In the heart of winter, there's plenty to do! Go and see the major exhibitions of 2025 before they come to an end, or take the opportunity to discover those that will be marking the start of 2026!
Don’t miss fashion highlights during Fashion Week; take advantage of the winter sales in Paris, a mecca for shopping. And remember to book your tickets for the musicals, ballets, trade fairs, sporting events and festivities that take place throughout January.
Many cultural venues in Paris have exhibition programmes that throw the spotlight on major artists, exceptional works of art, contemporary artists, and unusual creations that are currently creating a buzz. There is something to appeal to everyone! Find out more about the top exhibitions for January and discover museums in a whole new way!
The Musée d’Orsay is celebrating its 40th anniversary big style with an immersive show A few seconds of eternity - Living Architecture in the nave, on January 24 and 25. What's on the programme? Video mapping of living cells, enhancing the architecture of the former train station, now a museum.
For off-the-beaten-path experiences in places with a fascinating history, head to the Panthéon before 28 January for Night at the Panthéon for tours by torchlight.
Or go along to the Louvre for "The Louvre concerts". On 7 January, the theme will be ‘A Palace in Rome: Sébastien Daucé and his ensemble Correspondances around the exhibition "The Carracci Drawings". Unforgettable.
Don’t forget: **Rodin, drawings unbound ** at the Musée Rodin in Paris, highlighting the drawing talents of the famous French sculptor (from 13 December 2025 to March 2026), "Matisse - Soulages" in virtual reality at Hangar Y (until 8 March 2026) or the American season at the Palais de Tokyo with the collective exhibition Echo Delay Reverb (from 22 October 2025 to 15 February 2026) or that dedicated to the American sculptor Melvin Edwards, until 15 February 2026.
The Grand Palais has a busy start to the month with Eva Jospin and Claire Tabouret from 10 December 2025 to 15 March 2026 and a show that throws light on Afro-American artist Mikalene Thomas on the theme "All About Love" until 5 April 2026. Other exhibitions also offer visitors the chance to explore surprising themes and unique worlds, discover works by contemporary artists and great classical masters, or simply invite them on a journey.
All types of art are programmed: the cinema of Orson Welles at the Cinémathèque Française until 11 January, mangas at the Musée Guimet until 9 March 2026, the optical illusions of MC. Escher at the Monnaie de Paris (from 15 November 2025 to 1 March 2026), the links between music and colour with "Kandinsky, the music of colours” showing at the Philharmonie de Paris until 1 February 2026.
Parisian history buffs should head to the Tour Jean Sans Peur to find out more about Hygiene in the Middle Ages until 25 January 2026, to the Cité de l'architecture et du patrimoine for the exhibition "Paris 1925: Art Deco and its Architects" (until 29 March 2026), to the Bibliothèque Forney to see the surprising free exhibition The art workshops of department stores, to the Musée Carnavalet to find out more about the life of Parisians "The People of Paris, 1926-1936" (until 8 February 2026) or forgeries and copies.
Dinosaurs at the Atelier des Lumières, mummies at the Musée de l’Homme, Dragons at the Quai Branly… A delight for inquisitive minds everywhere!
In January, Paris is on the podium with Fashion Week. This event brings together the biggest names in the industry, celebrities, and journalists, who flock to Paris to catch the latest trends in men’s fashion for autumn/winter 2026-2027 (from 26 to 29 January 2026) and Haute Couture spring/summer 2026 (from 20 to 25 January 2026). Although the events take place in public, the show also unfolds in the streets, particularly around Parisian landmarks such as the Grand Palais, Palais Brongniart or Palais de Tokyo. It's not uncommon to spot celebrities, models, and famous fashion designers there. Keep your eyes open!
Before, from 17 January to 19 January 2026, fashion industry professionals are present at the Who’s Next trade show at the Porte de Versailles to showcase the latest collections and trends!
