The holiday spirit has descended on the French Riviera along with much chillier weather. December is a great month to spend here especially after dark when the lights go on.  All the towns along the French Riviera have Christmas markets ranging from intimate and local in the villages to splashy and glittering in the bigger towns.

Check out Nice’s Christmas decorations from the brilliantly illuminated Coulée Verte to the Christmas Village and the Promenade des Anglais.

For a complete list of towns and their displays, click here. Don’t miss the traditional bain de noel in towns along the coast where locals don Santa caps and plunge into the sea. It’s fun and you can easily join in.

Here are the highlights along with other events in December:

Nice

Christmas Village and Market

Jardin Albert 1er November 28-January 4

In Nice, head to the Jardin Albert 1er for he Christmas Village and market  along with the gigantic Ferris Wheel. There’s a regular schedule of concerts and dances to keep the ambiance lively and of course there are plenty of food stalls. Click here for the full schedule.

Fete Foraine Luna Park

Palais des Expositions December 5–January 4

Got kids? Here’s where to take them over the holidays. Lunapark is an indoor amusement park with more than 130 stalls including food stalls, duck fishing, shooting galleries, and video games. Not enough? Take the tykes on the more than 24 thrill rides (adults will have fun too). More here 

Bain de Noel

December 21, Ruhl Plage 10am

Even those not ready to brave the 15°C water, can cheer on the hardier souls and enjoy the holiday ambiance animated by  an MC. Get there at 10am to enjoy the parade of pointus, Nice’s traditional fishing boats. The swim race (100m, 200m) starts at 10:45am and at 11:45am the sea welcomes all swimmers.

Christmas Parade

Avenue Jean Medecin, December 7 5pm

With floats, bands, dancers, jugglers and acrobats the annual Christmas parade is quite a show. The parade starts at 5pm at the corner of avenue Jean Medecin and avenue Thiers and finishes at 6.30 on Place Massena which will be fully illuminated with a laser show.

Nativity Scenes

Cathedrale Sainte Reparate; Eglise d’Annunciation (Saint Rita)

The nativity scene outside the Cathedral is life-size and features moving automatons. The nativity scene inside the cosy Saint Rita church is composed of hand-made santons representing local artisans.

And don’t forget Midnight Mass at the Cathedral which is splendidly decked out in flowers. Get there at 11pm for a good seat.

Book Fair

Gare du Sud December 6

A number of stands devoted to local publishers and writers celebrate Nice’s history, culture and literary scene. More here.

Festival of Saint Lucy

Gare du Sud December 13 5:30pm

In a nod to Nice’s Swedish community, the traditional festival of Saint Lucy is celebrated with a procession that begins outside the Gare du Sud and finishes at the Saint Barthelemy church. Saint Lucy is a 4th century martyr whose name means light (luz). Her feast day is most widely observed in the Nordic countries and coincides with the launch of the holiday season.

The Nutcracker Ballet

Nice Opera December 17-31

This holiday classic returns to the Nice ballet after a years-long absence. This version is choreographed by Benjamin Millepied and promises to be the cultural event of the season.

See the full December schedule at the Nice Opera.

Chamber Music Concert

Chagall Museum December 8 7pm

Nice’s Philharmonic Orchestra will give a chamber music concert in the Chagall Museum, a wonderful venue.  Info and tickets here.

Afterwork Concerts

Cave Bianchi December 11, 12 6pm

The Nice Opera sends its soloists to perform in an intimate setting at the Cave Bianchi wine shop. Get in the holiday mood with a program of Christmas songs.  Tickets are €20 and include a drink. More info here.

Monaco

Glamorous Monaco knows how to dial up the wow factor during the holidays. There are weekend light shows at the Casino, special Christmas teatimes at the hotels and plenty of kids activities. More here

Christmas Village and Market

Port Hercule December 5–January 4

Monaco’s upscale shopping experience is incorporated into the Christmas village. It’s a great place to pick up unique artisanal gifts, Christmas ornaments and luxury food products. This year Monaco ice skating rink has returned to Port Hercule.

It only costs €8, skates included. More info here.

Spiritual Concert

December 10, Eglise Saint Charles

This free concert starts at 7:30pm and features works by Handel, Bach and others performed by soloists from the Orchestre Philharmonique de Monaco. Full program here. Get there early!

Antibes

Fete de la Bûche de Noel

Place du Safranier December 13

An extremely long bûche de Noel (Yuletide log) will be displayed and distributed from 5pm in the heart of Old Antibes around the Place du Safranier.

Cannes

Christmas Village November 29-January 4

In the midst of the elaborate Christmas Village and Market, Cannes has placed an ice skating rink. It’s kids only in the morning but open to all for the rest of the day. More here.

Saint Paul de Vence

Truffle Market

December 21, Place de Gaulle

The pricey little fungi are the stars of the day. Here’s where to taste them, buy them and also sample other local treats. More here.

Luceram

Nativity Scenes November 30–January 4

This little mountain village is famous for its crêches. The inhabitants of this tiny village put together some 500 creches, remarkable for their individuality and creativity. There’s even a museum devoted to this ancient tradition. A special creche circuit is marked on local maps that take you through the entire village. It’s open daily from early December to early January with a brief lunch closure on weekdays. There are special ceremonies on Sunday. To get there, take bus 615 from Vauban or take the train to L’Escarene and then bus 615. It takes around 1 1/2 hours. More info here.

Menton

Jazz Concerts

Esplanade Francis Palmero 6:30pm Friday & Saturday, 5pm Sunday

In addition to their Christmas Village and market, Menton will feature jazz concerts Friday, Saturday and Sunday for the month of December. More here.

Looking ahead. . .

The traditional New Years Day free concert is held at the Opera and begins at 3pm. Get there early!

For more holiday ideas see Things to Do on the French Riviera in Winter