Launch of the May Festival, the meeting place for Nice residents

From May 1st to 31st, 2026, the gardens of the Cimiez Arenas host the Festival of May. A popular festival where people from Nice gather to celebrate

From May 1st to 31st, 2026, the gardens of the Cimiez Arenas host the Festival of May. A popular event where people from Nice gather each year to celebrate local traditions in the heart of Nice.

Bonnets for women, berets for men, red and white colors omnipresent… On this first day of festivities, the opening of the Festival of May sets the tone for a month placed under the sign of Nice identity and sharing.

From the morning onwards, the Cimiez Arenas come alive to the rhythm of folk music. On the circular wooden stage, male and female dancers in traditional costumes, in red and black colors, perform in front of a predominantly local audience. Around the track, chairs arranged on three sides allow spectators to follow the performances closely, while a second stage also welcomes musicians in traditional dress. Between dances, songs and the election of the 2026 Queen of May, this opening day fully continues Nice’s traditions.

Paloma, 18 years old, elected Regina of May 2026

A highlight of this first day, the election crowned Paloma, 18 years old, a first-year law student, who becomes Regina of May 2026. She was distinguished for her presentation, a theatrical piece dedicated to the history of women.

Still very moved, crown on her head and smiling, she confides: “it’s incredible. I don’t quite have the words to explain it yet.” She reflects on her journey after a first attempt the previous year: “I had already entered last year and I was disappointed not to be elected. But I had a very beautiful experience as a dama de Nissa, so today, being Regina of May is pure happiness.”

When asked about comparisons with the Nice Carnival queen, she reacts with a smile: “people have told me that several times already, I take it as a compliment.”

Called back to the stage, she is lifted by the cheers and applause of her two best friends, sitting in the front rows. She returns to the stage without hesitation and mingles again with the dancers, in a spontaneous moment widely applauded by the public.

A scene that illustrates the spirit of this first day: a lively festival, rhythmed by music and the constant participation of people from Nice.

Paloma’s loved ones, between pride and emotion

Having come to support Paloma, her best friend Iris, 18 years old, doesn’t hide her emotion: “it was incredible, it was magnificent. I’m completely happy and relieved.” When asked what she’s relieved about, she answers: “that she won, obviously. Fan club!” Not being part of the jury, she recounts having encouraged the candidate with energy: “I cheered for her, I’ve lost my voice!” (laughs)

By her side, her best friend Tom, also 18 years old, shares the stage with the new Regina of May. He sums up his feelings: “happy. Happy she won.” He adds: “it’s an honor, it’s a pleasure.”

And already, he’s thinking ahead: “we’ll do it again someday!”, while greeting the young woman who returns to the stage.

The presenters, between translations and entertainment

At the end of the day, as the music gradually fades and the last participants leave the stage, the two presenters reflect on this first day of the Festival of May.

Aurélie emphasizes her attachment to this event and recalls the importance of knowing all the groups and stands to transmit the energy to the audience. Present at the event for nearly 18 years, she specifies having chosen, with her co-presenter, a lively presentation format “so as not to limit ourselves to simple translation and announcements, but to prioritize genuine dialogue with the audience, rhythmic and interactive, while ensuring a clear division of roles so that each person maintains their position without overstepping the other’s.”

By her side, Gilles confirms this complementary organization and this shared willingness to build fluid and dynamic dialogue. He insists that “the festival is just beginning and will continue every Sunday until May 31st, with a rich program and the presence of many artists on the two stages set up in the Cimiez Arenas gardens”. He also highlights “the diversity of the local artistic landscape mobilized throughout the month, as well as upcoming highlights, notably the closing day”.

Both also highlight the activities offered on site, including music, crafts, gifts and local products, which contribute to the friendly atmosphere of the event. They also mention the possibility of payment in Niçard across all the stands, an initiative designed to strengthen the proximity and local anchoring of the Festival of May.

Beyond the shows, the Festival of May stands out as a deeply rooted meeting in local life. Families, children and older generations gather there in a friendly atmosphere, where music, dance and Nice traditions blend together. Carried by the cultural actors of the territory, it remains a major event on the Nice calendar.

In Cimiez, this first day ultimately reminds us of an obvious fact: here, tradition is not observed from a distance, it is shared and lived fully, in the heart of Nice and its people. And Issa Nissa!

Practical Information

As a reminder, the Festival of May takes place from May 1st to 31st, 2026 in the gardens of the Cimiez Arenas, in Nice. The event is free and open to all.

The festivities take place mainly on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., with continuous entertainment: traditional dances and music, shows, balèti, workshops and dining areas offering Nice specialties. May Night Events are also organized in several neighborhoods throughout the month.

Detailed program, practical information and any updates are available from the { “@context”: “https://schema.org”, “@type”: “NewsArticle”, “headline”: “Launch of the May Festival, the meeting place for Nice residents”, “datePublished”: “2026-05-02T16:03:00”, “author”: { “@type”: “Organization”, “name”: “Nice Premium” } }