Nice is preparing to experience one of the busiest weekends of the summer. Saturday, August 15 and Sunday, August 16, 2026, right in the middle of the Ferragosto holiday period, the French Riviera city offers a programme that combines major exhibitions, events celebrating local traditions, international music and dance evenings by the sea. The absolute star of the weekend is La Farandole – Festival International de Folklore de Nice, which reaches its final days after bringing music, costumes and dances from different parts of the world to the city.

Added to this are the Feast of the Assumption at the Port of Nice, the ZELT evening at Plage Bocca Mar, the final night of the Soirées de l’été at Plage Beau Rivage, and an impressive selection of exhibitions open throughout the weekend. For those looking to turn their stay into a cultural experience, August 15 and 16 are particularly interesting days to discover exhibitions dedicated to Matisse and Yves Saint Laurent, Chagall, Leonardo da Vinci, African art, the Belle Époque and contemporary photography.

La Farandole: the main event of the weekend in Nice

The heart of the August 15–16, 2026 weekend is undoubtedly La Farandole – Festival International de Folklore de Nice, taking place in Nice from August 12 to 16. Organised in partnership with the Collectif des Arts Traditionnels – Lou Cat, the festival brings international folk groups to the city and showcases dances, music, costumes and traditions from different cultures. The event is recognised by CIOFF France, an official UNESCO partner organisation.

On Saturday, August 15, from 10:00 am, the festival takes over some of Nice’s most characteristic markets and squares with a series of free musical performances. At Marché de la Libération, on Avenue Malausséna, the Oshala folk ensemble from Benin performs. At Marché de Saint-Roch, on Place Saint-Roch, visitors can see El Mariachi “Mi Nombre Es México” and the “Termal” folk ensemble from Mexico. At the same time, Cours Saleya hosts Cuba’s Camagua folk company and the National Albanian Ballet of North Macedonia, while Marché Saint-François, on Place Saint-François, welcomes the “Timor Furak” national ensemble from Timor-Leste. All these morning events are free of charge.

The evening of August 15 at 8:30 pm brings “Escale en terres de traditions” to Espace Jacques Cotta / Théâtre de Verdure in Nice. Camagua from Cuba, the National Albanian Ballet of North Macedonia and the Mexican groups take to the stage. Doors open at 7:30 pm, with stands dedicated to the different cultures and food available on site. The show is ticketed, with admission listed at €6, and booking is required.

Sunday, August 16 marks the closing day of the festival. At 5:00 pm, in the Jardin de la Légion d’Honneur at Villa Masséna, 35 Promenade des Anglais, the Cérémonie de la Paix takes place, with the participation of all the festival groups. Admission is free.

The grand finale comes at 8:30 pm with the Gala de clôture at Espace Jacques Cotta / Théâtre de Verdure. All participating groups return to the stage for the closing performance. Doors open at 7:30 pm, with cultural stands and food available, while admission costs €6 and advance booking is required.

Ferragosto in Nice between tradition and the sea: the Feast of the Assumption

On August 15, 2026, Nice also celebrates the traditional Fête de l’Assomption / Feast of the Assumption, an event deeply connected to the city’s religious and Mediterranean heritage.

The event takes place at the Port of Nice, between Quai Entrecasteaux and Notre-Dame du Port church, from approximately 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Admission is free. The celebration reflects the strong Marian devotion rooted in Nice and the historic County of Nice, forming part of the city’s traditional festival calendar.

It is an especially interesting event for visitors who want to experience a different side of Ferragosto beyond the beach and discover a more authentic aspect of Nice’s local culture.

ZELT at Plage Bocca Mar: DJ sets and dancing on August 15 and 16

For those who prefer music and the atmosphere of private beaches, the weekend features ZELT, an evening dedicated to DJs and electronic music.

The event takes place at Plage Bocca Mar, 15 Promenade des Anglais, on both Saturday, August 15 and Sunday, August 16, 2026, from 7:00 pm to 11:30 pm. Described as a dance evening featuring DJs, it is one of the weekend’s more glamorous seaside events along the Promenade des Anglais.

The location is particularly convenient for anyone who wants to start the evening by the sea before heading towards central Nice or Vieux Nice. ZELT also continues on other dates in August and September, making it a recurring feature of the summer programme at Bocca Mar.

Final Soirées de l’été at Plage Beau Rivage

Plage Beau Rivage, on Quai des États-Unis, also offers a musical event during the weekend. The Soirées de l’été – Plage Beau Rivage run from August 13 to 15, meaning their final evening falls on Saturday, August 15, 2026.

The event takes place at Restaurant Plage Beau Rivage, 107 Quai des États-Unis, opposite the Hôtel Beau Rivage. Saturday’s evening runs from 7:00 pm to midnight, forming part of the beach’s summer programme, which alternates live music, DJs and other musical performances.

