Fireworks, celebrations & more (2023 Guide)

Are you planning New Year’s in Paris and wondering now the city has in store for you on NYE? Look no further. Because in this article, I am sharing with you the best spots in Paris to ring in the New Year.

From vibrant celebrations and fireworks to a more intimate setting, with this Paris NYE Guide you are most definitely covered.

Additionally, I’ll provide you with plenty of practical tips and local insights to ensure that your New Year’s Eve in Paris is a resounding success.

Salut, I am Lena – Travel Planning Expert and parisienne since 2006 🩷

You might also be interested in these articles:

New Year’s in Paris: Everything you need to know

So, without further ado, here’s for you everything you need to know about celebrating New Year’s Eve in Paris. Including, of course, where to celebrate, what to expect and plenty of practical information about public transportation, fireworks and opening times.

Are there New Year’s Eve Fireworks in Paris?

If you’re expecting a dazzling New Year’s Eve fireworks show at the Eiffel Tower in Paris, brace yourself for disappointment. Unlike the grand displays in many other parts of the world, fireworks traditionally play a limited role in Parisian New Year celebrations.

But a little spoiler, it’s not completely without.

But private fireworks with crackers, bangs, and rockets, as known for example in Germany, are not allowed in France. It’s strictly prohibited!

So, if you had the notion of setting off your own fireworks in Paris, I strongly advise against it.

Traditionally, only July 14th is celebrated with fireworks, and that too is exclusively organized officially.

So, if you have images of a spectacular fireworks at the Eiffel Tower in mind, it was undoubtedly fired on the National Day, not on New Year’s Eve.

Lately, the situation with New Year’s Eve fireworks in Paris has eased a bit, and there have been smaller displays at the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe. Some even with captivating light shows and music.

As expected, both the French locals and tourists loved these public celebrations on NYE. So luckily, it was not a one-time event, but something that rang in a new tradition.

So, even on New Year’s Eve 2023/2024, expect fireworks and public celebrations. What exactly awaits you on New Year’s Eve I will reveal a bit later in this article.

How crowded will it be in Paris on New Year’s Eve?

For many, especially European travelers, a short trip to Paris for New Year’s is the pinnacle of the holiday season. Paris will be buzzing.

New Year’s Eve in Paris is a peak season. The hotels are fully booked and so are most of the attractions. So I recommend securing tickets as soon as you can for the most popular sights & landmarks in the city.

To make it easier for you, here are the Paris attractions that tend to sell out quickly.

I’ve linked GetYourGuide for you, a ticketing platform I use myself. The advantage of GetYourGuide is that you can cancel tickets up to 24 hours in advance, providing flexibility in case of unexpected weather or last-minute plan changes.

Furthermore, GetYourGuide often has tickets available even when official presale outlets are long sold out.

The outskirts of Paris might be more tranquil, a contrast to the New Year’s excitement in the city center. On the Champs-Élysées, it’s a livelier scene.

At the Arc de Triomphe, the New Year’s Eve event is expected to attract around 500,000 people. But, given the Champs-Élysées’ considerable size and the absence of traffic, there’s ample space for everyone to enjoy the night.

If large public gatherings aren’t your thing, you best sort out your New Year’s Eve plans in Paris at the earliest. Because for those looking to celebrate at a club, pub, or restaurant, booking ahead is crucial.

On Paris on New Year’s Eve, it’s essential to plan early, as last-minute options are very, very limited.

How and where can you celebrate New Year’s Eve in Paris?

While in many parts of the world the question “So, what are you doing on New Year’s?” starts circulating in November, the NYE in Paris is a more laid-back event. At least for most Parisians.

Many French simply stay at home or are not even in Paris, as they spend the holidays in the countryside visiting friends and family.

But don’t worry, you don’t have to spend New Year’s Eve in Paris in your hotel room. Below, I’ve compiled a selection of activities to ensure your New Year’s celebration in Paris is fantastic. I’m sure there’s something for everyone in the list.

#1 Public New Year’s Eve Celebrations in Paris

On New Year’s Eve in Paris, the streets in the center come alive. For the big public celebration, head straight to the Champs-Élysées, where the vibrant atmosphere awaits.

