This post lists several fun activities, tours, and events you can enjoy in Paris during the month of January, updated for 2024.
If you’re looking for even more ideas, check out the following posts:
- Hop-on-Hop-off Bus Tours
- Tickets to the Eiffel Tower
- Tourist Attraction Discount Passes
- What’s the Weather in Paris in January?
TOP 10 THINGS TO DO IN JANUARY
This list will include a variety of different family-friendly, nighttime, and free activities for audiences of all ages.
Don’t forget to check out our what to do in Paris post for additional attractions.
1. See a Cabaret Show
If you're looking for something that is a bit more stereotypically Parisian, why not see a cabaret?
The Moulin Rouge is known for its live music, extravagant costumes, and beautiful performers in a luxurious environment.
Performances run regularly year-round, and we recommend getting your tickets a few months in advance as they do tend to sell out.
Here are a few of the best cabaret venues hosting shows in Paris this month:
Crazy Horse also offers a combo package that includes a backstage experience.
2. Go to an Amusement Park
January is one of the colder months in Paris, so there usually aren't as many people visiting the amusement parks during this time of year.
If you want to avoid long lines and get on all of your favorite rides, this is probably one of the best times to take the family to one of these locations.
Here are some of the best amusement parks scheduled to be open this month:
3. Take a Walking Tour
If you're visiting Paris on a sunny winter day, you may want to consider taking a pay-what-you-wish walking tour of the city.
The most common options are introductions to Paris and tours of Montmartre.
That said, there are also outings that focus on subjects such as the music of Paris, Le Marais, and other hidden gems.
If all else fails, you can always enjoy a self-guided tour of Paris which includes stops at some of the most notable locations in the entire city.
We also offer self-guided tours of Montmartre, the Latin Quarter, and Right Bank.
4. Learn How to Bake The French way
Genuine French macarons are one of the best treats to eat in Paris, and a bakery offers a class on how to make this delicious pastry.
Or what about a class that teaches you how to make a perfect baguette?
Perhaps a French pastry class is what you're looking for. This will surely make for a delicious afternoon experience.
Also, if you're there over the holidays, you might stop in a sweets shop or supermarket to pick up a traditional papillote. These chocolates will have you celebrating like the locals.
If you’re looking for more family fun, take a look at our post covering family-friendly activities in Paris.
5. See an Opera Performance
The Opéra Bastille will be hosting Adriana Lecouvreur from January 16th - February 7th, 2024.
This member of the Comédie-Française died under mysterious circumstances. The opera looks into who might have been the cause.
You can also take in a performance of Verdi's La Traviata, which runs at Opéra Bastille from January 21st - February 25th, 2024.
Tickets can be purchased here.
If you can't make it to either of these performances, you might still want to see one of the most famous opera houses in Paris, Opera Garnier.
They offer both self-guided tours and guided visits throughout the year.
6. Catch a Classical Concert
The Philharmonie de Paris will be hosting several performances throughout the month of January.
In addition to symphonic concerts for adults, they also have a space dedicated to children called Philharmonie des Enfants which allows them to explore and discover music in a variety of interesting ways.
They also have a museum you can visit which has a variety of musical instruments on display from throughout the history of music.
Purchase tickets or learn more.
If you’re looking for more evening activities or family-friendly entertainment, we have full posts with more ideas!
7. Explore The Food Scene
French food is famous all over the world for being delicious and high-quality.
If you don’t know where to start or want to get the best overview possible, why not take a cheese, wine, and pastry walking tour?
Some of these restaurants are also local favorites and could provide something a bit more savory:
Some of these places are great for family time or for entertainment at night.
8. Attend The Festival of Lights
The Botanical Gardens in Paris puts on an amazing Festival of Lights show.
The kids will love the giant illuminated plants, animals and other creatures in this park in the Latin Quarter.
Jardin des Plantes is open during the day too where you can see an un-illuminated version of the animals.
The Festival of Lights lasts from November 13th to January 14th. Be sure to get your ticket ahead of time.
Take a look at our post about things to do at night in Paris for more ideas.
9. Explore the Montmartre Neighborhood
This trendy neighborhood used to be the home of many aspiring artists in the 1800s and is now one of the fun hotspots of Paris.
During the day, you can hit up some fun museums, like the Museum of Montmartre or the Dali Paris, as well as architectural attractions such as the Sacre Coeur Basilica.
These super popular sights will be less crowded this month, which makes it a perfect time to venture out into Montmartre.
Read more about Montmartre in our full post, or take a look at the tours offered in this neighborhood.
10. Save Money with a Tourist Attraction Discount Pass
No matter where you’re planning to go this January in Paris, you can save some euros using a tourist attraction discount pass.
While some of these services offer admission to dozens of attractions over the course of a set number of days, others allow you to pay one flat price for a specific number of activities.
They don’t just offer discounts - keep in mind that most of these passes offer skip-the-line access at several notable landmarks.
Here are a few of the more popular attractions included with various Paris tourist passes:
- Hop-on-Hop-off Bus Tour
- River Seine Boat Cruise
- Montparnasse Tower
- Opera Garnier Tour
- Picasso Museum
- The Eiffel Tower
- Wine Tastings
- Notre Dame
- The Louvre
Depending on which pass you choose and how you use it, you could save anywhere from 15% – 50% off general admission prices. For more details, please read our post covering Paris tourist passes.
Or, if you're already researched passes and are interested in one of the following, it can be purchased here:
Honorable Mentions: Other Festivals and Events
It's a fairly quiet month in Paris, but there are some festivals or events you might be interested in attending.
Coquille Saint-Jacques Scallop Festival | January 20th-21st
Enjoy a free pop-up festival in Montmartre of all things seafood, as well as cooking demonstrations and live entertainment. Visit here for more information on the schedule.
Paris Fashion Week | January 22nd-25th
The spring/summer collections from some of the most well-known fashion houses in the world are being shown, filling up hotels around the city.
Festival d'Automne | runs until February 11th, 2024
Theatre, music, dance, film, and other art forms take place across Paris, including almost every day in January. Check the schedule of events.
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