My parents I will be spending the week between Christmas and New Years, but we will not be there for the actual holidays. We've all been to Paris several times before and know the city fairly well, but we've always been around Easter. I've seen the end of the year festivals mentioned on several websites, but can't find an actual description of the events. Does anyone know what goes on? Any other recommendations for late December activities in Paris?

Was in Paris last Christmas for several days. Not much special going on seemed to me. The highlights were the windows of the Grands Magasins, Department Stores of Au Printemps and Galeries Lafayette - which adjoin each other near the Opera metro stop. The sidewalk windows are decorated with fairy-tale themes with moving models, they attract huge crowds, with the show going on a bit after Christmas as well. Otherwise there was a Christmas Market by the Palais Royal - a German-like affair with market stalls selling Christmas stuff and foods, like hot spicy wine.

During the week between the holidays we attended a chamber music concert at the church of St. Germaine des Pres.

Pictures of last year's decorations

http://www.artday.com/ma_petite_lett...s_dec2002.html

WE spent many Christmases in Paris and always managed to find something of interest. Check the tourist office in New York. Stop by the tourist office on the Champs Elysees.