Paris in January 2025: What to Expect

You can always trust Paris to start every year off with a bang! You already know that New Year's Eve in Paris is lit, but New Year's Day? It's as fun as ever! The same goes for the rest of January 2025 too. As a long-time Parisian, I can honestly say that January is one of the liveliest months of the year in this city. I've already jotted down the events to look out for if you'll be in the city yourself next month. Watch out for Paris Fashion Week, Chinese New Year, the Coquille Saint-Jacques Festival in Montmartre, and the District 13 International Art Fair. They'll be loads of fun!

Spend New Year's Day in Paris

Naturally, the first event Paris has in store this January 2025 is New Year's Day. I'm sure you've seen how my city celebrates New Year's Eve, right? Well, I'm here to tell you that New Year's Day is just as fun. The city is just as lively on the first day of the year, with people eating out, going to famous spots, hanging out, and more. I always bring family to the nearby park on New Year's Day. I think it's always good to start the year outside and it's a good thing that the park near our place isn't too crowded.

When: January 1, 2025

Don't Miss The Candlelight Concerts

From New Year's Day to Epiphany Day, January 2025 still has its fair share of holidays. And if you're as religious as me, you'll want to spend these holy days at church. I suggest going to Saint-Ephrem Church in the 5th arrondissement. Not only is it one of the most beautiful churches in Paris, but it also hosts a series of Candlelight concerts throughout the month. They play the classics here, and by classics I mean the works of Mozart, Bach, and the like. I've gone to many myself and let me tell you—it's a spiritual experience you won't ever forget!

Where: Saint-Ephrem Church - 17 Rue des Carmes, 75005 Paris, France

When: January 3 to 31, 2025

Eat Galette des Rois on Epiphany Day

Speaking of Epiphany Day, this holiday is a special event for us French people too. Our country has a traditional cake called Galette des Rois (King's Cake) that we only serve and eat every January 6. It's a crumbly dessert that we bake for the entire family and every member gets a piece. This is important to the tradition because it's a sort of a game. When we bake Galette des Rois, we include a small bauble inside and who ever gets the slice with it gets to be king for the day. We follow whatever they say and let them reign supreme in the household.

When: January 6, 2025

Shop The Winter Designer Sales

Do you still have some money left from your Christmas shopping in Paris? Then go on another shopping spree! This January 8, 2025, marks the start of a citywide winter designer sale. From famous department stores to local indie boutiques, you can get your hands on the most luxurious find at great discounts. Granted, the stuff on sale will be from what was left from last season, they're still worth every penny they go for. Especially since these are pieces you won't ordinarily be able to afford if you're not part of the 1%.

When: Begins on January 8, 2025

See The District 13 International Art Fair

Paris is the ultimate destination for contemporary art, especially this January 2025. From January 10 to 12, the city will host its annual District 13 International Art Fair, a showcase of the the best artists' latest works. Around 32 art galleries in Paris and beyond will participate in the event and will feature works from Olivia Ferrand, Brusk, L'Atlas, Obey, and more. Some of them will even go on auction on January 11, making it a must-see for any bonafide art collector out there. So don't miss this event in Hotel Drouot in the 9th arrondissement!

Where: Hotel Drouot - 9 Rue Drouot, 75009 Paris, France

When: January 10 to 12, 2025

Check Out The Saint-Jacques Scallop Festival in Montmartre

Seafood connoisseurs rejoice! Paris will host its annual Saint-Jacques Scallop Festival in Montmartre in the 18th arrondissement this January 25 to 26, 2025. Contrary to its name, the festival won't just feature scallops. You'll also see and get to taste shellfish, fish, crustaceans and other seafood from the Brittany region. I've attended this event myself before and it's heavenly! I wasn't a big fan of scallops before, but after one visit, I can't get enough of them. Trust and believe that I'll be going this year too and will eat my heart out whenever the opportunity presents itself!

Where: Place des Abbesses - Rue de Abbessess, 75018 Paris, France

When: January 25 to 26, 2025

Expect Paris Fashion Week to be Busy!

Fair warning: Paris Fashion Week will take place from January 27 to 30, 2025. Some of the biggest French fashion houses will put on spring-summer haute couture 2025 and will likely feature dresses celebrities will wear for the upcoming awards season. As such, expect parts of the city to be busier than ever. I'm not part of the fashion industry myself but I always get affect by the traffic, close streets, and rowdy paparazzi that Fashion Week tends to bring forth. You'd do well to avoid certain areas during this time if you can.

When: January 27 to 30, 2025

Celebrate The Chinese New Year

This upcoming January won't have just one, but two New Year's Days! January 29 will be the Chinese New Year for 2025. It will mark the start of the Year of The Snake and will bring on colorful celebrations throughout various neighborhoods in Paris. While the entire city doesn't exactly celebrate the holiday, it will still be so big that you'll likely see some of it yourself no matter where you are. I'm not Chinese but I've joined in on the festivities a couple of years back. My work colleagues of Asian descent invited me to the Chinese New Year Celebration at Bastille Market and it was one of the best times of my life!

When: January 29, 2025



What will Paris be like this January 2025? I've already got the info! Expect several exciting events to start the new year right. Next month, Paris will celebrate New Year's Day, the Chinese New Year, host another Haute Couture Fashion Week, and more.