Event Details
Nice Carnival 2027 – Vive l'Amour on the Côte d'Azur
From 9 to 28 February 2027, Nice becomes the stage for one of the world's greatest carnival celebrations. Under the theme "Vive l'Amour", the Nice Carnival presents its 153rd edition with spectacular floats reaching up to 20 metres in height, illuminated night parades, legendary flower battles along the Promenade des Anglais, and more than 1,000 musicians and dancers from across the globe. The 2026 edition welcomed over 420,000 visitors, confirming Nice Carnival as the largest carnival in France and one of the most celebrated in the world. All events are centred around Place Masséna in the heart of Nice.
Highlights 2027
- Corsos Carnavalesques: Daytime carnival parades with enormous mechanised floats and giant papier-mâché heads around Place Masséna
- Corsos Illuminés: Spectacular illuminated night parades starting at 8:30 PM with lights, music and street art
- Batailles de Fleurs: Flower battles on the Promenade des Anglais, with over 100,000 blooms thrown from 20 decorated floats
- Grand Charivari: Free opening street festival with parades and happenings throughout the city
- Bal Veglione: Traditional masked ball at the Opéra de Nice
- La Carnavalina: Free street festival; 38,000 participants attended in 2026
- Lou Queernaval: France's first gay carnival, free with mandatory reservation
- Burning of the King: Ceremonial closing on 28 February with fireworks at 10:45 PM at Quai des États-Unis
Program and Event Formats
The Nice Carnival 2027 runs across three main formats. The Corsos Carnavalesques de Jour are daytime parades where the King, Queen and their son Carnavallon lead floats up to 20 metres tall through the city centre, accompanied by international troupes. The Corsos Illuminés transform Place Masséna into a spectacular evening light show from around 8:30 PM. The Batailles de Fleurs take place along the Promenade des Anglais, where costumed performers on 20 flower-covered floats shower the crowd with mimosas, gerberas, lilies and roses. The final evening on 28 February 2027 features the ceremonial Burning of the King followed by a fireworks display over the Quai des États-Unis at 10:45 PM, with the crowd singing the traditional anthem "Nissa La Bella".
Tickets and Prices
Entry to Nice Carnival is not universally free. Visitors in full costume from head to toe can collect a free ticket at entrances E1 to E4 of the pedestrian zones during daytime and illuminated corsos, subject to availability. Tribune seats and access to the Batailles de Fleurs require a purchased ticket regardless of costume. Online ticket sales traditionally open in January. Combo packages combining one corso and one flower battle (excluding Saturdays) offer savings of up to €11. All children of any age require a ticket.
- Pedestrian zone corso: free in full costume
- Tribune seat Zone A (2026 reference price): from approx. €28 per adult
- Children 6 to 12 years, Zone A (2026 reference price): approx. €10
- Children under 2 years: free on an adult's lap
- Online ticketing: nicecarnaval.com
Visitor Tips
- Book accommodation several months in advance; hotels along the Côte d'Azur sell out quickly during carnival season.
- Arrive by train or tram: Nice-Ville station is a 15-minute walk from Place Masséna. Tram line 1 (Jean Médecin stop) and tram line 2 serve the area directly. ZOU trains run every 15 minutes between Cannes and Menton, with extra services for night parades.
- By car, use the Parcazur park-and-ride facilities and connect by public transport. A parking discount of 5 hours applies on presentation of the day's event ticket.
- Wearing a full costume from head to toe grants free access to pedestrian standing zones during corsos.
- For the best views and photos, the Jean Jaurès tribune offers a frontal view of the floats with the Ferris wheel in the background.
- Book tribune tickets for the final parades early; they sell out fastest.
- The free Village du Carnaval around Jardin Albert 1er is a great base with entertainment, food stalls and the ticket office on site.
- February on the Côte d'Azur is mostly sunny, but pack a light layer in case of brief showers.
