{"id":1112,"date":"2026-01-30T17:46:10","date_gmt":"2026-01-30T17:46:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/frenchrivieratraveller.com\/blog\/?p=1112"},"modified":"2026-01-30T17:46:10","modified_gmt":"2026-01-30T17:46:10","slug":"whats-on-february-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/frenchrivieratraveller.com\/blog\/whats-on-february-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"What’s On February 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"
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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!<\/p>\n

Nice<\/h2>\n

Carnival<\/h3>\n

February 11 to March 1<\/h4>\n

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<\/a>). Don’t be surprised to see Grosses T\u00eates<\/em> (big heads) in unexpected places.<\/p>\n

\"Grosse<\/p>\n

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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\u00a0<\/span>la\u00a0<\/span>Reine!<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>(Long\u00a0<\/span>Live\u00a0<\/span>the\u00a0<\/span>Queen!), a celebration of <\/span>femininity <\/span>through\u00a0<\/span>iconic\u00a0<\/span>female\u00a0<\/span>figures\u00a0<\/span>from\u00a0<\/span>history,\u00a0<\/span>culture\u00a0<\/span>and\u00a0<\/span>imagination.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Carnival official program includes daytime parades, nighttime parades and batailles des fleurs <\/em>(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.\u00a0 For the parades, tickets start at \u20ac7 for standing and run to \u20ac28 for a seat in the tribunes. Tickets for the batailles des fleurs<\/em> start at \u20ac14.<\/p>\n

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<\/a> for the full program and ticket sales.<\/p>\n

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:<\/p>\n

Carnival House Opening February 11 4pm FREE
\n5 Rue du Dr Pierre Richelmi
\n<\/strong>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.<\/p>\n

Carnival Village Opening February 13 11am FREE
\nPromenade du Paillon
\n<\/strong>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.<\/p>\n

Carnavalina February 14 2-6pm FREE<\/strong>
\nThis is a festive walk for the community. The walk will begin at Notre-Dame, take the Avenue Jean M\u00e9decin and end on the Promenade des Anglais, on the Th\u00e9\u00e2tre de Verdure side.<\/p>\n

Cafe Waiters Race February 15 9am FREE<\/strong>
\nPlace du Palais de Justice<\/strong>
\nWatch waiters dash through the streets of the Old Town disguised according to the Viva La Reine<\/em> 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.<\/p>\n

French Brunch February 15 noon – 6:30pm \u20ac5 (early reservation); \u20ac9 at the entrance
\nTheatre de Verdure
\n<\/strong>Come to enjoy French music, rides, games and brunch.<\/p>\n

Queernaval February 27 8:30pm FREE<\/strong>
\nPlace Massena
\n<\/strong>Nice’s LGBT community is in charge of festivities here that are open to all<\/p>\n

Burning of the King and Fireworks February 28 10:45pm FREE<\/strong>
\nOpera Plage
\n<\/strong>Nice tradition demands that the Carnival King must be burned each year to make way for next year’s king.<\/p>\n

Closing Ceremony March 1 11am FREE<\/strong>
\nCarnival Village
\n<\/strong>With music and speeches<\/p>\n

Carnival Swim March 1 11:45am FREE<\/strong>
\nOpera Plage<\/strong>
\nCostumes desired but not obligatory. Given the 12\u00b0 water temperature right now a full wetsuit would probably be in order!<\/p>\n

There are also various free events in parks, gardens and other venues throughout the city. Full schedule here<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Carnival<\/p>\n

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Chamber Music<\/h3>\n

Foyer Montserrat Caball\u00e9, Nice Opera February 2 & 16<\/h4>\n

\"Foyer<\/p>\n

The Foyer Montserrat Caball\u00e9 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 \u20ac12 and can be reserved here<\/a><\/p>\n

La Clemenza di Tito<\/h3>\n

Nice Opera February 1 at 3pm, 3 and 5 at 8pm<\/h4>\n

Mozart’s late masterpiece is given a modern make-over by Jean-Philippe Clarac<\/span>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Olivier Deloeuil. Tickets run from \u20ac5 to \u20ac94. <\/span>\u00a0The Opera offers unsold tickets for half-price one hour before curtain.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Ben l\u2019Oncle Soul<\/h3>\n

Stockfish February 19 8pm<\/h4>\n

Tours-born Benjamin Duterde has been enchanting French audiences for a generation with his eclectic mix of jazz, soul and Caribbean sounds. It should be a lively evening. Details and tickets here<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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St Laurent du Var<\/h2>\n

Truffle Festival<\/h3>\n

Parvis de la Mairie <\/span>February 1 9am-6pm<\/h4>\n

The tasty tuber is celebrated here in front of the\u00a0 with the opportunity to taste and buy.<\/p>\n

Menton<\/h2>\n

Fete du Citron<\/h3>\n

Town center from 14 February to 1 March<\/h4>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Tickets are \u20ac16 (standing); \u20ac29 for seats. There’s a free Craft Market with local food specialties and handicrafts on the\u00a0 Esplanade Francis Palmero<\/strong><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

For the program and tickets for all events, see https:\/\/www.fete-du-citron.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n

Villefranche-sur-Mer<\/h2>\n

Flowery Naval Combat<\/h3>\n

Port de la Sant\u00e9 February 16<\/h4>\n

This fun and free festival celebrating Villefranche’s maritime history dates back to 1902.<\/p>\n