2027 programme and prices to come
The dates and theme are confirmed. The detailed programme and 2027 prices are not yet published by the City of Nice: this page is updated as soon as they are announced.
On the programme
The City of Nice has announced the dates and the theme. The day-by-day programme is not published yet: the official agenda is empty. The 2026 edition shows the shape of the event: an opening night, illuminated parades in the evening, flower battles in the afternoon, and a finale with the burning of the King.
Dates: February 9 to 28, 2027. Theme: “Vive l'Amour”. Main venue: Place Masséna. The Flower Naval Battle in Villefranche-sur-Mer is on Monday, February 15, 2027, during the Carnival.
2027 programme to be confirmed
Times and venues will be published after the official announcement. This section will be replaced by the 2027 programme as soon as the City of Nice publishes it. Meanwhile, here is the 2026 edition, for reference only.
Source: Côte d'Azur France (2026 edition, "Vive la Reine!"). 2027 dates and times will differ: do not use these to book.
Book
2027 prices are not published: the official ticket office says prices "are currently being updated". Here are the stable rules, then the 2026 prices as a guide.
How it works. Parades and flower battles take place in a closed enclosure, so even free entry needs a ticket. There are two kinds of places: seated grandstand tickets and standing pedestrian-zone tickets. In the grandstand, children aged 0 to 2 can sit on an adult's lap (one child per adult), while children aged 3 to 5 need their own seat. An adult can take at most two grandstand seats. Groups of more than 20, works councils and travel agencies have a dedicated page.
| Place | Adult | Child (6-12) |
|---|---|---|
| Grandstand zone A (Place Masséna) | €28 | €10 |
| Grandstand zone B (Promenade des Anglais) | €23 | €8 |
| Pedestrian zone A | €14 | Free with ticket |
| Pedestrian zone B (Saturday evening parade) | €7 | Free with ticket |
| 2-show pass (one parade + one flower battle, Place Masséna grandstands, not Saturdays) | €45 | Not stated |
Source: Ulysse article, February 27, 2026. These are not official 2027 prices.
Tips
Understand the programme
Floats built each year around the theme parade with street-art troupes and bands. The King leads, followed by the Queen, their subjects, floats and "big heads". Floats average about 12 m (39 ft) high, the King's about 15 m (49 ft). In the evening the parades are illuminated.
A parade of floats decorated with fresh flowers, surrounded by street artists, with costumed models throwing flowers to the public. According to the official page, the first battle took place in 1876 on the Promenade des Anglais, and 80% of the flowers are grown locally.
The same kind of parade in the evening, with lit floats, music and visual effects.
The finale, on the quai des États-Unis, followed by fireworks, with the crowd singing the traditional "Nissa La Bella". Free in 2026.
The Carnival Village is open daily in the daytime (11 am to 6 pm in 2026). Lou Queernaval, a free evening by booking only, was held on February 27, 2026.
On site
Accommodation
Demand is high in February. I have no dated 2027 price survey: see hotels in Nice for areas and addresses, and book as soon as your dates are set. Neighboring towns on the train line, such as Villefranche-sur-Mer, are an alternative if Nice is full or too expensive.
Before you go
Security checks can create long queues.
Large bags, glass bottles, rigid masks and firecrackers were banned in 2026.
to the parade pedestrian zones, but not to the flower battles. Religious, military or offensive costumes are banned.
Under 3 can sit on your lap in the grandstand; from 3 they need their own seat. Even free entry needs a ticket.
for the evening parades: they take place in February.
Dedicated entrances, a fast lane and priority toilets at the entrances of zones A and B. Arrive two hours early.
The first mention of carnival in Nice dates to 1294, in a text by Charles II of Anjou, Count of Provence, who came to spend carnival in "his good city of Nice" (Wikipedia). The first flower battle dates to 1876. The craft know-how linked to the carnival has been on France's inventory of intangible cultural heritage since 2018.
Calendar
| Edition | Dates | Theme | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | February 15 to March 2, 2025 | "King of the Oceans" | Ended |
| 2026 | February 11 to March 1, 2026 (announced period) | "Vive la Reine!" (Long Live the Queen) | Ended |
| 2027 | February 9 to 28, 2027 | "Vive l'Amour" (Long Live Love) | Upcoming |
Keep going
Your questions
Nice Carnival 2027 runs from February 9 to 28, under the theme "Vive l'Amour". The detailed programme of parades and flower battles is not published yet by the City of Nice. This page is updated as soon as it is announced.
2027 prices are not published yet. In 2026, a grandstand seat cost €23 or €28 for an adult depending on the zone, the pedestrian zone €7 or €14, and the two-show pass €45. Even free entry needs a ticket.
2027 dates are not published. In 2026 they were held on February 18, 21, 25 and 28 at 2:30 pm, on Place Masséna and surroundings. The official site describes five battles per edition. Check the official programme before booking.
The parade is a procession of floats built around the theme, with street-art troupes and music, illuminated in the evening. The flower battle is a procession of floats decorated with fresh flowers, from which costumed models throw flowers to the crowd, in the afternoon.
Only in part. Parades and flower battles are ticketed, even for children or people in costume who get free access. The burning of the King and the Carnival Village were free in 2026. Lou Queernaval is free by booking.
Nice-Ville station is about a 15-minute walk from Place Masséna. During the Carnival the official site announces a train every 15 minutes between Cannes and Menton, with extra trains after 11 pm. Masséna tram station is closed during the parades.
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
