Carnival 2025 on the French Riviera: Unmissable Events

The first festival to kick off the winter event calendar will be the Mimosa Festival in Mandelieu, followed by the Nice Carnival and the Lemon Festival in Menton.

The Mimosa Festival
Mandelieu-la-Napoule, known as the “Capital of Mimosa,” hosts an annual celebration dedicated to this iconic flower of the city. This year’s edition will take place from February 12 to 16, 2025, with the theme “La grande vadrouille des régions” (the great excursion of the regions). The event provides an opportunity to discover carnival traditions and parades that celebrate the diverse French regions. For the occasion, the Tanneron hill, the largest mimosa forest in Europe, will be bathed in bright yellow.

From February 12 to 16, 2025
Ticket Prices for the Parade: Full Price: €19 – Reduced Price: €16
Reservation Required – 04 93 93 64 64 – tourisme@mandelieu.com

The Nice Carnival
From February 15 to March 2, 2025, Nice will be taken over by the “King of the Oceans” for two weeks of celebrations! The program includes numerous parades and about twenty decorated and animated floats, all inspired by the theme of the sea. Not to be missed are the 4 “Battles of Flowers,” but be prepared to challenge yourself with a good dose of courage! On March 1, the traditional ceremony of the King’s incineration will take place, followed by an unforgettable fireworks display. Throughout the festival period, the “Carnival Village” will be open from 11 AM to 6 PM, offering food stalls, creative workshops, exhibitions, and artistic activities, all for free!

From February 15 to March 2, 2025
Free for children under 5 years old / Reduced rates for children from 6 to 12 years old
Prices and bookings on the Carnival website.

The Lemon Festival in Menton
This year, the city of Menton invites you to embark on an intergalactic journey. The theme of the 91st edition of the Lemon Festival will be “Journey to the Stars” and will take place from February 15 to March 2, 2025, alongside the Nice Carnival. Floats decorated with thousands of citrus fruits will parade through the streets of the city, accompanied by marching bands, dancers, and street artists. The highlight of the festival will be the two night parades, scheduled for February 20 and 27, 2025.

From February 15 to March 2, 2025
Ticket information and program available on the Lemon Festival website.
Free entry for children under 6 years old, reduced rates for children aged 6 to 12 years.

The Flowered Naval Battle
Finally, another must-see tradition is the Flowered Naval Battle in Villefranche-sur-Mer, which will take place on Monday, February 17, 2025. This celebration highlights the maritime identity of the city and showcases the floral richness of the region, with iconic flowers of the French Riviera such as mimosas and carnations. At 1:30 PM, a colorful carnival parade will take place along the quays, followed by the start of the grand flower battle at 2:00 PM, with traditional “pointus” boats launching this unique spectacle. Thousands of spectators are expected.

Monday, February 17, 2025
We recommend arriving by public transport (bus/train) or by bike.
Free event, information available at the Tourist Office or by calling 04 93 01 73 68.