at Paris's Botanical Garden
Walking through a tropical rainforest during the Festival of Lights at Paris's Botanical Garden

The annual winter Festival of Lights returns to the Jardin des Plantes (Botanical Garden) in Paris's 5th arrondissement, with giant illuminated statues of animals creating a magical experience during the evening. 

The topic year is the ecosystem of the jungle and the balance of nature in tropical forests of Asia, Oceania, South America, and Africa.

Although the exhibition attracts almost 400,000 visitors each year, the garden never seems crowded.

Late afternoon, before the Illuminations event begins
Late afternoon, before the Illuminations event begins

You can see the creatures unilluminated during daytime hours without a ticket (in other words, for free), but the ticketed event which begins after dark is much more spectacular.

Dates:  Through January 19, except for Dec. 24 & 31, 6pm - 9:30pm, with last entry at 8:30pm, and until 11pm (last entry at 10) on Friday, Saturday, & school holidays (dates and times to be confirmed)

Location:  Jardin des Plantes, 57 Rue Cuvier, 5th arr
Tickets for evening strolls: 16€-18€, with reduced prices for children and families; tickets must be bought online (and get yours early, as they will sell out on many nights, especially during the holidays)

More Outdoor Exhibitions & Strolls during January

Dragon & Lanterns Stroll at Jardin d'Acclimatation in Bois de Boulogne
Dragon & Lanterns Stroll at Jardin d'Acclimatation in Bois de Boulogne

Embrace the fresh air of crisp winter days and nights with these fun outdoor exhibitions and strolls while seeing lesser-known parts of Paris:

  • Jardin d'Acclimatation - Stroll along the trails in this popular children's amusement park on the edge of Bois de Boulogne in Paris's 16 arrondissement, and explore the exquisite Korean Garden, Norman "hamlet" complete with farm animals, aviary, and wooded slopes.  Admission is 6.50€ (3.50€ seniors) at the gate (5-minute walk from Les Sablons Metro station).
    Bonus:   Entrance to the park is free when you have a ticket to Fondation Louis Vuitton (access the park directly through the doors near the restaurant). 
    Special Evening Experience: During January and through most of February, the new Dragons & Lanterns Festival lights up the garden for a fabulous family-friendly from 6pm-10pm from Wednesdays through Sundays, excluding holidays.  Find more information and tickets here. (Not included with regular entrance tickets.)
  • Street Art - On this 90-minute street art walking tour of the 19th and 20th arrondissements, you'll explore two vibrand neighborhoods as you view the some of Paris's best graffiti art and learn about the artists who created it.  Get your tickets

Festival d'Automne (Autumn Festival) Paris - 2025

Visual arts and music performance from from a Festival d'Automne show at Bourse de Commerce/Pinault Collection
Visual arts and music performance from a Festival d'Automne show at Bourse de Commerce/Pinault Collection

The Paris Autumn Festival (which extends until the end of January) showcases the latest creations and artists (international as well as French) in contemporary dance, theater, music, cinema, and visual arts at a variety of venues around Paris, including Galeries Lafayette in the 9th, the Grand Hall at Parc de la Villette in the 19th arrondissement, the Pinault Collection at Bourse de Commerce and Louvre in the 1st, and Pompidou Center in the 4th, just to name a few.

This is a hugely popular festival, with over 50 events (many of which extend over several or more days) at over 70 venues in and near Paris.

Most events are ticketed, and many sell out quickly, so don't wait to book, which you can do through the event's website.  (Tip:  To see both the venues and the schedule, click the "Venues" tab on the nav bar.)

Dates:  Through January 26, 2025

Pop-Up Boutiques in Paris during January

Window display in Paris's Marais neighborhood
Window display in Paris's Marais neighborhood

Pop-up stores have been having a "moment" in Paris for a few years now.  Part of their popularity stems from being among the first to view a chic new concept or trendy line of products.  If you love to shop, check out these pop-up boutiques, including two in the trendy Marais neighborhood:

  • Bobochic, a trendy French interior decor brand, displays their latest home furnishings in the heart of the Marais.  Through February 25, at 126 Rue de Turenne, 3rd arrondissement
  • Courrèges combines fashion with music in a pop-up dediated to  Dizonord, an independent music store north of the city - look for rare books, vinyls, stylish photo prints, and underground culture.  Through February 25, at 119 Rue Vieille du Temple, 3rd arrondissement
  • Alchemist x Printemps at Printemps Haussmann - A multi-sensory space where cocktails and pastries offer you a unique taste experience  Through January 31 at 64 Boulevard Haussmann, 9th arrondissement

More Fun Things to Do & See in Paris in January


Need a Paris Hotel or Apartment for Your January Visit?

Planning a trip to Paris?  Use this hotel booking map to find hotels and apartments during your travel dates: 

Booking.com

Check out the newest Paris hotels


More Things to Do & See in Paris in January

  • Paris Church Concerts - Where to hear the best classic, baroque, sacred, and choral music in historic Paris churches
  • Sainte Chapelle - All about the gorgeous stained glass, interesting tours, and candlelight concerts
  • Why Visit Paris - In case you're wondering if you should visit Paris, here's why you should!
  • Paris's Famous Winter Sales - Everything you need to know to score bargains at Paris's famous January/February sales