12 things you absolutely need to do in Paris this winter
Because not even Nice is particularly nice this time of year, you might as well stay in Paris -- because as 2014 comes to a close and the new year kicks in, there’s plenty to do, from seeing Elvis (not kidding) to attending the first-ever Paris Cocktail Week. Better start marking your calendars.
Check in to Hotel Thrillist this September!
Date
Event
Location
Dec 31 Wed
The Ultimate Gin & Tonic Bar In the days after Christmas, settle into the pop-up gin and tonic bar at Hotel Fouquet's Barrière’s Le Bar Marta on the Champs-Elysées. And if G&Ts aren’t your thing? There are plenty of specialty gin cocktails created for the pop-up bar that are sure to be up your alley.
Hôtel Fouquet’s Barrière's Le Bar Marta
The Ultimate Gin & Tonic Bar Hôtel Fouquet’s Barrière's Le Bar Marta In the days after Christmas, settle into the pop-up gin and tonic bar at Hotel Fouquet's Barrière’s Le Bar Marta on the Champs-Elysées. And if G&Ts aren’t your thing? There are plenty of specialty gin cocktails created for the pop-up bar that are sure to be up your alley.
Date
Event
Location
Dec 31 Wed
Le Grand Palais des Glaces If you’re tired of the boring old rink in front of Hotel de Ville, then Le Grand Palais des Glaces is for you. You can skate until 2am if you want to, rocking out to the DJs on hand. Expect vin chaud, chocolat chaud, and a vintage Rossignol pop-up shop.
Le Grand Palais des Glaces The Grand Palais If you’re tired of the boring old rink in front of Hotel de Ville, then Le Grand Palais des Glaces is for you. You can skate until 2am if you want to, rocking out to the DJs on hand. Expect vin chaud, chocolat chaud, and a vintage Rossignol pop-up shop.
Date
Event
Location
Dec 31 Wed
Paris Magnum While the word “magnum” might have you thinking about large bottles of bubbles, this time we’re talking about the iconic photo agency, created by Henri Cartier-Bresson. Considered the Father of photojournalism, the international agency has represented some of the best photojournalists in the world. The Paris Magnum retrospective exhibition takes a look at Paris through the eyes of these photographers, through some of its most defining moments in the last 80 years, from the liberation to the building of the Louvre pyramid.
Hôtel de Ville/Paris City Hall
Paris Magnum Hôtel de Ville/Paris City Hall While the word “magnum” might have you thinking about large bottles of bubbles, this time we’re talking about the iconic photo agency, created by Henri Cartier-Bresson. Considered the Father of photojournalism, the international agency has represented some of the best photojournalists in the world. The Paris Magnum retrospective exhibition takes a look at Paris through the eyes of these photographers, through some of its most defining moments in the last 80 years, from the liberation to the building of the Louvre pyramid.
Date
Event
Location
Dec 31 Wed
Elvis Experience Just because the King is dead doesn’t mean his spirit doesn’t live on, even in the French capital. Thanks to Elvis Experience, you can almost feel like you’re actually seeing him in concert, a flashback to his concerts in Las Vegas in the 1970s.
Elvis Experience Palais Des Sports Just because the King is dead doesn’t mean his spirit doesn’t live on, even in the French capital. Thanks to Elvis Experience, you can almost feel like you’re actually seeing him in concert, a flashback to his concerts in Las Vegas in the 1970s.
Date
Event
Location
Dec 31 Wed
New Year's Eve For big parties, check out Réveillon 100% Dancefloor at Palais de Tokyo, or Paris a Le Groove at Le 1979... or just grab some cheap bubbles and hit the street (remembering that the Champs-Élysées is closed after 5pm). Plus: RATP is serving up free transportation.
Across Paris
New Year's Eve Across Paris For big parties, check out Réveillon 100% Dancefloor at Palais de Tokyo, or Paris a Le Groove at Le 1979... or just grab some cheap bubbles and hit the street (remembering that the Champs-Élysées is closed after 5pm). Plus: RATP is serving up free transportation.
