JANUARY
Nice
• Luna Park
A large funfair with roundabouts and attractions for the delight of young and not so young spectators every year. (Palais des Expositions, esplanade de Lattre de Tassigny).
• New Years Concert (Acropolis).
• Concert Lyrique at the Opéra.
• Salon du Lycéen et de l'Etudiant (Trade Fair for students) (Acropolis).
• Salon Bionazur, (Trade fair of natural and organic produce)
• Salon du Mariage (Acropolis).
French Riviera
• Monte Carlo Circus Festival
• Winter Horse Racing
(Hippodrome de la Cote d’Azur, Cagnes–sur–Mer)
FEBRUARY
Nice
• CARNIVAL and flower processions
Carnival is the leading event of the winter season on the French Riviera- Carnival parades (daytime and evenings).
"Mardi Gras" parade (Place Massena, Avenue Jean Médecin). Flower processions (Promenade des Anglais).
- Closing parade, bonfire and fireworks (Promenade des Anglais).
French Riviera
• Fête du Citron in Menton. Parades of floats decorated with citrus fruits.
• Fête du Mimosa in Mandelieu. Parades of floats covered with mimosa flowers.
• Internation Flower Exhibition in Cagnes–sur–Mer.
MARCH
Nice
• Nice International Trade Fair. (Palais des Expositions, esplanade de Lattre de Tassigny - Port).
• Finish of the Paris-Nice Cycle Race (Promenade des Anglais.
• Nice International Semi–marathon.
(Promenade des Anglais).
• Concerts (Acropolis).
• Nice Boat Show.
• Plant Festival (Parc Floral Phœnix).
• Festin des Cougourdons. A traditional festival with local folklore and decorated "cougourdons" which takes place every spring. The interesting shapes of these gourds grown in the area, lend themselves to a wide variety of interpretations ...
• Printemps des Poètes
French Riviera
• Kite Festival in Èze
• Violet Festival in Tourrettes–sur–Loup
Parades of violet-decorated floats, folk groups.
• New Orleans–les–Pins, Jazz Festival of Antibes
Parade of floats and concerts.
AVRIL
Nice
• Nice Open Tennis Tournament .
• Symphonic Concerts (Opéra).
• Journée Chevalet (day of easels) (Jardin Albert 1er)
• Travel and Leisure show
(Acropolis - Expositions).
• Grand marché aux affaires
Business fair, sale of clothing, accessories etc… (Acropolis - Expositions).
• Nice International Dog Show.
• Rallye de Tunisie.
• Nice International Semi-Marathon
• Egg-hunt (Parc Floral Phœnix).
• Printemps des Musées
French Riviera
• Antique show in Antibes
• Spring of the Arts in Monaci
• Monaco Tennis Open
MAY
Nice
• La Fête des Mai
With this festival, probably the oldest folk tradition in Nice, every Sunday in May; dancing, picnics, folk dancing brighten up the Cimiez gardens and amphitheatre.
• Fête de la Cuisine
The cooking of Nice is highlighted in the city's restaurants.
• Symphonic Concerts (Acropolis).
• Art Jonction International, Contemporary Art Fair
(Jardin Albert 1er).
French Riviera
• Expo Rose in Grasse
• Strawberry Festival in Carros
• Internation Show-Jumping in Monaco
• International Film Festiavl in Cannes
• Monaco Grand Prix (Formula 1)
JUNE
Nice
• Nice en Roller
• Sacred Music Festival (Churches in the old town).
• Fête de la musique, free concerts throughout the city.
• Salon du Livre (Book fair) (Jardin Albert 1er).
• Fête de la Mer
Every year the fishermen of Nice celebrate Saint Peter's day. The festivities open with mass in the Gesù church, followed by a processsion all the way to Les Ponchettes beach (in front of old Nice) where a boat is burned in honour of their patron saint.
• Fête de la St–Jean (dancing and bonfires) (Carras).
• Pan Bagnat Festival .
French Riviera
• International Show-Jumping in Cannes
• Garden month in Menton
Special garden tours.
JULY
Nice
• Voucalia, Festival of Mediterranean Polyphony and Traditional Music .
• Nice Jazz Festival
Inspired by the great American jazz performances, this international jazz festival is one of a kind. Every year it draws the most famous soloists and bands to the incomparable venue of the Cimiez gardens and Amphitheatre. Listen to the artists while nibbbling on a fried chicken leg or a portion of "socca" in an unforgettable atmosphere.
• Nuits Musicales de Nice / International Academy of Summer Music
Concerts in the Cloister of the Cimiez Monastery.
• Nikaïa : International Athletics Meeting
With this meeting, the city of Nice has obtained a leading place in the worrld-class athletic events calendar. Every summer, 20 000 spectators crowd into the Charles Ehrmann Stadium to attend a programme of competitions with the world's finest champions
• Bastille Day Celebration (14/07)
Fireworks Promenade des Anglais.
Dancing.
• Musical Entertainment (Théâtre de Verdure).
French Riviera (July-August)
• Antibes Jazz Festival
• Monte Carlo International Fireworks Festival
• Chorus Festival in Grasse
• Medieval Festival in Cagnes-sur-Mer
• International Chamber Music Festival in Menton
• Summer horse racing
(Hippodrome de la Cote d’Azur, Cagnes–sur–Mer)
AUGUST
Nice
• Ball for the Libération of Nice (Place Masséna).
• Nuits Musicales de Nice / International Academy of Summer Music
Concerts in the Cloister of the Cimiez Monastery.
• Nuit des Plages / Musical Entertainment (Promenade des Anglais / Théâtre de Verdure).
• International Open Summer Chess Tournament.
SEPTEMBER
Nice
• International Festival of Military Music (every 2 years)
• Fête du patrimoine (heritage days)
• Nice International Triathlon
Swimming 4 km (Baie des Anges)
Cycling 120 km (Haut Pays Niçois)
Foot race 30 km (Promenade des Anglais).
• Historic Automobile Tour de France.
French Riviera
• Biennale de Céramique d’art in Vallauris
• Week of Provençal gastronomy in Valbonne
OCTOBER
Nice
• Indoor Super Cross (Acropolis - Expositions).
• Nice–Matin real estate trade fair (Acropolis).
• Fête patronale de la Ville de Nice Sainte Réparate
(Old-Nice).
• Mushroom Exhibition (Parc Floral Phœnix).
French Riviera
• World Underwater Image Festival in Antibes
• Chesnut Festival in Tende
NOVEMBER
Nice
• "Sadeca" furniture and decoration fair (Acropolis - Expositions).
• Children's workshops (Parc Floral Phoenix).
• Rock and Mineral Show (Parc Floral Phoenix).
• Salon de l’Épargne - banking and savings show (Acropolis).
• Chamber Music (MAMAC).
• Cap Cyber Multimédia Show.
French Riviera
• International Dance Festival in Cannes
• Bird Festival in Menton
• Monaco International Marathon
DECEMBER
Nice
• Luna Park (see January).
• Bain de Noël - Christmas dip, the first Sunday after Christmas.
• Challenge international de Lutte Henri Deglane -wrestling- (Salle Leyrit).
• Nice International Open Chess Tournament .
• Artisa’Niss - arts and crafts show - (Acropolis).
• Sailing : International Star Regatta.
• Christmas Village (espace Masséna: jardin Albert 1er).
French Riviera
• Animated nativity scenes and Christmas markets throughout the region
• Foire aux Santons in Mouans-Sartoux
Year round… Theatre, concert, opera, ballet, variety shows, galas, exhibitions… Permanent and temporary exhibitions in the Museums of Nice.
