Habits de Lumière is Épernay’s annual winter lights festival (in French, the 'clothes of light'), a three-day celebration that wraps the town’s famous Avenue de Champagne in glowing installations, video projections, music, and fireworks. It’s a festive kickoff to the holiday season, set against the grand facades of the Champagne houses that line this UNESCO-recognized avenue. Unlike many light festivals that are purely visual, it also includes culinary events, cellar visits, and a vintage car parade, making it a full weekend in Champagne country.
Habits de Lumière is one of the most atmospheric festivals in France, drawing visitors from Paris and beyond to the heart of the Champagne region. The event is organized by the city of Épernay in partnership with the Comité de l'Avenue de Champagne, and most main events are free. The festival celebrates more than two decades since the Avenue de Champagne received UNESCO World Heritage recognition, a milestone that put Épernay’s champagne heritage on the global stage.
What is Habits de Lumière?
Habits de Lumière is an annual winter festival held in Épernay, usually over a three-day weekend in early December. The festival transforms the Avenue de Champagne—home to prestigious houses like Moët & Chandon and Perrier-Jouët—into an open-air gallery of light installations, video mapping projections, and live performances. It’s a celebration of Champagne’s art de vivre, combining the region’s culinary and viticultural heritage with the festive spirit of the season.
Most of the festival’s core events are free, including the evening light shows on the Avenue de Champagne, the Saturday Habits de Saveurs culinary demonstrations, and the Sunday vintage car parade. However, some experiences—such as food-and-wine pairing workshops and cellar tours in the courtyards of champagne houses—require a fee and advance reservation. As the official festival page explains, no tickets are sold for the free events, but security screening is in place at entry points, so plan to queue.
When does the festival take place?
Habits de Lumière is typically held over a weekend in early to mid-December, but exact dates vary each year. For the most accurate and current schedule, check the official festival website or the Épernay tourism office. Past editions have taken place from Friday to Sunday, with the main evening events on Friday and Saturday nights.
Where is the festival held?
The heart of the festival is the Avenue de Champagne in Épernay, a broad boulevard flanked by the grand headquarters of major champagne houses. The avenue is part of the UNESCO-listed Champagne hillsides, houses, and cellars. During the festival, the avenue is closed to traffic and becomes a pedestrian-only spectacle, with light installations on the facades and video mapping projected onto buildings.
Festival highlights: Friday and Saturday evenings
Friday and Saturday evenings are the most spectacular. Starting at around 7 p.m., a continuous video-mapping show plays on the façade of the Hôtel de Ville (city hall), while along the avenue, musical entertainment, champagne bars, and live performances create a festive buzz. Light installations line the street, and the evening culminates in a fireworks display. The exact times and locations of these shows are published on the official festival program closer to the date.
Vendors along the avenue sell small bites and champagne in plastic flutes designed for strolling. Remember that the event is free, but you’ll want to bring some euros if you plan to taste. Arrive early to find a good spot for the fireworks or the light shows—crowds can be dense, and security checks can slow entry.
Saturday daytime: Habits de Saveurs and children's activities
Saturday morning, attention shifts to gastronomy with Habits de Saveurs, a culinary event held at Halle Saint-Thibault (on Place des Archers). Michelin-starred chefs team up with champagne houses and local winemakers to create original recipes in live tasting demonstrations. This is a free event open to all, with no reservation required, but arriving early is wise to get a good view.
The official festival page notes that the afternoon includes a P'tits Pâtissiers competition for younger children—a pastry-making contest for kids—plus food-and-wine pairing workshops and cellar tours. Some of these activities are free, while workshops and cellar visits may carry a fee and require booking. For definitive details on this year’s activities, check the official program.
Sunday: Vintage car parade
Sunday is the festival’s grand finale, featuring a procession of over 400 vintage, legendary, and prestige vehicles that roll through the streets of Épernay and along the Avenue de Champagne. The parade is a beloved tradition, drawing spectators of all ages. It’s free to watch, but expect large crowds along the route. The parade typically starts around 11 a.m., and the exact route is announced on the festival website closer to the date.
Practical information: admission and reservations
As mentioned, most events are free, including the Avenue de Champagne festivities, Habits de Saveurs, the P'tits Pâtissiers competition, and the car parade. No tickets are required, but be prepared for security screening at festival entry points. The official page notes that 'Tickets are not sold, nor are they required at the entrance.' However, paid activities like food-and-wine pairing workshops and cellar tours require separate reservations and fees.
How to get to Épernay: from Paris and Reims
Épernay is about a 1-hour-15-minute train ride from Paris’s Gare de l’Est, making it an easy day trip or weekend escape. Trains from Paris to Épernay are frequent, and the main rail station is within walking distance of the Avenue de Champagne. If you’re coming from Reims, the regional TER train makes the short journey between the two cities in about 30 minutes—convenient for visiting multiple Champagne towns.
