What to Do in May in and around Nice – 2026
May is a month of glamour on the French Riviera, with the world’s most prestigious film festival, the Cannes Film Festival and then the the world’s most famous racing event, the Formula One Monaco Grand Prix! Update: for 2026, the Monaco Grand Prix will exceptionally be pushed to the first weekend in June
The month starts with May Day on May 1st, which is Labor Day in France, meaning that almost everyone takes the day off! It’s the one day a year when there are no buses, no trams, and all the museums are closed.
In fact, May is chock full of French public holidays, where banks and post offices are closed, buses and trains are on a reduced holiday schedule, and taxis charge double (…but not Ubers!) Here is the holiday schedule for 2026:
- May 1 May Day/Labor Day (No buses, no museums)
- May 8 V-E Day (WWII Victory in Europe)
- May 14 Ascension
May is also a prime month for transport strikes; between the high-profile events, the weekend holiday travel, and plus Mother’s Day at the end, it’s like catnip to French transport workers. Just an FYI…
But in between the closures and chaos, the most glamourous events in the world are taking place up and down the coast, and you can take part if you know the insider scoop.
The infamous Cannes Film Festival , from May 12-23, 2026, is a badge-driven industry-only festival, but if you know the inside tips on how to do it, you can experience parts of the Cannes Film Festival, including seeing films without a badge and star spotting. If you are here during these 10 days, don’t miss the experience of seeing this mythic crazy glamour first hand.
For 2026 a couple of Monaco events normally held in May have been elbowed out:
- Monaco Historic Grand Prix Normally early May, but for 2026 it’s April 24-26.
Monaco Grand Prix – Normally in May but for 2026 it’s June 4-7, 2026. It’s the most glamorous and prestigious racing event in the world, and even if you can’t afford a prime seat, there is a free fan zone. And here’s a secret: the Monaco Grand Prix has a discount day! for the qualifying trials on Thursday, you can sit in the normally super expensive seats for a mere pittance!
On the less glamourous side, here are a bunch of other happenings for May:
Nice May Folklore Festival – Free – The 1st of May and every Sunday in May, the Lu Fete des Mai takes over the Jardins de Cimiez to celebrate the debut of springtime… just as they’ve done every May for hundreds of years. With free entry, a family atmosphere and celebrating all-things-Niçoise, this centuries-old festival under-the-olive-trees features traditional dancing, costumes, roving musicians, animations and folklore, plus local food (socca, pissaladieres…), traditional games (pétanque and pilou), and lots and lots of picnicking!
Max de Bruit Rock Fest – May 8-10, 2026 – A super-fun 3-day music fest that is 100% tribute bands: Depeche Mode, Garbage, Thin Lizzy, Aerosmith, Hendrix, The Who, Doors, Genesis, and more. Theatre de Verdure, tram stop Massena. Tickets are 15 a night or early bird 3-day pass for 38, with the proceeds going 100% to charity
Don’t miss this months exhibition through May 17, 2026 in an extraordinary abandoned villa! I can never decide which is more captivating: the art or the elegantly decaying ruins of the once stately Villa Cameline. It’s not a squat: the owner gives a free hand to chosen artists every spring. During the exhibition dates, it’s open Wednesdays and Saturdays only from 3pm-6:30pm. Free! 43 ave Monplaisir, tram stop Borriglione, then from the tram stop a 6 minute walk along Ave Romain Rolland that curves into ave Monplaisir up the hill. Worth the effort!
The little FREE port ferry boat, Lou Passagin, starts service early May, and goes from 10am-7pm 7/7 until the end of August.
Antibes Classic Sailboat Regatta, Les Voiles d’Antibes – Free – May 27-31, 2026 For their 30th year, the regatta has a new festival village, new music, new food court, better organization, and a more comfortable space to watch the races. It’s free but has limited capacity of 1500 max, so best to get there early for the best experience. As long as you’re there, here are a few more ideas for a day trip to Antibes and best way to get there.
VE Day Celebrations – Free – Friday, May 8, 2026 WWII Victory in Europe Day holiday is Thursday May 8th, usually celebrated in Nice with a big free military parade and then an evening concert at 8pm in front of the majestic cliff-carved Monument aux Morts overlooking the port.
FREE Leonardo de Vinci hands-on discovery exhibit in the majestic Gare de Sud, just across from the Liberation tram stop. It’s in French and English and has interactive models of some of his ingenious devices, miniatures of his genius architectural innovations, flying machines suspended from the ceiling, paintings, dissection drawings, and even a video games where you can virtually fly over a French Chateau using his winged invention. Totally FREE and open daily from 10am-7pm through June 5.
Nuits Musées/Museums by Moonlight – FREE – Saturday May 23, 2026. All the museums stay up late (9 or 10pm for some, 11pm for others…) with lots of animations, special tours, music, performance art, and surprises. They’re all free from 6pm this night, so target your museum choices then bounce from one to another!
Stand up Comedy in English – Every Sunday– The Bobar Comedy Club in Old Nice does weekly stand-up comedy shows in English ‘Spill the Tea’, at 5:15pm and cover charge is just 8€ or 5€ students. 27 rue Benoit Bunico, tram stop Cathedrale.
Also, the English Comedy Group organizes regular stand up shows, sometimes at Bobar, but sometimes elsewhere around town. Click the above FB link for updates, or their Instagram here.