Exhibitions also put on a show in museums with the double fashion exhibition at the Galerie Dior and at the Fondation Azzedine Alaïa which creates a conversation between the famous fashion house and the Tunisian designer (until 3 May 2026). The Palais Galliera showcases fashion craftsmanship and skills such as ornamentation techniques, embroidery, and weaving in its exhibition Weaving, Embroidering, Embellishing from 13 December 2025 to 18 October 2026. The Hôtel de la Marine is presenting a colourful exhibition on dynastic jewellery in collaboration with The Al Thani Collection and the Victoria and Albert Museum from 10 December 2025 to 6 April 2026. Discover more on the theme of fashion at the Musée d'Histoire urbaine et sociale de Suresnes which highlights the genius of the English fashion designer Worth in its exhibition Chez Worth, said to be the origin of haute couture, until 21 June 2026.
In many shops in Paris you can pick up fashion items at a range of prices and in all styles! Luxury fashion, French-made products, designer pieces, major international brands ... Wednesday, 7 January 2026 marks the start of the much-anticipated winter sales! Four weeks of reduced prices (until 3 February 2026 inclusive) with reductions of up to 70 %. It is a great time for fashionistas to find that perfect pair of shoes, coat, or accessories at unbeatable prices.
Concert halls reopen their doors to welcome back music lovers! Rock, classical music, French chanson… there’s plenty to choose from!
The Folies Bergère will take us into the poetic world of the ** Most Beautiful Film Music by Miyazaki**, by the Grissini Project on 13 January 2026.
For the New Year, why not attend one of the traditional classical concerts held in Parisian churches, such as piano concerts by Philippe Alegre featuring works by some of the greatest composers on 1 January at 8pm at the church Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre, by the association Les Solistes Français at the church Saint-Louis en L’île or the iconic New Year concert at Madeleine, on 1 January at 5pm, and the Orchestra Helios at the church Saint-Sulpice.
The Phénix circus, at the pelouse de Reuilly, rolls out its new show Millésime, featuring 40 artists from around the world. A unique show that will delight kids and adults (until 11 January 2026) and which also welcomes the latest edition of the Festival mondial du Cirque de demain (from 22 to 25 January 2026). The line-up includes circus performers from all over the world and new creations!
The Théâtre Bormann opens the season with the new show Arbre which mixes circus performance, theatre and visual effects to recount a poetic story about nature.
The Cirque d'Hiver Bouglione invites ** Paris’s firemen** to take part in its new show "Tempo", until 8 March 2026.
Le Cirque du Soleil is prolonging its famous show Alegria, at Chatou until 25 January 2026.
The great master of hypnosis Messmer is back on stage from 16 to 25 January 2026 with his show « 13Hz » at the Grand Rex.
Musicals are always an upbeat way to start the New Year. There is still time (until 10 January 2026) to discover La Cage aux Folles at the Théâtre du Chatelet with Laurent Laffitte, Notre-Dame de Paris at the Palais des Congrès de Paris until 4 January 2026, and Le Roi Soleil at the Dôme de Paris until 18 January 2026.
Other top classics to see in Paris: Chicago at the Casino de Paris and Les Demoiselles de Rochefort until 2026 at the Théâtre du Lido at the Théâtre Mogador, the famous musical the Lion King will be delighting audiences until August 2026.
New Year is all a great time to see a family show such as Peter Pan at Bobino or la Belle at the Bois Dormant as part of My First Ballet at the Théâtre Mogador which revisits a great dance classic and adapts it for young audiences (until 8 March 2026).
Light trails at nightfall continue in parks and gardens: the Lantern Festival at the Jardin d'Acclimatation runs from 10 December 2025 to 8 March 2026 puts the spotlight on "Japan in Lights", Illuminating: Nature's lights, and the light festival at the Jardin des Plantes](https://parisjetaime.com/culture/le-jardin-des-plantes-museum-national-d-histoire-naturelle-p3604) runs until 18 January 2026.
And as usual, other parks are lighting up too: Light Odyssey at the parc Floral de Paris (until 11 January 2026), Lights on Seine at the Domaine National de Saint-Cloud (until 11 January 2026), and Thoiry Lumières Sauvages at the Wow Safari Thoiry (until 8 March 2026).
In Greater Paris, at Mantes dans les Yvelines, the 3rd edition of the festival Lueurs de Mantes offers a stunning drone show on 17 January 2026.
Family exhibitions that are certain to be a hit include: Little steps on the moon at the Musée de l'Air et de l'Espace (from14 December 2025 to 17 May 2026), the exhibition of giant dinosaurs in LEGO Paris Montreuil Expo (from 20 December 2025 to 3 May 2026) and the exhibition Garden at the Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie until July 2026.
