In winter the Côte d'Azur is quieter, the light is clear, and on sunny days you can still sit outside at lunchtime. At the same time, there is a lot going on culturally. Here is our selection for November 2026 to January 2027.
November
- Festival de Danse Cannes – Côte d'Azur, 21 November to 6 December 2026. The dance festival is now held every year. At the Palais des Festivals and partner venues across the region: contemporary dance, classical ballet, workshops and masterclasses. Programme and tickets: festivaldedanse-cannes.com
- Monaco National Day, 19 November. Traditionally with fireworks over the harbour the evening before
- New olive oil: from late November, mills in the hinterland – for example in Opio and Grasse – press the new oil. A good time to visit
December: Christmas markets
- Nice – Village de Noël on Place Masséna and in the Jardin Albert Ier, expected 27 November 2026 to 3 January 2027
- Cannes – Christmas village on the Allées de la Liberté, 27 November 2026 to 3 January 2027
- Antibes – Christmas market in the old town and at Pré des Pêcheurs, from late November to 3 January 2027
- Monaco – Christmas village at Port Hercule, 4 December 2026 to 3 January 2027
- Grasse – Christmas market on the Cours Honoré Cresp from 11 to 13 December 2026, followed by “Noël sous les étoiles” with an ice rink from 19 December 2026 to 3 January 2027
Typically Provençal: look out for santons, small clay nativity figures sold at many markets. On Christmas Eve, many families serve the treize desserts – thirteen desserts of dried fruit, nuts, nougat and fougasse.
January
- Galette des rois – around 6 January every bakery sells the Epiphany cake; in Provence often as a brioche ring with candied fruit
- Rallye Monte-Carlo, 21 to 24 January 2027 – the opening round of the World Rally Championship, with stages in the mountains of the hinterland
- Festival International du Cirque de Monte-Carlo, 22 to 31 January 2027, under the big top in Fontvieille
- Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique with classic cars, late January to early February 2027
- Mimosa season – from mid-January, mimosa turns the Massif du Tanneron between Mandelieu and Grasse yellow
And if you want snow?
The ski resorts of Isola 2000, Auron and Valberg are only about 1.5 hours from the coast and usually open in December. Skiing in the morning, dinner by the sea in the evening – only here.
Looking ahead to February
February brings two classics: the Nice Carnival and the Lemon Festival in Menton. We will post the dates as soon as they are confirmed.
Dates as of 6 November 2026. Some programmes are still being finalised. Please check times and details on the organisers' and municipalities' websites before you go.
