After the cancellation of the concert, the party reinvents itself on the most beautiful avenue in the world. A few days before the start of the new year, the City of Paris has unveiled the program for New Year’s Eve on December 31 on the Champs-Élysées (8th arrondissement of Paris), a spectacle which promises to be more sober than in previous years but which should still attract thousands of Parisians and tourists.
From 11:50 p.m., spectators’ eyes will turn towards the Arc de Triomphe to admire a giant video mapping, accompanied by a musical composition by Ena Eno and André Manoukian. This show will “poetically showcase all the riches that make up the identity of Paris and its inhabitants: its ideas, its diversity, its arts, its transformations”, promises the town hall in its press release.
Parisian football in the spotlight
Several winks will punctuate the evening. A table will notably pay homage to the 70th anniversary of the twinning between Paris and Rome, celebrated in 2026. Parisian sport will not be left out with references to the “historic year” achieved by Paris Saint-Germain, crowned European champion for the first time.
In detail, a tribute to Ousmane Dembélé, Ballon d’or 2025, is expected. The Parisian striker, who will not be physically present, will be saluted in the mapping projected on the Arc de Triomphe. A reference to the double derby between PSG and Paris FC (January 4 in the championship and 12 in the Coupe de France) is also on the program. We also learn that before the start of the show, a road safety message will be broadcast, the City wishing to partner with the Antoine Alleno association.
At midnight sharp, the traditional fireworks display, the largest in Europe, will take over. It will begin with “a total white flash”, followed by a surge of golden, silver and blue lights illuminating the facade of the Arc de Triomphe. The playlist, 100% feminine, will highlight current hits, with a nod to Italy. The show will end with “Imagine”, by John Lennon, to begin the year 2026 “in a spirit of peace, hope and brotherhood”.
A hard-fought direct snatch
The event will be broadcast live on France 2 in “La Grande Soirée du 31 de Paris”, presented by Stéphane Bern. “I must say that the mayor of Paris insisted a lot on the police headquarters to let us go live. In addition, it’s her last fireworks display as mayor in Paris, so she wanted us to be able to present them live with her,” confides the host.
In the image, Laury Thilleman will appear at Place de la Concorde, during sequences that have been pre-recorded. “Then I will be with a few artists at the foot of the Arc de Triomphe. There is a special flavor to being there, to partying with the tourists, with the Parisians and to participating in the fireworks,” continues Stéphane Bern.
No concert for New Year’s Eve
This programming comes three weeks after the announcement of the cancellation of the New Year’s Eve concert, a decision which had aroused the anger of several elected officials. At the beginning of December, the police headquarters asked the town hall to cancel the musical event to minimize the risks linked to crowd movements.
The security system will be substantial. Strict instructions will be applied, including a ban on the sale of alcohol around the avenue and a ban on entering the site with glass bottles or flasks. Strollers are not recommended given the expected crowds.
The Champs-Élysées will open to the public from 7 p.m., with a main entrance via Place de la Concorde. From the south, entry will be on avenues Montaigne Franklin D. Roosevelt. From the north it will be at avenue Matignon and again avenue Franklin D. Roosevelt. Spectators are recommended to arrive before 9 p.m.
