
If you are looking for things to do in Nice on the weekend of September 5 and 6, 2026, the city on the French Riviera offers a particularly rich programme, with something to suit a wide range of interests. From classical music to DJ nights, from theatre to the traditional Festa de la Sant Bertoumiéu, as well as the major OGC Nice football match and a Sunday dedicated to remembrance and music with Au Soleil des Deux Rives, this weekend is an opportunity to experience many different sides of Nice.
Saturday, September 5 is the busiest day, with events taking place from the historic centre to the Cimiez district and the seafront. Sunday, September 6, meanwhile, offers a more relaxed but equally interesting programme, with a major cultural and musical event at the Arènes de Cimiez.
The morning of September 5, 2026 can begin in the heart of Nice with the Festa de la Sant Bertoumiéu, one of the best opportunities to discover the traditions and local culture of the area. The event takes place at Promenade du Paillon, Avenue Félix Faure, 06000 Nice, starting at 10:00 am and continuing until 11:30 pm. Admission is free.
The festival revives the old tradition of Sant Bertoumiéu, which was once a major fair bringing together the inhabitants of Nice with producers and artisans from the Moyen-Pays and Haut-Pays areas. Today, the event celebrates local products, traditional crafts, gastronomy and Niçois music. Throughout the day, visitors can explore farmers’ stalls, workshops, a small educational farm, pony rides, bookshops with local authors, storytelling sessions and demonstrations of traditional crafts.
The programme also includes the performance Accords terre et mer by the Pantaï Company, led by Eric Frèrejacques, at 5:00 pm, followed by a Balèti organised by the Mar e Mountagnos association from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. It is therefore an especially good event for families and for travellers who want to discover a more authentic side of Nice, away from purely tourist attractions.
In the afternoon, visitors can head to the Old Town for the “Aliénor de Georges – Le Chant des Métamorphoses” recital at 3:30 pm, hosted in the Grand Salon of Palais Lascaris, 15 rue Droite, 06000 Nice.
The performance is inspired by Ovid’s Metamorphoses and combines music, theatre and storytelling. Singer, harpist and actress Aliénor de Georges brings myths such as Daphne, Narcissus, the Phoenix and Orpheus to life through voice and electric harp, combining original compositions with reinterpretations ranging from pop and jazz to rock, French music and classical repertoire.
The event has limited seating and reservations are required, subject to availability. Admission is free, although visitors must have a museum admission ticket.
As evening approaches, Nice takes on a different atmosphere. From September 5 to 6, from 7:00 pm to 11:30 pm, Plage Bocca Mar, 15 Promenade des Anglais, 06000 Nice, hosts ZELT, an event dedicated to music and DJs.
The event is designed for those who want to spend the evening by the sea, surrounded by music, drinks and a lively beach atmosphere. ZELT is part of Bocca Mar’s musical programme, with DJ sets designed to create the perfect mood before the main evening entertainment and turn this seafront venue into a space for dancing and socialising.
It is an ideal option for anyone who wants to experience the more cosmopolitan and Mediterranean side of Nice after a day spent exploring museums and the historic centre.
Also on Saturday, September 5, at 7:19 pm, Théâtre Nice Saleya, 5 rue de la Poissonnerie, Salle 1, 06300 Nice, presents the comedy “Une semaine… Pas plus !”. Tickets start at €15.50.
The story follows Paul, who wants to break up with Sophie but cannot bring himself to tell her. His solution is to involve his best friend and create a situation that he hopes will make Sophie end the relationship. Naturally, lies, jealousy, misunderstandings and awkward situations quickly cause the plan to take an unexpected turn.
It is a light-hearted comedy for anyone looking for an entertaining evening and is one of the most appealing theatre options in central Nice on Saturday night.
For lovers of classical music, “Histoires au théâtre et sur grand écran” begins at 8:00 pm at the Cloître du Monastère de Cimiez, Place Jean Paul II Pape, 06000 Nice, as part of the Nice Classic Festival programme.
The concert explores a diverse repertoire, including Debussy’s Sonata for Violin and Piano and Stravinsky’s L’Histoire du soldat, as well as a selection inspired by Stanley Kubrick’s Barry Lyndon, featuring music by Schubert, Clara Schumann and Elgar.
The performers include renowned musicians such as Olivier Charlier on violin, Pierre Génisson on clarinet, Marie-Josèphe Jude and François Chaplin on piano, Geneviève Laurenceau on violin and Ophélie Gaillard on cello.
Full-price tickets cost €29, while the reduced price is €24. Admission is free for visitors under 25.
The main sporting event of the weekend is undoubtedly the Ligue 1 match between OGC Nice and Le Mans FC, scheduled for Saturday, September 5 at 8:45 pm at the Allianz Riviera, Boulevard des Jardiniers, 06200 Nice.
