February is coming on strong with a series of festivals, carnivals, concerts and the re-opening of an important art museum. Read on!

Nice

Carnival

February 12 to March 2

It’s that time of year again! Nice’s annual Carnival livens up February with parades, floats and events. (See more details about Nice Carnival). Don’t be surprised to see Grosses Têtes (big heads) in unexpected places.

Each year has a theme to inspire the artists, artisans, designers, dancers and acrobats who make the experience visually spectacular. There’s always a King, Queen and Dauphin. This year’s theme is King of the Oceans in honor of the United Nations Conference on the Ocean which will take place in Nice from June 9 to 13. Expect a lot of maritime designs floating along the parade route. I’m predicting fish and mermaids but we’ll see.

The Carnival official program includes daytime parades, nighttime parades and batailles des fleurs (flower battles) in the town center. Place Massena, avenue de Verdun and parts of the Promenade des Anglais will be barricaded during the festival events making access impossible for those without a ticket. Tickets start at €7 for standing and run to €29 for a seat in the tribunes. Note that anyone who comes in full costume head to toe is admitted for free to the parades (not the flower battles). See the Carnival website for the full program and ticket sales.

In addition to the paying events above, there are a number of ways to join in the fun for free or at a low cost. Here’s how to do it:

Carnival House Opening February 12 4pm FREE
5 Rue du Dr Pierre Richelmi
Come in costume if you like to watch the final preparations for the opening parade and bob to the beats of local bands and DJs.

Carnival Village Opening February 15 11am FREE
Promenade du Paillon
The Carnival Village will host various animations and workshops for the duration of the Carnival. It’s open 11am-6pm daily. On February 20 and 27 it will be open late for a sardine feast, music and “offbeat” programming.

Carnavalina February 15 1pm FREE
Place Massena
New this year, artists and community organizations will have various stands decorated with mimosa.

Cafe Waiters Race February 16 9:30am FREE
Place du Palais de Justice
Watch waiters dash through the streets of the Old Town disguised along the King of the Oceans theme. As there’s a €1000 prize for best costume, I expect it will be a colorful race. The race finishes at 11am in the same spot.

French Brunch February 16 noon – 6pm €5
Theatre de Verdure
Come to enjoy French music, rides, games and brunch.

Queernaval February 28 8:30pm FREE
Place Massena
Nice’s LGBT community is in charge of festivities here that are open to all

Burning of the King and Fireworks March 1 10:45pm FREE
Opera Plage
Nice tradition demands that the Carnival King must be burned each year to make way for next year’s king.

Closing Ceremony March 2 10am FREE
Carnival Village
With music and speeches

Carnival Swim March 2 11:45am FREE
Opera Plage
Costumes desired but not obligatory. Given the 12° water temperature right now a full wetsuit would probably be in order!

There are also various free events in parks, gardens and other venues throughout the city. Full schedule here: https://www.nicecarnaval.com/en/news/carnival-in-the-city/

 

Chamber Music

Chagall Museum February 10 7pm

The Chagall Museum is a lovely venue for this annual cycle of chamber music concerts. Tickets are €12 . Info and sales here: https://opera-nice.notre-billetterie.org/billets?spec=778

Nutcracker Suite Ballet

Palais Nikaia February 14 8pm

This will be the French premiere of the British Festival Ballet, directed by Yassaui Mergaliyev, an exceptional dancer who won the gold medal at the prestigious Varna competition, distinguished by the government of Kazakhstan for his artistic career, and by Sophie Mergaliyev, former dancer at the Royal Ballet of Sweden. Info and tickets here: https://www.explorenicecotedazur.com/fiche/ballet-casse-noisette/

01 février 2025

Vitaa Concert

Palais Nikaia February 2 8:30pm

This popular French artist will be debuting songs from her new album as part of a European tour. Info and tickets here: https://www.explorenicecotedazur.com/fiche/vitaa-la-tournee/

Roccassera Quartet

Salle Grappelli February 7 8:30

This dynamic group combines pop, world and jazz for a dynamic and fun musical experience. Info and tickets here: https://www.explorenicecotedazur.com/fiche/roccassera-quartet/

Chamber Music

Foyer de l’Opera February 17 & 24 12:15pm

The Foyer de l’Opera provides an elegant venue for this midday break from the mundane. Tickets are €12. Reserve here: https://opera-nice.notre-billetterie.org/billets?spec=777

St Laurent du Var

Truffle Festival

Parvis de la Mairie February 2 9am-6pm

The tasty tuber is celebrated here in front of the  with the opportunity to taste and buy.

