London Paris Christmas week 2016
 

I am thinking of taking my teenage granddaughter to London and Paris this Christmas. We would arrive in London the afternoon of Boxing Day and train to Paris on New Year's Eve. I have been to. Both cities several times but not at that time of year. Does anyone have seasonal suggestions or warnings. I would appreciate all help.

In London nearly everything is closed on 25th.
It can be quite cold and damp.

In Paris do go see the windows at Galeries Lafayette and Printemps, they are really beautiful.

Enjoy !

As you get into London on Boxing Day, the 25th won't concern you. Most places will be open on Boxing Day and everywhere will be open up to NYE when you leave London. The weather is a lottery and it could be everything except warm. Have a look at the London what's on website:

http://www.visitlondon.com/things-to...UFrG6TJ2JRe.97


I've not been to Paris at that time of year, but I'm sure that some of Paris residents will help with what may be open or closed:

http://en.parisinfo.com/what-to-do-in-paris

It was so warm last Christmas in London, we were having lunch outside. You really can't tell.

It's a nice time in London. Avoid the shopping streets on Boxing Day, they are unbearably crowded. More residential areas are pleasantly quiet, as many locals are on holiday. Book a show, and book your restaurants well in advance if there is anywhere specific you want to go.

London is far better for NYE, if you're thinking about partying and fireworks. But you have to buy tickets in advance for most of that.

In Paris, there are normally no fireworks, and many restaurants will be closed - though if interested, you should book well in advance for a fancy dinner.
The Christmas markets will still be running, but are not very exciting.
You can check to see what concerts are on in various churches, or go to a spectacle etc.
Other than that, most people end up on the Champs-Elysees, but there's no guarantee that there will be anything happening. Last year there was a last-minute 15-min light show projected on the Arc de Triomphe, and that was it.
Though public transportation is free on NYE, the Metro is seriously over-crowded to the point of being dangerous, so you should be able to walk home from wherever you are at midnight. That's the only "warning" you'll need.

You'll have to check the weather a day or two before you are due to arrive and pack accordingly. Nobody really knows what the weather will be like in either city.

If there's anyway you could reverse the order and spend NYE in London and Christmas in Paris instead, I'd recommend it.

I landed at LHR Boxing Day last year and flew home on New Years Day and it was one of my best trips to London ever (I've been there many times).

Go to a Pantomime or two (check what is on at Wilton's Music Hall -- they put on their first ever Panto last year so I assume will do one again), theatre, a posh meal, the Christmas fairs still going on, it is a wonderful time in London. And Tulips is right <i>last</i> Christmas/New Years was very warm. Don't count on that happening again this year.

If it was me I would leave for Paris on New Years Day - stay on in London through New Years Eve.

Christmasness sort of stops by Xmas Day in London.

Though street decorations remain in place till Jan 6, department stores start stripping their Xmas windows by Xmas Eve (unlike in Paris, where they remain Xmasised till about Jan 5) and feature their year-end Sales. Since retailers now discount year-round, and VAT adds 20% to the price, it's unlikely UK Sales will mean much - except create a bit of discomfort in the shops - to North Americans.

Xmas special concerts and the like generally come to an end by Xmas Eve too, so what's left that's Xmassy and public - apart from street decorations - are pantomimes, artificial ice skating rinks in picturesque locations and some Xmas fairs. Some fairs (like the Hyde Park Winter Wonderland) get mixed reviews, though I find it slightly more worthwhile than the utterly missable Champs Elysees equivalent.

That's certainly not to say there's not much on. It's just not very "seasonal" if you've got a picture of some kind of Dickens theme park

December weather in both London and Paris is completely unpredictable, though obviously probably warmer than almost anywhere in North America with a population at that time of year.

<<December weather in both London and Paris is completely unpredictable, though obviously probably warmer than almost anywhere in North America with a population at that time of year.>>

Though obviously flanner has no clue about North American weather in December and January. Fewer more daft statements have been written.

Thanks for the responses. I'm from California but usually spend most of January in Europe so I'm aware of the weather. Janis I like the idea of the panto. I was hoping to see the Nutcracker or something else in the holiday spirit. Suggestions welcome for anything festive. In Paris anything other than store windows?

Everything is festive in Paris during Christmas. But if you want to go to the ballet, I would get tickets now. Everything was sold out when I was there during Christmas.

I will be spending my seventh holiday season in Paris this year....It's a perfect time to go. The Christmas markets should still be going...some of them at least and the decorations around the city will still be up. It can be a bit rainy with the possibility of snow....but it really doesn't stick. Weather is similar to Seattle. Really excellent weather for walking , unlike summer when it is so warm and humid.

You might consider a concert at Ste Chapelle in Paris. I love Paris at Christmas and will be going there again this year. The store windows are amazing but even the small boutiques and chocolate shops have wonderful displays.

I think Opera Bastille may perform The Nutcracker--not sure. Many churches host really wonderful concerts.

Paris is a great spot for sampling the fabulous hot chocolate! Un Dimanche a Paris is a great spot that your teenaged grandaughter might enjoy for that. Many love Angelina, as well but it's not my favorite.

Some restaurants will have a special menu for NYE (we always leave before NYE). Do book in advance. Check the Paris by Mouth website for restaurants that will be open NYE.