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Focus on the Nice Jazz Fest

by Mister Riviera Blog
Rendezvous from 23 to 26 July 2026

The Jazz Festival, which became the Nice Jazz Festival in 1992, becomes the Nice Jazz Fest’!

For over 70 years, the Nice Jazz Fest’ has been a legendary musical event on the Côte d’Azur. As the world’s leading jazz festival, it’s still a not-to-be-missed, emotionally-charged event that brings together the legends of yesterday and the talents of tomorrow.

1ᵉʳ JAZZ FESTIVAL IN THE WORLD

The Nice Jazz Fest’: a legendary venue where the memory of jazz is created!

It was in February 1948, at the end of the Carnival, that the City of Nice came up with the world’s first jazz festival.

Louis Armstrong & The All Stars, Django Reinhardt, Yves Montant and other of the most emblematic figures of the era came together for the very first time in Nice, the capital of the Côte d’Azur.

At the time, the event was split between the Opéra de Nice and the Casino Municipal on Place Masséna(where the miroir d’eau now stands), ending in style at theHôtel Negresco.

Everything you need to know about Nice Jazz Fest’ 2026

The Nice Jazz Fest’ will celebrate its 78ᵉ edition this year from 23 to 26 July 2026, with an ever richer and bolder programme. In 2026, the city of Nice will vibrate to the rhythm of jazz, welcoming international legends as well as promising new talents.

As every year, the city’s iconic venues – the Théâtre de Verdure and Place Masséna – will be the backdrops for memorable concerts, blending classic and contemporary jazz with innovative musical explorations.

In addition to the stages, the festival will offer a real cultural immersion: workshops, meetings with the artists, exhibitions and events will punctuate these four days of celebration, making Nice Jazz Fest’ 2025 an unmissable event for all lovers of music and culture.

Nice Jazz Fest’ 2026: Kid’s club

A safe and fun area for children

The Kid’s Club at the Nice Jazz Fest’ 2026 will be an entertainment service specially designed for children aged 4 to 10, open every evening of the festival from 6.30pm to 12.45am. Located at the heart of the event, this club will enable the youngest children to enjoyfun and musical activities while their parents watch the concerts in complete peace of mind.

Supervised by a team ofexperienced professional entertainers, the children will take part in creative workshops, group games and sound discoveries, in a safe and caring environment. Access to the Kid’s Club is available from €28, including admission to the concerts for the child.

Registration is via the festival’s official ticket office – booking is recommended to guarantee a place.

The Nice Jazz Fest’ 2026 Village

La Merenda: gastronomy, music and conviviality

At the heart of the Nice Jazz Fest’ 2026, the La Merenda village opened its doors every evening from 5.30pm, offering festival-goers a real place to relax, share and discover the senses. Under the direction of JoeyStarr, accompanied by top chefs, La Merenda offered an original culinary experience in a festive setting.

On site: pétanque courts, bars, a food court, local traders and a small music stage were all lively from the opening and during the set changes at the Théâtre de Verdure.

After the concerts, the village was transformed into a magical place for open-air acoustic jam sessions from midnight onwards, to keep the party going until the end of the night.

All the information on catering and entertainment was available.

Nice Jazz Fest’ 2026 programme

Unforgettable evenings of concerts in Nice

The line-up for Nice Jazz Fest’ 2026 will be unveiled in the coming months, promising an exceptional edition blending jazz, soul, hip-hop and contemporary music. On the emblematic stages of Masséna and the Théâtre de Verdure, festival-goers will be able to applaud renowned international artists and emerging talents at 28 concerts spread over the four evenings of 23 to 26 July.

Don’t miss out on all the surprises!

While we wait for the full line-up to be revealed, BLIND PASS 2026 tickets are already available for this unique experience in the city centre, just a stone’s throw from the beach.

The programme promises to be rich and eclectic, reflecting the festival’s DNA and the vitality of contemporary jazz.

Aftermovie

Nice Jazz Festival 2024

Aftermovie - Nice Jazz Fest 2024
Aftermovie - Nice Jazz Fest 2024
Aftermovie - Nice Jazz Fest 2024
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THE NICE JAZZ FESTIVAL

By Mickaël Mugnaini, Mister Riviera Blog

Since July 2015, on the Mister Riviera blog, I’ve been sharing my Côte d’Azur favourites on a daily basis, including good food and trendy addresses, a shopping guide and a diary of not-to-be-missed concerts and festivals on the Côte d’Azur.