Nice Carnival

Background

Nice Carnival has a recorded history going back to 1294 and is considered one of the world's major carnivals. In 1873 a carnival committee was set up locally and began organising float parades, giving the festival its present form. Each edition has a theme, and a giant King figure presides over the Place Masséna; in recent years a Queen has stood alongside him as an equal. Over about two to three weeks there are several illuminated night parades (corso illuminé) and flower battles, in which flower-decked floats roll slowly past while performers throw flowers to the crowds. At the close the King figure is burned and fireworks light up the seafront, marking the end of his reign.

Local customs

• The illuminated night parades
• catching flowers at the flower battles
• the giant King on the Place Masséna
• the burning of the King and the seafront fireworks

Travel tips

• Nice Carnival is held for about two to three weeks around February, with dates announced each year
• the schedule of parades and flower battles is as published on the official Nice Carnival website. Grandstand seats must be booked in advance and prices are subject to official announcement
• some events are free. The main venue is around the Place Masséna in the city centre, where traffic is restricted, so walk or take the tram
• February evenings by the sea can be chilly, so bring a coat.

2027 schedule

• Nice Carnival 2027 runs from 9 to 28 February on the theme "Vive l'Amour" (Long live love)
• the dates have been published on the official Côte d'Azur tourism website, and parade schedules follow the official programme.