The best events of the first weekend of 2026 on the French Riviera

Events on the French Riviera during the First Weekend of 2026

The first weekend of 2026 opens on the French Riviera with a rich and varied programme of events, ranging from art, music and dance to festive traditions and winter sports, involving coastal cities, inland villages and mountain resorts.

Saturday, 3 January 2026

Saturday offers a wide range of activities.
In Beaulieu-sur-Mer, local tradition is celebrated with the 25th edition of the Chemin des Crèches, a route showcasing artistic nativity scenes and the festive spirit of the season.

Heading towards the Alpes-Maritimes, Auron hosts the Côte d’Azur Ski Championship – l’Aigle d’Or / U14, dedicated to young ski talents. The competition continues until Sunday, 4 January, also involving Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, attracting families and winter sports enthusiasts.

Meanwhile, along the coast and in major cities, numerous exhibitions and cultural events take place.
In Antibes, the Casemates 25 and 26 welcome “Le Chemin des Crèches”, alongside the exhibition “Architectures” by Alain Combier and the event “80 Minutes with Ruben”.

In Cannes, the Cours Félix Faure continues to host the Christmas Village, complemented by cultural events such as “The Origins of Cannes – Fishing and Other Treasures of the Sea” and the prestigious dance performance “Unis par la Danse – Gala d’Étoiles”.

Sunday, 4 January 2026

Sunday focuses on music and conviviality.
In Vence, visitors can enjoy a musical walk entitled “Swing”, accompanied by live musical entertainment from the Benty Brothers, offering a lively and festive atmosphere.

In Menton, Les Sablettes beach hosts the traditional New Year’s Day Swim, a symbolic collective plunge to celebrate the start of the new year. The city also features gourmet stands in the Jardin Biovès and the exhibition “Jean Cocteau and His Friends: Self-Portraits”.

Cultural events and performances throughout the weekend

In Nice, the weekend is marked by major cultural highlights: the Galerie Ferrero presents “Phôs – Robert de Nice”, the Basilique Notre-Dame hosts the immersive show “Luminiscence – L’Odyssée céleste”, and the Musée des Arts Asiatiques showcases “SUMŌ – Absolute Balance”, dedicated to balance and Japanese tradition.

In the Principality of Monaco, visitors can discover the MAPN exhibition celebrating 50 years of commitment to biodiversity, attend “Tango Argentin à Monaco”, and enjoy the classical ballet “La Bayadère”, confirming Monaco as a major cultural hub in the region.

Traditions and popular celebrations

Finally, the weekend is enriched by traditional celebrations such as the Fête des Rois 2026, held in several locations across the French Riviera, symbolically bringing the festive season to a close.