The Paris La Défense Christmas Market is kicking off its 2026 edition with a musical twist. On Friday, November 13, Chimène Badi will headline an inaugural concert—gospel and soul—on the market’s forecourt in the business district, straddling Puteaux and Courbevoie in the Hauts-de-Seine (92). The market itself will open its 300-plus chalets from November 12 to December 31, 2026, featuring a brand-new space named Le Sommet.
Last year we wandered the aisles of the largest Christmas market in Île-de-France, savoring the scents of mulled wine, melting raclette, and chalet after chalet stretching as far as the eye could see. That winter village drew more than 2.2 million visitors, a record. This year, it’s climbing even higher, both literally and figuratively.
The official kickoff kicks off on Friday, November 13, 2026, the day after the opening. At 8:45 p.m., the Gospel'n'Soul Voices choir opens the evening with a one-hour concert. Chimène Badi then takes the stage with a gospel and soul repertoire, surrounded by six backing vocalists and a keyboardist.
Two concerts with powerhouse voices to kick off nearly seven weeks of festivities. With such an opening, the towers in the business district are likely to tremble a little more than usual.
It's the year's big novelty. The Summit will complement the traditional chalets from November 12, 2026 to January 3, 2027, with an ambiance designed for evenings. Here, everything leans into verticality, as if the decor were trying to rival the neighboring skyscrapers.
In the center, a 504-square-meter ice rink circles a 20-meter-tall illuminated Christmas tree. Surrounding it, a bar topped with a 6.5-meter decorative pyramid, a tower of flying chairs rising to 15 meters, and a 50-square-meter stage perched high above, with a sweeping view of the entire festive area.
On the plate side, two food courts offer Italian and Alsatian specialties, along with aligot, burgers and raclette. For a goûter, crepes, waffles, doughnuts and marshmallows round out the menu. Companies can also privatize a 100-square-meter space for about 80 guests, perfect for an after-work gathering or a standing cocktail reception.
Christmas 2026: a 504-square-metre ice rink opens at the La Défense Christmas Market!
The ice rink at the Paris La Défense Christmas Market returns from November 12, 2026 to January 3, 2027! With 504 square meters of ice, its twinkling tree, and its new festive space dubbed The Summit, it promises a few graceful spins in the heart of Hauts-de-Seine. [Read more]
Le Sommet keeps a seven-day musical schedule, with a different vibe each night from 6 p.m. Live bands, DJs, a saxophonist, an accordionist, and dancers rotate through the lineup according to this schedule:
Two dates stand out. On December 23, from 3 to 5 p.m., Boom des Enfants brings together a DJ and three mascots for the little ones. On January 2, 2027, a closing night blends a live concert, dancers and a DJ set to wrap up the season.
Visitors reconnect with the season’s spirit with more than 300 chalets, including a village of about thirty artisans and creators. Five restaurants invite guests on a journey from Savoie to Quebec, via Alsace, the Caribbean, and the Southwest. Three food courts and three rides round out the scene.
Among the spots we look forward to revisiting each year, the Noëlle boutique with its decorating ideas, Fortwenger’s gingerbreads, and the Father Christmas and Mrs. Claus House are back. Father Christmas is on site every day, joined by Mrs. Claus on Wednesdays and weekends.
The aisles come alive every week as well. On Wednesdays from 5:30 p.m., three dancers in glowing costumes wander among the chalets. On Sundays from 2:30 p.m., concerts, mascots and Christmas characters take over for the families. Finally, a community chalet hosts a different local association each week.
The magic spills from the market to cover the entire Paris La Défense district. From November 12, 2026 to January 13, 2027, a nature-inspired light installation will transform the area. Visitors will wander through an enchanted forest, a gleaming field of dandelions, and admire a golden cascade at the heart of the Takis basin. The giant Christmas tree returns to La Défense Plaza, and the Seasons district welcomes back its oversized teddy bear. The illuminations run on energy-efficient LEDs, with adjustable on/off times.
To experience this setting in a different light, the free storytelling walks “Les Égarés de la forêt” offer an immersive, interactive 90-minute show. They run by reservation on November 13, 20 and 27, and then December 4, 11 and 18, 2026, at 6:00 PM. A charming way to discover the business district from a more poetic angle.
At the market, the solidarity collection bins distribute the funds evenly between local charities and a national umbrella organization. The toy drive run by the Green Santa Clauses of Secours Populaire in Hauts-de-Seine is donated to Espace Info Paris La Défense. The AsD’s Solidarity Christmas Boxes, the La Défense Site’s association, are also back to help people and families in need.
Solidarity also starts on the plate. La Salle à Manger, a solidarity, anti-waste restaurant created by the Maison de l'Amitié, based at Place de la Pyramide in Puteaux at the foot of the EDF tower, offers three Christmas menus. The Elf menu (starter and main) and the Reindeer menu (main and dessert) are priced at 15 euros, with 4 euros of that as a donation, while the Santa Claus menu (starter, main and dessert) is 20 euros, with 5 euros donated. These donations fund meals at 1 euro for people in need.
Access to the market is free and open to all. The chalets operate Monday through Thursday from 11:00 to 21:00, Friday from 11:00 to 23:00, Saturday from 10:00 to 23:00, and Sunday from 11:00 to 21:30. On December 24 and 31, the market closes at 18:00, and on December 25 it opens from 15:00 to 23:00. The Summit follows the same hours, with closing at 22:00 on Thursdays, and it also opens on January 1, 2027 from 15:00 to 23:00. The easiest way to get there remains public transport, with Metro line 1, RER A and E, and tram T2 to La Défense Grande Arche. The map and the infos pratiques can be consulted on the official site.
For exhibitors, creators and merchants interested in a future edition can learn more via the market's Exhibitors' Space or by contacting the organizer, 2A Organisation.
The traditional market is ideal for families hoping to meet Santa, for wanderers chasing gifts, and for food lovers. The Summit, by contrast, caters more to outings with friends or colleagues after work, when the skating rink lights up and the music swells. A tip: Saturdays in December tend to be busy. If you can, opt for a weekday evening or an early afternoon to wander more calmly.
Want to extend the season? In the same department, the Lumières en Seine route at the Domaine de Saint-Cloud offers a nighttime stroll to discover. Our guide to the 2026 Christmas markets in Hauts-de-Seine also lists the festive villages in neighboring towns. And to compare, we’ll keep our picks of the prettiest Christmas markets in Paris and Île-de-France up to date as new announcements come in.
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Dates and Opening Time
From November 12, 2026 to December 31, 2026
Location
Esplanade de Paris La Défense
Esplanade de La Défense
92800 Puteaux
Route planner
Accessibility info
Prices
Free
Recommended age
For all
Official website
xmasparisladefense.com
More information
Market open daily.
Free access
Christmas 2026: a 504-square-metre ice rink opens at the La Défense Christmas Market!
