Spend The Day In Paris, Celebrate At Night

The Eiffel Tower from Trocadéro before New Year's Eve celebrations begin

December 31 doesn't begin at sunset. Spend the morning at the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, or Versailles, pause for lunch on the Seine or in a neighborhood café, then return to your hotel before the evening begins. A well-planned day leaves plenty of time to dress for dinner, a cabaret, a concert, or the midnight celebration.

These daytime experiences work especially well on New Year's Eve because they complement, rather than compete with, your evening plans. Most finish by mid or late afternoon, leaving time to return to your hotel to rest before the celebrations begin.

Some recommended ways to spend December 31 before the celebrations begin:

• Louvre Museum Tour – Mona Lisa & Iconic Masterpieces →
• Eiffel Tower Reserved Access & Guided Tours →
• Versailles Palace & Gardens Guided Tour →
• Seine River Gourmet Lunch Cruise →
• French Croissant Baking Class With A Chef →

New Year's Eve On the Seine

Dinner cruises pass Notre-Dame before midnight on New Year's Eve

A New Year's Eve dinner cruise combines dinner, live music, and a front-row view of Paris illuminated for the holiday. Boats pass the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame, the Louvre, and the city's historic bridges before returning to the quay after midnight. Dinner cruises include champagne , live music, and a multi-course menu. Reservations sell out months in advance.

New Year's Eve dinner cruises

• Diamant Bleu NYE Dinner Cruise & Party →
• Bateaux Mouches NYE Dinner Cruise →
• Paris Seine NYE Dinner Cruise →
• Evening Champagne Cruise →

Planning Tip: If the New Year's Eve dinner cruise is sold out, check other availability during Christmas week.

An Evening Of Opera, Ballet & Classical Music

A ballet performance at the Palais Garnier

New Year's Eve is also an important evening on the cultural calendar in Paris, with opera, ballet, and classical concerts events taking place across the city. Historic churches, concert halls, and theaters present holiday performances that continue into the evening.

From candlelit concerts in Sainte-Chapelle to productions at the Palais Garnier, these performances offer another way to spend New Year's Eve in Paris. We update our recommendations as new concerts, opera, ballet, and other cultural events are announced throughout the season.

New Year's Eve Concerts & Cultural Events in Paris →

Spend New Year's Eve At A Paris Cabaret

Moulin Rouge's Féerie revue

A Paris cabaret combines dinner, champagne, and a live stage production that continues well into the evening. Paradis Latin, Moulin Rouge, and Crazy Horse each present a different style of performance, and New Year's Eve reservations sell out months before December 31.

Our recommended New Year's Eve cabarets:

• Paradis Latin Dinner & Show →
• Moulin Rouge Dinner & Show →
• Crazy Horse Cabaret Show →

Where To Dine On New Year's Eve

The Belle Époque dining room at Le Train Bleu

Many of the finest restaurants in Paris create special menus for New Year's Eve, pairing seasonal ingredients with extended tasting menus, carefully selected wines, and champagne at midnight. These are the restaurants we recommend for an memorable New Year's Eve dinner in Paris.

La Grande Cascade — Set in the Bois de Boulogne, La Grande Cascade pairs an elegant Belle Époque dining room with refined French cuisine, making it a classic choice for a memorable New Year's Eve dinner.

Jacques Faussat — Seasonal French cuisine and an intimate Michelin-starred dining room have made Jacques Faussat one of our favorite destinations for a celebratory dinner.

Nomicos — Jean-Louis Nomicos serves contemporary Mediterranean-inspired French cuisine in a modern dining room near Place Victor Hugo.

Le Jules Verne — Michelin-starred dining inside the Eiffel Tower combines exceptional cuisine with panoramic views across Paris.

Il Carpaccio — Located at Le Royal Monceau, Il Carpaccio serves Michelin-starred Italian cuisine in an elegant setting that has become a New Year's Eve tradition for many.

Restaurant Astrance — Astrance is known for contemporary French tasting menus that change with the seasons, offering one of the most distinctive fine dining experiences.

Le Train Bleu — Beneath painted ceilings and gilded decoration inside Gare de Lyon, Le Train Bleu serves classic French cuisine in one of the city's most celebrated dining rooms.

New Year's Eve On The Champs-Élysées

New Year's Eve celebration on the Champs-Élysées

The Champs-Élysées is the center of the city's official New Year's Eve celebration, with thousands of people gathering between Place de la Concorde and the Arc de Triomphe. Music, large video projections on the Arc de Triomphe, a countdown to midnight, and a fireworks display create the city's largest public celebration.

The atmosphere is energetic and crowded from early evening onward. Streets around the Champs-Élysées close to traffic, security checkpoints are in place, and access is controlled as the crowds grow. If you're planning to celebrate here, arrive well before midnight and expect airport-style security screening before entering the area.

The public celebration offers a completely different New Year's Eve from a dinner cruise, restaurant, or cabaret. Instead of a reserved table and a leisurely evening, you'll be part of a large outdoor gathering in the heart of Paris, counting down to midnight with thousands of other people.

Continue Planning Your Christmas in Paris

Celebrate Christmas in Paris →
Christmas Markets in Paris →
Things to Do in Paris in December →
Christmas Day in Paris →
New Year's Eve in Paris →
Things to Do in January 2027 →

Frequently Asked Questions

WHEN SHOULD I BOOK NEW YEAR'S EVE DINNER CRUISES, CABARETS, AND RESTAURANTS?
New Year's Eve dinner cruises, cabarets, and fine-dining restaurants begin taking reservations months before December 31. Book as soon as your travel dates are confirmed, particularly for experiences with limited seating.

DOES PARIS HAVE FIREWORKS ON NEW YEAR'S EVE?
The official celebration usually includes a midnight fireworks display and video projections on the Arc de Triomphe. The City of Paris confirms the annual program closer to December, so check the current details before your trip.

WHAT HAPPENS ON THE CHAMPS-ÉLYSÉES?
The Champs-Élysées closes to traffic as crowds gather around the Arc de Triomphe for video projections, music, the midnight countdown, and the official celebration. Security checkpoints and controlled entry are put in place during the evening.

ARE MUSEUMS AND ATTRACTIONS OPEN ON DECEMBER 31?
The Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, Versailles, and many museums and monuments normally open on December 31, although some close earlier than usual. Check the day's opening hours and reserve timed entry in advance.

WHAT SHOULD I WEAR FOR NEW YEAR'S EVE IN PARIS?
Fine-dining restaurants, dinner cruises, and cabarets generally call for smart evening attire. For the outdoor celebration on the Champs-Élysées, wear a warm coat and shoes comfortable enough for standing and walking.

DOES THE PARIS METRO RUN AFTER MIDNIGHT?
Yes. Selected Metro, RER, and train lines operate throughout New Year's Eve night, although not every line or station remains open. The detailed transport plan for December 31, 2026 will be announced closer to the date.