Last updated: 11 November 2024
Your complete guide to the end-of-year festivities in Nanterre has arrived! Discover our selection of events and activities that bring the city to life during the holiday season, designed for both residents and visitors.
The Town Hall Square hosts the traditional Christmas market with its wooden chalets, while the Charles-de-Gaulle Esplanade sparkles with thousands of lights. The Parc district offers children's activities, and the shopping streets in the city center are adorned with their finest decorations. Just minutes from La Défense, you'll also enjoy the celebrations in Europe's largest business district.
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Nanterre Holiday Light Displays
Jardin d'Acclimatation - Dragons and Lanterns Festival
- What to Expect
- Light trail with 100 dinosaurs and 2,000 lanterns.
- Description
- The Lantern Festival : the Dinosaur Ball at the Jardin d'Acclimatation features an extraordinary light trail with 100 dinosaurs and 2,000 lanterns spread over 6 hectares. This unique spectacle brings together 40 species of Mesozoic titans, offering an unforgettable experience to visitors.
- Where
- Paris | More Info : Jardin d'Acclimatation - Dragons and Lanterns Festival
Nanterre Holiday Markets and Shopping
La Défense Christmas Village
- What to Expect
- Unique celebration with 200 decorated stalls offering diverse artisanal goods and festive food.
- Description
- The La Défense Christmas Market is a must-attend event running from November 14 to December 29, 2024. It features a festival of sparkling lights, delicious treats, and traditional craftsmanship. Visitors can stroll through the 200 decorated stalls, admire the twinkling Christmas decorations, and be enchanted by the alluring scents of cinnamon and hot chocolate.
- Where
- La Défense | More Info : La Défense Christmas Village
Notre Dame Christmas Market
- What to Expect
- A Christmas market with local artisans offering unique handmade items.
- Description
- The Notre-Dame Christmas Market offers a festive atmosphere with Santa Claus and animations, drawing contests, and children's stories. You can enjoy regional specialties and hot wine. Artisans showcase handmade creations of jewelry, ceramics, textiles, leather, and more.
- Where
- Paris | More Info : Notre Dame Christmas Market
Abbesses Christmas Market
- What to Expect
- Artisanal and local product offerings.
- Description
- The Marché de Noël des Abbesses is a festive event held on the Place des Abbesses in Paris. Fifteen small wooden stalls offer artisanal products, local specialties, and gift ideas. Visitors can discover jewelry, accessories, and culinary specialties of the season.
- Where
- Paris | More Info : Abbesses Christmas Market
Saint Germain des Prés Christmas Market
- What to Expect
- A Christmas market with decorated stalls and gourmet and artisanal products.
- Description
- The Saint-Germain-des-Prés Christmas Market offers a festive experience with decorated stalls, gourmet and artisanal products, and children's activities.
- Where
- Paris | More Info : Saint Germain des Prés Christmas Market
Christmas Market at Hôtel de Ville
- What to Expect
- Christmas village with Parisian chalets and free rides.
- Description
- The Christmas Market at the Hôtel de Ville offers an animated village with Parisian chalets, treats, and free rides. The façade of the Hôtel de Ville shines with the colors of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
- Where
- Paris | More Info : Christmas Market at Hôtel de Ville
Le Hasard Ludique Christmas Markets
- What to Expect
- Hybrid cultural venue offering concerts and workshops in an old train station.
- Description
- Le Hasard Ludique offers diverse Christmas markets with typical products and convivial activities.
- Where
- Paris | More Info : Le Hasard Ludique Christmas Markets
Klin d'Oeil d'Hiver Christmas Market
- What to Expect
- DIY workshops to create personal items.
- Description
- The Klin d'Oeil Christmas Market features local creators with unique items in fashion, decoration, children's items, illustrations, and fine food. DIY workshops allow for personal creations.
- Where
- Paris | More Info : Klin d'Oeil d'Hiver Christmas Market
Nanterre Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Radio Classique Christmas Concert
- What to Expect
- A unique musical event combining classical masterpieces and Christmas carols.
- Description
- The Grand Concert de Noël Radio Classique is a musical event that combines classical masterpieces and the most beautiful Christmas carols. The Orchestre Consuelo, led by Victor Julien-Laferrière, accompanies the Chœur de l'Université PSL, directed by Johan Farjot, in a program featuring works by Bach, Brahms, Delibes, Tchaïkovski, and many others.
- Where
- Paris | More Info : Radio Classique Christmas Concert
Vivaldi's Gloria, Handel Messiah, Bach Christmas Oratorio
- What to Expect
- A Christmas celebration with exceptional sacred works.
