Eiffel Tower Christmas – 2023 | What to do on 25th December and Christmas week?
Visiting the Eiffel Tower during Christmas is one of the best ways to experience the best of Paris and this magnificent building.
It is a famous spot for tourists to travel to during Christmas. The tower covered in snow and displaying festive images is worth seeing. It looks like a sparkling Christmas tree at night, with its amazing light show!
Tourists and locals visiting the Eiffel Tower during Christmas often have many questions about how they should plan their visit: should they visit on Christmas night (25 December), or should they plan their trip during Christmas Week?
In this article, we’ll answer every question and query related to the Eiffel Tower Christmas. We’ll also help you understand why you should visit the Eiffel Tower during Christmas and if it is worth it or not.
We’ll also let you know the best things to do at the Eiffel Tower during this festive season and tips to have the best visiting experience.
Eiffel Tower on 25 December 2023 (Christmas Day)
So before we talk about the whole Christmas week in Paris and the Eiffel Tower, we’ll learn about the Eiffel Tower on 25 December, the timings, and the best time to visit.
The Timings of the Eiffel Tower on Christmas Night
On 25 December 2023, the Eiffel Tower will open at 9.15 am and close at 12.45 pm. The last admission will be at 11.45 pm.
On Christmas night, the staircase will be accessible from 9.30 am to 11.45 pm, while the elevator hours will be 9.30 am to 12.00 am.
Best Time to Visit the Eiffel Tower on 25 December 2023
The Eiffel Tower will be too crowded on Christmas Day, as it is one of the most popular festivals of the year, and a lot of tourists and locals would like to celebrate this day in this magnificent building to make their Christmas memorable.
So, if you want to visit the Iron Lady (The Eiffel Tower) on Christmas day and avoid the crowd, we suggest you visit the tower during the early opening hours, from 9.15 am to 12 pm.
During this time, you will find less crowd around the tower and can enjoy the view of the decorated Paris skyline in a much quieter and peaceful way.
However, if you wish to visit the tower at night and witness the light show of Eiffel and the city decorated in light, you must brace yourself for a heavy crowd.
The best time to visit the Eiffel Tower during the evening of Christmas Day would be slightly before sunset.
Our recommended itinerary would be:
- Arrive at the tower half an hour before sunset. Book your tickets online, or you will have to wait for hours to get your tickets, and that will make you miss the sunset view.
- So, after arriving 30 minutes before sunset, get to the tower’s Summit with the elevator ticket, and soon after you reach the Summit, you will be able to witness the mesmerizing sight of the setting sun behind the decorated city of Paris.
- After that, you can visit Madame Brasserie to have a delicious dinner while you enjoy the view of the city decorated with Christmas trees and lights.
- After dinner, you can descend the tower and explore the Eiffel Tower gardens, from where you can see the beautiful Light Show, considered to be a major highlight for tourists as well as locals.
Eiffel Tower at Christmas Time – Places to Explore, Best Time to Visit, and much more!
A lot of visitors around the world visit the Eiffel Tower during Christmas week, and it is one of the best ways to experience Christmas in Paris.
Here are a few details about Christmas Week at the Eiffel Tower to maximize your visiting experience.
The Eiffel Tower is a popular Christmas attraction as it adds an enchanting atmosphere and makes this joyous festival special.
Paris is well known for its vast Christmas markets, sparkling gardens, and Eiffel Tower light shows that are only visible during the Christmas season. The sight, covered in a white layer of snow, is a must-see!
Tourists and locals visiting the Eiffel Tower during the Christmas season must know more about the places to see, the best timings and days to visit, and more to have a memorable experience.
This article provides a comprehensive account of what to do at the Eiffel Tower at Christmas, tips for a better experience, and other helpful information.
Timings of the Eiffel Tower at Christmas
The opening hours of the Eiffel Tower during the Christmas week are the same as the usual hours, from 9:30 am to 11:45 pm daily, with the last entry being at 10:45 pm.
