5 good reasons to celebrate Christmas on the Côte d’Azur | Côte d’Azur France / French Riviera

1- Christmas markets to (indulge) yourself

While the east of France is traditionally a Christmas market paradise, the south is not to be outdone – on the contrary!

Here, small chalets stand side by side with fir trees and palm trees for a festive, gourmet shopping experience! The stalls are overflowing with handcrafted creations, local produce and unique gift ideas. Each market has its own unique atmosphere, rooted in local tradition, offering visitors an immersive experience at the heart of Christmas enchantment.

In Cannes, the market and ice rink await you on the Allées de la Liberté, close to the funfair on the Pantiero esplanade.

In Nice, the Christmas village welcomes young and old in the Jardin Albert 1er under the Ferris wheel.

In Antibes, merry-go-rounds, workshops and gourmet chalets can be found on the Place de Gaulle, Place Nationale and the large Pré-aux-Pêcheurs esplanade.

In Monaco, the village celebrates the centenary of Prince Rainier III, while in Menton, it’s “Christmas in the countryside” at Mail du Bastion.

In Grasse, stallholders set up shop on the Cours Honoré-Cresp on December 16 and 17 only.

In Saint-Raphaël, the traditional Christmas market takes place on the seafront.

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2- Enchanting strolls to feast your eyes on

The streets of the Côte d’Azur come alive with poetic strolls, where street artists, storytellers and musicians captivate passers-by. Enchanting shows emerge from the alleyways, creating a magical, timeless atmosphere.

In Cannes, don’t miss Santa’s “white parade” of ten ground performers, two inflatable horses, two inflatable snowflakes, four stiltwalkers and ten musicians on December 23.
In the heart of Nice village, you’ll be able to dance to the sound of traditional Christmas music with the “ambianceurs” on December 10, 17, 27 and 30, and at the afterwork parties with DJs on December 15, 21, 22 and 28 and January 4.
In Antibes, there will be a large parade through the narrow streets on December 16 and Juan-les-Pins on December 23, not forgetting the traditional arrival of Santa Claus on water skis on December 20 at 11 a.m. at La Baigneuse.
In Monaco, enchanted parades take place at weekends and every afternoon during the school vacations, and luminous fountains put on a show at the Stade Nautique Rainier III swimming pool on December 16 and 23 and January 6.
Menton’ s famous parade is held on December 23 and 30 at the Casino Barrière, and the Festival de la magie is held from December 20 to 23 on the Francis-Palmero esplanade.
In Saint-Raphaël, Santa Claus arrives by sea at the Vieux-Port on December 23, accompanied by a spectacular parade by Cies Cielo and Planète Vapeur, followed by fireworks and, at nightfall, a magical atmosphere projected onto the Notre-Dame-de-la-Victoire basilica!

3- Christmas cribs for Provencal tradition

On December 1, 2024, the Circuit des Crèches de Lucéram opens its doors, inviting visitors to discover over 450 traditional cribs displayed in the village’s alleyways. The tradition of nativity scenes dates back to 1223, when St. Francis of Assisi initiated the first representation of the Nativity in Greccio, Italy. An opportunity to (re)discover the region’s most emblematic Nativity scenes. With, first and foremost, the unmissable Circuit des crèches de Lucéram. For the 27ᵉ edition, over 450 cribs are on display in the alleyways of this village in the hinterland of Nice. A unique getaway to discover a multitude of cribs created by the locals.

For life-size versions, don’t miss the giant “Lou Présépi” crib in Nice’s Place Rossetti, with its seventeen automatons!

Or the historic Suquet crib in Cannes, created in 1920 and fully restored by Gilles Mangiantini. These 80 polychrome plaster figures (to which must be added some twenty automaton figures) are still in their original setting, accompanied by the same music box that plays the most famous Christmas carols of the last century.

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4- Sea bathing to invigorate

Want to end the year on a high note or attack the next one with energy? Every year, Christmas and New Year’s Eve sea baths attract a host of brave souls. This tradition comes from the Nordic countries, where bathing in cold water before plunging into a steam bath is considered good for the health.

Admittedly, it takes more daring in Scandinavia than in the South to respect tradition. But whatever the degrees, diving into the Mediterranean waters for the holidays remains an invigorating, original and unforgettable experience!

This year, don’t miss the Christmas Bath in Cagnes-sur-Mer, to be held on December 1ᵉʳ, 2024. This is your chance to kick off the festivities with a dip in the sea before enjoying the many activities on offer.

In Villeneuve-Loubet, rendez-vous on Sunday, December 15, 2024, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., for the Christmas swim, followed by various festive and convivial animations.

Other sea baths will take place in Nice, Villefranche-sur-Mer, Saint-Raphaël and Antibes, but exact dates are still to be announced. Stay tuned for more information on these refreshing and original events to end the year on a high note!

5- Fireworks to ring in the New Year

The Côte d’Azur skies light up with dazzling colors to celebrate both the old and the new year. A pyrotechnic show and festive entertainment will bring residents and visitors together to celebrate the transition to a promising new year.

Cannes: Take to the bay of Cannes to watch the big fireworks display at midnight sharp on December 31. The theme of this year’s fireworks show is “Charlie Chaplin”, a visual and musical celebration dedicated to the cinema legend.
Monaco: New Year’s Eve on December 31 promises to be a memorable one, with a grand musical evening hosted by two DJs from 9 p.m. onwards. A stage will be set up on the north side of the Quai to accommodate a further 2,000 spectators. And the big news: fireworks make a comeback at midnight, lighting up the Monegasque bay to mark the start of the new year.
Saint-Raphaël: The December 31st party in the Jardin Bonaparte begins at 6:30 p.m. with musical entertainment provided by a DJ. Then, at 7:30 p.m., a fireworks display will light up the Raphaël sky, offering a magical moment to share with family and friends.
Juan-les-Pins: On January 1ᵉʳ, 2025, at 6 p.m., the sky over the bay of Juan-les-Pins will be the setting for a unique and magical show entitled “L’Éveil des Lumières”. The show will combine light and music, with a spectacular performance by 500 drones, visible from Boulevard Guillaumont. To extend the evening, the Orchestre National de Cannes invites you to the Anthéa theater at 8:30 p.m. for an exceptional concert on the theme of “Paris-Vienne”.