On the programme
The official 2027 programme is published. Parades, the exhibition and the Gardens of Lights all need a ticket. Times below are from the official site.
93rd edition from February 13 to 28, 2027, 16 days, under the theme “Douce France”. Nice Carnival runs at the same time. The official ticket office has been open since Monday, October 5, 2026.
Sources: official Lemon Festival site (programme, parades, Gardens of Lights); Côte d'Azur France for the children's carnival (updated September 28, 2026), which is not on the official programme page.
Book
The official ticket office opened on Monday, October 5, 2026. Places are limited and booking is required for the parades.
How it works. Even free entry (children under 6, disability card holders) needs a ticket. Children under 6 are free standing and pay €15 for a grandstand seat. The reduced rate needs proof of age. The disability rate applies to holders of an 80% disability card and a companion if named on the card.
| Place | Adult | Group (20+) | Reduced (6-12) | Under 6 / disability card |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grandstand seat | €30 | €25 | €15 | €15 |
| Standing (promenade) | €16 | €15 | €8 | Free |
Source: official Lemon Festival site, Golden Fruit parades and night parades pages, checked October 30, 2026.
| Entry | Adult | Group | Reduced (6-12) | Under 6 / disability card |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Citrus exhibition | €12 | €11 | €7 | Free |
| Gardens of Lights | €16 | €14 | €8 | Free |
| Thursday package (night parade grandstand + exhibition) | €37 | €30 | €18 | Not stated |
Prices for the Orchid show and for the children's carnival outside the exhibition are not on the official pages checked.
Tips
Understand the programme
Floats decorated with lemons and oranges parade along the Promenade du Soleil on the seafront, surrounded by dancers. They are described as living scenes made of thousands of fruits. The theme of the year inspires the decoration. Grandstand or standing places.
Illuminated floats decorated with lemons and oranges move under spotlights, with marching bands, music, dancers and performers. The evening ends with fireworks at 10:30 pm.
Giant ephemeral sculptures in the Biovès gardens, with the fruit placed one by one. Some displays need close to 15 tonnes of citrus fruit.
A night walk of about one hour through the lit citrus displays. Departures from 8:30 pm.
A flower show at the Palais de l'Europe.
On the ground
Accommodation
I have no dated price survey for February 2027. The festival overlaps with Nice Carnival (both run February 13 to 28), so coast hotels are in demand over the same period. See hotels in Nice for areas and addresses, and consider Nice, linked to Menton by train, if Menton is full. See also the Menton guide.
Before you go
Roads are very busy on parade days (organiser).
No entry is allowed 15 minutes after a parade starts.
The organisers strongly encourage public transport; central car parks are limited.
Parade places are limited and booking is required.
Not allowed on the parade route, at the exhibition or the Palais de l'Europe.
Under 6 are free standing and pay €15 for a seat. A ticket is required even when entry is free.
(night parades and Gardens of Lights, from 8:30 pm in February).
The Fête du Citron was officially created in 1934 and the first parade took place the following year, in 1935, according to France.fr. A third-party site (fetes.com) traces it to a flower and citrus exhibition in the Hôtel Riviera gardens in 1929, followed by a street presentation from 1930. France.fr cites 130 tonnes of citrus fruit used each year.
Calendar
| Edition | Dates | Theme | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | February 14 to March 1, 2026 (92nd edition) | "The wonders of life" | Ended |
| 2027 | February 13 to 28, 2027 (93rd edition) | "Douce France" | Upcoming |
Keep going
Your questions
The 93rd Lemon Festival runs in Menton from February 13 to 28, 2027, under the theme "Douce France". The daytime Golden Fruit parades are on Sundays February 14, 21 and 28 at 2:30 pm, and the night parades on Thursdays February 18 and 25 at 9 pm.
For a parade, an adult pays €16 standing or €30 in the grandstand, and €8 or €15 at the reduced rate (ages 6 to 12). The citrus exhibition costs €12 and the Gardens of Lights €16. The Thursday package (night parade grandstand plus exhibition) costs €37.
No, the parades, the exhibition and the Gardens of Lights are ticketed. Children under 6 and disability card holders enter free standing but still need a ticket. The craft market is free.
The daytime Golden Fruit parades are on Sundays February 14, 21 and 28, 2027 at 2:30 pm. The night parades are on Thursdays February 18 and 25 at 9 pm, with fireworks at 10:30 pm. That makes five parades in total.
Yes. The organiser announces a ZOU! train every 15 minutes between Cannes and Menton, with extra trains on night parade evenings. Menton station is about 200 m (660 ft) from the Biovès gardens. Buses 600 and 601 from Nice take about one hour via Monaco.
Book your places on the official ticket office and arrive early: before 11 am on Sundays and before 6 pm on Thursdays. No entry is allowed 15 minutes after a parade starts. Buy your train ticket in advance on the TER Sud site to avoid the station queue.
Who writes this guide
The French Riviera has been my passion for years. I explore its towns, beaches and hotels to bring you the addresses and advice I would like to receive before every trip, from Menton to Saint-Tropez.
By Enzo
