New Year’s Eve 2026 on the Champs-Élysées: Your Essential Guide
For those planning to celebrate the arrival of 2026 on the iconic Champs-Élysées in Paris, this guide provides all the practical information you need to navigate the festivities. On Wednesday, December 31, 2025, the ‘most beautiful avenue in the world’ will once again be the epicenter of New Year’s celebrations, featuring a grand countdown and a spectacular fireworks display.
What’s New for New Year’s Eve 2026?
This year, there’s a significant change to the program. The Paris police prefecture has requested the cancellation of concerts and live performances on the Champs-Élysées to manage crowd safety more effectively. Only the traditional countdown and the dazzling fireworks show are confirmed to proceed.
Event Schedule and Key Timings:
To ensure you get a good spot to enjoy the show, it is highly recommended to arrive early. Here is the anticipated schedule:
- 3:00 PM: Traffic closure on the Champs-Élysées.
- 7:00 PM – 11:40 PM: The avenue becomes pedestrianized with a musical ambiance.
- 11:50 PM – 12:00 AM: Video mapping projection on the Arc de Triomphe for the countdown.
- 12:00 AM – 12:09 AM: Choreographed fireworks display to welcome 2026.
- From 4:00 AM: Traffic reopens.
Please note that some roads in the 8th, 16th, and 17th arrondissements will be closed to traffic from 7:00 AM on December 31st until 4:00 AM on January 1st. The Étoile roundabout and the upper part of the Champs-Élysées (between Étoile and Tilsitt/Presbourg) will be inaccessible from December 29th.
Access and Security on the Champs-Élysées
The Champs-Élysées will be pedestrianized from 7:00 PM. Expect significant crowds; the city hall even advises against bringing young children due to the anticipated density. Security checkpoints will be in place, so queues are to be expected.
Important Security Information:
- Glass bottles and flasks are prohibited.
- Bag checks and pat-downs will be conducted. Refusal will result in denied entry.
- Alcohol consumption is forbidden on the Champs-Élysées.
Entry points: Look for access points at the intersections of Avenue Georges V and Rue Vernet; Rue Lincoln; Rue Pierre Charron; Rue Marbeuf; Rue de Margnan; 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; and Avenue des Champs-Élysées.
Public Transportation Information
While public transport (metro and RER) is recommended, some stations will be affected:
- Charles de Gaulle – Étoile station: Closed from 3:00 PM on December 31st for RER A, and from midnight for Metro lines 1, 2, and 6 (interchanges will still be possible).
- Line 1: Closed between Palais Royal – Musée du Louvre and Porte Maillot from 3:00 PM on December 31st.
- Passy (Line 6) and Iéna (Line 9) stations: Closed from 7:00 PM on December 31st.
- Dupleix (Line 6) station: Not served from 9:00 PM.
- Boissières station: Not served from 11:00 PM.
- Ternes (Line 2) and Saint-Philippe du Roule (Line 9) stations: Closed from 7:00 PM.
Free Public Transport: 17 metro and RER lines will be free and operate throughout the night, from 5:00 PM on Wednesday, December 31st, until noon on Thursday, January 1st.
Additional Information
The City of Paris has been organizing this New Year’s Eve event on the Champs-Élysées since 2014. Each year, a specific theme guides the visual spectacle. While the theme for 2026 is yet to be announced, past themes have included “Paris sur son 31!” (2025) and the Olympic Games (2024).
For those seeking alternative New Year’s Eve celebrations in Paris, consider exploring clubbing nights, concerts, shows, dinners, or even unique cruises.
Source: https://www.leparisien.fr/etudiant/sortir/paris/eve-reveillon-champs-elysees/
