- Riviera Insider editorial
Christmas markets and festivities in the French Riviera
Ho, ho, ho... Christmas markets and Alpine villages are getting started this weekend! Here's a roundup of where and when.
This weekend is going to be festive on the Côte d'Azur. The first Christmas markets are opening - for example in Cannes and Grasse-Saint-Antoine. Find a complete list of Christmas events here, sorted alphabetically by town name!
The festive lights are already on in the Polygone Riviera shopping centre (Cagnes-sur-Mer)! The Christmas market has also started there by the dancing fountain. In the other towns and villages of the Côte d'Azur, many markets and villages are starting this weekend... Photo : Polygone Riviera
Cannes
27 November - 2 January
Christmas Village (Allées de la Liberté), with ice rink (every day from 10am to 9pm, Fri/Sat until 10pm). Funfair on the Esplanade de la Pantiero (Mon-Thu 2pm-9pm, Fri-Sun 2pm-11pm, during school holidays 2pm-11pm daily). The city also offers a wide range of theatrical performances and Christmas concerts.
1 - 24 December
Noël au Balcon is a competition to Cannes residents for the most beautiful balcony decoration. Entries on social media, winner gets 2 nights in a hotel. Enjoy a stroll through town to see them all!
22 December
Ciné concert: The Orchestre de Cannes plays live the tragi-comic film "The Kid" (1921) by and with Charlie Chaplin. Théâtre Debussy, 8.30pm
Cagnes-sur-Mer
20 November - 2 January
Christmas market in the Polygone Riviera shopping centre with gourmet goodies like churros, candied apples, nougats and local specialities. Plus they have a varied programme of activites and Santa’s workshop to take pictures with Father Christmas. Ice rink from 27 November to 2 January with ice petanque and hockey.
Draguignan
17-24 December
Christmas market in the city centre, every day from 10am to 6pm.
Fréjus
11 December - 2 January
With two locations (old town: culinary; on the beach / Fréjus-Plage: gift ideas) and two ice rinks. Funfair, Disney parade on 22 December, dance, theatre, concerts, fireworks on 25 December.
Grasse
18th December - 2nd January
Christmas market and ice rink in the old town.
27-28 November
Quartier Saint-Antoine, place de la mairie annex: about 70 exhibitors, fireworks (Sun 6pm), Father Christmas (every 4.30pm). Saturday: 9am - 8pm, Sunday: 9am - 6pm.
Le Rouret
5th December
A big Christmas market in the village square, from 9.30am to 7pm.
Lucéram
12th & 19th December
Christmas market in the village. Midnight mass on 24 December at the Sainte-Marguerite church. In addition, the cot course "Circuit des crèches" with hundreds of cots is back (4-9 December)!
Mandelieu-La-Napoule
17-20 December
Christmas Village. Place de France / city centre, 10am-9pm.
Menton
4 December - 2 January
The "Scandinavian Christmas" is celebrated here this year - with a varied programme (Christmas market, ice rink, Ferris wheel, until 19 December, Santa's letterbox). Biovès Gardens, Esplanade Francis Palmero.
Mouans-Sartoux
The 38th Foire aux Santons, the largest collection of handmade Santon figurines. At the Mediatheque La Strada, open everyday from 2 - 6 pm. Free entry.
Monaco
3 December - 2 January
Colourful chalets in the port. Elaborate lighting on, among others, the Casino Square from the end of November.
19. December
Christmas concert with the Petits chanteurs de Monaco. Monaco Cathedral, 4pm
28 December - 5 January
" The Nutcracker Cie ", choreography by the ballet director Jean-Christophe Maillot, Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo, with the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Principality. Forum Grimaldi.
Mougins
11 and 12 December
Christmas market in the village, from 10 am to 6 pm.
Nice
2 December - 2 January
With a Christmas village (crafts & culinary delights), ice rink, Ferris wheel and much more. Place Masséna and Jardin Albert 1er. Every day from 11am to 8pm
20th December
Christmas Concert at the Opera House
Saint-Paul-de-Vence
4-31 December
This Christmas concert is celebrated with a colourful programme under the motto "Christmas at the North Pole".
Saint-Raphaël
4 December - 2 January
With wooden chalets and numerous exhibitors (craftsmen, artists, etc.). Every day 10.30am-7.30pm, Promenade de Lattre de Tassigny.
Saint Tropez
3 December - 2 January
With animations, rides and an ice rink. Different places in the old town, every day from 11.30am to 8pm. Illuminated facades of houses in the port from 6pm to 9pm. Father Christmas arrives on 24 December at 6.30 pm on the Quai Suffren. Fireworks on December 18th (6.30pm) and December 31st. (Midnight) at the port.
Tourrette-Levens
11th December
Christmas market, entertainment for children, parade (11am, 2.30pm and 4pm). Place de l'Eglise, 9am-5pm. Concert at 6.30pm in the church.
Tourrettes-sur-Loup
12 December
Christmas market from 9am to 6pm, Place de la Libération.
Valbonne
13-15 December
Activities for children, market, horse-drawn carriage rides. Bermond Farm and Place Méjane.
16-19 December
Various shows. Pré des Arts, old town. Free booking: billeterie.ville-valbonne.fr
21st December
Christmas concert in the Saint-Blaise church, 6pm. A cot will be installed there until February 2nd.
22 - 24 December
Christmas market in the old town of Valbonne.
Vence
5 December - 2 January
Christmas market (Place du Grand Jardin), fireworks (18 December at 7pm, Esplanade Fernand Moutet), ice rink (Place Clemenceau, from 18 December, every day from 10am to 6pm) and much more.
++ Health restrictions ++
All information mentioned are subject to cancellation or increased restrictions. For the time being: mandatory mask and presentation of the health pass on all Christmas markets! The prefectures announce increased controls (fine: 135 euros for infringement of the rules).