Festivals and Annual Events

This is a ten day festival dating back to the Middle Ages, that spills over from the middle of February to March. There are daily parades and various events and festivities. There are displays of fireworks, parades of well decorated floats, musical concerts, flower parades, street performances and masquerades that turn Nice into a massive street party for the ten days that the Carnival is on.

Held in the Cimiez Gardens annually, this festival honors the gourd vegetable and marks the end of the winter season. It heralds the coming of spring and also celebrates the festival of Annunciation. Dishes with gourd as the main ingredient are served and there are exhibitions of well-decorated and artistically carved gourds.

This festival, held in Nice's Cimiez Gardens is for honoring the Earth Goddess and celebrating the season of spring. There are lots of merry celebrations and festival-goers can enjoy musical performances, singing, dancing and can listen to the local folk tales. There are also a number of gala events that take place as well.

The annual Jazz Festival in Nice goes on for eight days and is one of three main jazz festivals held in Europe. It attracts about 45,000 spectators every year. There are three stages set up with performances by famous musicians every evening from 19.00 to midnight. With over 75 concerts taking place this is one of the most happening events in Nice. Jazz music ranging over gospel, the blues, fusion and urban funk are all represented at this festival.

This summer festival celebrates the summer season with musical concerts and puppet shows. The venue for this event is a chateau in the hills of Nice. There are costumed actors who walk through the gardens telling festival-goers about the city's history.

This is an international military tattoo that takes place every year in Nice. There are grand military parades and concerts that take place with performances from all the participant bands. Various free concerts are held at different locations around Nice.

This is an annual festival which the Centre National de Création Musicale (CIRM) in Nice arranges. It is a modern-day music festival and the concerts are held at a few chosen venues in Nice as well as in nearby Monaco. In addition to the musical concerts there are also a number of music workshops for young people.

This is a live re-creation of the Nativity Scene and is on display during the week leading to Christmas. It takes place at the center of Nice at the Place Rossetti. Real animals and a live baby are all part of the scene.

This important annual event taking place in the Bay of Angels is organized by Nice's Water Club. 30 to 40 crews participate in the regatta and contend against each other in a number of sailing events. The sailors use the 'Star' boat which is what is used in Olympic contests.

This annual Christmas fair is held at the Place Massena. There are a number of attractions apart from the usual food and drink available, which include a skating rink, a Ferris wheel and much more. Traditional handicrafts are on display including the region's specialties such as honey and lavender.