If you’re dreaming of a festive getaway, there’s a European Christmas market just an hour from Dublin that ticks all the holiday boxes. Complete with twinkling lights, a festive carnival, and even Santa Claus himself, this winter wonderland is the perfect way to get into the Christmas spirit.

The best part? Flights to get there are just £19, making it an affordable day trip or a cheeky weekend escape. Whether you’re planning a family outing, wanting a romantic getaway, or just want to enjoy some Christmas magic on your own, this market promises fun, food, and plenty of festive cheer. So what is the magical city in question? Paris.

In Time Out’s latest ranking for the best Christmas markets to visit in Europe in 2025, Paris was awarded third spot. Explaining their choice, the expert said: “Paris doesn’t need Christmas lights to look as gorgeous as it does (the French capital is known as the City of Light, after all), but the city looks even better when decked out for the festive season.

“More than a dozen Christmas markets are dotted throughout Paris, but our pick is the one in Tuileries Garden, which stretches across the garden’s entire north edge from Rue des Pyramides to Place de la Concorde. Escape from the crowds by hiding out in the champagne bar and then riding on the giant Ferris wheel, which boasts excellent views out over the city. Tres chic”.

Why you should visit the Tuileries Garden Christmas market

The Tuileries Garden Christmas Market, also known as the Louvre Christmas Market due to its proximity to the world-famous museum, took over from the Champs-Élysées market in 2019 and swiftly became a beloved destination for locals and tourists alike.

Running from November 15 to January 4, 2026, this market promises 50 days of festive enchantment. According to the Paris Discovery Guide, the Tuileries Garden (La Magie de Noël) Christmas Market combines a traditional market with a holiday carnival.

It extends nearly half a mile along the northern edge of the garden, stretching from Place des Pyramides to Place de la Concorde.

“It’s the biggest, the liveliest, the loudest, and the most fun-filled Christmas market in the city – a top destination for Parisians and visitors from all over the city and other parts of France during its six to seven-week stay from late November through early January,” a spokesperson from the tourist site said. “Personally, I try to never miss it, and usually go more than once.”

What can visitors expect?

The market features three primary zones, each delivering its own brand of seasonal wonder. On one side sits a Christmas-themed carnival packed with fairground rides and attractions.

This represents a “continuation of the tradition of ‘fun fairs’ held in Paris since Medieval times,” the tourist site reported. Visitors should make time for the Artisan Village, which displays gifts and crafts sourced from across the globe.

Beyond these areas, the market brims with delightful surprises. Visitors can anticipate a compact ice rink, a Champagne igloo, towering Christmas trees, and a procession of oversized Santas, reindeer, candy canes, and Christmas lights in every colour and shape conceivable.

There’s even a miniature Eiffel Tower nestled amongst the decorations. Regarding food, the venue presents “a culinary tour of France” with approximately twenty regional French specialities available, according to the blog site World In Paris.

“From Alsace to Brittany and the French Antilles. Amongst the fantastic savoury foods you will find are wursts and tarte flambée from Alsace, many hearty soups, and the must-try tartiflette from Savoye. Tartiflette is a French-style cheesy potato bake with pickled onions, cream, and charcuterie.”

They continued to recommend: “If you love cheesy stuff, you should also try raclette, which is the name of a dish and its main ingredient. This packed-flavoured cheese (mostly French reblochon cheese) is melted on a raclette grill and put on top of boiled veggies like potatoes or grilled meats.

“To wash all this delicious food down, you can choose from a wide variety of drinks, like local beers, grog (a drink made from hot water, lemon, honey, and rum), and the famous vin chaud (mulled wine).

“For those with a sweet tooth, food stalls offer mouthwatering deliciousness like gauffres (hot waffles), crêpes, nougat from France, all kinds of chocolate, and fairground sweets like the barbe à papà (cotton candy).”

What does it all cost?

The Tuileries Garden Christmas market offers free entry, though charges apply for specific activities and food. TikTok content creator @Zoe In Paris visited the market last year and disclosed that she spent 32 euros on a drink, a meal, a snack, and a ride, with individual prices ranging from six euros to 12 euros.

Paris is an affordable escape from Dublin. Direct flights via Vueling start at £19 if you book on Saturday, December 6, or Sunday, December 7. However, return flights will set you back at least £33. If you’re travelling from London, flights are just £30 from Gatwick airport if you fly on the same dates, and return tickets are also £33.

The most significant expense will be accommodation, as a hotel near the Louvre Museum can cost upwards of £104 per night. You can explore more options on Expedia by clicking here.