Events & Festivals

NICE EVENTS & FESTIVALS 2026 – Complete Calendar

Nice hosts world-class events and festivals year-round. From famous Carnival to jazz festivals, sports events to food celebrations, there’s always something happening. This guide covers major events with dates, tickets, and insider tips.

JANUARY – FEBRUARY

Nice Carnival (Carnaval de Nice)

Dates: February 14-March 3, 2026 (2-3 weeks)

What: Massive street festival with parades, floats, costumes, confetti battles.

Why visit: One of France’s most famous carnivals. Spectacular floats, live music, street performers. Free to watch from streets, paid seating for main parade.

Highlights:

• 🎭 Grand parade (Promenade des Anglais)
• 🎪 Confetti battles (free, main square)
• 🎨 Artistic floats and costumes
• 🎵 Live bands and music

Tickets: Free (standing) | 15-50€ (reserved seating)

Insider tip: Go during day parades (afternoon), less crowded. Bring umbrella for confetti battles.

Website: nicecarnaval.com

MARCH – APRIL

Nice Masters Tennis (ATP Masters 1000)

Dates: April 6-12, 2026

What: Tennis tournament featuring top 30 world players.

Why visit: Professional tennis, beautiful clay courts, exciting matches.

Location: Nice Tennis Club, Route de Châteauneuf

Tickets: 35-150€ (day tickets) | 300-1000€ (full tournament)

Insider tip: Buy day tickets for practice rounds (cheaper, less crowded, still good tennis).

Website: nicesopen.com

MAY – JUNE

Cannes Film Festival (nearby, 30km)

Dates: May 12-23, 2026

What: World’s most famous film festival. Red carpet premieres, A-list celebrities.

Why visit: Hollywood glamour, world cinema, see celebrities (on red carpet or streets).

Location: Cannes (30 min train from Nice)

Tickets: Screenings 15-20€ | Red carpet = celebrities on streets (free to watch)

Insider tip: You don’t need ticket to see celebrities. They walk streets, go to restaurants. Hang around Palais des Festivals.

Website: festival-cannes.com

Nice Jazz Festival (Festival de Jazz à Nice)

Dates: May 20-31, 2026

What: International jazz festival with performances in historic venues and outdoor concerts.

Why visit: World-class jazz musicians, beautiful venues, summer vibes.

Location: Various venues (Cathedral Square, Jardin Albert 1er, etc.)

Highlights:

• 🎵 Evening concerts (7-11pm)
• 🎤 International and French artists
• 🍷 Wine & food vendors
• ✨ Outdoor under stars

Tickets: 25-60€ per concert | 300€+ full pass

Insider tip: Buy single concert tickets. Pick favorite artists. Full pass only worth if attending 6+ concerts.

Website: nicejazzfest.fr

JUNE – JULY

French Riviera Film Festival (Antibes, 25km)

Dates: June 4-7, 2026

What: Cinema festival with indie films, documentaries, networking events.

Why visit: Discover indie films, meet filmmakers, less crowded than Cannes.

Location: Antibes (easy train from Nice)

Tickets: 12-18€ per screening

Nice Summer Music Festival (Fête de la Musique)

Dates: June 20-21, 2026 (Summer solstice)

What: Free street music festival. Musicians perform throughout city (streets, squares, parks).

Why visit: Free live music everywhere, street performers, local bands, summer atmosphere.

Location: All over Nice (Promenade, Vieux-Nice, squares)

Tickets: 100% FREE

Insider tip: Arrive early to good spots. Bring blanket, picnic. Some venues serve wine/food.

JULY – AUGUST

Festival de Musique Classique (Classical Music Festival)

Dates: July-August (various dates)

What: Classical music performances in historic venues and churches.

Why visit: High-quality performances, beautiful venues (cathedrals), elegant experience.

Venues: St-Réparate Cathedral, Concert halls

Tickets: 20-50€

Beach Parties & Open-Air Cinema

What: Outdoor movie screenings on beach, DJ parties, sunset events.

When: July-August, every week

Where: Castel Plage, Promenade des Anglais beaches

Cost: Free-15€

Insider tip: Check Nice Tourism website for weekly events.

SEPTEMBER – OCTOBER

Nice Wine & Food Festival (Festival Goût Nice)

Dates: September 5-20, 2026

What: Wine tastings, food vendors, cooking demonstrations, local producers.

Why visit: Taste Provence wines, local cuisine, chef demonstrations.