Date
Event
Location
Dec 31 Wed
Old Russian New Year Unless you’re of Russian heritage, you may not have even heard of Russian New Year. But now you have, and as such, you should celebrate, at restos like IKRA and DARU, or with some Russian music on the Bateau Daphné boat on the 11th.
All around Paris
Old Russian New Year All around Paris Unless you’re of Russian heritage, you may not have even heard of Russian New Year. But now you have, and as such, you should celebrate, at restos like IKRA and DARU, or with some Russian music on the Bateau Daphné boat on the 11th.
Date
Event
Location
Dec 31 Wed
Les Hivernales Musicales What’s the best way to get through a cold and dark winter? Spend your evenings listening to good music, for free. That’s the idea behind Les Hivernales Musicales, which is hosting a variety of concerts on various dates around the 11th arrondissement, free and open to everyone.
Around the 11th arrondissement
Les Hivernales Musicales Around the 11th arrondissement What’s the best way to get through a cold and dark winter? Spend your evenings listening to good music, for free. That’s the idea behind Les Hivernales Musicales, which is hosting a variety of concerts on various dates around the 11th arrondissement, free and open to everyone.
Date
Event
Location
Dec 31 Wed
Paris Cocktail Week This is the inaugural Paris Cocktail Week, and if you’ve been wondering what’s making the 'tail scene so noteworthy, then plan to attend. Events for the week are a bit hush hush right now, so get your name on the emailing list to be kept up to date on all that’s happening.
Bars around Paris
Paris Cocktail Week Bars around Paris This is the inaugural Paris Cocktail Week, and if you’ve been wondering what’s making the 'tail scene so noteworthy, then plan to attend. Events for the week are a bit hush hush right now, so get your name on the emailing list to be kept up to date on all that’s happening.
Date
Event
Location
Dec 31 Wed
Chinese New Year celebrations It’s the Year of the Goat, people! The Chinese New Year parade that goes around the 13th arrondissement is the biggest in France, and yes, there will be dragons and firecrackers. You can also catch Chinese New Year celebrations in the Marais and Belleville.
13th arrondissement, Marais, and Belleville
Chinese New Year celebrations 13th arrondissement, Marais, and Belleville It’s the Year of the Goat, people! The Chinese New Year parade that goes around the 13th arrondissement is the biggest in France, and yes, there will be dragons and firecrackers. You can also catch Chinese New Year celebrations in the Marais and Belleville.
Date
Event
Location
Dec 31 Wed
Carnaval Electro #2 The infamous 104 is hosting Carnaval Electro #2, because of course last year’s was so good. There’s only one hitch, there’s a mandatory dress code: dots. You read that right. “Tous à pois” ensures that you’ll have one psychedelic night.
Carnaval Electro #2 104 Centquatre The infamous 104 is hosting Carnaval Electro #2, because of course last year’s was so good. There’s only one hitch, there’s a mandatory dress code: dots. You read that right. “Tous à pois” ensures that you’ll have one psychedelic night.
Date
Event
Location
Dec 31 Wed
Carnaval de Paris If you thought Rio was the only place to celebrate Carnaval with a massive parade, think again. Paris has its own version. Ok, so there’s a little less glitz and glam, but with a theme of dragons and knights, 2015’s Carnaval de Paris sounds glorious.
Place Gambetta
Carnaval de Paris Place Gambetta If you thought Rio was the only place to celebrate Carnaval with a massive parade, think again. Paris has its own version. Ok, so there’s a little less glitz and glam, but with a theme of dragons and knights, 2015’s Carnaval de Paris sounds glorious.
Date
Event
Location
Dec 31 Wed
Weather Winter While the Weather Winter concert’s location might be a secret, at least it’s common knowledge that you’re going to get 15,000 square meters of electronic music played late into the night.
Secret location
Weather Winter Secret location While the Weather Winter concert’s location might be a secret, at least it’s common knowledge that you’re going to get 15,000 square meters of electronic music played late into the night.