Must-see events in 2026 on the French Riviera

The year 2026 opens under the sign of energy and variety on the French Riviera, ready to experience twelve months filled with major events capable of attracting both local audiences and international visitors. Between the Alpes-Maritimes and the Var, iconic cities and coastal towns are preparing to host cultural events, sporting competitions, popular festivities and institutional gatherings throughout the year.

The season kicks off in January with sport taking center stage: the Prom’Classic opens the year by bringing thousands of runners back to the Promenade des Anglais, set against the backdrop of the Baie des Anges. The traditional 10-kilometer race was a sold-out event with 15,000 participants.

February will be devoted to the great traditions of the Riviera. Nice will once again become the beating heart of the Nice Carnival, while Menton will celebrate the Fête du Citron, featuring spectacular parades, allegorical floats and citrus-themed displays that attract visitors from across Europe every year.

March will mark an important institutional moment with the municipal elections, alongside events of major interest for the public and the business community. Nice will host the International Fair, while Cannes will welcome MIPIM, the world’s leading trade show for the real-estate sector.

With the arrival of spring, Cannes will once again be in the spotlight with CANNESERIES and, above all, the Cannes Film Festival, the Riviera’s flagship cultural event. Nice will confirm its status as a sports capital with the international half-marathon and, in June, the highly anticipated Ironman, drawing athletes and enthusiasts from around the world. On June 21, the Fête de la Musique will fill streets and squares across the region.

Summer will be the season of the major festivals. The Nice Jazz Fest will launch a long series of musical events between July and August, joined by historic festivals and cultural gatherings in Saint-Tropez, Ramatuelle and Toulon, many of which are still being finalized.

September will bring together glamour, economy and politics. The Cannes Yachting Festival will showcase the best of international boating, while the political and economic rentrée will be marked by summer schools, forums and conferences across the Alpes-Maritimes and the Var.

Autumn will see the return of major sporting and cultural events, from the Roc d’Azur in Fréjus, a global reference for mountain biking, to the Saint-Tropez regattas, as well as film festivals and artistic events.

The year 2026 will conclude with sport and festive celebrations, featuring the Marathon of the Alpes-Maritimes from Nice to Cannes, followed by Christmas festivities and illuminations that will light up the Riviera as it heads into 2027.

A rich and ever-evolving calendar that confirms the French Riviera as one of Europe’s most vibrant and attractive destinations, offering events and entertainment throughout the year.