Concerts, sports, jazz, wine and chestnuts are on the agenda this month. In addition to the special events listed below, don’t forget that the Nice Opera is in full swing with a choice of events from opera to free Afterwork concerts in the Opera or in the Cave Bianchi in the old town. Check out more live music in Nice.

Now for this month’s special events.

Nice

Nice-Cannes Marathon

November 3, Promenade des Anglais

The 20km between Cannes and Nice is long enough to be a challenge for local runners and certainly must be one of the world’s most scenic marathons. The festivities start with a little breakfast run on November 2 at 10am in front of the Palais Mediterranée. The main event starts at 8am November 3 also on the Promenade des Anglais and the first runners should arrive after two hours at the Hotel Carlton in Cannes. The prizes will be awarded there at 10.45am.

Sound and Light Show

From November 8 Basilique Notre Dame

This fabulous sound and light show will take place at 8pm and 9.20pm daily for the month of November. It’s an immersive experience as the details of Nice’s 19th-century church are illuminated with state-of-the-art lights and videos. The story of the Basilique is told in a series of “acts” recounting its history and legends. Meanwhile a live choir provides the musical accompaniment through 22 strategically-placed speakers. Tickets should be purchased in advance and start at €19. More information here.

Festival Bière Artisanale

November 9-11 Port Lympia, Quai des Douanes

Missed the Oktoberfest? No problem. Get your foamy fill at this artisanal beer festival. Beer is all the rage with the young’uns who can’t be bothered with stuck-up wine tastings. There will be barbecue, a Brazilian village, an arm-wrestling contest and various musical interludes. Full schedule here

Orchestre d’Harmonie de la Ville de Nice

November 17 Eglise de Voeu 3.30pm

This local orchestra is dedicated to the mission of providing free classical concerts, usually one Sunday a month. It’s a nice interlude on a Sunday afternoon.

Beaujolais Nouveau

November 21

Yes, the third Thursday in November is nearly upon us. It’s the day when Beaujolais Nouveau 2024 is officially released. It’s a great evening to head to your favorite wine bar. There’s a lot to choose from but my current pick is La Treille Bar a Vin, 7 rue Saint Augustin in Old Nice. This adorable little place was once painted by Raoul Dufy and now serves up reasonably priced snacks and wine indoors or on an outdoor terrace.

La Fete de la Chataigne au Gout de Nice

November 26, 10am-5pm, Le Gout de Nice, 34 ave Jean Jaurés

Come one and all to celebrate the venerable chestnut. Eat the grilled nuts, sample other local products and partake of a vast plate of polenta between noon and 1pm.

Romain Pilon Trio

November 30, Theatre Lino Ventura

Romain Pilon is Nice’s own jazzman with a style influenced by Pat Methany and Kurt Rosenwinkel. Tickets are €29.50. Reserve here.

Portes Ouvertes Chateau de Crémat

November 30-December 1

The wines of Bellet have been renowned ever since Thomas Jefferson bought cases and shipped them to his home in Monticello. High in the hills over the Magnan neighborhood, the wineries provide stunning vistas over the vineyards to the sea. The Chateau de Crémat is perhaps the best known and certainly the most elaborate of Nice’s wineries. A good time to visit is during one of the two annual Portes Ouvertes (June and November). It’s a lot of fun to get a guided tour of the winery, taste some wine and sample regional produce all while enjoying local bands. While in the neighborhood, take a look at some of the other Nice wineries. Give them a call first to let them know you’re coming. Bus line 52 stops at Chateau de Crémat and  bus 62 takes you up to Bellet.

Cagnes-sur-Mer

Fete de la Chataigne

November 17 Place de Gaulle 10am

There will be free grilled chestnuts of course but so much more. This chestnut festival celebrates rural life in the hills of the back country. In addition to sampling local cheese, honey, jams and olive oil don’t miss the farmers parading their livestock through the streets.

Antibes

Fete des Châtaignes

November 2, 5.30pm

The Commune Libre de Safranier (Free Commune of Safranier) is a part of Antibes’s Old Town dedicated to preservint its traditions. One of those events is the annual Chestnut Festival. Eat your grilled chestnuts, wash them down with vin chaud and dance along with the crowd to traditional Provencale tunes. The festivities center around the Place du Safranier.

Jammin’ Juan

November 6-8 Juan-les-Pins

The annual Jazz a Juan festival is a highlight of the international jazz circuit in July. Now jazz lovers can get their fix off-season. This three-day festival showcases up-and-coming artists in several venues around town. No, it’s not under the pines of La Pinede like the summer festival but the artistry should be top notch. See the program and get tickets here

Monaco

Monte Carlo Jazz Festival

November 20 – December 1 Opera Garnier

This prestigious jazz festival presents international stars and is priced accordingly. This year’s headliners include Dee Dee Bridgewater, Ayo, Cimafunk and Stefano di Battista. Tickets start at €90. For more info click here.

Regional Event

C’est Pas Classique

November 9-24

This venerable music festival was once devoted almost entirely to classical music and took place in Nice’s Acropolis. Both have changed. The festival covers a variety of music and, now that the Acropolis is no more, takes place throughout the region. There will be 25 FREE concerts spread over 13 venues. You can check out the entire schedule here. Note that most events are sur reservation which means they must be reserved online in advance but some are entrée libre which means that you only need to show up in advance. Check the page regularly as tickets may become available over the course of the festival. Also, ticketholders who fail to show up for the concert will see the tickets redistributed 15 minutes in advance of the concert. Those determined to see the concert can try to snag those last-minute tickets. In any case, there are no seat reservations. Show up early to get a good seat! Here are the four concerts in entrée libre:

• Quatuor Harp’s voice : Église Saint-Jean, Villars-sur-Var, 10 November.
• Wok’n Woll : Salle des fêtes de Tourrette-Levens,  16 November.
• Opus Opéra : Salle Jean Grinda, Saint-Martin-Vésubie, 17 November.
• Ensemble Baroque de Nice : Église, Puget-Théniers, 17 November.