Paris is dazzling this week with a slew of events that promise something for everyone. The city kicks off its famed Christmas season today with the official lighting of the Boulevard Haussmann Christmas displays, a spectacle featuring glittering decorations and a celebrity guest for the ceremony. For those who love festive cheer, Friday marks the opening of the Montmartre Christmas Market, a 100 percent French village perched atop Paris, serving up mulled wine, artisanal crafts, and regional treats. The giant Christmas market at La Défense already welcomes visitors with more than 300 chalets, a central ice rink, Santa Claus appearances, and live entertainment, making it ideal for families and anyone chasing holiday spirit.

Tonight, music fans are in luck. Lady Gaga brings her Mayhem Ball Tour to the Accor Arena, performing major hits and tracks from her new album. Saturday brings another show, so if you missed tickets for tonight, there’s still a chance to join the fun later in the week. Alongside the concerts, classical music lovers can experience Samuel Bismut's performance at Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre Church and the spectacular “An American in Paris” at La Seine Musicale on Saturday evening, followed by the Havasi piano show on Sunday afternoon.

No Paris week is complete without light shows. The Luminous Odyssey at Parc Floral has transformed the park into a wonderland of monumental lanterns, drone displays, and even an artificial Northern Lights, running nightly through the winter. Lumières en Seine at Domaine National de Saint-Cloud also offers an illuminated trail through gardens, blending light, music, and gourmet chalets—a magical evening stroll perfect for couples and families.

Friday, the Musée du Quai Branly throws an Amazônia evening with live painting, music, performances, and a movie screening, everything free of charge. Street art aficionados can head to the Salon des Bombasphères on Île Saint-Louis, which invites visitors to upcycle forgotten objects through workshops and live painting, or check out the free Street Art & Contemporary Art Festival at the Poste du Louvre, spotlighting over 200 original works and artist meet-and-greets.

Wine enthusiasts will want to celebrate Beaujolais Nouveau Day today at the Belleville Food Market with new vintages, small plates, and lively gatherings, and Le Pied de Cochon hosts its legendary 24-hour Beaujolais marathon starting at midnight. Cheese fans should mark Saturday for the Jacques Fromage festival—imagine DJ sets, cheese dates, and cheese divination all combined!

Beyond the big events, don’t miss the immersive space-themed installation at Atelier des Lumières, the Paradox Museum’s new surreal optical illusion rooms, and the newly reopened Notre-Dame Cathedral, now restored and once again welcoming visitors to its storied site.

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