10 must-see summer festivals on the Côte d'Azur

1 – LA CRÈME FESTIVAL | VILLEFRANCHE-SUR-MER

June 20-22, 2025

La Crème Festival in Villefranche-sur-Mer is an unmissable cultural event that ignites the senses and delights art lovers every year. Nestled on the Côte d’Azur, this dynamic festival celebrates creativity in all its forms. The narrow streets of Villefranche are transformed into a living canvas where artists, musicians, dancers and actors come together to deliver spellbinding performances. For three days, the Crème Festival pays tribute to the identity and authenticity of the Côte d’Azur. On the program: sea outings, yoga classes, a spotlight on today’s music scene, DJ sets, local gastronomy… Day or night, the Crème Festival invites you into a unique environment between the Citadelle and your feet in the sand.

Authenticity, art de vivre, music scenes, outdoor activities, local gastronomy… come and live the Crème experience!

The Crème Festival in Villefranche-sur-Mer is a true celebration of art, culture and joie de vivre, leaving unforgettable memories for those lucky enough to attend.

3 – SOIRÉES ESTIVALES | Département des alpes-maritimes

from june 27 to august 31, 2025

The Soirées Estivales are a fine example of cultural solidarity in the département, while stimulating the economy of the communes of the Moyen and Haut Pays. Since 1996, this unique event in France has offered free shows throughout the region, showcasing the wealth of local artistic talent, with over 90% of participants coming from the Alpes-Maritimes.

For its 29th edition, the department will become a huge open-air stage, where over 1500 artists and technicians will offer unforgettable evenings. The eclectic program, combining jazz, blues, rock, French songs, classical and traditional music, theater, comedy and magic, guarantees exceptional quality for all audiences.

5 – Jazz à Juan

📆 July 10-20, 2025

The 63rd Juan-les-Pins Jazz Festival will take place from July 8 to 18, 2024 at the Pinède Gould in a magnificent setting just a stone’s throw from the beach. Headlining artists include Manu Katché, Toto, Laufey, Tiken Jah Fakoly, Adi Oasis, Pink Martini, Marcus Miller, Kool & The Gang, and many more…

Good to know: The first “Jazz à Juan”, created as a tribute to a famous Antibois by adoption who was none other than Sidney Bechet, was at the origin of many other festivals that spread throughout Europe. As Claude Nobs, the inventor of Montreux, once said: “If I hadn’t passed through Antibes, Montreux wouldn’t exist. The concept was revolutionary. For the first time, the general public could discover the main players in the great saga that was jazz.

7 – MONTE-CARLO SUMMER FESTIVAL

📆 July 5 – August 15, 2025

Since its creation in 1974, the Monte-Carlo Summer Festival has been welcoming the biggest stars – it’s its trademark.

It is the heir to over 150 years of enchantment, and continues, through its exceptional programming, to make Monaco, the Salle des Étoiles, the Place du Casino and the Opéra Garnier Monte-Carlo, the places to be for summer evenings.

9 – PLAGES ÉLECTRONIQUES | CANNES

📆 August 08 to 10, 2025

Since 2006, Plages Électroniques in Cannes, one of Europe’s biggest beach parties, has been attracting festival-goers from all over the world to dance the night away on the most beautiful beach on the Croisette and on the roof of the Palais des Festivals!

3 days of festivities, 15 hours of non-stop music, 40,000m2 of dancefloor, 4 stages, 3 After Parties until 5:00 am, over 60 guest artists from the French and international electronic scene, a veritable festival village on the square in front of the Palais, a dancefloor in full swing from 2:00 pm, over 40,000 festival-goers eagerly awaiting this not-to-be-missed event on the Côte d’Azur!