What's On in July in Nice

Yet so often, another year goes by where we ‘didn’t get around to it’, or we return from our holiday on the Cote d’Azur to discover that we missed a fantastic event because we didn’t know about it.

So whether you’re lucky enough to live on the Riviera or lucky enough to be visiting, here are our top tips for unmissable events along the Cote d’Azur in July.

3rd July- September: Fireworks Festivals (various). The most visually spectacular events of the summer light up the skies above Monaco, Cannes and Antibes. Hundreds of thousands gather to watch the night sky explode with colour and light, reflecting off the cliffs and the sea and the fleet of giant superyachts that come to enjoy the show. (Each town has a different festival and dates; see our Monaco, Cannes and Antibes events pages.)

7-12th July: Nice Jazz Festival Jamie Cullum headlines this world-class festival in this beautiful Mediterranean city of promenades and palm trees. Other artists include: The Roots, Kool and the Gang, Caravan Palace, The London Community Gospel Choir and Ibeya.

9th-25th July: Les nuits du Sud A hugely popular world music festival in the charming hill town of Vence overlooking the coast. Head to the park to see Jimmy Cliff, Milky Chance, Charlie Winston, Zebda – and many more. 

Can’t make it? Why not head down the coast to Les Grimaldines Festival near Saint Tropez, a world music event that takes place in a medieval castle.(21st and 28th)

10th July: The Colour Run. For an explosion of colour and fun by the sea, join (or just spectate) the running race that is also a colour-flinging spectacular. Thousand of participants will run or walk along the promenade and marina at Villeneuve Loubet, while being pelted with coloured pigment. This race is becoming a global phenomenon due to its sheer exuberance and great photo-taking potential.

Can’t make it? Try the Promenade en Fete at Cagnes sur Mer- a grand procession of colour and shows along the Promenade. (13th July). For another spectacle, watch the Joutes Provencal: nautical battles staged on the waters of Cannes port!

10-19th July: Jazz a’ Juan. One of the most famous jazz festivals in the world, the Jazz Festival of Antibes-Juan-les-Pins attracts global superstars to play under the pines by the sparkling sea. Headlining acts include Santana and Lionel Ritchie on the main stage, while the streets and bars are full of live music performances.

Can’t make those dates? Never mind, there are live music performances in Juan les Pins running from the 7thd to the 26th of July, as part of the Les Nuits de la Pinède concert series.

11th-14th July: Menton Ma Ville est Tango. Get your dancing shoes on, because for 3 days in July, the oh-so-pretty seaside town of Menton turns its squares and streets into downtown Buenos Aires, with concerts, dance shows and free lessons.

Can’t make it? Head to Cannes for either the Flamenco Festival (30th and 31st), or Les Squares Dansent.(14th and 21st).

14th July: Bastille Day. No matter where you are on the Riviera, the French know how to celebrate this holiday. Fireworks displays and general festivities celebrate the moment the French Revolution began with the storming of the Bastille in 1789.

17th July: Plages Electroniques. For electronic music fans, this is a real treat- a massive beach party in glamorous, buzzing Cannes. Dance under the stars among a huge crowd gathered on the sands to see a superstar line-up of DJ’s- including Martinez Bros, Mind Against and Adriatiques.

Can’t make it? For a lower-key experience, try Arenas of Frejus- a music festival staged in a Roman amphitheatre with an eclectic mix of electronic, classical and folk music (9,17,24,31 July). 

18th- 23rd July: Le Nuits Musicale du Suquet. For a more refined affair in an exquisite setting, head to Cannes for a series of classical music concerts you will never forget. Enjoy an evening of orchestras and soloists in front of Notre Dame d’Esperance cathedral. 

Can’t make it? Never mind, you’re spoilt for choice! Head to Les Concerts du Cloitre at the beautiful Monastery at Cimiez(15 Jul-14th Aug) or Les Classiques de Juillet overlooking the sea on Cap-Ferrat (10, 17, 24th July).

19th July- 6th Aug: Summer Concerts at the Palais Princier. For a magical night in a palace, head to Monaco to listen to the celebrated Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra. 

Can’t make it? In July there are free open air concerts in Monaco called Les Musicales, (but I will warn you, they don’t take place in a palace.) There’s also a swanky series of gala dinner concerts at the exclusive Monaco Summer Sporting Festival. July will feature some huge stars including Lady Gaga, Santana, George Benson, Johnny Hallyday and Simple Minds.

24th July: U Sciaratu Summer Carnival, Monaco. Dress up like cowboys and Indians for the Western theme at this year’s carnival, presided over by the carnival king, U Sciaratu. This traditional Monegasque carnival has been recently revived after being lost to us in the 90’s. 

Can’t make it? Try the Cinema Parade at Cavalaire-sur-Mer further down the coast, where people dress up as their favourite movie characters (31 July). Or, quite bizarrely, you can attend Christmas in July on the same date at Le Lavandou, where the town is strung up in Christmas decorations, complete with 3 Kings parades and mulled wine.

25-26th July: BMW Polo Masters Saint Tropez. This Gassin tournament just drips French Riviera chic, with vintage cars and fancy hats in force, but is also great fun, with concerts and festivities. 

Can’t make it? If you fancy watching a sporting event, watch solar boats skim across the bay between the superyachts at the Solar Race Grand Prix Monaco which takes place from 9th to 11th July.

There are more events along the coast (so very many more), including Provencal and night markets, and food and flower festivals, For all listings, see the events section in our local sites: Monaco, Nice, Antibes, Cannes and StTropez.