Location: Various venues, mainly Promenade des Anglais

Highlights:

• 🍷 Wine tastings (10-30€)
• 🍽️ Food vendors
• 👨‍🍳 Chef cooking shows
• 🥘 Local cuisine tasting

Tickets: Free entry | Individual tastings 5-15€

Insider tip: Go for lunch (tastings). Eat and taste wine, avoid getting too drunk.

French Open Tennis (Paris, but watch in Nice bars)

Dates: May 24-June 7, 2026 (Roland Garros)

What: Paris tennis tournament, but watch at Nice sports bars with locals.

Why visit: French passion for tennis, watch with fans in bars (great atmosphere).

Location: Sports bars throughout Nice

Cost: Free (buy a drink at bar)

NOVEMBER – DECEMBER

Christmas Markets & Holiday Season

Dates: November 15 – January 5, 2027

What: Christmas markets, holiday decorations, ice skating rink, festive lights.

Why visit: Holiday atmosphere, gift shopping, festive food (mulled wine, chestnuts).

Location: Promenade des Anglais, various squares

Highlights:

• 🎄 Christmas markets
• ⛸️ Ice skating rink
• 🎆 Holiday light shows
• 🍷 Mulled wine & food

Cost: Free to walk | Ice skating 10-15€ | Market items vary

Insider tip: Go in late November (fewer crowds). December is packed.

RECURRING EVENTS

Cours Saleya Market (Year-round)

When: Every day, 6am-1pm (flowers daily, food Tue-Sat)

What: Historic flower & food market.

Cost: Free to browse | shopping varies

Farmers Market (Marché Cours Saleya)

When: Tuesdays-Saturdays, 6am-1pm

What: Fresh produce, local farmers, regional specialties.

Cost: Free to browse

Antique Markets (Vieux-Nice)

When: Every Tuesday-Saturday, 7am-6pm

What: Vintage clothing, antiques, collectibles.

Cost: Free to browse | items vary

HOW TO FIND EVENTS

Official sources:

• 🌐 Nice Tourism: nicetourisme.com
• 🌐 Côte d’Azur Events: cote-azur.cci.fr
• 🌐 Eventbrite: eventbrite.fr (search Nice)
• 📱 Nice City App: Official city app with events calendar

BOOKING TICKETS

• 🎫 Official website: Often cheapest, direct access
• 🎫 Ticketmaster / Fnac: Major events, reliable
• 🎫 Local tourist office: Often have discount codes
• 🎫 Hotels: Can often book tickets for guests

Insider tip: Book early for major events (Carnival, Jazz Fest). They sell out.

MONEY-SAVING TIPS

• 💰 Free events: Fête de la Musique (June), Street performers (year-round)
• 💰 Discounts: Tourist office, student ID, group rates
• 💰 Multi-day passes: Some festivals offer discounts for 3+ events
• 💰 Early bird: Book early (usually 20-30% discount)
• 💰 Off-season: June-August has fewer events (and free ones)

BEST TIME TO VISIT FOR EVENTS

Season	Major Events	Weather	Crowds	Best For
Winter (Dec-Feb)	Carnival, Christmas markets	Cool, rainy	High (holidays)	Festival lovers
Spring (Mar-May)	Tennis Masters, Jazz Fest, Cannes	Perfect	Moderate	Event + weather lovers
Summer (Jun-Aug)	Beach parties, classical music, Fête	Hot, sunny	Very high	Relaxed, beach lovers
Fall (Sep-Oct)	Wine & Food Festival	Warm, pleasant	Low-moderate	Food lovers, quiet visitors

NEARBY FESTIVALS (Easy Day Trips)

• 🎪 Cannes: 30 min train, Film Festival (May)
• 🎪 Antibes: 25 min train, various art festivals
• 🎪 Grasse: 40 min bus, International Fragrance Festival (May)
• 🎪 Monaco: 20 min train, Grand Prix (May)

INSIDER FESTIVAL TIPS

• 🎭 Carnival: Crowds peak weekends. Go weekday for shorter lines.
• 🎭 Jazz Festival: Book early. Popular concerts sell out.
• 🎭 Wine Festival: Eat before tasting (don’t taste on empty stomach).
• 🎭 Christmas Markets: Go late evening (fewer families, more wine/food atmosphere).
• 🎭 Beach Parties: Arrive early for sunset. Bring cash (not always cards accepted).

CONCLUSION

Nice hosts events for every taste and season. Winter brings Carnival and festive markets. Spring offers tennis, jazz, and Cannes nearby. Summer brings free street music and beach parties. Fall brings wine and food celebrations.

Check the Nice Tourism website when you plan your visit. Many events are free or low-cost. The calendar is packed—there’s always something happening in Nice.

Ready to plan your trip? Check our transport and accommodation guides to complete your Nice itinerary.