It is an ideal choice for anyone looking for a more relaxed atmosphere than a nightclub: dinner, sea views, music and sunset over the Bay of Angels provide the setting for one of the final evenings of the Ferragosto programme.

Exhibitions to see in Nice during the August 15–16 weekend

The weekend is not just about music and folklore. Nice also offers an impressive concentration of exhibitions open on both days, several of which are among the city’s most important cultural events of the summer.

Leonardo da Vinci – A la croisée des arts et des sciences

Among the exhibitions open during the weekend is “Leonardo da Vinci – A la croisée des arts et des sciences”, held at the Halle de la Découverte at Gare du Sud, 35 Avenue Malausséna. The exhibition explores Leonardo as an artist, engineer, architect, inventor and scientist, with an immersive journey featuring large-scale models, 3D videos and reproductions of paintings and drawings.

The exhibition is open on Saturday, August 15 and Sunday, August 16 from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm and admission is free. It is therefore one of the easiest cultural attractions to add to your itinerary, particularly if you want to combine a museum visit with a walk around the Gare du Sud area.

Chagall à l’oeuvre – Un prêt d’exception au musée

At the Musée national Marc Chagall, Avenue du Docteur Ménard, visitors can see “Chagall à l’oeuvre – Un prêt d’exception au musée”, an exhibition built around an exceptional selection of works from donations made by Marc Chagall’s granddaughters to France’s national collections. The exhibition explores the artist’s rich body of work, with particular attention to the studies and models created for the famous ceiling of the Opéra Garnier.

On August 15 and 16, the museum is open from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm and 2:30 pm to 6:00 pm. General admission to the exhibition is listed at €12, with a reduced rate of €10.

Africa Pop

At the Musée International d’Art Naïf Anatole Jakovsky – Château Sainte-Hélène, Avenue de Fabron, visitors can explore “Africa Pop”, an exhibition dedicated to African cultures through textiles, everyday objects and, in particular, the famous wax fabrics.

The exhibition creates a colourful visual world and is based on more than 30 years of field research.

It is open on Saturday, August 15 and Sunday, August 16 from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm and 1:30 pm to 6:00 pm. Admission is €5.

Mathieu Forget: photography and movement

Photography enthusiasts can head to the Musée de la Photographie Charles Nègre, 1 Place Pierre Gautier, where the Mathieu Forget Exhibition is on display until September 27.

The exhibition is open on Saturday, August 15 and Sunday, August 16 from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. Located in the heart of Vieux Nice, the museum is easy to combine with a visit to Cours Saleya and the morning events of La Farandole.

Henri Matisse – Yves Saint Laurent: art, fashion and colour

One of the most important cultural events of the summer in Nice is “Henri Matisse – Yves Saint Laurent. Le beau, la mode et le bonheur”, at the Musée Matisse, 164 Avenue des Arènes de Cimiez.

The exhibition brings together two figures who, despite belonging to different worlds, shared a remarkable interest in colour, line, materials and form. The exhibition features around 160 works, including haute couture garments, fabrics, paintings, drawings, accessories, folk art and archival documents.

The museum is open on Saturday, August 15 and Sunday, August 16 from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. General admission to the exhibition is listed at €12.

De la scène à la toile: the Belle Époque through art and society

At the Musée des Beaux-Arts Jules Chéret, 33 Avenue des Baumettes, visitors can discover “De la scène à la toile. Artistes et mondaines de la Belle Époque”.

The exhibition explores cosmopolitan Nice during the Belle Époque through portraits, theatre scenes, musicians and performers, fashion and women who gained new independence and visibility in public life. It is particularly interesting for understanding the role Nice played in European culture between the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The exhibition is open on both days of the weekend. Museum opening hours are 11:00 am to 6:00 pm, with the museum closed on Mondays.

Coun – Libera l’Art au Palais Lascaris

In the heart of Vieux Nice, at Palais Lascaris, 15 Rue Droite, the exhibition “Coun – Libera l’Art au Palais Lascaris” brings the contemporary art of Coun into dialogue with the historic interiors of this Baroque palace.

It is open on Saturday, August 15 and Sunday, August 16 from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. Admission is listed at €5. The exhibition can easily be included in a walking tour of Vieux Nice, especially alongside the La Farandole events in the historic centre.

Staring at the Sun and Là où le jour cède at Villa Arson

Contemporary art enthusiasts can visit Villa Arson, 20 Avenue Stephen Liégeard, which hosts two exhibitions during the weekend: “Staring at the Sun”, featuring the work of the 2026 graduates, and “Là où le jour cède” by Dany Albiach.

The first exhibition brings together the work of a new generation of artists across painting, installation, performance, video, photography and music. The second presents Dany Albiach’s work, focusing particularly on memory, intimacy and the relationship between landscape, night and recollection.

During the Ferragosto weekend, Villa Arson is open on Saturday, August 15 and Sunday, August 16 from 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Admission to the exhibitions is free.

