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The biggest must-see summer festivals

on the Côte d'Azur
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An integral part of summer on the French Riviera, these festivals draw huge crowds every year and contribute to our region’s appeal to tourists. Jazz, dance, electronic music, pop, rock… Every genre is represented, with incredibly appealing line-ups.

LA CRÈME FESTIVAL | VILLEFRANCHE-SUR-MER

📆 26–28 June 2026

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, La Crème Festival pays tribute to the identity and authenticity of the Côte d’Azur. On the programme: boat trips, yoga classes, a spotlight on the current music scene, DJ sets, local cuisine… Day and night, the Crème Festival invites you to a unique setting between the sandy shores and the Citadel.

Authenticity, art de vivre, music stages, outdoor activities, local cuisine… come and experience ‘the Crème experience’!

La Crème Festival in Villefranche-sur-Mer is a true celebration of art, culture and joie de vivre, leaving unforgettable memories for the lucky visitors who have the chance to attend.

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ELECTRONIC BEACHES | CANNES

📆 7–9 August 2026

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

3 days of partying, 15 hours of non-stop music, a 40,000m² dancefloor, 4 stages, 3 after-parties until 5.00 am, over 60 guest artists from the French and international electronic music scene, a veritable festival village on the forecourt of the Palais, a dancefloor buzzing from 2 pm, over 40,000 festival-goers eagerly awaiting this unmissable Côte d’Azur event!

LE MAS DES ESCARAVATIERS | PUGET-SUR-ARGENS

📆 29 May to 30 August 2026

Concerts with your head in the clouds, by the pool, in the garden of a Provençal farmhouse…

But also evening events, musical brunches, pool parties… in an enchanting setting and a friendly atmosphere!

Le Mas des Escaravatiers has a unique identity within the music festival scene.

The concerts take place amidst vineyards and olive groves, in an intimate setting dedicated to preserving quality and a friendly atmosphere.

Le Mas des Escaravatiers is an exceptional venue, with an open-minded spirit that encourages encounters and exchanges; people come here in the evenings for concerts, but also on Sundays for musical brunches by the pool.

A recipe for happiness, so to speak, which has been working for over ten years!

Artists feel at home here, they keep coming back, and we can’t get enough of it.

NICE JAZZ FEST’

📆 23–26 July 2026

The Nice Jazz Festival, now renamed Nice Jazz Fest’ for a touch of modernity, returns with an eclectic line-up that attracts jazz enthusiasts from all over the world.

This iconic festival transforms the charming city of Nice into a vibrant stage where the spellbinding melodies of contemporary and classic jazz resonate. This year, the festival welcomes jazz legends as well as promising new talent, offering unforgettable performances in iconic venues such as the Théâtre de Verdure and Place Masséna.

In addition to the concerts, the festival offers workshops, meet-and-greets with artists and exhibitions, making Nice Jazz Fest’ 2026 an unmissable event for lovers of music and culture.

SUMMER EVENINGS | Alpes-Maritimes Department

📆 26 June to 31 August 2026

The Summer Evenings are a fine example of cultural solidarity within the department, whilst boosting the economy of the towns in the Moyen and Haut Pays regions. Since 1996, this unique event in France has offered free shows across the region, showcasing the local artistic wealth, with over 90% of participants hailing from the Alpes-Maritimes.

The department becomes a vast open-air stage, where over 1,500 artists and technicians deliver unforgettable evenings. The eclectic programme, combining jazz, blues, rock, French songs, classical and traditional music, theatre, comedy and magic, guarantees exceptional quality for all audiences.

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NIGHTS OF THE SOUTH | Vence

📆 9–18 July 2026

Discover the unique atmosphere in the heart of the historic town of Vence. TheNuits du Sud festival in Vence, scheduled for 9–18 July 2026, offers a bold programme that skilfully combines big names in music with promising new talent. True to its essence, the event once again stands out by showcasing new artists whilst welcoming renowned international figures.

Always on the lookout for new trends, the festival embodies open-mindedness and a constant quest for innovation, whilst maintaining a strong cultural identity unique to the Alpes-Maritimes. This cultural diversity is a key pillar of its unique charm.

Jazz in Juan

📆 9–19 July 2026

The 65th Juan-les-Pins Jazz Festival will take place from 9 to 19 July 2026 at the Pinède Gould in a magnificent setting just a stone’s throw from the beach. Headlining the line-up are artists such as Manu Katché, Toto, Laufey, Tiken Jah Fakoly, Adi Oasis, Pink Martini, Marcus Miller, Kool & The Gang, and many more…

Note: The first ‘Jazz à Juan’, created in tribute to a famous adopted son of Antibes, none other than Sidney Bechet, was the inspiration for many other festivals that sprang up across Europe. Claude Nobs, the man behind the Montreux festival, said it himself: “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 leading figures of what was already the great saga of jazz.

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MONTE-CARLO SUMMER FESTIVAL

📆 3 July to 15 August 2026

Since its inception in 1974, the Monte-Carlo Summer Festival has welcomed the biggest stars – this is its hallmark.

It builds on a legacy of over 150 years of enchantment and, through its exceptional programme, continues to make Monaco, the Salle des Étoiles, the Place du Casino and the Opéra Garnier Monte-Carlo the must-visit venues for summer evenings.

MENTON MUSIC FESTIVAL

📆 25 July to 7 August 2026

The 77th edition of this prestigious festival, which sees the greatest orchestras, the most famous musicians and the finest voices of our time perform on the square in front of Saint-Michel Basilica. Perched above the sea, dominated by the façade and bell tower of a magnificent Baroque church, protected by the centuries-old sword of the statue of Saint Michael and bathed in starlight, the Menton Music Festival has been welcoming the world’s greatest classical artists for seventy years.

Founded by André Böröcz and directed by Paul-Emmanuel Thomas, the Menton Festival is one of the oldest and most prestigious in Europe.

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CROSSOVER FESTIVAL | NICE

📆 29 and 30 May 2026

The Crossover, a name meaning ‘crossroads’ in French, represents the coming together of different musical genres. By blending rap, electro, rock, hip-hop and more, this festival offers a rich and varied listening experience for all music lovers, whatever their preferred style.

Created by the Panda Events association, the Crossover Festival has, for over 10 years, taken place in unusual and unique venues across the Nice metropolitan area (the former abattoirs, the Opera House, the Colline du Château, the Villa Arson, and the Chapelle de la Providence). The festival has recently found a new home at the open-air Théâtre de Verdure. This bucolic and pleasant setting, situated by the sea and surrounded by palm trees and cypresses, is reminiscent of Ancient Greek architecture.

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La Crème Festival in Villefranche-sur-Mer!
La Crème Festival is coming to Villefranche-sur-Mer on 26, 27 and 28 June 2026! Authenticity, art of living, musical stages, outdoor activities, local gastronomy…...
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