🎆 Paris for New Year 2026: fireworks on the Champs-Elysees and cabaret

On December 31, Paris does not launch one big fireworks show over the whole city. Instead, the city hall organizes a free celebration with fireworks on the Champs-Élysées every year (as of 09/2026, Paris tourist office). Admission is free, but you need to claim your spot in advance.

You can also ring in the New Year differently: with dinner at a restaurant, on a dinner cruise along the Seine, at a cabaret, or at a party. Below we have gathered practical options with price ranges and tips on how to avoid ending up without a table or a ticket.

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New Year's fireworks in Paris

💡 In short:

At midnight on December 31, fireworks are launched over the Champs-Élysées, admission is free.
Arrive by 10:00-11:00 PM: after 11:30 PM the center of the avenue is already packed and you cannot get to the arch.
Program and hours: as of 09/2026, verified on the Paris tourist office website

Paris street at night with cobblestones and streetlights

The official show is organized by the city. From 11:50 PM, video mapping is projected onto the Arc de Triomphe, and at exactly midnight the fireworks begin (as of 09/2026, Le Parisien).

On New Year's Eve, the avenue is closed to cars. You walk along the roadway with the crowd, while food and drink stands operate around you.

The Eiffel Tower becomes the second point of attraction. There is less of an official program there, but the illuminated tower remains the main photo of the night. There is a lot of police and security screening at the entrance, so bring only a light bag.

A simple plan for you: take the metro to Charles de Gaulle - Étoile station, stand to the side of the Arc de Triomphe, and welcome midnight there. After the celebration, it is easier to walk to nearby stations, because some exits are closed.

Fireworks at Disneyland Paris

If you want a big fireworks show over a fairytale castle, you need to go to Disneyland Paris. On December 31, the park stays open until late at night, and at midnight fireworks and a countdown are launched (as of 09/2026, New Year's party guide).

Crowd of tourists at the entrance to Disneyland Paris

The Sleeping Beauty Castle becomes the main stage. In addition to the fireworks, a parade with famous characters goes through the park, so the evening is also suitable for a trip with children.

Tickets for December 31 are more expensive than a regular day ticket and sell out in advance: Disneyland Paris tickets and tours on GetYourGuide. If you are going for a couple of days, book a nearby hotel at the same time as the tickets.

Tickets and options

Packages for New Year's dates are put together from a hotel and admission, so people look at them in advance.

Festively decorated entrance to Disneyland Park

A two-day option with daytime admission and a hotel of your choice suits those who want to stay overnight near the park.

A package with a hotel, admission, and events lets you pay for accommodation and tickets in one payment.

New Year's dinner at a restaurant

In France, the New Year begins with a big dinner. Restaurants prepare special multi-course menus, and the festive option starts at around 100 € per person (as of 09/2026, overview of New Year's menus). At gastronomic restaurants, the bill is several times higher, and wine is charged separately.

Panorama of Paris with the Eiffel Tower and the Seine

A table for December 31 is booked 3-4 weeks in advance, because some restaurants are closed that evening and you will rarely find a free table. Look for places on TheFork or ask at the hotel front desk.

You can save by choosing the neighborhood. Prices in the quarters around Montmartre and the Marais are lower than near the Champs-Élysées. That way you get the same menu but pay less.

Seine cruise on New Year's Eve

You can ring in the New Year on the water with a dinner cruise on the Seine. The boat passes illuminated embankments and Notre-Dame Cathedral, and dinner is served right on board. An evening like this costs more than a regular sightseeing cruise, so expect to pay several hundred euros per person.

Sightseeing boat near Pont Neuf on the Seine

Cruises are operated by Bateaux Parisiens and Bateaux Mouches. For New Year's Eve, most companies offer a full dinner with music rather than a short sightseeing trip. Dressy attire is the norm here: a dress code is often enforced on board.

After dinner, some boats turn into parties on the water, with a DJ and a dance floor. If that is the format you want, confirm it when booking, because not all cruises include dancing.

Tours and tickets in Paris

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Cabaret and shows: Moulin Rouge

Cabaret is a good fit if you want a show rather than dancing. The most famous one is in the Pigalle district: Moulin Rouge puts on a dinner show on December 31. Doors open at 6:45 PM, dinner starts at 7:00 PM, and the Féerie revue is performed at 9:00 PM (as of 09/2026, Moulin Rouge).