- Description
- Vivaldi's Gloria, composed by Antonio Vivaldi, is a sacred work celebrating the glory of God. It is performed by renowned artists, including Nina Maestracci, Malena Ernman, and Luigi De Donato. The program also includes excerpts from Bach's Weihnachtsoratorium and Handel's Messiah.
- Where
- Paris | More Info : Vivaldi's Gloria, Handel Messiah, Bach Christmas Oratorio
Vivaldi's Four Seasons & Corelli's Christmas Concert
- What to Expect
- Classical concert featuring works by Vivaldi and Corelli.
- Description
- Ensemble Helios presents an exceptional classical concert at Église Saint-Germain-des-Prés, featuring works by Vivaldi and Corelli.
- Where
- Paris | More Info : Vivaldi's Four Seasons & Corelli's Christmas Concert
Christmas Concert: Vivaldi, Schubert, & more
- What to Expect
- Classical music concert in a historic church.
- Description
- The Christmas concert at Saint-Germain-des-Prés Church offers an unforgettable classical music experience in a historic setting. The church's foundations date back to the Middle Ages, and its elegant interior holds several centuries of architectural and decorative treasures. The program includes works by Vivaldi, Strauss, and Schubert.
- Where
- Paris | More Info : Christmas Concert: Vivaldi, Schubert, & more
Christmas Concert at Saint-Sulpice Church
- What to Expect
- A Christmas concert with a local orchestra and choir.
- Description
- The Christmas concert at Saint-Sulpice Church features a variety of traditional Christmas carols performed by the Hélios Orchestra and the Hélios Éphémère Choir. The program includes works by composers such as Bach, Handel, and Bizet, as well as French and German Christmas songs.
- Where
- Paris | More Info : Christmas Concert at Saint-Sulpice Church
Christmas Concert at La Madeleine Church
- What to Expect
- Christmas concert featuring a young orchestra and choir.
- Description
- Hear beautiful Christmas carols for choir and orchestra in the inspiring atmosphere of the Église de la Madeleine in Paris. The program includes classics such as "We Wish you a Merry Christmas," "Mon beau Sapin, roi des Forêts," and French compositions like "Il est né le divin enfant" and "Les anges dans nos campagnes."
- Where
- Paris | More Info : Christmas Concert at La Madeleine Church
Ukranian National Opera Ballet: The Snow Queen
- What to Expect
- Two-act ballet with music by Grieg, Massenet, Offenbach, Johann Strauss, and Berlioz.
- Description
- The Ukrainian National Opera Ballet presents The Snow Queen, a two-act ballet based on the famous fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen. Choreography is by Aniko Rekhviashvili, who took up the challenge of telling the story of young Gerda and her battle with an evil frozen foe. The ballet features music by Grieg, Massenet, Offenbach, Johann Strauss, and Berlioz.
- Where
- Paris | More Info : Ukranian National Opera Ballet: The Snow Queen
New Year's Eve Dinner Cruise
- What to Expect
- Dinner cruise with gourmet menu and breathtaking views of Parisian landmarks.
- Description
- Enjoy an unforgettable evening on a dinner cruise on the Seine to celebrate New Year's Eve. Discover the illuminated Parisian landmarks and savor a gourmet meal.
- Where
- Paris | More Info : New Year's Eve Dinner Cruise
Enchanted Christmas at Disneyland Paris
- What to Expect
- Festive parades with Disney Characters and dazzling decorations.
- Description
- Immerse yourself in a unique Christmas atmosphere where the sparkling streets and our majestic tree bring the Christmas spirit to life like nowhere else. Feel the festive atmosphere of the most joyful parade with Mickey and his friends, Disney Princesses, and Santa Claus – and twice as much Share the Christmas spirit with Disney Characters and enjoy festive encounters.
- Where
- Marne-la-Vallée | More Info : Enchanted Christmas at Disneyland Paris
Nanterre Other Holiday Activities
Christmas Lunch or Dinner Cruises
- What to Expect
- Gastronomic cruise with panoramic view of Parisian monuments.
- Description
- Discover a unique gastronomic experience in the heart of Paris with our Christmas cruises on the Seine. Enjoy an exceptional view of Parisian monuments while savoring dishes inspired by French cuisine.
- Where
- Paris | More Info : Christmas Lunch or Dinner Cruises
Jardin des Plantes - Tropical Wonders
- What to Expect
- Immersive discovery of fossil and living species.
- Description
- The Jardin des Plantes offers a discovery of the wonders of natural history with its galleries, gardens, greenhouses, and zoo. Discover our places to visit and enjoy numerous activities, such as exhibitions, guided tours, lectures, or films.
- Where
- Paris | More Info : Jardin des Plantes - Tropical Wonders