What to Do in Cannes on October 17–18, 2026: Events, Concerts, Festivals and Exhibitions

Cannes is gearing up for a lively weekend on Saturday, October 17, and Sunday, October 18, 2026, with a varied programme of cultural events, live music, family activities and shopping. Highlights include the third edition of the Animazur Festival, the OQG 900 concert night at MJC Picaud, the Cannes street sale and the Mental Health Forum at the Palais des Festivals. Visitors can also explore several art exhibitions and enjoy the city’s markets.

Animazur Festival: a weekend dedicated to animation

The third edition of the Animazur Festival takes place on Saturday, October 17, and Sunday, October 18, at Cineum Cannes, located at 13 avenue Maurice Chevalier, in Cannes La Bocca. The programme celebrates animated films with exclusive previews, cult screenings, masterclasses, creative workshops, partner stands and a children’s jury, as well as a short-film section.

The festival is part of P’tits Cannes à You, the city’s festival for children and families, running from October 16 to 31. It is a great option for anyone looking for a cultural outing with children. Check the official programme for screening times, admission prices and booking information.

OQG 900 at MJC Picaud: an evening of live music

On Saturday, October 17, music fans can head to MJC Picaud, at 23 avenue du Docteur Picaud, for OQG 900, an evening showcasing several artists from the alternative music scene.

The event opens with a free showcase at 7 pm, followed by concerts from 8 pm until midnight. The line-up includes CURL, with their dream-pop sound; 5H13, blending spoken word and music; MYUKTORIA, with ethereal synth-pop; SHITNOISE, bringing noise rock; and Yard of Blondes, presenting an acoustic showcase.

Tickets cost €12 in advance or €14 at the door, with a reduced price of €10 for MJC members. A €1 annual membership is required. Parking is available nearby, and the venue can be reached by bus, with a stop at Médiathèque. Drinks and snacks are also available.

Event information: AllEvents – OQG 900.

Cannes street sale: shopping in the city centre and La Bocca

From Friday, October 16, to Sunday, October 18, the Braderie cannoise brings special shopping offers to the city centre and the La Bocca district. It is an opportunity to browse participating shops, discover bargains and enjoy the lively atmosphere.

On Saturday and Sunday, rue d’Antibes becomes pedestrian-only from noon to 7 pm, between rue Maréchal-Joffre and rue Pasteur. For those arriving by car, special parking is available at Cannes Parking for €6.10 per day between 8 am and 9 pm, upon presentation of a shopping receipt.

Cannes Firefighters’ Day: demonstrations and activities for all ages

On Sunday, October 18, from 10 am to 6 pm, the Cannes Firefighters’ Day takes place at Esplanade Pantiero, along the Promenade de la Pantiero. Admission is free, making it a suitable outing for families and anyone interested in emergency services.

The programme includes demonstrations and practical workshops. Highlights include a cooking-oil fire extinguishing demonstration at noon, a vehicle extrication demonstration at 2:30 pm and a forest-firefighting demonstration at 4:30 pm. Refreshments and snacks will also be available.

Mental Health Forum at the Palais des Festivals

The 2026 Mental Health Forum takes place on Sunday, October 18, and Monday, October 19, at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès, 1 boulevard de la Croisette.

On Sunday, the programme is scheduled from 9:30 am to 11 pm; on Monday, from 9 am to 11 pm. Admission is free with registration. Conferences, round-table discussions, workshops and an association village will address a broad range of subjects, including prevention, children’s and teenagers’ mental health, access to care, addictions, mental health in the workplace, innovation, sport and wellbeing.

Family activities with P’tits Cannes à You

Running from October 16 to 31, P’tits Cannes à You offers a programme of shows, films, workshops and activities for children and families. The Animazur Festival is one of the weekend’s highlights. A screening of The Snow Queen is also listed for Sunday, October 18; check the official programme for the venue, time and ticket details.

“Le Défi”: comedy meets artificial intelligence

Comedy takes centre stage on both Saturday, October 17, and Sunday, October 18, with Le Défi – L’IA défie les comiques, at 7 pm at Théâtre Alexandre III, 19 boulevard Alexandre III.

The show explores the encounter between human comedians and artificial intelligence, represented by the humanoid robot MIRA. Tickets cost €20, with a reduced rate of €15. For reservations, contact Artlive at artlive@orange.fr or on 06 76 19 03 13.

“L’hebdo des Animaux”: a television feature filmed in Cannes

Animal lovers can tune in on Sunday, October 18, at 11:20 am to L’hebdo des Animaux, broadcast on RMC Life, French digital terrestrial channel 25. The programme includes a report from Les Bains canins, a dog-washing facility in Cannes. This is a television broadcast rather than an in-person event.

Art exhibitions to discover during the weekend

Cannes also offers several exhibitions for visitors who want to add an artistic stop to their weekend.

At La Malmaison, “Mirages du monde” presents paintings by Hervé Di Rosa. At the Musée du Masque de fer et du Fort Royal, on Sainte-Marguerite Island, “Un hommage à André Malraux – Le musée imaginaire revisité” pays tribute to the writer and cultural figure. Meanwhile, “Felicità”, an exhibition by Marion Charlet, is on view at Le Suquet des Artistes.

These exhibitions run beyond the weekend, but opening hours, access arrangements and admission prices should be checked before visiting.

Markets and local discoveries

For a more leisurely experience, explore Cannes’ markets. The Marché Gambetta, Marché de La Bocca, Marché Saint-Jin-Jin and Marché des Allées de la Liberté offer opportunities to discover local produce and the city’s everyday atmosphere. Flea-market and second-hand stalls may also be worth a look, depending on the scheduled dates and opening hours.

A weekend itinerary in Cannes

On Saturday, start with the street sale in the city centre, then head to Cineum for the Animazur Festival or explore one of the art exhibitions. In the evening, choose between the OQG 900 concerts at MJC Picaud and the comedy show Le Défi at Théâtre Alexandre III.

On Sunday, the Firefighters’ Day offers a free, family-friendly activity, while the Mental Health Forum provides a chance to attend talks and workshops. The Animazur Festival, the street sale and Le Défi continue throughout the day, alongside the city’s exhibitions and markets.