Looking for some festive fun without heading too far from Dublin? There’s a Christmas market just an hour away in Europe that’s packed with twinkling lights, a festive carnival, and a visit from Santa Claus.This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
This European Christmas market is only an hour away from Dublin(Image: Getty)
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 £21 from Dublin Airport, 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”
Flights to the market costs as little as £21Why you should visit the Tuileries Garden Christmas market
Tuileries Garden Christmas Market, also called the Louvre Christmas Market for its location near the famous museum, replaced the Champs-Élysées market in 2019 and quickly became a local and tourist favourite. Running from November 15, 2025, to January 4, 2026, this market offers 50 days of holiday magic.
According to the Paris Discovery Guide, the Tuileries Garden (La Magie de Noël) Christmas Market is part traditional market, part holiday carnival. It stretches nearly half a mile along the north side of the garden, 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. Personally, I try to never miss it, and usually go more than once,” said a spokesperson from the tourist site.
The Tuileries Garden “La Magie de Noël” Christmas Market(Image: Getty)What to expect?
The market is divided into three main areas, each offering its own kind of festive magic. On one side, there’s a Christmas-themed carnival bursting with fairground rides and attractions. This is “a continuation of the tradition of ‘fun fairs’ held in Paris since Medieval times,” reported the tourist site.
Visitors should then stop by the “Artisan Village,” which showcases gifts and crafts from around the world. Beyond that, the market is full of delightful surprises.
Expect a small ice rink, a Champagne igloo, towering Christmas trees, and a parade of oversized Santas, reindeer, candy canes, and Christmas lights in all colours and shapes imaginable. There’s even a miniature Eiffel Tower tucked among the decorations.
For food, the venue offers “a culinary tour of France” with about twenty regional French specialities on offer, according to the blog site World In Paris.
The venue offers “a culinary tour of France”(Image: Getty)
“From Alsace to Brittany and the French Antilles. Among 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 went on to suggest: “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).”
Tuileries Garden is free to enter (Image: Getty)How much does it all cost?
Tuileries Garden Christmas market is free to enter, but you must pay for specific activities and food. TikTok content creator @Zoe In Paris visited the market last year and revealed 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 a cheap getaway from Dublin. Direct flights via Vueling begin at £19 if you book on Saturday, December 6, or Sunday, December 7. However, return flights will cost a minimum of £33.
The biggest expense will be the hotel, as a hotel near the Louvre Museum costs more than £104 per night. Explore more options at Expedia by clicking here.