Event Details
Nice Carnival 2027: Dates and Theme
The Nice Carnival 2027 takes place from 9 to 28 February 2027 under the theme "Vive l'Amour" (Long Live Love). France's largest international carnival transforms the Place Masséna and the iconic Promenade des Anglais into a giant open-air stage for nearly three weeks of parades, flower battles and illuminated night corsos.
Theme 2027: Vive l'Amour
The 2027 edition celebrates love in all its forms through floats, costumes and choreography dedicated to this universal theme. For the first time in the carnival's history, the Queen stands as an equal to the King, joining King, Queen and Carnavalon (their son) at the head of the procession. The 2026 edition drew over 420,000 visitors, and the 2027 edition promises to surpass it in creativity and emotion.
Program
The Nice Carnival 2027 program runs across the full period from 9 to 28 February and includes:
- Grand Charivari (Opening Day): A festive opening parade with free street performances and happenings around the Maison de Carnaval.
- Daytime Corsi: Monumental floats between 8 and 20 metres tall parade through Place Masséna accompanied by more than 1,000 musicians and dancers from across the world.
- Illuminated Night Corsi: The same floats dazzle after dark in a blaze of colour and music.
- Battles of Flowers: On 20 flower-decorated floats, costumed performers launch up to 100,000 flowers into the crowd: mimosas, gerberas and lilies.
- Bal Veglione: Traditional carnival ball held at the Opéra de Nice.
- Carnavalina: A free popular street festival that drew 38,000 people at the 2026 edition alone.
- Queernaval: An inclusive celebration open to everyone with a colourful program.
- Burning of the Carnival King: The traditional closing ceremony on 28 February marks the symbolic end of the festivities.
The Carnival Village around the Kiosque à Musique in Jardin Albert 1er offers free entertainment, food stalls and exhibitions throughout the entire event.
Tickets and Prices
Official ticketing for 2027 will open on the carnival's website at a later date. For reference, tribune tickets at the 2026 edition were priced between €23 and €28 per adult at Place Masséna (Zone A), with children aged 6 to 12 paying €10. Children under 6 require a ticket but are generally admitted free of charge. Tribune tickets at the Promenade des Anglais (Zone B) were around €23 per adult.
Visitors who arrive fully costumed from head to toe receive free access to the pedestrian zones of the corsos. A free ticket must still be collected at entrances E1 to E4. Early booking is strongly recommended as several dates sold out in recent editions.
Venues
- Place Masséna (Zone A): Main parade route with tribunes Max Gallo, Jean Jaurès, Masséna and Félix Faure.
- Promenade des Anglais (Zone B): West and East Promenade tribunes with sea views.
- Jardin Albert 1er: Free panoramic viewing area and home of the Carnival Village.
- Opéra de Nice: Venue for the Bal Veglione.
Visitor Tips
- Book tribune tickets as early as possible as evening events sell out quickly.
- Use public transport: the city centre is closed to private vehicles during parades.
- Arrive at least 2 hours before the start to avoid queues at security.
- Evenings in Nice in February can be cool: bring warm layers.
- Bring a bag to the flower battle to catch the mimosas and gerberas thrown from the floats.
- Avoid large bags and umbrellas that may block other spectators' views.
- Those in full costume get free entry to the pedestrian zones (a complete costume from head to toe is required).
- Book accommodation in Nice several months in advance as the city fills up fast during carnival.
