Paris is in full festive mode this week, and listeners are spoiled for choice, whether you’re craving Christmas magic, cutting-edge art, or a big arena concert.

According to Sortir à Paris, tonight you can join the Christmas Panamée, a free evening walk organized by the Paris Walking Committee that snakes through the city’s best holiday illuminations. You simply show up, fall in step with the group, and let the lights of the grands boulevards and historic squares guide you into the season.

If you love culture, UNESCO is marking World Arabic Language Day today at its Paris headquarters with talks, performances, and discussions celebrating Arabic language and culture, as listed on UNESCO’s official events calendar. It’s a great way to mix learning with an international vibe, all without leaving the city.

From Friday into the weekend, the big draw is music. Sortir à Paris reports that Gims is taking over Paris La Défense Arena with a run of massive shows from Friday through Monday, closing out his “Le Dernier Tour” in truly grand style. Expect pyrotechnics, sing‑along hits, and a full arena atmosphere just a quick RER ride from central Paris.

All week long, Paris is wrapped in Christmas markets. Sortir à Paris highlights the Eiffel Tower Christmas Village along Quai Jacques Chirac, running through early January, where you can sip mulled wine, browse artisan stalls, and enjoy postcard‑perfect views of the Iron Lady lit up at night. Over in the Tuileries Garden, the Christmas market doubles as a gourmet funfair, with an ice rink, rides, and plenty of street food, perfect for a wintry afternoon. For something more intimate, head up to the Montmartre Christmas Market on the hill, or stroll the traditional stalls in front of Notre‑Dame in Square René Viviani, both showcasing French crafts and regional specialties.

Art lovers have new shows to dive into. Sortir à Paris notes that the Grand Palais has just opened “All About Love,” a bold and colorful exhibition by Mickalene Thomas, while “Drawings Without Limits” reveals treasures from the Centre Pompidou’s collection. Over at UNESCO and in galleries across town, you’ll find exhibitions and talks that carry you from contemporary art to historical jewels at the sparkling “Dynastic Jewels” show in the Hôtel de la Marine.

Families and night owls should not miss the luminous trails. At the Jardin des Plantes, the “En voie d’illumination: Lumières de la nature” nocturnal walk turns the gardens into a glowing bestiary, while Parc Floral hosts “The Luminous Odyssey,” with over a thousand lanterns, a drone show, and even artificial Northern Lights, all described in detail by Sortir à Paris.

And if you’re in the mood for a show with a twist, Sortir à Paris points to “Bollywood Masala” at the Palais des Congrès, a colorful musical mixing Indian cinema, dance, and food, starting its Paris run this evening and continuing through the holidays.

Whichever neighborhood you wander into, Paris this week is all about lights, music, and a little bit of magic around every corner.

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