However, on Christmas night of 25 December 2023, the Eiffel Tower will open from 9.15 am to 12.45 am, with the last entry at 11.45 pm.
On some days before and after Christmas, the Eiffel Tower will open a bit earlier than usual. This helps prevent crowding during the festive season.
The ticket office closes an hour before the closing time of the Eiffel Tower.
It is best to purchase your tickets online to reduce the chance of not getting in because of the long lines during the festive season.
Why Visit the Eiffel Tower During Christmas?
Tourists from all over the world come to see the sparkling Eiffel Tower during the Christmas season. The tower, covered with lights and surrounded by Christmas trees, provides the best atmosphere for a fun Christmas celebration.
Here are some reasons why the Eiffel Tower is a must-visit attraction in the Christmas season.
- View the perfect Christmas scenery
The Eiffel Tower decorates the skyline of Paris all throughout the year, but during the Christmas season, it is a sight worth seeing!
The 1,083-foot tall tower stands like a sparkling Christmas tree on Christmas nights. The light shows conducted at the tower, accompanied by exciting Christmas music, brighten the entire neighborhood.
Visit the tower to enjoy this view, surrounded by bustling markets and illuminated gardens. You can also view the perfect scenery of the snow-covered streets of Paris from the top of the tower.
- Explore the Parisian Christmas Culture
During the Christmas season, it is easy to immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of Paris and learn more about their lifestyle. The Eiffel Tower is a huge part of Parisian culture.
You can try Parisian delicacies and sweets, available around the tower, that are specially made during the Christmas season. You can also explore their festive markets, shop for clothes famous in Paris, and much more!
- Share the Christmas Joy with a Loved One
Paris, the city of love, is the perfect location to celebrate Christmas with your loved ones, with the Eiffel Tower as your background.
Enjoy a peaceful walk in the Champ De Mars Garden under the sparkling structure of the Eiffel Tower. You can also visit the top of the tower and share a warm dinner with your friends or family and watch the movie-like city of Paris covered in snow.
- Capture stunning photographs
Capture the most memorable moments with your family and friends beside the Eiffel Tower. You can hire a professional photographer to take your pictures.
The shining tower, surrounded by white snow, offers the best background to all images. This one-of-a-kind souvenir photo can be shared with others easily and will remain a reminder of the best white Christmas day in Paris.
- Have a Warm Christmas Meal
The Eiffel Tower is the best place to enjoy a warm Christmas meal. The Madame Brassiere and Le Jules Verne offer the best dishes from French cuisine during the Christmas season.
Enjoy the sparkling view of snow-covered Paris from the luxurious restaurants of the Eiffel Tower while having a perfectly seasoned warm meal and champagne.
- Get in the Christmas Mood at the Light Show!
The Eiffel Tower conducts special light shows on festive occasions to celebrate. Christmas day is the best to view this particular show. On Christmas day, the tower displays a dazzling display of vibrant colors, sparkling lights, and more!
Christmas carols are being played all throughout the week. The Eiffel Tower is the best location to visit during the Christmas season. You can also meet Santa Claus at the tower!
- Purchase Festive Souvenirs
The Eiffel Tower is surrounded by festive markets and stalls selling different types of Christmas souvenirs during the Christmas season. They sell cheap souvenirs that will remind you of your journey forever!
You can also purchase Eiffel Tower souvenirs as gifts for your friends and family from the souvenir shop inside the tower.
Things to do at the Eiffel Tower during Christmas
There are several activities visitors can do in and around the Eiffel Tower during the Christmas season to make their experience much more enjoyable.
Here are some of the most popular ones:
- Festive Cruise on the Seine River
The Seine River Cruise offers the best views of the Eiffel Tower, which makes it the most popular activity among tourists.
On the day of Christmas, you can enjoy the skyline of Paris with fireworks and festive music while gliding along the scenic waters of the River Seine.
