Event Details
Welcome to New Year's Eve on the Champs-Élysées 2026 in Paris
Every 31 December, the City of Paris turns the world-famous Avenue des Champs-Élysées into a giant free celebration. Closed to traffic between Place de l'Étoile and Place de la Concorde, the avenue becomes the stage for a spectacular video mapping show and midnight fireworks centred on the Arc de Triomphe.
Highlights & Attractions at the New Year's Eve Celebration in Paris
- Free public access to Paris's biggest official New Year's Eve celebration
- A monumental video mapping show projected onto the façade of the Arc de Triomphe, turning it into a giant screen
- A spectacular fireworks display exactly at midnight above the avenue
- A musically scored countdown displayed directly on the Arc de Triomphe
- A festive atmosphere along the entire avenue shared with hundreds of thousands of visitors
- Quieter alternative viewpoints from the Montmartre hill
- A romantic alternative: a New Year's Eve dinner cruise on the Seine with views of the illuminated city
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Program & Schedule: What to Expect on New Year's Eve in Paris
The avenue opens to the public from 19:00 once it is closed to traffic; arriving early is strongly recommended due to security checks. Around ten minutes before midnight, the video mapping projection begins on the Arc de Triomphe, followed by the official countdown and the main fireworks display exactly at midnight. The official programme ends by around 00:20. The detailed musical accompaniment and any artistic contributions for this edition have not yet been announced by the City of Paris; the latest details should be checked on the official website shortly before the event.
Tickets & Admission for New Year's Eve on the Champs-Élysées in Paris
The event is entirely free and requires no ticket — anyone can find a spot along the avenue. For those who prefer to avoid the dense crowds around the Arc de Triomphe, paid alternatives are available, such as a New Year's Eve dinner at a restaurant overlooking the Champs-Élysées or a Seine dinner cruise with a special menu; prices for these extras vary widely by provider and should be checked directly with the organisers.
Visitor Tips: Travel & Accommodation in Paris
- Due to road closures and security checkpoints around the Champs-Élysées, travelling by metro or RER is the best option, as private vehicles cannot enter the restricted zone
- To avoid the crowds at the Arc de Triomphe, the Montmartre hill offers a good and noticeably calmer view over the city, with the fireworks visible in the distance
- A New Year's Eve dinner cruise on the Seine offers a quieter, though paid, alternative with views of the illuminated city
- Warm clothing is essential, as the celebration takes place outdoors and standing for several hours in winter temperatures
- Centrally located hotels sell out months ahead of New Year's Eve, so early booking is strongly recommended
