{"id":952,"date":"2025-01-31T16:13:33","date_gmt":"2025-01-31T16:13:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/frenchrivieratraveller.com\/blog\/?p=952"},"modified":"2025-01-31T16:19:57","modified_gmt":"2025-01-31T16:19:57","slug":"whats-on-february-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/frenchrivieratraveller.com\/blog\/whats-on-february-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"What’s On February 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"
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February is coming on strong with a series of festivals, carnivals, concerts and the re-opening of an important art museum. Read on!<\/p>\n

Nice<\/h2>\n

Carnival<\/h3>\n

February 12 to March 2<\/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 King of the Oceans<\/strong> 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.<\/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. Tickets start at \u20ac7 for standing and run to \u20ac29 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<\/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 12 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 15 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 20 and 27 it will be open late for a sardine feast, music and “offbeat” programming.<\/p>\n

Carnavalina February 15 1pm FREE<\/strong>
\nPlace Massena
\n<\/strong>New this year, artists and community organizations will have various stands decorated with mimosa.
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

Cafe Waiters Race February 16 9:30am FREE<\/strong>
\nPlace du Palais de Justice<\/strong>
\nWatch waiters dash through the streets of the Old Town disguised along the King of the Oceans theme. As there’s a \u20ac1000 prize for best costume, I expect it will be a colorful race. The race finishes at 11am in the same spot.<\/p>\n

French Brunch February 16 noon – 6pm \u20ac5
\nTheatre de Verdure
\n<\/strong>Come to enjoy French music, rides, games and brunch.<\/p>\n

Queernaval February 28 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 March 1 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 2 10am FREE<\/strong>
\nCarnival Village
\n<\/strong>With music and speeches<\/p>\n

Carnival Swim March 2 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: https:\/\/www.nicecarnaval.com\/en\/news\/carnival-in-the-city\/<\/a><\/p>\n

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Chamber Music<\/h3>\n

Chagall Museum February 10 7pm<\/h4>\n

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The Chagall Museum is a lovely venue for this annual cycle of chamber music concerts. Tickets are \u20ac12 . Info and sales here: https:\/\/opera-nice.notre-billetterie.org\/billets?spec=778<\/a><\/p>\n

Nutcracker Suite Ballet<\/h3>\n

Palais Nikaia February 14 8pm<\/h4>\n

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\/<\/p>\n

01 f\u00e9vrier 2025<\/p>\n

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Samedi 1er f\u00e9vrier 2025 \u00e0 20h30.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Sonora et BB Blues<\/h3>\n

Salle Black Box February 1 8:30pm<\/h4>\n

This new Nice group serves up an array of pop, funk and rock tunes as well as original compositions. Admission is \u20ac10. Info and tickets here: animanice.notre-billetterie.f<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Vitaa Concert<\/h3>\n

Palais Nikaia February 2 8:30pm<\/h4>\n

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\/<\/a><\/p>\n

Roccassera Quartet<\/h3>\n

Salle Grappelli February 7 8:30<\/h4>\n

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\/<\/p>\n

Chamber Music<\/h3>\n

Foyer de l’Opera February 17 & 24 12:15pm<\/h4>\n

The Foyer de l’Opera provides an elegant venue for this midday break from the mundane. Tickets are \u20ac12. Reserve here: https:\/\/opera-nice.notre-billetterie.org\/billets?spec=777<\/a><\/p>\n

St Laurent du Var<\/h2>\n

Truffle Festival<\/h3>\n

Parvis de la Mairie <\/span>February 2 9am-6pm<\/h4>\n

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

St Jean Cap Ferrat<\/h2>\n

Hommage to Puccini<\/h3>\n

Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild February 1 7:30pm<\/h4>\n

What a gorgeous place to listen to a soprano and tenor belt out Puccini’s top arias. Tickets from \u20ac95. Info and sales here: https:\/\/www.explorenicecotedazur.com\/fiche\/concert-en-hommage-a-giacomo-puccini\/<\/a><\/p>\n

Menton<\/h2>\n

Fete du Citron<\/h3>\n

Town center from 15 February to 2 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 17<\/h4>\n

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