This experience is highly recommended for those traveling with a big group of friends or family. It is also best for children!
Visitors wanting to enjoy a delicious meal and champagne onboard can opt to have a Christmas dinner or lunch on the cruise itself.
- A Lavish Lunch or Dinner in the Tower
For visitors wanting to experience the comprehensive tour of the Eiffel Tower during the Christmas season, you can book a once-in-a-lifetime dining experience inside the Eiffel Tower!
Avoid the crowds by arriving early in the morning during the Christmas season and exploring all the levels of the Eiffel Tower. You can view the snowy streets of Paris with its glittering Christmas lights from the top of the Tower.
After your fun exploration journey, you can relax and enjoy a filling three-course meal with a Christmas special menu at Madame Brasserie, a famous spot known for its tasty French delicacies and is definitely worth tasting!
This gives you enough time to explore other attractions and buy souvenirs from the Christmas market happening all around Paris for the remainder of the day.
For those visiting the Eiffel Tower to see the light shows, picking the dinner option at Madame Brassiere is the best option.
You can view the scenic city of Paris bathed in glittering lights and the colorful sunset sky.
You can also see the aesthetic view of the snowfall over the city.
After this delicious dinner, they can walk around the decorated streets of Paris, enjoy the dazzling Christmas light show and sing along to the Christmas carols.
We highly recommend this experience for tourists visiting for the first time and all foodies!
- Ride a Christmas Open-bus Tour around Paris
Explore the enchanted streets of Paris, decorated with Christmas lights and covered in a layer of snow, aboard an open bus tour.
Enjoy singing Christmas carols and make many new friends! This tour includes an audio commentary about Paris in more than 10 languages.
Some of the attractions you can see from the bus tour are:
- The Opera
- Place Vendome
- The Eiffel Tower
- The Louvre Museum, and many more.
You can also see the Christmas Eiffel Tower light show and sparkling fireworks with a great city view from the open bus tour.
We highly recommend this tour for history buffs and those traveling on a budget!
- Visit the Christmas Markets
Paris is well known for its Christmas, which gets everyone in the holiday spirit! These small neighborhood markets are set up all over Paris and around the Eiffel Tower during the Christmas season.
You can purchase food delicacies like roasted chestnuts, hot mulled wine, cheese, and chocolates, which are of the best quality and famous among tourists and locals in Paris.
Some Christmas markets you can visit around Paris are:
- La Magie de Noël at Tuileries Garden
- Paris Christmas Market at Hôtel de Ville
- Saint-Germain-des-Prés Christmas Market
- Champ De Mars Christmas Market
- Click Pictures with Santa Claus at the Eiffel Tower
Visitors traveling in a family with small children will greatly enjoy visiting Santa Claus at the Eiffel Tower. It is every child’s biggest dream around Christmas time.
You can meet Santa Claus at the Eiffel Tower throughout the Christmas season. Explore the interiors of the Eiffel Tower to find Santa roaming on all the floors.
You can hire a professional photographer and create an exciting souvenir of your Paris trip that will remain a part of your child’s memory forever.
- Step into a Garden of Lights at the Eiffel Tower
The gardens of the Eiffel Tower, lit up by numerous sparkling lights, are a must-see when visiting Paris.
The well-maintained gardens at the base of the tower are a major tourist attraction in themself.
During the Christmas season, the gardens are decorated with Christmas trees, stars, lights and much more, making it the perfect location for photography. You can also get a clear view of the tower from the gardens below.
After strolling in the white snow-covered garden, you can take a trip to the topmost floor of the Eiffel Tower and enjoy the sparkling view of the streets.
The garden is also an excellent place to stroll after having a warm meal at the restaurants in the Tower.
- A Guided Tour of the Eiffel Tower
Taking a guided tour of the Eiffel Tower during the Christmas season ensures you have the most immersive experience of the Tower. Enjoy the view of the decorated gardens, streets, and other attractions from the topmost floors of the tower.
