New Year’s Eve 2026 on the Champs-Élysées: Countdown and Fireworks Only

Sophie LaurentDecember 13, 20252 Mins read7

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New Year’s Eve 2026 on the Champs-Élysées: Your Essential Guide to Countdown and Fireworks

Date: December 31, 2025

Location: Champs-Élysées, Paris (75008)

Get ready to ring in 2026 on the world’s most beautiful avenue! This year, the New Year’s Eve celebration on the Champs-Élysées will focus on its iconic countdown and a spectacular fireworks display. Please note, there will be no concerts or live shows this year, as per the request of the Paris Police Prefecture to manage crowds more effectively.

What to Expect: Countdown and Fireworks

The City of Paris has been organizing this grand event on the Champs-Élysées since 2014, and it remains a highly anticipated tradition. Despite the cold, over a million people are expected to gather to witness the breathtaking show.

Event Highlights:

Video Mapping: A few minutes before midnight, an “epic” 3D video mapping show will be projected onto the Arc de Triomphe, reflecting the year’s chosen theme (the 2026 theme is yet to be announced, following “Paris sur son 31!” in 2025 and “JO” in 2024).
Fireworks: At midnight, the traditional Parisian fireworks display will illuminate the sky, choreographed to the annual theme, marking the official start of 2026.

Important Timings and Road Closures

To ensure a smooth experience, plan your arrival early, as large crowds are anticipated.

Schedule for December 31, 2025:

3:00 PM: Traffic closure on the Champs-Élysées.
7:00 AM (Dec 31) – 4:00 AM (Jan 1): Certain road sections in the 8th, 16th, and 17th arrondissements will be closed to traffic.
December 29 onwards: The Étoile roundabout and the upper part of the Champs-Élysées (between Étoile and Tilsitt/Presbourg) will be inaccessible.
7:00 PM – 11:40 PM: Musical ambiance on the pedestrianized avenue.
11:50 PM – 12:00 AM: Video mapping countdown projection on the Arc de Triomphe.
12:00 AM – 12:09 AM: Pyrotechnic show (fireworks).
From 4:00 AM: Roads reopen to traffic.

Access and Security Information

The avenue will be pedestrianized from 7:00 PM. Due to the expected density of the crowd, the city advises against bringing young children. Security checkpoints will be in place, so expect queues.

Prohibited Items:

Glass bottles and flasks.
Alcohol is strictly forbidden on the Champs-Élysées.

Bag checks and security pat-downs will be conducted at entry points. Anyone refusing these checks will be denied access.

Entry Points:

Access will be available at the intersections of:

Avenue Georges V and Rue Vernet
Rue Lincoln
Rue Pierre Charron
Rue Marbeuf
Rue de Marignan
Avenue de Montaigne
Avenue Franklin Roosevelt (left side)
Rue de la Boetie
Rue du Colisée
Avenue Franklin Roosevelt (right side)
Avenue Jean Mermoz
Avenue Matignon
Avenue des Champs-Élysées

Public Transportation

Public transport (Metro and RER) is highly recommended, and some lines will be free and run all night. However, several stations will be closed.

Metro and RER Closures:

Charles de Gaulle – Étoile station: Closed from 3:00 PM on December 31 for RER A, and from midnight for Metro lines 1, 2, and 6.
Metro Line 1: Closed between Palais Royal – Musée du Louvre and Porte Maillot from 3:00 PM on December 31.
Passy (Line 6) and Iéna (Line 9) stations: Closed from 7:00 PM on December 31.
Dupleix (Line 6) station: No longer served from 9:00 PM.
Boissières station: No longer served from 11:00 PM.
Ternes (Line 2) and Saint-Philippe du Roule (Line 9) stations: Closed from 7:00 PM.

Free Transport: 17 Metro and RER lines will be free and operate throughout the night from 5:00 PM on Wednesday, December 31, until 12:00 PM on Thursday, January 1.