©Noel A Pau 06 Ville De Pau|Ville de Pau

Christmas in Pau The magic of the festive season at the foot of the Pyrenees

December has come and gone, and it’s time for the festive season! In Pau, the streets and shops are decked out in their finest finery. Everyone is getting ready to enjoy the rich programme of Christmas entertainment and the warm festive atmosphere. From the end of November to the beginning of January, join us for a magical Christmas in Pau, at the foot of the Pyrenees.

A vibrant and welcoming city centre

The streets sparkle, the shop windows vie with each other in creativity, the gourmet smells waft through the air…
Young and old alike stroll beneath the tinsel, a cone of churros or roasted chestnuts in one hand, a hot chocolate in the other.

Magic and wonder are everywhere, and the Christmas spirit is fully alive.
The heart of the town is transformed, inviting you into an enchanted interlude.
and festive entertainment.

Here, the festive season is celebrated in style, in a warm and luminous atmosphere.

Highlights of the 2025 edition

Friday 28 November:
Opening of the Christmas markets and the Ferris wheel
Thursday 4 December:
Opening of the Christmas village, place royale
Saturday 13 December :
Festival of Lights and fireworks
Saturday 20 December :
Peace Races

©Noel A Pau 07 Ville De Pau Cyril Garrabos|Ville de Pau / Cyril Garrabos

©Noel A Pau 2024 Adrien Basse Cathalinat Ville De Pau 9|Ville de Pau | Adrien Basse-Cathalinat

©Noel A Pau 2024 Adrien Basse Cathalinat Ville De Pau 2|Ville de Pau | Adrien Basse-Cathalinat

©Noel A Pau Arrivee Du Pere Noel Place Royale 2024 Adrien Basse Cathalinat Ville De Pau 2|Ville de Pau | Adrien Basse-Cathalinat

©Noel A Pau Fete Des Lumieres 05 Feu Dartifice Ville De Pau Pierre Antoine Lalaude Light|Ville de Pau | Pierre-Antoine Lalaude

©Noel A Pau 39 Ville De Pau Jean Michel Ducasse|Ville de Pau / Jean-Michel Ducasse

©Noel A Pau Jardin Enchante 2024 Adrein Basse Cathalinat Ville De Pau|Ville de Pau | Adrien Basse-Cathalinat

©Noel A Pau Le Jardin Enchante 2024 Adrien Basse Cathalinat Ville De Pau 3|Ville de Pau | Adrien Basse-Cathalinat

The Christmas village Under the benevolent gaze of good King Henry!

Facing the Pyrenees, Place Royale is transformed to welcome Santa’s Village.

A majestic fir tree, an enchanted forest, magical bubbles, an electric train and a play area… Here, everything invites magic.

At the heart of this luminous setting, Santa’s house and sleigh await you. The colourful, sparkling lighting transforms the site into a magical journey, a veritable enchanted garden.

Everything you need to know about the Christmas Village

FOR THE VERY WISE
Don’t forget to slip your letter into Santa’s box, waiting for you in the heart of the square.
And don’t forget to write your address on the back of the envelope!
Last collection of mail: 22 December at 10 a.m.

Father Christmas Long-awaited!

The star of the Christmas festivities welcomes you to his home, in the heart of the village set up on Place Royale.

Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 December, 3pm to 7pm
Saturday 20, Sunday 21, Monday 22 and Tuesday 23 December, 3pm to 7pm
Wednesday 24 December, 2pm to 5pm

Father Christmas will leave his sleigh behind for the Petit Train de Pau, and will take to the streets of the town from 3pm onwards:

Saturday 6 and Sunday 7
Wednesday 10 and Wednesday 17 December

©Noel A Pau Arrivee Du Pere Noel Place Royale 2024 Adrien Basse Cathalinat Ville De Pau|Ville de Pau | Adrien Basse-Cathalinat

©Noel A Pau Village De Noel 08 Chalet Du Pere Noel Ville De Pau Pierre Antoine Lalaude Light|Ville de Pau | Pierre-Antoine Lalaude

©Noel A Pau Train Du Pere Noel 03 Paul Louis Light|Pau Pyrénées Tourisme | PL

©Noel A Pau Arrivee Du Pere Noel Place Royale 2024 Adrien Basse Cathalinat Ville De Pau 3|Ville de Pau | Adrien Basse-Cathalinat

Our advice

How do I get there?

On foot, by bike on a scooter, or by taking the Coxitis (free city-centre shuttle bus), or even by self-service electric bike.
For cars, there are plenty of parking solutions in the heart of Pau and in the immediate suburbs. It’s best to check availability using the Ma ville facile application.

See the car parks

Christmas selfies

The Ferris wheel, funicular railway, Hédas, Place Clemenceau, Boulevard des Pyrénées… the heart of Pau is lit up and ready for you to take magical selfies.

A majestic fir tree, giant bubbles, twinkling lights: each setting invites you to capture the moment. With family or friends, strike a pose and smile: your most beautiful memories are waiting for you!

All you need to know about Christmas in Pau

Restaurants during the festive season

Christmas Eve, New Year’s Day, special openings or holiday closures…
We’ve compiled a list of the establishments that will be open to you during these festive periods and public holidays!

Your restaurants over the festive period

For gourmets

The temple of gourmet delights, the Halles de Pau offers a wide choice of local products from all over the world. A visit to this not-to-be-missed place is a must, where everyone can find their own festive delicacies!

Les Halles de Pau

The Festival of Lights A much-anticipated highlight!