You can also enjoy a warm dining experience at the restaurants of the Eiffel Tower on the first and second floors on your way back down. Souvenirs are also available for purchase inside the Tower, which make for great Christmas gifts.
We highly recommend this guided tour for first-time visitors and history buffs!
- Attend Mass at the Churches in Paris
For visitors who want to participate in the religious celebrations, we recommend you attend Christmas Eve mass in one of the beautiful historic churches in Paris. Join the prayers in the most serene atmosphere amongst glowing candles and organ music-led choirs.
The beautiful statues, paintings, and other religious displays add to the spirit of Christmas.
Some of the most famous churches in Paris are:
- Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral
- Madeleine Church
- The Basilica of Sacré Coeur
- Saint Sulpice Church
Midnight and day mass services are available in English as well, making it a perfect Christmas activity for all tourists.
Best Day and Time to Visit the Paris Eiffel Tower during Christmas
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays are usually the best days to visit the Eiffel Tower, as the weekends are the most crowded, especially during the Christmas season.
It is advisable to visit the tower at off-peak times, such as early morning before 10.30 am or late evening after 5 pm.
Visiting during the night and day offers visitors very different experiences and views. To avoid further crowding during the Christmas season, purchase your tickets online in advance.
For those who can climb stairs comfortably, it is advisable to use the staircase instead of the elevator between 11 am and 5 pm, as the tower is usually incredibly crowded.
Waiting Time for the Eiffel Tower during the Christmas Season
On usual days, a waiting time of 30 minutes to 2.5 hours can be expected at the main booking counter.
However, during the Christmas season, the waiting time could increase due to the huge crowds.
There are two main entrances to the Tower, the East and South entrances. Visitors can directly move to the elevator and staircase lines instead of waiting in the booking counter line if they book their entry tickets online. The wait times at each entrance are:
East Entrance: This is the entrance gate leading to the elevator to all floors. Visitors who book their elevator access tickets online can take the queue marked by a green flag at this gate. The wait time for this queue is 5 minutes maximum. These timings can increase during the Christmas season.
South Entrance: Marked by a blue flag, this entrance gives visitors access to the staircase of the Eiffel Tower. The maximum time this line takes is around 5 to 10 minutes for those who pre-book their tickets online. You can expect the wait time to increase during the Christmas season.
Tips to Avoid Long Queues at the Eiffel Tower during Christmas
The Eiffel Tower is the most popular attraction among tourists and gets over 25,000 visitors daily. During the festive season, like Christmas, the crowd is expected to increase due to the famous Eiffel Tower restaurants and light shows conducted at the tower.
Some of the things you can do to avoid these long queues are:
- Visit Early
The opening time of the Eiffel Tower begins at 9.30 am daily. It is recommended to visit the tower before 11 am to avoid the huge crowd of people that come in the mid-day.
The ticket counter opens at 9 am, which is half an hour before the visitors are let inside the tower. Ensure to get to the main entrance on time to avoid the huge ticket line.
You can also visit the tower after 5 pm as the crowd usually reduces by this time. The best days to visit are weekdays.
- Book your Tickets Online
The Paris Eiffel Tower is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Europe, especially during the Christmas season. Hence, the tickets sell out weeks in advance. You must purchase your tickets online before the date of visiting to ensure you have a chance of getting in.
You can purchase tickets for the elevator, which will provide you access to the first or second floor, as per the option picked by the elevator.
Visitors who purchase tickets online for the elevator are lined up in a separate queue, guaranteeing a shorter wait time.
You can also purchase tickets for the staircase, which has a shorter waiting time than the elevator lines.
- Use the Staircase
Most visitors traveling to the Eiffel Tower prefer purchasing tickets for the elevator, making the lifts too crowded.
Also, because of the high demand, the elevator ticket prices are higher.
If you are comfortable and healthy enough to climb the stairs of the Eiffel Tower, the Staircase tickets are the best option for you.
