The magic of Christmas arrives in Nice! Here is a selection of outing ideas to enjoy this festive period, whether you’re alone, with friends, or family.
Let’s start with the most obvious, the Nice Christmas market. As every year, the Jardin Albert 1er hosts a large village composed of 43 chalets. Between catering and crafts, you’ll find Christmas products. On the menu: mulled wine, Christmas beers, cold cuts and cheeses, an oyster and champagne bar, and other specialties like socca, waffles…
This Saturday, December 16, 2023, from 2:00 p.m., the group Karma will entertain the Christmas village. The four musicians will present a show full of energy and good humor. Meanwhile, your little ones can meet Santa Claus present every Wednesday and weekend until December 25 from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with his elves.
On the other side of Place Masséna, the Promenade du Paillon also dresses up in Christmas colors, but for a solidarity-eco Christmas. From 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 16, 40 stands will offer creative workshops, activities, meetings with associations, and eco-responsible businesses. The third edition will be notably animated by the New Orleans Jazz Fanfare and Armenian dance by Melting Dance with the Niari Troupe.
Next, the Place Rossetti joins the celebration. Until December 26 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., a nativity scene featuring Jesus, Mary, Joseph, the donkey, the ox, the sheep, the shepherd and his dog, the camels, and the three wise men will be on display. This traditional nativity scene will be brought to life by 17 life-size automatons.
Christmas shows in your neighborhoods
The city of Nice spoils children with numerous shows organized throughout the districts, keeping them entertained until December 25. The hills of Nice will host a show titled “Magical Disney Christmas” featuring Ciboulette and Oscar at the Saint Pancrace AnimaNice center on Saturday, December 16 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Children are invited to follow the magical and funny adventures of Oscar who wants to become a “Christmas elf.” The little puppet elves Mickey and Minnie junior will take part in the show.
And on Wednesday, December 20, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., the AnimaNice Bon Voyage will host a show. The Théâtre de Lumière Company presents “3 Far-fetched Christmas Tales.”
Two days before Christmas, Nice West will host the “Christmas Pop” show at its AnimaNice Sainte Marguerite on Saturday, December 23 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. A mischievous but exceptional elf with a passion for pop music has decided to kidnap Mother Christmas to become, in her place, Santa’s singer…
Within the Nice Christmas village, free shows for the little ones are also scheduled from the weekend of December 23 and 24. For more information on the program, visit here.
At the Nice Opera
The Opera of Nice also joins in! An exceptional concert awaits classical music enthusiasts on Tuesday, December 19, at 8:00 p.m. On the program: Martin Voellinger’s Latin Jazz Mass (Adult Choir, jazz trio, and saxophone), Henry Purcell’s Sound the trumpet (Children’s Choir), Vladimir Vavilov’s Ave Maria (Children’s Choir), Benjamin Britten’s Ceremony of Carols (Children’s Choir), and Robert Hazon’s Quattro Gloria di Natale (Adult and children’s choir and organ).
From December 21 to 29, 2023, as every year, enjoy the December ballet and dive into the dreamlike world with Giselle, brought to life with music by the Philharmonic Orchestra of Nice and performed by the Ballet Nice Méditerranée.
And finally, celebrate on January 1, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. with the New Year’s Concert “Vienna Waltzes”. True to tradition, the Nice Philharmonic Orchestra invites you to ring in the new year with a concert entirely dedicated to the most beautiful Viennese waltzes. Information and reservations: here.
