Nice Events

January
Nice
A large funfair is held in Luna Park with rides 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).

February
Nice
The Nice Carnaval draws visitors from all over Europe and North America to this ancient spectacle. This "Mardi Gras of the Riviera" begins sometime in February, usually 12 days before Shrove Tuesday, celebrating the return of spring with parades, floats (corsi), masked balls (veglioni), confetti, and battles in which young women toss flowers.. Climaxing the event is a fireworks display on Shrove Tuesday, lighting up the Baie des Anges (Bay of Angels). King Carnival goes up in flames on his pyre but rises from the ashes the following spring.

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

April
Nice
Nice Tennis Tournament .
Symphonic Concerts (Opéra).
Journée Chevalet (day of easels) (Jardin Albert 1er)
Nice International Dog Show.
Rallye de Tunisie.
Nice International Semi-Marathon
Egg-hunt (Parc Floral Phœnix).
Printemps des Musées

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).

June
Nice
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.

July
Nice
Voucalia, Festival of Mediterranean Polyphony and Traditional Music .
Nice Festival du Jazz, occurs for a week in mid-July.A roster of great jazz artists perform in the ancient Arène de Cimiez. For information and tickets, contact the Comité des Fêtes, Mairie (town hall) de Nice, 5 rue de l'Hôtel-de-Ville, 06000 Nice 04-97-13-20-00).
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.

August
Nice
Ball for the Libération of Nice (Place Masséna).
International Summer Chess Tournament.

September
Nice
International Festival of Military Music (every 2 years)
Fête du patrimoine (heritage days)
Nice International Triathlon

October
Nice
Fête patronale de la Ville de Nice Sainte Réparate
(Old-Nice).
Mushroom Exhibition (Parc Floral Phœnix).

November
Nice
Children's workshops (Parc Floral Phoenix).
Rock and Mineral Show (Parc Floral Phoenix).

December
Nice
Bain de Noël - Christmas dip, the first Sunday after Christmas.
Nice International Chess Tournament .
Sailing : International Star Regatta.
Christmas Village (espace Masséna: jardin Albert 1er).

Arts and Entertainment

Concerts
Arènes De Cimiez
av. Arènes de Cimiez, Nice
Jazz and pop concerts are held during the summer.

Château de la Moutte
rte. des Salins, St-Tropez
Every July and August, Classical Music Concerts take place in the gardens
For ticket information, inquire at the St-Tropez tourist office
quai Jean-Jaurès, B.P. 183, St-Tropez, 04-94-97-45-21.

Acropolis
Classical music and ballet performances take place at Nice's convention center
the Palais des Congrès
Esplanade John F. Kennedy, Nice
04-93-92-83-00

Opera
Opéra De Nice
4 rue St-François-de-Paul, Nice,
04-92-17-40-40
The season runs from September to June.

Theater
Théâtre Municipal Francis-Gag
4 rue St-Joseph, Nice
04-93-62-00-03
This venue offers independent theater productions of traditional and contemporary works.
Théâtre De Nice
promenade des Arts, Nice
04-93-13-90-90
headed by stage and screen star Jacques Weber, alternates productions imported from Paris with creative experiments of the Centre National Dramatique Nice Côte d'Azur.

Beaches
Nice's seafront is home to at least seven different public beaches. None of them has sand; they are covered with gravel (often the size of golf balls). The rocks are smooth, but can still be difficult to navigate for people with poor balance or sensitive feet. Tucked in between the public beaches are the private beaches of hotels. Most of the public beaches are divided into two sections: a free area and an area where you can avail yourself of the chaise longues, mattresses, parasols, changing cabanas, and freshwater showers for a fee. Nude sunbathing is prohibited, but toplessness is common. Take bus nos. 9, 10, 12, and 23 from the center of town to get to the beach.