Summer is undoubtedly the perfect season to explore Nice and the French Riviera. With international festivals, local traditions, night markets, open-air cinema screenings and spectacular fireworks displays, the region offers a rich and varied programme to suit all tastes. Whether you’re on holiday with family, friends or as a couple, here are the events not to be missed this summer.
Ironman France Nice: a world-renowned sporting challenge
Every summer, Nice hosts one of the world’s most prestigious triathlons: the Ironman France Nice.
Athletes set off from the famous Promenade des Anglais for a spectacular event combining swimming, cycling through the hinterland and a marathon along the seafront. Even if you’re not taking part, attending the event lets you experience a unique atmosphere and discover Nice from a particularly dynamic perspective.
Swimming: 3.8 km in the Baie des Anges
Cycling: 180 km through the Nice hinterland
Running: 42.195 km marathon on the Promenade des Anglais
Sunday 28 June 2026
Nice Jazz Fest: three days of music in the heart of Nice
A flagship event for the city, the Nice Jazz Fest returns in July with a line-up blending jazz, soul, pop and contemporary music. Held in the stunning setting of the Théâtre de Verdure and Place Masséna, the festival attracts internationally renowned artists and thousands of visitors from all over the world every year.
Beyond the concerts, the event captures the essence of Nice’s summer atmosphere, blending the gentle Mediterranean evenings with the vibrant energy of the city centre.
Thursday 23 July to Saturday 25 July 2026
Tribute to Catherine Ségurane: a rendezvous with Nice’s history
An iconic figure in local history, Catherine Ségurane is celebrated every year in August.
This tribute showcases Nice’s heritage through a variety of activities, ceremonies and cultural events. A wonderful opportunity to discover the traditions and identity of the capital of the French Riviera whilst exploring the narrow streets of Old Nice.
14 August 2026
From 8.30 pm
Rue Sincaire, 06300 Nice
Open-air cinemas: magical evenings under the stars
Summer on the French Riviera is also synonymous with open-air cinema screenings. Several towns offer free or low-cost screenings in exceptional settings.
Among the most popular events:
- Nice: screenings organised in several neighbourhoods as part of ‘Mon Été à Nice’
- Monaco: open-air screenings at the Principality’s iconic locations
- Cannes: summer screenings overlooking the sea
- Antibes Juan-les-Pins: family screenings in gardens and public spaces
- Cagnes-sur-Mer: open-air cinema in the heart of the town
- Saint-Laurent-du-Var: free screenings during the summer season
- Menton: screenings at iconic coastal locations
- Villefranche-sur-Mer: occasional screenings with views of the harbour
An ideal activity for families, couples or groups of friends looking to make the most of the long summer evenings.
Night markets: the Mediterranean way of life
As the temperature drops, night markets come to life along the Côte d’Azur coastline. With local crafts, regional produce, jewellery, artistic creations and gourmet specialities, they are an unmissable experience during a stay on the Côte d’Azur.
The main summer night markets:
Nice
-> Cours Saleya
Antibes — Juan-les-Pins
-> Esplanade du Pré des Pêcheurs, Old Antibes
-> Promenade du Soleil, Juan-les-Pins
Cannes
-> Esplanade Pantiero
Cagnes-sur-Mer
-> Avenue des Oliviers
Villeneuve-Loubet
-> Promenade Baie des Anges
-> Croisette Port Marina Baie des Anges
Menton
-> Mail du Bastion
Villefranche-sur-Mer
-> Quai de l’Amiral Courbet
Beaulieu-sur-Mer
-> Place Marinoni
Mandelieu-la-Napoule
-> Avenue Henry Clews
-> Parc Robinson and Esplanade Pinéa
Fréjus
-> Port Fréjus
-> Fréjus Plage
-> Boulevard d’Alger and Boulevard de la Libération
Saint-Raphaël
-> Promenade René Coty
-> Vieux-Port
These markets offer the chance to discover local crafts whilst enjoying a pleasant evening stroll.
The most spectacular fireworks displays of the summer on the French Riviera
The summer on the French Riviera is punctuated by numerous fireworks displays that light up the coastline.
Among the towns that traditionally host fireworks displays during the summer are:
- Baie des Anges
- Baie de Cannes
- Juan-les-Pins beach
- Port of Saint-Laurent-du-Var
- Bay of Villefranche-sur-Mer
- Menton seafront
- Fréjus Beach
These displays offer special moments with the Mediterranean as a backdrop.
The exact dates for open-air cinema screenings, night markets and fireworks displays may change each year. We recommend checking the event calendars for the relevant towns before your stay.
Experience summer in the heart of the French Riviera
From international sporting events and music festivals to Nice’s traditions, night markets and seaside entertainment, the French Riviera offers an exceptional programme throughout the summer.
Staying in Nice also makes it easy to reach the most beautiful coastal destinations and make the most of all these festivities. Whether you’re a culture vulture, a sports enthusiast or simply looking for unforgettable moments under the Mediterranean sun, summer 2026 promises to be full of discoveries.
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