Nice will host a series of cultural and sports events throughout the week and until December 7 to support the Telethon 2025. The singer from Nice, Santa, will be the patron of this edition.
The Telethon returns this first weekend of December with a simple objective: to fund research on rare genetic diseases. In Nice, the mobilization expands starting this Monday, December 1, 2025. The program extends over a week and offers varied activities in several neighborhoods. Cultural centers, sports complexes, and community organizations are offering their initiatives. The city is banking on a series of events that allow everyone to contribute.
This edition will be accompanied by Santa. The singer from Nice will be the patron of this new edition of the Telethon. She is the first woman to take on this role since Zazie in 2017. Santa, whose real name is Samantha Cotta, was born in Nice in 1993. Her recent career has brought significant visibility to her projects, notably during her performance of “Vivre pour le meilleur” at the closing ceremony of the 2024 Paralympic Games. Santa also displays public commitments. She was the patron of the tenth anniversary of the Lou Queernaval.
A rich program
The Nice program starts on Monday, December 1, at the AnimaNice centers. The choir “Les Voix de Nice” will perform at 3 PM in the Grappelli hall. The fee is set at 5 euros. On Tuesday, December 2, students of the Alcantara Company will present “Cabaret Absurde.” The show will take place from 8 PM to 9:30 PM. The staging is by Isabelle Bondiau-Moinet. The fee is also 5 euros.
On Wednesday, December 3, AnimaNice Cimiez is organizing an artists’ market from 9 AM to 6 PM. Visitors will find paintings, sculptures, and pottery created by teachers and students. On Thursday, December 4, an improvisation show titled Pierre et le Loup will be presented at the Théâtre de la Tour at 7 PM.
On Friday, December 5, the day will open with a musical performance. At 6 PM, the Grappelli hall will host an interpretation of Pierre et le Loup by students from the AnimaNice Costanzo and Cimiez centers. Students from the trombone class at the conservatory will also participate. Admission will be 5 euros. The same evening, at 7 PM, the Nice Mercantour complex will host a dance and singing performance by the Éveil ton Art association.
The major event on Friday will be the Apéroue. The Jeanne and Paul Augier hotel school will offer a charity dinner at the top of the Ferris wheel. The cabins will accommodate up to four people. Two sittings will be available at 7 PM and 8:30 PM. Reservations will be necessary. The event will highlight world flavors prepared by students.
Sports and culture…
Saturday, December 6 will be the fullest day of the program. Place Garibaldi will host the main events from 10 AM to 4 PM. Sports demonstrations, musical moments, and community booths will enliven the space. The Telethon takes on a collective dimension in this sector every year.
In the sports facilities, activities will be held throughout the day. At the Saint-Roch pool, the program will start at 8:30 AM with baby swimming sessions. Zumba, aquabike, and a diving introduction will follow until 4:30 PM. The minimum fee will be 5 euros per class.
The Jean Bouin complex will offer a cycling marathon from 9 AM to 12 PM. Reservations will be mandatory. A tennis and padel initiation will take place between 9 AM and 6 PM, with equipment provided for free. Participation will be voluntary.
The Les Combes complex will host two events. A padel tournament will be open to participants with a 5-euro registration. A pétanque competition will take place continuously from 9 AM to 6 PM. Donations will be given to the Telethon.
The Nice Mercantour complex will organize a squash and padel tournament from 9:30 AM to 5 PM. The Fenêtre sur scène association will oversee the event. A reservation will remain necessary. A fitness session will be offered from 10 AM to 11:30 AM.
The Jean Bouin pool will open its doors from 1 PM to 5 PM. Entry will be based on free donations. Swimming tests will be possible all afternoon. Two aquatraining classes will take place between 1 PM and 2 PM. Three aquabike classes will follow from 2:30 PM to 4 PM.
The week will end on Sunday, December 7, at the Saint-François pool. The aquatic garden will open from 8 AM to 11 AM. Free swimming and diploma passing will continue until 2 PM. An aquabike class will be scheduled from 11 AM to 12 PM.
This program offers several ways to participate. Each initiative contributes to the collection and visibility of the Telethon. Santa’s presence will highlight this series of local actions. Mobilization remains at the heart of this event, which brings together families, volunteers, cultural structures, and sports associations. The Telethon week in 2025 is shaping up to be a time of solidarity and civic participation.