The staircase allows you to travel faster from floor to floor. There are 330 steps to the first level of the tower and 390 steps to the second level.
You can also watch the snow-covered streets of Paris from different heights while climbing the staircase. This is an excellent opportunity for photographers and young people who enjoy walking.
What to Wear to the Eiffel Tower during Christmas
The temperature in Paris during winter, including the month of December, is around 5 degrees celsius. It is the coldest month in Paris.
Wearing warm clothes, like a heavy sweater or cardigan, is essential to ensure protection from the cold.
However, the Eiffel Tower is sealed with glass and metal on all sides, preventing the cold wind from entering the Tower.
It is advisable to wear a scarf or warm woolen cap to protect your face and ears from the freezing wind while traveling to the Tower.
Wear warm socks. Choose leather or waterproof boots that have a firm grip. Exploring the interior of the Eiffel Tower requires hours of walking. So, ensure the boots are comfortable.
If you visit on Christmas day and want to look more dressed up, you can opt for a layered outfit with turtlenecks and trench coats.
Tips for Eiffel Tower Visit during the Christmas Season
- The crowd might be more than usual at the attraction, hence book your tickets for the Eiffel Tower online in advance. You can purchase skip-the-line tickets to move ahead faster.
- Check the weather forecast before picking out clothes for your visit, as the temperature is very low during Christmas.
- Keep a close eye on your wallet and other valuables, as you may lose your valuables in the crowd.
- Arrive early at the Eiffel Tower to avoid long queues at the gate and for the elevators.
- If you wish to see the light show as well, we recommend exploring the different levels of the Eiffel Tower in the morning, and in the evening, you can visit the Champ De Mars or the Eiffel Tower gardens to see the light show for free.
- You can also book a late evening slot to view the light show on the same day after exploring the tower.
- Explore the temporary shops around the Eiffel Tower to purchase cheap souvenirs from your trip.
- Dine with a view of the Eiffel Tower or inside a restaurant in the tower for the most memorable Christmas experience.
- Don’t forget to look for the office hidden in the Eiffel Tower belonging to Gustave Eiffel.
- During the Christmas season, the crowds would increase. Hence, it is advisable to take the staircase back down when leaving the Tower to avoid unnecessary crowding.
- Plan a visit at night or during the late evening so you don’t miss the festive Eiffel Tower light show display on Christmas.
FAQs for Eiffel Tower at Christmas
What can you do in the Eiffel Tower during Christmas?
Ans. You can enjoy an early lunch and dinner in the lavish restaurants in the tower. You can also explore the festive markets set up around the tower. For visitors who want to explore other attractions during Christmas time, the best options are a Seine River Cruise or an Open-bus tour.
Where to eat in Paris for Christmas?
Ans. You can dine at comfortable restaurants like Madame Brassiere and Le Jules Verne in the Eiffel Tower and enjoy authentic French cuisine. You can also book a Seine River Cruise with dinner included.
Can you Visit the Eiffel Tower on Christmas?
Ans. Yes. The Eiffel Tower is open on Christmas Day and is a must-visit attraction! You can enjoy the magnificent view of the city and dine on the most delicious French cuisine at the lavish restaurants on the first and second levels of the Eiffel Tower.
Can you visit the Eiffel Tower in December?
Ans. Yes, the Eiffel Tower is open all year round and is especially visited by tourists in December. Several festive stalls and other attractions surround the tower. You can enjoy the tower view, spectacularly decorated with Christmas lights and the special Christmas light show display.
Is Paris crowded during Christmas?
Ans. Yes, Paris is crowded during the Christmas season. Tourists travel from all over the world to see the main attractions like the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, and much more. To avoid crowding, ensure to purchase your tickets online in advance.
Is there a dress code to follow when visiting the Eiffel Tower on Christmas?
Ans. No, there is no dress code to follow, but we recommend you wear warm and comfortable clothing to avoid the windy and cold weather.