But essentially, you can expect people to gather on various larger squares. In Montmartre at Sacre Coeur, on Place de la Concorde, and most likely on Place de la République as well.

New Year’s Eve at the Arc de Triomphe

The biggest New Year’s celebration unfolds at the Arc de Triomphe and along the Champs-Élysées. From late afternoon, the Champs-Élysées closes to traffic for the occasion, and you can expect a very lively evening ahead.

In 2023, the official program kicks off already at 7 p.m.: music DJ sets, Karaoke, light shows, the countdown, and, as announced, a firework as a big final.

The New Year’s Eve celebration at the Arc de Triomphe is the official New Year’s party in Paris, organized by the city administration and the tourism board.

New Year’s Eve at the Eiffel Tower

The disappointing news upfront: There won’t be any fireworks or an official celebration per se at the Eiffel Tower on New Year’s Eve. However, you can still many people still gather around the iconic Parisian spot to welcome the new year.

At every full hour, and naturally at midnight, the Eiffel Tower sparkles as usual. Undoubtedly, a fantastic backdrop to raise a toast to the New Year!

#2 Embark on a Seine River Cruise on New Year’s Eve

Click here to see all available Seine Cruses on NYE

Taking a Seine River cruise on New Year’s Eve is a great way to enjoy the night and see Paris from a different perspective. The city looks beautiful at night, especially from the water on a Bateaux Mouche boat.

Many companies in Paris offer special cruises for New Year’s Eve. You can choose from various options, like short scenic trips or longer cruises with music and fancy dinners.

It’s important to book these cruises early, as they can fill up fast, especially those with New Year’s Eve dinner included.

I’ve listed some of the top river cruises in Paris for New Year’s Eve below. It’s a good idea to check if they’re still available soon.

#3 New Year’s Eve at Disneyland Paris

An alternative to the hustle on the Champs-Élysées is Disneyland. Equally, bustling and with spectacular fireworks on display. But of course, that’s not all.

The New Year’s Eve celebration at Disneyland also features shows with Disney characters, light displays, dance parties, and the attractions remain open until late into the night.

To organize your trip to Disney best, check out these guides:

#4 New Year’s Eve in Paris: Clubs, Bars, and Pubs

If you’re up for a party but don’t want to rely on the weather gods to favor an outdoor celebration, a pub is a great choice.

Pubs & Bars in Paris on New Year’s Eve

There are many pubs in Paris. They aren’t the typical Parisian bistros you might expect, but rather resemble the good old Irish pub or alternatively, an Australian pub, Scottish pub, etc. These pubs have become an integral part of the Parisian bar scene.

Most of them have a restaurant and bar area in the front and a disco or dance floor in the back. Quite convenient if you want to spend the evening in one place.

Important: Make sure to reserve in advance. On New Year’s Eve, you’re unlikely to get in without tickets.

So, if a Parisian New Year’s in a pub is what you have in mind, keep an eye on the following establishments and make sure to reserve ASAP:

• O’Sullivans – Various locations in Paris, more info here
• Corcoran’s – Various locations in Paris, more info here
• Café Oz – Various locations in Paris, more info here
• The Highlander – 8 Rue de Nevers, Program & info here

For more ideas, also take a look at my favorite bars here:

New Year’s Eve in Paris: Clubs

If clubs align more with your idea of a New Year’s Eve party, Paris has a lot to offer. Especially if you kick off the evening with a nice dinner or on the Champs-Élysée, and then want to continue the celebration in a club.

The clubs are, of course, open into the early morning hours.

But here’s a crucial tip: Reserve in advance! The presale for some clubs started weeks ago. Here’s a small selection for you:

• Rex Club: Sylvester program and reservations can be found here
• La Machine du Moulin Rouge: Program and reservations can be found here
• Petit Bain: You can view the program here
• Cabaret Sauvage: Reservations and program here
• New Morning: Reservations and program here

#5 Celebrate New Year’s Eve in Paris with an Elegant Dinner

For a delicious and quiet start to the New Year’s Eve festivities in Paris (or perhaps as the highlight!), a dinner at one of the many excellent Parisian restaurants is a great idea.