St Jean Cap Ferrat

Hommage to Puccini

Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild February 1 7:30pm

What a gorgeous place to listen to a soprano and tenor belt out Puccini’s top arias. Tickets from €95. Info and sales here: https://www.explorenicecotedazur.com/fiche/concert-en-hommage-a-giacomo-puccini/

Menton

Fete du Citron

Town center from 15 February to 2 March

Menton has a microclimate that makes its citruses especially tasty. Like the Nice Carnival, there are parades, floats and entertainment on the citrus theme. The Golden Fruit Parades are on Sundays at 2:30pm. It’s massively crowded. Take public transport and try to arrive before 11am. The Night Parades are Thursdays at 9pm but try to arrive before 6pm.

Tickets are €16 (standing); €29 for seats. There’s a free Craft Market with local food specialties and handicrafts on the  Esplanade Francis Palmero

During the festival the tourist office has organized a series of events from garden visits to hikes to familiarize visitors with the region. The fees depend on the event but are reasonable.

For the program and tickets for all events, see https://www.fete-du-citron.com/

Villefranche-sur-Mer

Flowery Naval Combat

Port de la Santé February 17

This fun and free festival celebrating Villefranche’s maritime history dates back to 1902.

• 11 a.m.: Strolling of folk groups at the Octroi
• 1:30 p.m.: Carnival parade on the quays – Port de la Santé.
• 2:00 p.m.: Combat Naval Fleuri  and flower battles on the water. From their flowery pointus, the boatmen will throw volleys of flowers towards the spectators – Port de la Santé.
• After the fight: Carnival entertainment at Place Amélie Pollonnais / Quai / Rue du Poilu

Cannes

Malmaison Open Doors

Malmaison Museum February 1-2

It’s been a long wait but La Malmaison has reopened after spectacular renovation work. Cannes’ most prestigious art museum has tripled the exhibition space and modernized both the interior and exterior. Check out the new panoramic roof capable of accommodating 200 people. The first exhibit is entitled “Luxury, calm and voluptuousness” (until 20 April) which celebrates the relationship between artists and the south of France. Nearly 130 paintings, by Cézanne, Monet and Picasso, rub shoulders with contemporaries, some of them specially created. And on this opening weekend admission is FREE!

Mandelieu la Napoule

Mimosa Festival

Town Center February 12-16

The Mimosa Festival in Mandelieu is a classic winter festival that promises an explosion of colours

Here are some highlights:

February 12 7pm
Concert and mulled wine Notre Dame du Liban €10
Reservation: www.mandelieu.fr – 04 92 97 49 65

February 13 8:3pm
Election of Miss Mandelieu at the Centre Expo Congrès €5
Reservation: www.mandelieu.fr – 04 92 97 49

14 February
From 6 p.m. Avenue Henry Clews and Plage du Château
Grand banquet with entertainment: strolling artists, live music, food-trucks…
.From 8 pm: fireworks and concert

* Saturday 15 February 2-10pm
•Mimosa Festival Village – Place de France
Music, artists and artisans

• 6:30 pm – Night parade that will accompany the 12 illuminated floats – From the Avenue des
Anciens Combattants (Costerousse gymnasium) to the Place de France

Until 11 pm – Musical entertainment and foodtrucks – Place de France

16 February From 11 a.m
La Napoule district
Music, street entertainment, food trucksMusical atmosphere, street artists and food trucks

2:30 pm,
Avenue Henry Clews
Grand Corso and flower battle followed by entertainment

Tickets for the parades and flower battle are €19. More info here: https://www.mandelieu.fr/actualite/21595/15945-la-fete-du-mimosa-2025.htm

Biot

Fete de la Mimosa

Town Center February 9 10:30- 5:30

Just in case you missed the other mimosa festivals, head up to Biot for your mimosa fix. The streets will be decked out in the yellow flowers, plus there will be bands, folk dancing and stands selling regional products. It’s all free and you may come away with a free bouquet of mimosa.

More info here: https://provence-alpes-cotedazur.com/que-faire/sortir/toutes-les-sorties/fete-du-mimosa-biot-fr-4008205/