The match is part of the third round of the French championship and will bring OGC Nice supporters together for a major home fixture. Kick-off is officially scheduled for 8:45 pm.
Anyone planning to attend the match should organise their journey to the Allianz Riviera in advance, particularly given the expected crowds. The game is also scheduled to be broadcast on Ligue 1+.
Another option for Saturday evening is Mirage Experience, taking place from 6:00 pm to 11:30 pm at OcéaNice Centre de Congrès, Quai Amiral Infernet, Port de Nice, 06300 Nice.
The event combines music, performances and a festive atmosphere, creating an evening designed for socialising and enjoying live musical entertainment in the distinctive setting of Nice’s port.
The official event listing does not specify the ticket price, so visitors are advised to contact the organisers directly for the latest information and booking details.
On Sunday, September 6, 2026, the programme changes pace with “Au Soleil des Deux Rives”, an event dedicated to the remembrance of Harkis and Pieds-Noirs and to the historical and human ties with communities originating from North Africa.
The event takes place at the Jardin des Arènes de Cimiez, 110 boulevard de Cimiez, 06100 Nice, from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm, with free admission.
The day begins at 10:00 am with the opening of the gardens, followed at 10:15 am by a musical performance by the orchestra of the Nice Municipal Police. At 10:30 am, Mass will be held in the church of the Monastery of Cimiez, while at 10:45 am the Nice Gospel Group will perform a spiritual concert in the Arènes gardens.
After a lunch break, from 2:00 pm to 5:30 pm, visitors can enjoy musical, cultural and artistic activities featuring Shakin’ Mamas, Sun Record and Guy Obadia on harmonica. The main musical highlight comes at 6:00 pm, when Liane Foly takes to the stage for a free concert running until 7:15 pm.
Throughout the day, visitors will also find food areas, a bookshop featuring authors connected with the history of repatriates and Harkis, art exhibitions and stands run by local associations. The event is therefore more than simply a musical gathering: it is also an opportunity to explore an important part of contemporary history and Franco-Algerian memory.
The weekend is also an excellent opportunity to explore Nice’s cultural scene, with several major exhibitions still open in September.
One of the most interesting is “Henri Matisse – Yves Saint Laurent. Le beau, la mode et le bonheur”, at the Musée Matisse, 164 avenue des Arènes de Cimiez. Open until September 28, 2026, the exhibition brings together the work of Henri Matisse and Yves Saint Laurent and explores the relationship between fine art, applied arts, painting, textiles and fashion. During the weekend, the museum is open from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm and the standard admission price is €12.
Another exhibition worth visiting is “Africa Pop”, at the Musée International d’Art Naïf Anatole Jakovsky – Château Sainte-Hélène, Avenue de Fabron. The exhibition explores African cultures through textiles, everyday objects and an immersive presentation. On Saturday and Sunday, it is open from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm and from 1:30 pm to 6:00 pm, with admission costing €5.
Those interested in the history of Nice should also take advantage of the final day of “Nissa La Bella – Exposition Immersive”, which closes on Saturday, September 5, 2026, at Centre Commercial Nicetoile, 30 avenue Jean Médecin. Admission is free. The exhibition uses photographs, documents, artworks and audiovisual material to explore the city’s urban and cultural evolution, including an augmented-reality experience dedicated to the former Jetée-Promenade casino. The exhibition is scheduled to remain open every day through September 5.
Other cultural highlights include “Chagall à l’oeuvre – Un prêt d’exception au musée”, open until September 21, as well as exhibitions dedicated to Mathieu Forget, Dany Albiach, Lilette and Gilbert Valentin, and Coun – Libera l’Art au Palais Lascaris. Nice Côte d’Azur Tourism’s official events calendar confirms a particularly rich exhibition programme throughout September.
The weekend of September 5 and 6, 2026 in Nice is ideal for combining culture, the sea, local traditions and nightlife. Saturday morning can begin with the Festa de la Sant Bertoumiéu, offering a chance to discover local culture and traditions. In the afternoon, visitors can choose between the recital at Palais Lascaris and a visit to the Musée Matisse.
Saturday evening offers even more options: theatre, classical music, DJ sets on the Promenade des Anglais, Mirage Experience or the OGC Nice match at the Allianz Riviera.
Sunday can be spent at a slower pace in Cimiez, combining a visit to the Musée Matisse with Au Soleil des Deux Rives, before ending the afternoon with Liane Foly’s free concert.
For anyone searching for events in Nice on September 5 and 6, 2026, the first weekend of September offers a particularly attractive combination of culture, music, sport and local traditions. It is an ideal opportunity to experience the French Riviera beyond its beaches and the Promenade des Anglais, discovering the history, culture and identity that make Nice unique.