Vikings: The Odyssey to the Ends of the World

There is still time until August 30 to experience “Vikings: L’Odyssée jusqu’aux confins du monde – Cités Immersives”, at 1 Rue Massenet.

This immersive experience takes visitors into the Viking world through 360-degree projections, sound effects, reconstructions, artefacts and a virtual reality experience. It is particularly suitable for families and offers audio guides in French and English.

On Saturday, August 15 and Sunday, August 16, the exhibition is open from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. Tickets start at €11.90 for adults and €9.90 for children aged 4 to 18; admission is free for children under 4.

Nissa La Bella: Nice through an immersive experience

At Nicetoile Shopping Centre, 30 Avenue Jean Médecin, “Nissa La Bella – Exposition Immersive” continues until September 5.

The exhibition explores Nice’s urban, cultural and tourism history through photographs, archives, illustrations, artworks and audiovisual content. One of its most interesting features is an augmented reality experience reconstructing the former casino of the Jetée-Promenade, which once stood on Nice’s seafront.

During the weekend, the exhibition follows the shopping centre’s opening hours: Saturday, August 15 from 10:00 am to 7:30 pm and Sunday, August 16 from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm. Admission is free.

Un été 2024: reliving the emotions of the Paris Olympics

For sports enthusiasts, the Musée National du Sport, 6 Allée Camille Muffat, at Allianz Riviera Stadium, hosts “Un été 2024”, a major exhibition dedicated to the legacy of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The exhibition explores ceremonies, sporting achievements, objects, uniforms and iconic moments from what has been described as an extraordinary chapter in French sporting history. The immersive and interactive exhibition covers more than 500 square metres.

The exhibition can be visited during the museum’s opening hours on the August 15–16 weekend. The summer programme also includes guided tours on Thursdays in July and August at 5:00 pm, as well as family workshops on Wednesdays at 3:00 pm, although no specific guided tour is scheduled for Saturday, August 15 or Sunday, August 16.

Soirées estivales 2026: the major summer cultural programme

The weekend calendar also includes Soirées estivales 2026, the major summer cultural programme organised by the Alpes-Maritimes department, running from June 26 to August 31, 2026.

The programme involves more than 150 municipalities and features over 500 free performances, including concerts, jazz, rock, classical music, theatre, dance, magic, cabaret and other forms of entertainment. There is no single venue or time for August 15 and 16, because this is a programme spread across the region, with different events depending on the location.

Visitors staying in Nice should therefore check the programme for the specific performance before travelling, especially if they want to combine a free concert or show with one of the events taking place in the city centre.

How to organise your weekend in Nice on August 15 and 16

The best way to experience this weekend is to combine culture in the morning, walks through the historic centre in the afternoon and music in the evening. Saturday, August 15 can begin with La Farandole’s international performances at 10:00 am in the city’s markets, followed by a museum visit or a stroll through Vieux Nice. In the afternoon, you could visit the Musée Matisse, the Musée de la Photographie or Villa Arson.

The evening offers several options: the Feast of the Assumption at the Port of Nice from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm, the final Soirées de l’été at Plage Beau Rivage from 7:00 pm until midnight, or ZELT at Plage Bocca Mar from 7:00 pm to 11:30 pm. Those interested in international folklore can instead choose La Farandole’s evening performance at 8:30 pm.

Sunday, August 16 can be enjoyed at a slower pace. The morning is perfect for an exhibition or a stroll between Cours Saleya and Vieux Nice. At 5:00 pm, La Farandole’s free Cérémonie de la Paix at Villa Masséna provides a cultural highlight, while the Gala de clôture at 8:30 pm officially brings the festival to an end. Those who want to continue the evening by the sea can head to ZELT at Plage Bocca Mar from 7:00 pm to 11:30 pm.

In conclusion: what to see in Nice on August 15 and 16, 2026

The Ferragosto weekend of 2026 promises to be one of the most interesting moments of the summer in Nice. La Farandole is the central event for anyone interested in traditions, music and international folklore, while the Feast of the Assumption offers an opportunity to discover the city’s Mediterranean heritage. For evening entertainment, ZELT and Plage Beau Rivage add a more glamorous and musical dimension to the Riviera experience.

On the cultural side, the weekend offers a remarkable choice, from Leonardo da Vinci, Chagall, Matisse and Yves Saint Laurent, Africa Pop, Mathieu Forget and the Belle Époque to Coun, Villa Arson’s contemporary exhibitions, Vikings, Nissa La Bella and Un été 2024.

Together, these events make August 15 and 16 an excellent weekend to discover Nice not only as a seaside destination, but also as a city of art, history, culture and international traditions.

Practical note: for performances requiring advance booking, particularly La Farandole, it is advisable to check availability before travelling. For exhibitions, the opening hours above correspond to the schedules published by the venues and tourism organisations for 2026; extraordinary changes during the Ferragosto weekend may be announced by individual organisers.