Giant ‘Apero’ Street Party on Rue Delille – Friday, 2026 dates TBD – Rue Delille closes to traffic and from 6:30pm to midnight throws a giant annual ‘Apero’ street party. The 15€ entry fee includes the periodic waves of finger food provided by the surrounding restaurants (which are promptly swarmed), drinks are just 4€ each, and the there is dancing in the streets. Last year the tickets sold out fast so buy ahead of time from any restaurant on rue Delille. Tram stop Garibaldi
Fete de la Vœu – Third Sunday in May, May 17, 2026 – FREE – In 1832 a Cholera epidemic swept through France, and local residents prayed to the Virgin Mary that if she saved them they vowed to not only build a church in her honor but they would also give her an annual procession. Well, apparently she came through, and now Nice keeps its vow with a procession from Place Saint Francois to the Church of the Vow, followed by a fun celebration in the orange grove in front of the church, and spilling out into the Promenade du Paillon. The procession starts at 9:50am, and then food stands, music, and lots of animations all afternoon. Tram stop Cathedrale or Garibaldi
More Music
The Chagall Museum is hosts a monthly 1-hour classical concert by members of the Nice Philharmonic, and held in the magnificent stained-glass concert hall designed by Chagall himself. This month it is Monday May 11, 2026 at 7pm, alto and piano, and tickets are just 12€. Easy access up and down with bus #5 that runs until late, bus stop Musee Chagall.
Jazz/Blues/Rock Concerts in Nice Besides nightly concerts at local jazz clubs and rock bars, there is also a robust monthly concert schedule with Nice Music Live; the concerts at Theatre de Verdure, Black Box, and Stockfish, all have easy tramway access.
Sunday Orchestra Concerts – FREE – Every Sunday at 3:30pm the Nice Orchestra d’Harmonie gives a free concert… for May they are all in the Church of the Vow, right across the gardens from the Old Town, tram stop Cathedrale or Garibaldi. Click here for this week’s concert program.
FREE Afternoon Concert at the Holy Trinity Church – Free – 1-hour concert Tuesday afternoon May 2026 date tbd. 11 rue de la Buffa, tram stop Jean Medecin or Alsace-Lorraine
Lunchtime Mini-Concert in the Grand Foyer of the Nice Opera – Monday May 4, 2026 – This one-hour concert of chamber music by members of the Nice Philharmonic is from 12:15-1:15pm and tickets are just 12€. Tramstop Opera.
Afterwork mini-concert in the Foyer of the Nice Opera – May 20, 2026 at 7pm – An hour of epic showtunes arranged for grand piano to take you on a musical journey to wind down your workday… all in the magnificent Opera House foyer. Tickets 20€, or just 10€ for under 30’s! Tram stop Opera.
Classical Concerts in Nice – There are several classical concerts every month by different Baroque and Classical ensembles performing in Nice’s fabulous Baroque Churches. These evening concerts are ticketed (usually around 20€ish but also often have senior/student discounts)
- Sun May 17 – Protestant Temple blvd Victor Hugo – Piano Recital
- Fri May 22 – Eglise Saint-Francois-de-Paule – Rameau/Haendel
- Thur May 28 – Catherale Ste-Reparate Old Nice – Festiv’Harmonies
- Sat May 30 – La Providence Cultural Center – Meli-Melo en Musique
Each month, The Nice Opera features a major symphony and a big theatrical or ballet production.
This months main event:
- Opera La Traviata – May 29 and 31, 2026
Insider Tips for an affordable Night at the Opera:
- Half-Price Last-Minute Ticket Line It’s called ‘Happy Hour’… just line up at the ticket booth 1-hour before the major performances and any unsold seats drop to half-price! And if you are under-30 you’ll be really happy: you get last-minute tickets for just 5€!
- Half-Price for under-30s If you are in your 20s, ALL performances are always half-price, no standing in line needed.
- Avoid the temptingly cheap tickets in the ironically-named ‘Paradise’ section: You enter through a decidedly unglamorous side-entrance and march all the way up to the attic section via a narrow winding stairwell. The seats are long benches, and if you are seated on the sides but not on the front row you will see nothing. The acoustics are actually good: the music rises… but so does the heat, so by the second act you will be peeling off layers and mopping your brow.
Besides the big productions, The Nice Opera also has all kinds of outreach events going on all month long… click here for this month’s complete schedule.
Candlelight Concerts Ranging from classic, to themed, to classical interpretations of rock legends, these eclectic concerts are lit by a sea of candles. This month’s are under the fresques in the magnificent seaside Westminster Hotel, right on the Prom. Tickets start at 25€.
Flower Festivals
Fete de la Rose at the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild in Saint-Jean-cap-Ferrat – first weekend in May – Roses were Beatrice the Baroness of Rothschild’s favorite flower, and it shows in this magnificent celebration in the elegant gardens.
ExpoRose in Grasse – Second weekend in May – tickets 5€- The perfume capital of France honors the majestic rose in this weekend festival.
Les Floralies Antibes Juan-les-Pins en Fleurs – last weekend in May, free
Free Parc Phoenix Weekend for local residents – Free – The first full weekend of each month Parc Phoenix nature park/arboretum is free to local residents (but you need to bring proof: a recent phone or electric bill, or tax notice). Right after lunch is the busiest time with a line to get in so mornings or late afternoons are best. Tram stop Parc Phoenix
See Related Pages:
- Weekly Open-Air Food and Antique Markets – don’t miss the famous Monday Antique Market at Cours Saleya
- What to do on Sundays in Nice – free afternoon orchestra concerts, free museum days, special family-friendly concert matinees at the Opera House, and of course numerous Catholic masses to choose from…
- Nice by Nite – concerts, jazz clubs, salsa and tango venues, pub quiz nights, English-language theater and movie venues…
<– Previous Month Next Month –>