For driving, the A4 motorway connects Reims and Paris to Épernay, but note that parking near the festival site will be limited. Plan to arrive early or use park-and-ride options if the city provides them. Checking the official tourism office website for specific transport arrangements during the festival is wise.
Where to stay: base yourself in Épernay
For the full festival experience, staying in Épernay itself is recommended, with many hotels within walking distance of the Avenue de Champagne. For a curated list of accommodations, see our guide to Habits de Lumière Épernay where to stay. Alternatively, Reims is a larger city with more options, but you’ll need to factor in the train ride back to your hotel after the evening events.
If you prefer a base in the nearby countryside, some wine estates offer guesthouses. But for the festival, being in Épernay lets you step out of your hotel and into the lights—no driving needed. Given the event’s popularity, I’d recommend booking your accommodation well in advance.
Tips for enjoying the festival like a local
A well-known insider tip is to arrive early to the Habits de Saveurs to snag a spot near the presentation stage—there are no chairs, so lean against a high-top and be ready to elbow politely to the front. Locals drift in and out all morning, often popping over from the Saturday market just across the street.
Don’t shy away from the tasting booths set up by champagne houses along the avenue. Many offer free or low-cost samples, but you’ll want to have cash for purchases. Also, dress warmly—the festival is outdoors, and December evenings in Champagne can be chilly.
Other things to do in Épernay and nearby
While you’re in Épernay, consider visiting the Musée du Vin de Champagne et d’Archéologie Régionale, located directly on the Avenue de Champagne, or take a cellar tour at one of the major houses like Moët & Chandon. In the surrounding region, the town of Hautvillers, where Dom Pérignon is buried, offers panoramic vineyard views and a glimpse into champagne history.
If you’re visiting during the Christmas season, Épernay also hosts a Christmas market and festive light displays—see our guide to Christmas in Épernay for more ideas. And if you’re planning a longer trip, check out other festivals in France for year-round events.
Sample itinerary for a long weekend
Here’s a suggested three-day plan for a festival weekend: On Friday, arrive in Épernay, check in, and take a guided tour of the Avenue de Champagne (book through the Office de Tourisme) to learn about its history. In the evening, join the opening festivities, watching the first light shows and fireworks.
Saturday, start with breakfast, then head to Habits de Saveurs at 9 a.m. for the culinary demos. Afterward, visit a champagne house for a tasting or explore the Musée du Vin de Champagne. In the evening, return to the avenue for a second night of lights, sampling other houses you missed.
Sunday, after breakfast, find a good spot along the parade route to watch the vintage cars. After the parade, enjoy a leisurely lunch at one of Épernay’s brasseries, then depart or extend your stay with a visit to a nearby vineyard.
Plan Your Visit
Habits de Lumière is a magical way to kick off the festive season in Champagne country. With its free and open events, it’s an accessible celebration of the region’s wine heritage and holiday spirit. Whether you come for the lights, the food-and-champagne pairings, or the historic car parade, Épernay promises a memorable winter escape.
As dates change each year, always check the official festival website and the Épernay tourism office for the latest information before planning your trip. And if you want to extend your journey, explore nearby Reims and the world-famous Champagne cellars that dot the region.
Please note: This guide was last updated in September 2026, and while the festival structure is usually consistent, specifics like exact dates, event times, and the lineup of chefs can vary. Confirm details on the official organizer website as your trip approaches.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When is Habits de Lumière?
Habits de Lumière is typically held over a weekend in early to mid-December. Exact dates vary each year, so check the official festival website of the Épernay tourism office for the current edition's schedule.
Is Habits de Lumière free?
Most events, including the Avenue de Champagne festivities, the Habits de Saveurs culinary demonstrations, and the vintage car parade, are free of charge. Some workshops and cellar tours require a fee and advance booking.
Where does the car parade take place?
The Sunday vintage car parade runs through the streets of Épernay and along the Avenue de Champagne. The exact route is announced on the festival's official page closer to the date.
How do I get from Paris to Épernay?
Épernay is about a 1-hour-15-minute train ride from Paris's Gare de l'Est. Taking the TER regional train from Reims is also convenient.
What is Habits de Saveurs?
Habits de Saveurs is the culinary event held on Saturday morning of the festival, where Michelin-starred chefs perform live cooking demonstrations paired with Champagnes from local houses and winemakers. It is free and open to all, but arrives early to secure a spot.
Are there fireworks at the festival?
Yes, the festival typically concludes its evening festivities with a fireworks display near Mercier, according to reports from past editions. The exact schedule is confirmed on the official program.
