The winter season in France is glowing with festive occasions. From the tip of November to early January, Christmas markets are held throughout the entire nation. In February and March, it’s carnival season. And there’s masses extra occurring – discover out what’s on in France winter 2025-2026:
Nationwide Occasions in Winter
25 December – Christmas Day is a nationwide vacation.
31 December – The Réveillon de la Saint Sylvestre – because the French name New 12 months’s Eve, named after the thirty third Pope of Rome, and his feast day. The French are likely to have a good time it with a lavish feast of fabulous meals at dwelling with family and friends or in a favorite restaurant, events are held at city halls and salles des fêtes, and occasions with fireworks are common. In Paris, hundreds of revellers head to the hotspots of Montmartre or to the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe, and there may be music and dancing on the streets! At midnight, it’s time to want everybody bonne année and lovers kiss beneath the mistletoe.
1 January – New 12 months’s Day is a public vacation. It’s a rising custom to courageous the chilly climate and ‘take pleasure in’ a dip within the sea, typically in fancy costume costumes. From some 2000 bathers in Dinard in Brittany, to a number of thousand in Dunkerque within the far north braving the cool waters of the English Channel, daring to take the brand new 12 months plunge is changing into increasingly common!
6 January – La Fête des Rois. It’s conventional to eat a particular cake known as the Galette des Rois on at the present time (learn extra about it right here). You’ll see these scrumptious muffins in each patisserie in France. Historically a ‘fêve’, just a little figurine fortunate appeal is hidden contained in the puff pastry filled with frangipane, and the one that finds it of their slice of cake is topped king or queen for a day! If you wish to make one at dwelling, right here’s a recipe for Galette des Rois
14 February – St Valentine’s Day
Christmas markets and festive occasions
Picture: Christmas decor the Chateau of Amboise, Loire Valley
Uncover a great deal of details about the Christmas markets, Christmas lights, occasions and festive meals in our Final Information to Christmas in France on The Good Life France web site: thegoodlifefrance.com/ultimateguidetochristmasinfrance
Take pleasure in our podcast about Christmas in France!
What’s on
Pageant of Lights, Lyon
5-8 December 2025
For 4 days every December, Lyon sparkles throughout the Fete des Lumières, the most important lights competition within the nation. The occasion pays homage to a time within the 17th century when plague was rampant in France and on orders of the municipal council, a procession climbed the hill to the Cathedral of Lyon by candlelight to hope to the Virgin Mary for salvation. Lyon was spared and it grew to become customary for residents to mild candles of their home windows annually to have a good time their salvation. These days it’s an enormous luminous celebration of artwork and lightweight, with stalls promoting sizzling wine and roasted chestnuts, plus eating places supply particular menus and particular offers throughout the competition.
Richerenches Truffle Pageant, Provence
Mid-November 2025 – mid-March 2026
Truffle markets happen alongside the weekly market every Saturday morning within the medieval city of Richerenches, Vaucluse. Count on to bask in truffle flavoured connoisseur specialities. Take dwelling a few truffles, you will get them at a great value on the market.
Pageant des Dindes, Licques
13-14 December 2025
A enjoyable and quirky competition the place turkeys are celebrated. Held over a weekend, there’s a gastronomic truthful with wine tasting and meals for all of your Christmas luxuries. Then on Sunday morning, sip the native liqueur, which is heated in an enormous cauldron, as a gaggle of gobbling turkeys are launched to “rampage” by means of the streets accompanied by native brotherhoods and dignitaries in all their festive finery. Within the afternoon there’s a tented lunch and tea dance attended by tons of! paysdopale.fr
Epernay – Habits de Lumière, Champagne
12-14 December 2025
The well-known Champagne metropolis of Épernay, celebrates the gastronomic heritage of the area with a vibrant fete, the Habits de Lumière. For 3 days, the town is lit up and there are many actions on supply, together with pop up Champagne bars, firework shows and a giant avenue parade on Avenue de Champagne, exhibitions, musical leisure, cellar excursions and a complete host of reveals for kids and adults. On the Sunday morning there’s a parade of a number of hundred collector’s vehicles, and within the afternoon, there’s a particular tea celebration for kids.
Carnival de Limoux, Aude
19 January – 30 March 2025
That is the oldest carnival in France – it’s been held for round 700 years! Going down at a city 30km from Carcassonne, every weekend the carnival options masked dancers and performers and a parade. Learn extra about it right here: thegoodlifefrance.com/limoux-carnival
La Chandeleur – Pancake Day in France
2 February 2025
La Chandeleur or Crêpe Day is the day in France when individuals historically eat crêpes and drink cider! Right here’s the best way to make the proper French pancake/crêpe.
Pageant of Violets, Tourrettes-sur-Loup
1-2 March 2025
Within the Alpes-Maritime division, the stunning village of Tourettes-sur-Loup holds an annual violet competition the primary weekend of March, with farmers markets and a violet parade with a battle of the flowers, a really aromatic competition! tourrettessurloup.com
Developing
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