The Carnival of Nice, the Lemon Festival or the Corso in Bloom... Festive, artistic or contemplative events bring the winter season to life on the Côte d'Azur. It's also a time to take advantage of the mild temperatures, fewer tourists and invigorating light... Mark your calendar!
The most festive: Nice Carnival
Nice, France
From 11 February to 1 March 2026, Nice comes alive with one of the most spectacular winter celebrations on the Côte d’Azur - the Nice Carnival. In 2026 the festival, under the theme “Long Live the Queen!”, celebrates femininity and pays tribute to great heroines from history and fiction, bringing colour, music and creativity to the city’s streets.
One of the most emblematic highlights is the Battles of Flowers (Batailles de Fleurs), where floats adorned with fresh flowers parade along the Promenade des Anglais and costumed performers throw over 100 000 blooms - mimosa, lilies, daisies, carnations and roses - into the crowd in a shower of colour and scent. This floral tradition, dating back to the 19th century, remains one of the most poetic and joyful moments of the Carnival.
Throughout the festival, there are daytime and illuminated night parades (corsos) featuring giant floats, music and street performers, as well as special events such as Lou Queernaval and the closing ceremonies, which include the symbolic burning of the Carnival Queen and festive firework displays
The most dazzling: Menton Lemon Festival
From 14 to 28 February 2026, the charming town of Menton on the Côte d’Azur celebrates its most iconic produce at the Fête du Citron® (Lemon Festival), a vibrant tribute to citrus excellence and creative flair. In 2026 the event will showcase an imaginative new theme - “Legends of Light” - bringing together spectacular citrus-covered floats, illuminated displays and colourful street entertainment. (Source: official Fête du Citron announcements)
The programme features giant themed floats adorned with thousands of lemons and oranges, animated by costumed performers as they parade along Menton’s Promenade du Soleil, both by day and in dramatic night corsos. In the Jardins Biovès, oversized citrus sculptures and artistic compositions reveal masterly design and craftsmanship, while nearby exhibitions and floral displays - including the Orchid Festival at the Palais de l’Europe - add to the festival’s sensory richness. (Visit Côte d’Azur official tourism info)
For 15 days the town truly embraces its golden fruit with a zest of joy: the mild Mediterranean climate and Menton’s unique terroir produce exceptionally sweet, thin-skinned lemons protected by an IGP label, giving visitors the chance to visit citrus groves and stroll the area’s remarkable gardens - including Jardins Serre de la Madone, Fontana Rosa and Val Rahmeh-Mont Faron - at the height of citrus season. (Côte d’Azur France tourism)
The sportiest: Trail des Merveilles
The Trail des Merveilles returns on 29–30 February 2026 in the stunning Roya Valley, set against a backdrop of olive groves, stone pine forests and the dramatic peaks of the Mercantour National Park. The main course, starting from Breil-sur-Roya, covers approximately 30 kilometres with a positive altitude gain of about 2,000 metres, leading runners along wild mountain trails where views of snow-capped summits meet glimpses of the Mediterranean below.
For those seeking a more accessible challenge, a 19-kilometre route offers a spectacular run through beautiful scenery that will delight both passionate trail runners and outdoor lovers alike. Whether you’re chasing a personal best or simply soaking up the scenery, this unique event combines endurance with some of the most breathtaking landscapes in southeastern France.
The most flowery: corsos on the Mimosa Route
Mandelieu-la-Napoule, France
January to March 2026 (best experienced mid-February)
Running from Bormes-les-Mimosas to Grasse, via Sainte-Maxime, Mandelieu-La Napoule and Tanneron, the Route du Mimosa stretches over 130 kilometres of coastline, forests and hilltop villages, celebrating the flower that has become an emblem of the Côte d’Azur.
The route is at its most vibrant during the mimosa flowering season, from January to March, with the main festivities taking place in mid-February. Highlights include the Mimosa Festival in Mandelieu-La Napoule (11–15 February 2026), when floral corsos, parades and celebrations bring towns along the route to life.
Golden mimosa blooms light up the countryside, perfume the air and invite slow exploration, making it the perfect time to discover perched villages, seaside gardens and colourful floral floats. A joyful, sun-splashed escape in the heart of winter - and a fragrant hint that spring is on its way.
The most graceful: the Cannes dance festival
Cannes, France
Late November/early December 2027
From romantic ballet to hip-hop, the Festival de danse - Cannes Côte d'Azur France offers an eclectic programme to satisfy both aficionados and those curious about the art of choreography. Organised every two years, the event grows in size with each edition. Around thirty performances take place in Cannes, Nice, Antibes, Mougins, Grasse, Fréjus and Draguignan, led by innovative international choreographers.
By Charlotte Cabon
Journaliste
