Now that Carnival season has ended with festivals around the Riviera, the cultural season begins in earnest with several outstanding musical, dance and film events. The month also offers several opportunities to participate in fun local festivals.

NICE

 

Chamber music in the Opera House Foyer

March 9 12:15pm

This season, the Nice Opera House continues its programs with the musicians of the Nice Philharmonic Orchestra. Enjoy an hour of music celebrating Beethoven and Mendelssohn . Tickets are €12

Reserve at Opéra de Nice box office ( 04 92 17 40 79) or online.

Cafe Jazz in the Opera House Foyer

Nice Opera March 21 11am

Why not enjoy a musical interlude before lunch? This jazz program features students at the Nice Conservatory. Tickets are €12.

Reserve at Opéra de Nice box office ( 04 92 17 40 79) or online.

Don Pasquale

Nice Opera March 11, 13, 15 (3pm), 17 8pm

Donizetti’s final comic opera is reinterpreted and modernized by Tim Sheader. Inspired by the world of TV series Don Pasquale becomes a powerful business executive with illusions of youthfulness. The show is in Italian, with French and English surtitles.

Reserve at Opéra de Nice box office ( 04 92 17 40 79) or online.

Après La Pluie

Nice Opera March 28- April 5

This ballet program brings together two modern works that address the human condition from two opposing poles: one marked by loss, the other by awakening. Dancing on the Front Porch of Heaven by Ulysses Dove  turns inward, while Petrichor by Pontus Lidberg  opens outward, toward life, desire, and connection. Reserve at Opéra de Nice box office ( 04 92 17 40 79) or online.

Ensemble Decouvertes

Auditorium of the Marc Chagall National Museum March 20 8pm (Duration: ~1 hour)

The Ensemble Découvertes , a group originating from the Nice Philharmonic Orchestra , invites the public to explore contemporary music. Before each piece, conductor Léo Warynski, a leading specialist in the contemporary repertoire, introduces, explains, and contextualizes the work. These programs are an invitation to discovery and a sensory awakening in the intimate setting of the Chagall Museum auditorium, a tribute to an artist whose profound connection to music is well known. This program features John Adams,  Anna Thorvaldsdottir and Bruno Mantovani. Tickets are €10-20. Reserve at Opéra de Nice box office ( 04 92 17 40 79) or online. 

Holy Trinity Church March 3 12.30pm

Take a midweek 45-minute musical pause with Margaret MacDuffie on the violin and Gerard Jordan on the piano. The concerts are monthly on the first Tuesday (except August and September). This month will feature works by Bach. Admission is free but donations are appreciated with the proceeds going towards the maintenance of the church organ.

Afterwork: Songs and canzioni, from Spain to Italy

Cave Bianchi March 18, 19 6pm

The historic wine cellars of Cave Bianchi in Vieux Nice presents an hour of song featuring Nice Opera singers followed by a glass of wine. Tickets are €20. Reserve at Opéra de Nice box office ( 04 92 17 40 79) or online. 

Author Events

Masséna Around the World March 14 5-7pm

Nice’s only English -language bookstore hosts regular Saturday book readings and discussions on local and French subjects. Carolyn Boyd is the featured author on Saturday 14th of March to sign copies of her book Amuse Bouche – How to Eat Your Way Around France, in which she shares the stories behind the country’s most fascinating foods and ingredients. Look for Dr Paul T. M. Jackson on  March 21 discussing his latest work, a translation of Acte  and Janet Skeslien Charles on March 27 at La Librairie Masséna presenting her historical novels.

Festival of Italian Cinema

Espace Magnan March 14-28

This annual festival presents 16 films in original version with French subtitles, 9 films never before seen in France, including 2 premieres. All films are in the original version with French subtitles. Tickets are €8. Advance reservation is advisable. See the program at www.espacemagnan.com/cinemaitalien

In addition to cinema, there will be an Italian food market Saturday March 21 and Sunday March 22

Cougourdon Festival

Jardin des Arènes de Cimiez  March 29 10am – 6pm

The Cougourdon Festival in Nice celebrates the arrival of spring. Originating from a 19th-century market, the festival showcases cougourdons (gourds) transformed into various items. The event includes music, dance, folklore, and Niçoise specialties. A recycled art project allows participants to create cougourdon-shaped keychains from recycled plastic. It’s a fun local festival and an opportunity to take part in local culture. Here’s the program of activities:

• 13h : Les désaccordés au Kazou – Chorale
• 14h15 : La Ciamada Nissarda – Folk dancing
• 15h : Championnat du monde de Petadou animé par Richard Cairaschi
• 15h45 : Nice la Belle – Folk dancing
• 16h30 : Lou cairèu niçart – Folk dancing
• 17h : Mai qu’Aco – Balèti

Michel Jonasz

Palais Nikaia March 22 4.30pm

Michel Jonasz is a French singer-songwriter known for blending chanson, jazz, and blues. Rising to fame in the 1970s, he captivated audiences with poetic lyrics and a soulful voice. Hits like La Boîte de Jazz showcase his rhythmic style and emotional depth. He is also an accomplished actor.  Details at www.nikaia.fr/

Saint Jean Cap Ferrat

Guided Walks

 

March 5, 12, 19, 26 9:30am Office de Tourisme

Explore the Riviera’s most beautiful peninsula with an expert local guide. The tourist office sponsors these walks around the paths and roads of Cap Ferrat and explains the history and hidden wonders (in French) of this splendid and prestigious community. Tickets are €5 and must be reserved in advance at the tourist office

MONACO

Printemps des Arts

in Monaco (main concerts at the Rainier III Auditorium) and a few dates in Nice,
this prestigious classical music festival, under the patronage of HRH the Princess of Hanover, explores the theme of “Utopias” in 2026 through a bold program. Over five weeks, some thirty concerts and musical events showcase both great composers and contemporary creations. Internationally renowned symphony orchestras, baroque ensembles, experimental jazz, world music, and young virtuosos share the stage. From Monaco to Nice, the Printemps des Arts (Spring of the Arts) offers an eclectic journey into the heart of music, with meetings, lectures, and workshops to extend the experience with the guest artists. For more information and to view the full program, visit the official festival website: https://www.printempsdesarts.mc/.