Every year, the Festival of Lights kicks off the festivities in Pau by illuminating the city centre with a special sparkle. Artistic strolls, poetic atmospheres and fireworks…

A truly suspended moment between dream and reality. A magical evening not to be missed!

All you need to know about the Festival of Lights

©Noel A Pau Fete Des Lumieres 07 Ville De Pau Pierre Antoine Lalaude Light|Ville de Pau | Pierre-Antoine Lalaude

©Noel A Pau Fete Des Lumieres 03 Ville De Pau Jean Michel Ducasse|Ville de Pau / Jean Michel Ducasse

©Fete Des Lumieres 02 Ville De Pau Pierre Antoine Lalaude Light|Ville de Pau | Pierre-Antoine Lalaude

©Noel A Pau 04 Fete Des Lumieres Ville De Pau Jean Michel Ducasse|Ville de Pau / Jean Michel Ducasse

©Noel A Pau 20 Ville De Pau Jean Michel Ducasse|Ville de Pau – Jean-Michel Ducasse

©Noël à Pau - The festival of lights|Ville de Pau

©Noel A Pau 21 Ville De Pau Jean Michel Ducasse|Ville de Pau – Jean-Michel Ducasse

©Fete Des Lumieres 01 Ville De Pau Pierre Antoine Lalaude Light|Ville de Pau | Pierre-Antoine Lalaude

©Noel A Pau 23 Ville De Pau Jean Michel Ducasse|Ville de Pau – Jean-Michel Ducasse

©Noel A Pau 22 Ville De Pau Jean Michel Ducasse|Ville de Pau – Jean-Michel Ducasse

©Fete Des Lumieres 03 Ville De Pau Pierre Antoine Lalaude Light|Ville de Pau | Pierre-Antoine Lalaude

©Noel A Pau 30 Ville De Pau Jean Michel Ducasse|Ville de Pau – Jean-Michel Ducasse

©Noel A Pau 24 Ville De Pau Jean Michel Ducasse|Ville de Pau – Jean-Michel Ducasse

The fireworks

This is the highlight of the Fête des lumières.

As night falls, it’s time for the fireworks! Fired from the lower town, in the Parc Tissié, it offers a grandiose spectacle that can be seen all along the Boulevard des Pyrénées, as far as the Oscar II bridge, at the entrance to the Parc Beaumont.

All you need to know about fireworks

©Christmas Ferris Wheel 02 Pau Stephane Torres|Pau Pyrénées Tourisme / Stéphane Torres

©Christmas Ferris Wheel 04 Pau Stephane Torres|Pau Pyrénées Tourisme / Stéphane Torres

©Christmas Giant Ferris Wheel 07 Pau Stephane Torres|Pau Pyrénées Tourisme / Stéphane Torres

©Christmas Giant Ferris Wheel 05 Pau Stephane Torres|Pau Pyrénées Tourisme / Stéphane Torres

©Christmas Ferris Wheel 03 Pau Stephane Torres|Pau Pyrénées Tourisme / Stéphane Torres

©Noel A Pau 19 Ville De Pau Jean Michel Ducasse|Ville de Pau – Jean-Michel Ducasse

©Noel A Pau 05 Ville De Pau Cyril Garrabos|Ville de Pau / Cyril Garrabos

The big wheel It's a sight to behold!

It sits majestically on the Boulevard des Pyrénées, and is a real eye-catcher.

Embark on an unforgettable tour and marvel at the panoramic view of the illuminated city centre, the rooftops of Pau and, in the background, the majestic Pyrenees. A suspended moment, between sky and light, to share with your family or as a couple.

All you need to know about the Ferris wheel

Christmas chalets Here you can eat, drink, sing, stroll and shop...

Wooden chalets, handcrafted creations, sweet and savoury treats and original gift ideas: it’s the perfect place to do a little shopping, chat with the exhibitors and stock up on local flavours.

It’s a place where you can take your time, savour the moment with family, friends or just for pleasure.

All you need to know about the Christmas chalets

©Noel A Pau 35 Ville De Pau Jean Michel Ducasse|Ville de Pau – Jean-Michel Ducasse

©Noel A Pau 33 Ville De Pau Jean Michel Ducasse|Ville de Pau – Jean-Michel Ducasse

©Noel A Pau 36 Ville De Pau Jean Michel Ducasse|Ville de Pau – Jean-Michel Ducasse

©Noel A Pau Marche De Noel 01 Ville De Pau Pierre Antoine Lalaude Light|Ville de Pau | Pierre-Antoine Lalaude

©Noel A Pau 32 Ville De Pau Jean Michel Ducasse|Ville de Pau – Jean-Michel Ducasse

©Noel A Pau 13 Ville De Pau Cyril Garrabos|Ville de Pau - Cyril Garrabos

©Noel A Pau 10 Ville De Pau Jean Michel Ducasse

The Hédas fairy tale Let's take a family walk

When night falls, the Hédas district reveals its magic. New for 2025: from 12 December to 4 January, an immersive space will be on show (for a fee). An experience not to be missed!
(More information coming soon)

All you need to know about Les fééries du Hédas

©Noel A Pau Fetes Des Lumieres 2024 Adrien Basse Cathalinat Ville De Pau 1|Ville de Pau | Adrien Basse-Cathalinat

©Noel A Pau Les Gobos Du Hedas 2024 Adrien Basse Cathalinat Ville De Pau|Ville de Pau | Adrien Basse-Cathalinat

©Noel A Pau Les Gobos Du Hedas 2024 Adrien Basse Cathalinat Ville De Pau 3|Ville de Pau | Adrien Basse-Cathalinat

Discover the calendar of events