Nice Events 2027: The French Riviera Calendar, Month by Month

Planning a trip around a festival, a race or a Christmas market? This is your calendar of Nice events in 2027, from January fun runs to December mulled wine, with the Riviera's headline acts in between. We list the dates already announced by the organisers, flag the ones still to be confirmed, and explain how to get around on the busiest days.

A quick word of honesty: in autumn 2026, not every 2027 date has been published. Where that is the case we say "2027 dates to be confirmed" and give the usual period. Always check the official website before you book flights or tickets.

Nice events 2027 at a glance

Winter: running, rallying and Carnival

If you are in town for New Year, the Prom'Classic is a lovely way to start 2027: a flat 10 km out and back along the Promenade des Anglais, announced for Sunday 10 January. Part of the seafront road closes that morning, so plan any ride through the city instead.

Motorsport fans can head for the Monte-Carlo Rally, which the Automobile Club de Monaco lists from 21 to 24 January 2027, subject to FIA calendar approval. Most of the action happens on closed mountain roads inland.

February belongs to the Nice Carnival, running from 9 to 28 February 2027 under the theme "Vive l'Amour". Expect giant floats, flower battles where costumed performers throw mimosa into the crowd, and evening parades around Place Masséna. Parades are ticketed, with seats in the stands or standing room closer to the floats. Book early for weekends via the official site, nicecarnaval.com.

At the same time, Menton holds its Lemon Festival from 13 to 28 February, with huge sculptures made of oranges and lemons. It is a great day out from Nice by train, or on a 125cc along the corniche roads.

Spring and early summer: Cannes, Monaco and music in the streets

The Cannes Film Festival celebrates its 80th edition from 11 to 22 May 2027. You will not get into the screenings without accreditation, but watching the red carpet buzz along the Croisette is half the fun. From Nice, take the train or a 125cc: it is a long way for a 50cc limited to 45 km/h.

Then comes the Monaco Grand Prix, from 4 to 6 June 2027, with a sprint race for the first time. Monaco is a separate country, so taking one of our scooters there needs MatMonScoot's prior written approval: ask for it when you book. On race day the train is usually the stress-free choice. For the rest of your stay, our Nice to Monaco coastal route is one of the best rides on the Riviera.

On Monday 21 June, the Fête de la Musique turns the whole city into a free open-air stage, with bands on squares and in the old town until late. Some central streets close or get very crowded in the evening.

IRONMAN France Nice returns in 2027 after the 2026 race was cancelled because of a heatwave. The Nice tourist office mentions June, while other sources point to September: 2027 dates to be confirmed on the official website. On race day, the Promenade des Anglais and many inland roads are closed for most of the day.

July: jazz by the sea, and a quiet Bastille Day

Nice Jazz Fest is the city's big summer festival. In 2026 it ran from 23 to 25 July at the open-air Théâtre de Verdure and Place Masséna, with a free "Fest'Off" programme around town. For 2027, dates are to be confirmed, but the second half of July is the usual slot.

If you expect Bastille Day fireworks over the bay, you should know that 14 July is different in Nice. Since 2016, the city no longer holds fireworks on that day, in memory of the victims of the attack on the Promenade des Anglais. Several nearby towns hold their own displays: check with their town halls.

Getting around on event days

Big events mean closed streets, diversions and full car parks. This is where a scooter really pays off: you filter through slow traffic, park in minutes and skip the queue for the multi-storey. A few rules make it painless:

• Check road closures the day before: the City of Nice publishes event-related traffic orders.
• Park a little further away, in a marked two-wheeler bay 10 to 15 minutes' walk from the closed area, never on the pavement or in front of an emergency access.
• Arrive early: barriers often go up hours before races and parades.
• Lock up every time with the lock we provide, and drop a pin on your phone so you find the scooter in the crowd.

Our guide to scooter parking in Nice explains the rules and the best areas to look.

Autumn and Christmas

September and October are a secret worth sharing: warm sea, quieter roads and soft light on the corniches. Early November brings the Nice-Cannes Marathon, from the Promenade des Anglais to the Croisette. The 2026 race is on 8 November; 2027 dates are to be confirmed. Expect heavy disruption along the coast road that morning.

Then Nice lights up for the holidays. The Christmas village between the Jardin Albert-Ier and Place Masséna runs from 27 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, according to the tourist office, with wooden chalets, local crafts and festive food. For the end of 2027, dates are to be confirmed, but late November to early January is the usual pattern. A sunny December lunch on a terrace, then a ride along the bay: winter on the Riviera has its own charm.

Planning your trip around an event

1. Book early: accommodation, tickets and scooters go fast around Carnival, the Grand Prix and Jazz Fest. Not sure which part of town to stay in? Read where to stay in Nice.
2. Pick the right engine: a 50cc is ideal in Nice and along the nearby coast; choose the Milano 125 for Menton, Cannes or the corniches.
3. Skip the pick-up: we deliver your scooter free of charge anywhere in Nice, to your hotel or Airbnb, by appointment. See how delivery works.
4. Double-check dates on official websites just before you travel: programmes change, and bad weather can cancel outdoor events.

A city in party mode, the sea as a backdrop and a retro scooter to hop from one event to the next: 2027 looks like a very good year to visit Nice.