Around the world many cities have their own version of carnivals that take place throughout different times of the year. There are Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Cologne’s Karneval and many more all with their own history and events. Carnival of Nice is one of the biggest in the world!
Carnival de Nice
The Carnival of Nice may be one of the oldest in the world with evidence of the Count of Provence stating that he enjoyed the “joyous days of Carnival” upon a visit to the city in 1294!
In 1873 the first official festival committee was created to increase the popularity and scale of the annual event. A few years later the flower parade was created to showcase the beauty of the region. Since then Carnival has continued to evolve and modernize into the incredible event, it is today.
Following alongside the impressive floats, you will see dancers, marching bands and other performers from all over the world; which makes this one of the most International Carnivals in the world! Each year thousands travel to Nice to experience the unique festive atmosphere that Carnival creates.
Taking place over 15 days, starting mid February, the entire city is transformed. With beautiful Flower Parades during the day, and the parade of lights at night there is no shortage of festivities to experience. If you don’t attend the parades, you can still take part in the many other events of the city. Check the official website or posters located throughout the city to find out what else is going on and where.
The Village
If you’re looking for other ways to take part in the festivities then be sure to explore “The Village”; located in the Promenade du Paillon. Here you will find various stalls selling souvenirs, gourmet treats, and artisan products. Depending on the theme of the year, you can check out different exhibitions and art installations.
The Village is a great place to go with children because there are a variety of games for them to play and creative workshops to take part in like origami, flower crowns and face painting. The Village is aimed at being an all ages environment so it is a great place to take even small children who may be scared of the giant parade floats.
Be sure to check the event schedule because throughout the 15 days you can catch dance performances, concerts and smaller parades all in The Village. Free of charge to enter it is a great place to be a part of the festivities without having to buy a ticket.
The Parade of Lights
Here is a video from the parade of lights last year. The atmosphere is electric and such a fun experience to be apart of, I highly recommend it!
Key Ceremonies
At the start of Carnival, there is a massive opening ceremony where the King and Queen are announced and mark the beginning of the festivities. For 2024 the theme was Pop Culture so the king and queen were Marilyn Monroe and Luke Skywalker! These incredible floats take over 200 hours to create and get more impressive each year. The theme for 2025 is King of the Oceans so I can’t wait to see what they come up with this year!
Another key event is the beautiful flower parades. Beginning in 1876 these parades were designed to entertain the tourists, however, quickly grew to the over-the-top floral masterpieces that you see today. Following the Carnival’s theme these floats are covered in thousands of flowers with 80% of them from the region. The Flower Parade is far more suitable for younger children than the parade of lights with the giant floats.
After all of the festivities comes the closing ceremony where the Carnival King is burned an ancient tradition to mark the end of winter. This unique event also marks the end of the Carnival King’s reign. The idea behind the burning is that the king is like a phoenix so when one dies another rises from the ashes. This is also when the theme for the following year is announced.
What to Expect
Due to the tragic terrorist attack in Nice in 2016, the city provides plenty of security for large-scale events such as Carnival. With all that being said, there can be long lines for security check at the parades so be sure to arrive early so you don’t miss the start of the parade.
With the Carnival de Nice experiencing 230,000 visitors last year, its growing popularity shows that thousands of people travel to Nice to take part in the festivities. With a large increase in attendance from the previous year, you can expect big crowds throughout the city.
This means if you plan to visit Nice during this time then book your hotels a few months in advance because places book up fast. The same goes for Carnival parade tickets; try and purchase your tickets early before they sell out. Tickets can be purchased online in the fall for the following carnival and closer to the start of the festivities you can find ticket booths throughout the city. Keep in mind tickets are only if you wish to see the parades and much larger events on Place Massena.
Whether you are planning to take part in Carnival or are just visiting Nice, this is a great time of year to explore the city. With such a vibrant and festive buzz throughout the city, it’s hard not to get caught up in the fun. Carnival has been one of my favorite experiences in Nice so far and I can’t wait for you to experience the magic for yourself!