For opera fans, the Opéra Bastille presents Siegfried by Richard Wagner with the new mise en scène by Calixto Bieito from 17 to 31 January 2026, the third chapter in the Ring Cycle.
The Opéra Bastille is also presenting the show imagOri by the Compagnie Chriki’Z, on 7 and 10 January 2026, to introduce little ones from the age of 4 to art and dance. A contemporary dancer, a hip hop dancer, and an opera singer perform in this modern fable.
The Palais Garnier presents the academy’s talents with The gala des artistes de l’Académie with the ’Orchestre de l’Opéra national de Paris on 20 January 2026.
Not to miss: the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées is staging Swan Lake revisited by Angelin Preljocaj on 2 January. The Théâtre de Chaillot presents an eclectic programme with Odile Duboc, Léo Lérus and Ioannis Mandafounis and ** the Ensemble chorégraphique de CNSMDP** from 7 to 10 January 2026, followed by the company Auguste-Bienvenue with its show Bani Volta (from 15 to 17 January 2026) and Thomas Lebrun / CCN de Tours with Derrière Vaval, Pleurs, cornes et fwèt. A wonderful choreographic tour around the world tour.
From 7 to 11 January 2026, Benjamin Millepied presents a new interpretation of the Nutcracker at La Seine Musicale
The 28th edition of the Faits d’Hiver dance festival from19 January 2026 to 20 February 2026, takes place across 20 venues in Greater Paris offering the public some fifty performances, including nine new creations. In a different style, the show Stomp is back at La Cigale from 9 December 2025 to 18 January 2026. Perfect for seeing everyday objects as percussion instruments!
The year kicks off with some of the biggest sporting events of 2026: the Grand Prix d'Amérique - Legend Race, one of the world's most renowned trotting races takes place over three days from 23 to 25 January 2026 at Vincennes - Hippodrome de Paris.
The celebrated nocturnal Paris-Versailles-Mantes walk takes place in the night of 24 to 25 January 2026 and consists of four itineraries from 12 to 52 km.
The Paris International Challenge is a must-see sporting event for fencing enthusiasts and visitors to Paris in January. From 9 to 11 January 2026, the prestigious Pierre de Coubertin Stadium will welcome the world's elite male foil fencers, with more than 300 participants from over 55 countries offering an intense spectacle combining technique, strategy and suspense. This is the perfect opportunity to attend an international competition, support the athletes – including many Olympic and world champions – and enjoy an exciting sporting experience in the heart of the capital.
The Salon Maison & Objet returns to the Parc des Expositions de Paris Nord Villepinte, (from 15 to 19 January 2026). Much more than a trade show for professionals, it is the benchmark event for all those involved in lifestyle, home fashion, interior decoration, and design. PAST REVEALS FUTURE, the theme of this new edition focuses on metamorphosis, transformation, a revisited baroque style, and neo-folklore in the ** 2025 décor trend**. The major Playtime Paris which brings together several hundred international brands in the children's and maternity fashion sector, will be at the Espace Evénements at the Parc Floral de Paris (from 24 to 26 January 2026). Ideal for finding shopping inspiration for your little ones' wardrobes.
Finally the 10th edition of the Nuits de la Lecture (from 21 to 25 January 2026) is a must for reading fans This year's theme is ’cities and the countryside’, and the festival invites the public to take part in all kinds of evening events, workshops, and activities organized throughout the capital (libraries, cultural institutions, bookstores, etc.). The Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature will be organizing a Read Nature event on 31 January and 1 February 2026
At the end of the month, from 28 January 2026 to 1 February 2026, vintage car enthusiasts will be at Porte de Versailles to discover rare vehicles, iconic models, and unique exhibitions at the Rétromobile trade show.
La Villette travels to Turkey from 1 to 4 January with the festival Fest’Istanbul. 150 foodie stands, some 300 corners to shop for Turkish specialities, as well as encounters, special events, workshops … A change of scene guaranteed!
Finally, the District 13 International Art Fair, which showcases street art galleries and artists from around the world, will be held at the Hôtel Drouot from15 to 18 January 2026.
In February 2026, Paris offers a wide choice of outings for lovers: exhibitions, shows, fairs...
