Nice: magical places to visit this Christmas
Nice dazzles with lights, traditions and wonders to behold when the magic of Christmas descends on the city. Whether you’re a local or visiting the Côte d’Azur, here are some unmissable places to explore in Nice during the festive season.
The Christmas Village
Join the family in a winter wonderland at the Christmas Village on Place Masséna and Jardin Albert 1er. Its wooden chalets, artisan treats and unique gift ideas make it the perfect place to soak up the festive spirit. The Village is split into 4 areas this year:
- Chemin de Caléna (Caléna Avenue) where you’ll find crafts, trinkets and artworks and meet the people behind them on the main road
- Coin des Pichouï (Kiddie Corner) is the place for children with games, artisan toys, picnic tables and entertainment
- Le Monde du Père Noël (Santa’s World) is home to Santa’s grotto, face painting and library boxes among twinkling lights
- Place au Festin (Festival Square) plays host to an exciting line-up of shows to watch as you sample Christmas specialities in the heart of the village
It’s free to enter (rides are payable) so you can visit again and again until January 1st!
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Le Marché de Noël, Place Masséna à Nice, jusqu’au 1er janvier 2025 -
Le Marché de Noël, Place Masséna à Nice, jusqu’au 1er janvier 2025 -
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La Grande Roue (The Big Wheel)
It’s hard to miss! The impressive and majestic big wheel towers over Place Masséna with incredible views of Nice and beyond. Hop on board and gaze at the city, illuminations and the sparkling Mediterranean. It’s a magical experience for children and adults, day or night. If you’re looking for something extra special, head up to the big wheel for drinks and nibbles on Wednesday December 18th! The “apéro dînatoire” charity event is raising funds for Secours Populaire in partnership with Lycée Paul Augier catering college.
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Offrez-vous une vue féérique sur Nice du haut de la Grande Roue !
Lou Presèpi – Traditional nativity
Experience one of Nice’s oldest customs over Christmas: Lou Presèpi. The nativity recreates the manger scene with 17 life-size characters. Giant santons and farm animals come to life to perform a Christmas tale every day. There are lots of performances and concerts happening around the nativity: children’s stories, choir singing, organ concert at Sainte-Réparate Cathedral and more.
Head to Place Rossetti between December 19th and 29th 2024 (Vieux-Nice).
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Lou Presèpi et ses personnages à taille humaine
Fairytale views from Colline du Château
We may climb up Colline du Château to feast our eyes on views of the Baie des Anges all year, but there’s something even more magical about it over the holidays. The city’s illuminations put on quite a show at sunset. The hilltop is the place to be for keen photographers or anyone who likes to drink in fabulous views.
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Dès la nuit tombée, la Baie des Anges s’illumine…
The illuminations: Nice shines bright!
IA walk through Nice at night is a sight for sore eyes in itself: fairy lights twinkle on the palm trees along Promenade des Anglais, huge fir trees glitter on Promenade du Paillon, the buildings on Place Masséna set the scene for artistic projections whilst tinsel and decorations in every neighbourhood give the night a fairytale glow.
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Les façades de la Place Masséna se changent en fresques géantes -
Les palmiers de la Promenade ont vêtu leurs habits de lumière -
Now you’re ready to soak up the magic of Christmas in Nice. If you want to experience the holidays like a local, check out our article about our traditional 13 desserts for Christmas!
