Nice Carnival: Embark on a Spectacular Odyssey!
Brace yourself for a tidal wave of festivity! This year, Nice Carnival is taking you on an utterly wild underwater adventure. From 12 February to 2 March, the city will transform into an ocean of colour, laughter, and confetti with the theme of the King of the Oceans. Giant floats, flower battles, illuminated parades, and electrifying parties will light up the Côte d’Azur. Dance, sing, marvel… and most importantly, have a blast!
Set Sail for Carnival: A Festive Dive into the Heart of the Oceans
For over 150 years, Nice Carnival has transformed the city into a vast playground of laughter, colour, and celebration. Every winter, Nice undergoes a magical transformation, and everyone joins in this timeless interlude. For three weeks, the streets vibrate under the gentle rays of the Côte d’Azur sun, the giant floats of the Corso parade brilliantly, and the Flower Battles shower the public with petals. People sing, dance, and tease each other… The atmosphere is electric, and no one can resist it! Here, you can forget about everything and let yourself be carried away by the boundless energy of Carnival, amidst bursts of laughter and colour.
For the 152nd edition of Nice Carnival, we dive in with the theme “King of the Oceans”. It’s a magical journey to the depths of the sea, where mermaids, mystical creatures, and flamboyant corals come to life in a show that’s as breathtaking as it is unforgettable. The floats plunge us into a fascinating world, blending dreams and a tribute to the beauty of the sea. Hold on tight, it’s going to be grand! Under the sky of the Côte d’Azur, Nice Carnival 2025 promises a wave of surprises, where every moment is an explosion of celebration and wonder.
A Tidal Wave of Celebration Hits Nice
The festivities kick off on 12 February at 4 PM with the Grand Charivari, an initial burst of madness in front of the Maison du Carnaval on Rue Richelmi. With thundering brass bands, artists of all kinds, and the first bursts of laughter, you can already feel the rising excitement of the celebration! And here, there’s no question of just being a spectator: you clap your hands, dance, and let yourself get carried away. Then, on 14 February, enjoy a magical evening at the Opéra Nice Côte d’Azur, where Viennese waltzes, high-energy funk rhythms, and an electrifying set by the famous DJ Feder will make hearts sway… Because Carnival is also an opportunity to light up the dance floor under the golden decor of the Opera House.
The next day, the Carnival Village sets up on the Promenade du Paillon, transforming the heart of Nice into a festive hub. Here, everyone finds their joy: creative workshops for the little ones, street performances, retro rides, and gourmet stands where you can nibble on a golden socca or a slice of tourta de blea between bursts of laughter. And for those who want to keep the party going until the early hours, the night events on 20 and 27 February promise a wild atmosphere under the twinkling string lights!
A major novelty this year: on 15 February at 1 PM, the Carnavalina spreads to Place Masséna, and it’s free! A tidal wave of joy and good humour will flood the streets with its stream of confetti, showers of bright yellow mimosa, and artists from all corners of the world. A tip? Be prepared to get swept up in it, because here, everyone ends up being touched by the spirit of the Carnival!
And what would Nice Carnival be without its spectacular parades? The carnival parades, both day and night, promise a whirlwind of colours and satire with gigantic floats, fiery dancers, and lifelike giant heads. From Place Masséna to the Promenade des Anglais, it’s a true open-air masked ball where you marvel at the extravagance. And of course, you can’t miss the flower battles: perched on their flower-covered floats, artists in sumptuous costumes shower the crowd with tons of fragrant petals. A spectacle as poetic as it is flamboyant, radiating the tradition of Nice!
Nice isn’t all about parades. From 20 to 22 February, the city transforms into a huge festive market with the Nice Carnaval Days: three days of massive bargain-hunting to the sound of street musicians.
And for an even crazier experience, head to Nicetoile, where the Carnival takes centre stage with immersive exhibitions, creative workshops, live painting and a huge fancy dress competition. And the icing on the cake: a special parking offer (5 hours = €5) so that visitors can enjoy the Carnival hassle-free.
Finally, on 1 March, the time comes to bid farewell to His Majesty Carnival. Tradition dictates that the King goes up in smoke in one last burst of celebration, and it’s on the Promenade des Anglais that we witness his burning at the stake, followed by a grand fireworks display.
The festivities never truly end: on 2 March, the bravest take to the water for the grand Carnival swim. In the still-chilly Mediterranean, dressed head to toe in costumes, they plunge in with courage to give the Carnival a finale as refreshing as it is memorable.
So, get your masks ready, because this year, Nice promises us a fantastic Carnival – and here, when we say we’re going to have fun, we mean it!
Bugnes: the Carnival’s must-try delicacy
Because a Carnival in true Nice fashion wouldn’t be complete without a touch of indulgence, it’s impossible to overlook the bugnes, or rather the ganses, as they’re called here! These delicious golden fritters, slightly crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, fill the streets with their aroma and are enjoyed at every corner stand. An indulgent treat savoured while still warm, sprinkled with icing sugar, between bursts of laughter and showers of confetti.
For those who want to bring the spirit of Carnival right into their kitchen, here’s the traditional recipe! It’s an opportunity to spend time together as a family: make your own homemade bugnes with the kids and bite into the Carnival with gusto!
📝 Ingredients:
- 500g flour
- 100g sugar
- 100g melted butter
- 3 eggs
- 1 sachet of baking powder
- 2 tablespoons of orange blossom water
- A pinch of salt
- Oil for frying
- Icing sugar for dusting
👨🍳 Method:
- Mix the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl.
- Add the beaten eggs, melted butter, and orange blossom water. Knead until you obtain a smooth and elastic dough.
- Let the dough rest for 1 hour in a cool place, covered with a clean cloth.
- Roll out the dough on a floured work surface and cut into strips, giving them a twisted shape.
- Fry the ganses in hot oil until they are golden. Drain them on absorbent paper.
- Generously dust with icing sugar and enjoy them while still warm for a pure moment of indulgence!
And of course, we want to see your creations! Send us your best photos of your bugnes and your Carnival on Instagram, and we’ll share them in our stories! It’s your turn, and may the celebration continue onto your plates!
And to savour Nice’s delicious local cuisine, check out our best spots!
