The French year
The French year with children
The French family year has five big moments for small children: Noël in December, the galette des rois in January, crêpes for Chandeleur on 2 February, paper fish for poisson d'avril on 1 April, and chocolate from the flying bells at Pâques.
In this guide
- Noël Shoes by the fireplace, the réveillon and the bûche.
- Galette des rois A hidden charm, a paper crown, a child under the table.
- La Chandeleur Crêpe day, with a coin in one hand.
- Poisson d'avril A paper fish, stuck on a back, without them noticing.
- Pâques Bells fly to Rome and drop chocolate on the way home.
The year at a glance
| When | Fête | What children do |
|---|---|---|
| December | Noël | Leave their shoes by the fireplace, eat la bûche |
| Early January, and all month | La galette des rois | Hunt for the charm, wear the paper crown |
| 2 February | La Chandeleur | Flip crêpes |
| 1 April | Poisson d’avril | Stick paper fish on people’s backs |
| March or April | Pâques | Hunt for the eggs the bells dropped |
Why the year helps
A fête is a ritual that comes round once a year. It gives French a reason to be in the room: a crown to win, a crêpe to flip, a fish to stick on someone’s back. Children remember the paper crown, and the word for it comes along with it.
One thing to do this week
Find the next fête on the calendar and learn its one word. For a surprising amount of the year, that word is crêpe.
Free bedtime script
The one ritual that runs all year
Fêtes come once a year. Bedtime comes every night.
Ten bedtime phrases, each with a say-it guide, on one page for the bedroom door.
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Download it now (PDF)Questions parents ask
What are the main French holidays for children?
Noël, the galette des rois in January, Chandeleur on 2 February, poisson d'avril on 1 April and Pâques, Easter. In the French summer, 14 July brings fireworks.
When is the galette des rois?
At Epiphany, the first Sunday of January in France, though families eat galettes all through the month.
When is Chandeleur?
On 2 February every year. It's crêpe day.
Keep going
Updated 16 October 2026