Red windmill of the Moulin Rouge cabaret in Paris during the day

Other venues offer programs too: Crazy Horse and Oh! César. Tickets for December 31 cost more than on regular evenings, and the best seats sell out first: tickets for shows and cabarets in Paris.

Arrive early: on New Year's Eve it is almost impossible to get a taxi near the venues, and the metro runs on a limited schedule.

Where to celebrate New Year's: neighborhoods and parties

On New Year's Eve, hundreds of bars and clubs are open in Paris, and the easiest approach is to pick a neighborhood based on the vibe you want.

Montmartre is chosen for the view. The square in front of Sacré-Cœur offers a panorama of the illuminated city, and there are plenty of bars and clubs nearby. The crowd here is mixed and calmer than in the center.

The Champs-Élysées draws more tourists. Clubs and bars in this area are pricier, but the main fireworks are just a couple of minutes away on foot.

For major parties (pool, electronic, 80s, rooftop), buy tickets in advance. Some venues sell entry only, and you pay for drinks separately. Clubs admit guests aged 18 and over, so keep your passport with you.

January 1 in Paris: what to see

On January 1 the city wakes up slowly, most museums are closed, but the embankments, parks, and streets are free for walking. It is a good day to stroll through Montmartre or along the Seine without the crowds.

Book museum tickets for the coming days in advance, because during the holidays entry is limited to time slots: tickets for museums and attractions.

Check opening hours for January 1 separately, because some museums do not open until January 2.

Winter lights and winter activities

In winter, Paris and its surroundings come alive with light shows. Gardens and parks turn on their illuminations, and Christmas markets with mulled wine take place near the city.

Dress warmly. In late December, temperatures in Paris hover around freezing, and it is windy near the water, so bring a hat and gloves.

How to get to Paris

The most convenient way to reach Paris is by train from Germany, Belgium, or the Netherlands. High-speed trains go directly to the center, to Gare du Nord or Gare de l'Est, so you will not need a taxi from the airport: train tickets to Paris on Trip.com.

Tickets for late December get more expensive closer to the date, so book 4 to 8 weeks ahead: that way you pay less and can still choose a convenient departure time.

Within the city, use the metro. On New Year's Eve some lines run all night, but intervals are longer, and some stations close to new passengers after the fireworks.

Where to stay in Paris

For New Year's Eve, choose a hotel in the center so you can walk to the Champs-Élysées or the embankments. Hotels in the 1st through 8th arrondissements are booked months in advance, and prices rise over the holidays.

see hotels in Paris on Trip.com

If your budget is tight, look at neighborhoods near the metro ring line. The trip to the center will take 20 to 30 minutes, and the price difference is significant. Make sure there is a metro station nearby that runs at night.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

Is there a big fireworks show in Paris on New Year's Eve?

Yes, but not over the whole city. The city hall puts on a free fireworks show on the Champs-Élysées (as of 09/2026, city hall program). Another fireworks display is held at Disneyland Paris.

How much does dinner at a restaurant cost on December 31?

Holiday menus start at around 100 € per person (as of 09/2026, Sortir à Paris). At fine dining restaurants the bill is higher, and wine is often charged separately. Book your table 3-4 weeks ahead: reservations for December 31 go fast, and some restaurants are closed.

Is there a dress code on a cruise or at a cabaret?

Yes, in most cases. On a New Year's dinner cruise on the Seine and at the Moulin Rouge cabaret, guests dress up. Jeans and sneakers aren't banned, but you'll stand out against everyone else. Check the dress code when booking so you don't get turned away at the door.

What's open on January 1 in Paris?

The riverbanks and parks are open, as are some restaurants and cafés. Many museums are closed, so check hours in advance. Montmartre is a good option for a walk. The Eiffel Tower is usually open on January 1 as well.

Is Disneyland Paris worth it for New Year's with kids?

Yes, if the kids can handle a late night. The park stays open until late, and the fireworks go off at midnight. Tickets for December 31 are more expensive and sell out in advance, so book your hotel at the same time. Bring warm clothes: it's cold and windy near the castle.

In short: what to book

If you're going for just one night: the free fireworks on the Champs-Élysées and a late dinner at a restaurant. For romance, go with a dinner cruise on the Seine. If you want a show, see the Moulin Rouge. With kids, choose Disneyland Paris with a nearby hotel.

Tickets for cabarets, cruises, and parks sell out in advance, so book them a few weeks ahead: New Year's show and tour tickets on GetYourGuide.

New Year in Paris: where to watch fireworks and what to book