February is coming on strong with a series of festivals, carnivals and concerts to lighten the load of winter while waiting for spring. Read on!

Nice

Carnival

February 11 to March 1

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 Vive la Reine! (Long Live the Queen!), a celebration of femininity through iconic female figures from history, culture and imagination.

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.  For the parades, tickets start at €7 for standing and run to €28 for a seat in the tribunes. Tickets for the batailles des fleurs start at €14.

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 11 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 13 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 19 and 26 it will be open late for special shows focusing on Nice culture.

Carnavalina February 14 2-6pm FREE
This is a festive walk for the community. The walk will begin at Notre-Dame, take the Avenue Jean Médecin and end on the Promenade des Anglais, on the Théâtre de Verdure side.

Cafe Waiters Race February 15 9am FREE
Place du Palais de Justice
Watch waiters dash through the streets of the Old Town disguised according to the Viva La Reine theme. The 3 best costumes will be rewarded. The winner will receive a trophy designed by the artist Patrick Moya, awarded during the competition. The race finishes at 11:30am in the same spot.

French Brunch February 15 noon – 6:30pm €5 (early reservation); €9 at the entrance
Theatre de Verdure
Come to enjoy French music, rides, games and brunch.

Queernaval February 27 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 February 28 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 1 11am FREE
Carnival Village
With music and speeches

Carnival Swim March 1 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

 

Chamber Music

Foyer Montserrat Caballé, Nice Opera February 2 & 16

The Foyer Montserrat Caballé is a gorgeous salon in the Nice Opera building that offers low-cost one-hour concerts at 12.15pm. February 2 proposes a program of brass quartets and February 16 honors Mozart and Kodaly. Tickets are €12 and can be reserved here

La Clemenza di Tito

Nice Opera February 1 at 3pm, 3 and 5 at 8pm

Mozart’s late masterpiece is given a modern make-over by Jean-Philippe Clarac and Olivier Deloeuil. Tickets run from €5 to €94.  The Opera offers unsold tickets for half-price one hour before curtain.

St Laurent du Var

Truffle Festival

Parvis de la Mairie February 1 9am-6pm

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

Menton

Fete du Citron

Town center from 14 February to 1 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 16

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

Mandelieu la Napoule

Mimosa Festival

Town Center February 11-15

The Mimosa Festival in Mandelieu is a classic winter festival that promises an explosion of colors. The entire town is decked out and there are a number of exhibitions and studios surrounding the main activities. Everything is within walking distance of the train station.

Here are some highlights:

February 11 7pm
Concert and mulled wine Notre Dame du Liban €10
Reservation: www.mandelieu.fr – 04 92 97 49 65

February 12 8pm
Election of Miss Mandelieu at the Centre Expo Congrès €5
Reservation: www.mandelieu.fr – 04 92 97 49

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

February  14 12pm
Mimosa Festival Village – Place de France
Music, artists and artisans with food trucks

 6:30pm – Night parade that will accompany the 12 illuminated floats – From the Avenue des
Anciens Combattants (Costerousse gymnasium) to the Place de France. 8pm Concert Place de France

15 February From 11 a.m
La Napoule district
Musical 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

Biot

Fete de la Mimosa

Town Center February 8 11am- 5:30pm

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

Riviera Region

Museum Weekend January 31, February 1

Some 40 museums in the region have special animations and programs largely devoted to introducing young people to the museum experience. Some museums offer free entry. Click here for the entire program.