In the heart of winter, the parks and gardens of Greater Paris are decked out in magical lights to celebrate the festive season in style, offering visitors unforgettable magical immersive experiences. Lanterns in brilliant colours, crafted using ancient Chinese techniques or installations using innovative technology (videos, lasers, drones, LED lighting...), bring to life a dreamlike world of animals, illuminated plants, flowers, and fantastic creatures at nightfall. This unique experience invites you to discover the capital's most beautiful green spaces in a different way, from the Parc de Saint-Cloud to the Jardin des Plantes, the Jardin d'Acclimatation, via the Parc de la Villette... Discover the list of winter 2025 light trails and lantern festivals in Paris.
From 10 December to 8 March 2026
This winter, the Lantern Festival returns to the Jardin d’Acclimatation, from 10 December to 8 March 2026. At nightfall, **more than 2,000 lanterns **illuminate a 3-part trail: ‘The Empire of Traditions’ with illuminated pagodas, temples and the silhouettes of popular figures emblematic of Japanese traditions such as samurai and geishas, a ‘modern pop Odyssey’ that recreates the energy of Tokyo with gaming arcades and mangas and the ‘the Garden of Dreams’ that reproduces the serenity of nature with Mont Fuji and the famous cherry blossoms.
Jardin d'Acclimatation, Bois de Boulogne, Paris 16th
From 19 November to 11 January 2026
From 19 November to 11 January 2026, Light Odyssey enchants the Parc Floral de Paris with its colourful light trail. As visitors stroll by nightfall along a trail interspersed with 1,000 monumental lanterns, they are invited to discover the wonders of the North Pole and Japan, the forest of giant mushrooms, the valley of dragon trainers, as well as the rainforest.
The highlight of this open-air exhibition is a spectacular sound and light show reproducing the magical aurora borealis!
New for 2025: A drone show unfolds in the sky above the Parc Floral, and giant bubbles orchestrated by artist Alberto Leone float among the light installations.
Parc Floral de Paris - Jardin botanique de Paris - esplanade du château de Vincennes, Paris 12th
From 12 November to 18 January 2026
From 12 November to 18 January 2026 ‘Illuminating: Nature's lights’ brightens up the paths of the Jardin des Plantes. This immersive nighttime outdoor walk, which uses video mapping, lasers, holograms, and many other new technologies, highlights the natural lights emitted by the plant, animal, mineral, and celestial worlds.
Jardin des Plantes - Place Valhubert, Paris 5th
From 17 October to 8 March 2026
The gardens of Wow Safari Thoiry undergo a transformation in winter time to provide a unique and magical spectacle, the Thoiry Wild Lights. 3,000 lanterns illuminate the 6-hectare park, from 17 October to 8 March 2026 inspired by a new theme, ‘The Dance of the Spirits’. The Mexican holiday ‘Día de los Muertos’ is celebrated in a journey around the world, from the South Pacific to South Asia, via Africa and Latin America, revealing nature magnificently enhanced by the animals that inhabit it and the benevolent spirits that accompany them.
Wow Safari Thoiry - Château et parc zoologique de Thoiry (78)
From 14 November to 11 January 2026
The Lumières en Seine light trail with music will take place on the Domaine national de Saint-Cloud, from 14 November to 11 January 2026. This magical event invites visitors to take a night-time stroll of around 2 kilometres, in 25 stages, combining lights and water features. A food court provides sweet and savoury refreshments to enjoy along the way.
Domaine national de Saint-Cloud - 1 avenue de la Grille d’Honneur (92)
From 31 October to 31 January 2026
From 31 October to 31 January 2026, the light trail ‘Light Cycles’ offers a night-time stroll along the paths of the Parc de la Villette, accompanied by music, sound effects and digital art. This immersive experience features five installations that merge art and nature: ‘The Echo of the Woods’, ‘The Bonfire’, ‘The Invisible’, ‘Forest Symphony’ and ‘The Orange Hour’.
Parc de La Villette - 211 avenue Jean Jaurès, Paris 19e