But here, too, you must make reservations in advance. Many restaurants have private events on New Year’s Eve, and without a reservation, you might find yourself hungry.

Since I don’t know your personal taste and preferences vary, it’s best to check out The Fork. Here, you’ll find a wide selection of restaurants, enjoy nice discounts, and can even make an online reservation.

(Use this link and CODE 83FDC2B7 for a discount of €10 on your first bill)

#6 Spend New Year’s Eve in one of the Parisian Cabarets

Click here to see all cabaret shows for New Years in Paris

Cabarets are as quintessentially Parisian as the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe. Therefore, you’ll find several cabarets in the city, and all of them are incredibly popular activities on New Year’s Eve in Paris.

Here, you can enjoy a top-notch show while being served a gourmet dinner and Champagne. Did you know actually that the Moulin Rouge is the world’s largest single consumer of Champagne?

Certainly, the New Year’s Eve galas at the Moulin Rouge, Crazy Horse, and L’Oiseau Paradis are so popular that it sells out quickly, even though the price is admittedly on the higher side.

Here, you can check directly if tickets are still available:

• L’Oiseau Paradis: New Year’s Eve Dinner & Cabaret Show: Book here
• Crazy Horse: Champagne, Caviar, and Cabaret: Book here
• Moulin Rouge: Dinner with Champagne and Cabaret: Get more info here

Paris NYE Travel Tips & Insights

To make your New Year’s Evening in Paris as fabulous as smooth, here are a few tips that help you navigate the night.

The Metro Runs All Night on New Year’s Eve in Paris:

If you’ve ever been to Paris, then you know that it can be somewhat difficult to get back to your hotel late at night. Because the Metro in Paris doesn’t run all night on weekends. However, it’s different on New Year’s Eve.

On the night from December 31st to January 1st, the metro runs continuously. However, this applies only to lines 1, 2, 4, 6, 9, and 14. The RER A, B, C, and D also runs. The remaining metro lines close from around 2:15 AM until 5:30 AM.

But that’s not all: from 5:00 PM on the 31st of December until 12:00 PM on the 1st of January, the metro is free of charge.

New Year’s Day in Paris: What’s open?

Also read our article: 17 Best Things to do in Paris on New Year’s Day (2024)

If you’re in Paris for New Year’s Eve, chances are you’ll also spend at least part of January 1st in the city. It’s a public holiday in France, so many places are closed on this day.

Even attractions and museums, usually welcoming visitors, make an exception for New Year’s Day in Paris.

To plan your trip to Paris over New Year’s Eve wisely, it’s essential to know what you can do on January 1st in the city—and what you can’t.

This way, you can schedule your sightseeing before New Year’s Day.

As you can imagine, the attractions that open on January 1st are incredibly popular and tend to sell out quickly. Acting fast is key, as even the locals seize the day to explore Paris.

Here’s a quick overview of which Parisian highlights are open on New Year’s Day and tend to sell out fast:

• Musée d’Orsay: If you have a fondness for Impressionist art, then the Musée d’Orsay is for you. Here, you can admire art by grand masters like Renoir, van Gogh, and Monet. Tickets are available here.

A rundown of the key attractions in Paris on New Year’s Eve:

Info about the Louvre: It’s closed on Tuesdays. Since January 1st, 2024, falls on a Monday, the Louvre will be closed on both days.

I hope this table aids in organizing your New Year’s Eve trip to Paris. Keeping track of opening hours and securing tickets ahead should ensure a smooth experience.

If you’re still seeking ideas on free or accessible attractions in Paris, feel free to check out the following articles. They’re packed with plenty of suggestions:

In our Montmartre Guide, you’ll discover comprehensive information about the attractions in the renowned Parisian Artists’ Quarter. Additionally, I’ll provide tips on what to watch out for and how to protect yourself from scams.

If you’re traveling to Paris on a tight budget, be sure to check out our Paris Money-Saving Tips. Even with limited funds, you can enjoy the charms of Paris.

Lastly, if you want to capture the lingering Christmas spirit in Paris, my article on Christmas in Paris offers a plethora of tips to make the most of the festive season.

Voilà, joyeuses fêtes et bonne année!

Parisienne since 2006 🩷

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FAQ: New Year’s Eve in Paris