Until November 8, Nice is celebrating the Castagnada, a series of family events centered around chestnuts and local traditions. After several events, sometimes disrupted by storm Benjamin, already held in various Nice neighborhoods, the festival continues this week at different locations around the city. Let’s take stock.
Since October 22, Nice has been experiencing the rhythm of the Castagnada, the festival of the terroir. Organized by the city in partnership with local associations, this autumn celebration unfolds in several neighborhoods, from Haut de Nice to Historical Nice. The program, open to all and entirely free, includes creative workshops, traditional games, tastings, and musical entertainment.
The festivities commenced on Wednesday, October 22, at the garden Comte de Falicon, located on the city’s heights. The first stage was marked by conviviality and many families’ participation who came to discover the proposed events. On Thursday, October 23, the celebration was set to continue at the garden Louis Pin, in the Rives du Paillon area. However, storm Benjamin, which placed the Alpes-Maritimes on orange alert for strong winds, led to the cancellation of this date. The green spaces were closed for the day as a precaution.
“This is only a very temporary postponement,” the municipality assured, having already rescheduled this stage for Tuesday, October 28, from 1 PM to 5 PM.
Upcoming Dates: Workshops, Music, and Roasted Chestnuts
The festival resumed on Friday, October 24, at the Éco-Vallée park, in Western Nice. From 1 PM to 5 PM, visitors could find the ingredients that make this event successful: roasted chestnuts, manual workshops for children, a musical atmosphere, and several food stands. Food enthusiasts enjoyed local specialties like socca, crepes, or other seasonal treats.
On Saturday, October 25, it was the Alsace-Lorraine garden, in the heart of Nice, that hosted the Castagnada. Families gathered around the activities offered by local associations, in a relaxed atmosphere.
The tour now continues this week with several scheduled events:
- Tuesday, October 28, at garden Louis Pin (Rives du Paillon), from 1 PM to 5 PM.
- Wednesday, October 29, at Saint-Roman-de-Bellet school (Nice hills), at the same times.
Each location will offer the same concept: creative workshops, children’s games, music, and on-site catering. The idea is to create a moment of sharing between residents, in a friendly setting, around a season’s emblematic product.
The final stage of this 2025 edition will take place on Saturday, November 8, from 1 PM to 5 PM, at garden Saint-Jean-d’Angély, in the Historic Nice district. This event will mark the conclusion of three weeks of festivities focused on the terroir.
A Popular and Intergenerational Celebration
Each year, the Castagnada attracts many Niçoise people, both young and old, who come to celebrate autumn through local traditions. The event highlights the richness of the territory and the active role of the associations that animate the various stands. Skill games, drawing workshops, tastings, and regional music allow for the rediscovery of know-how passed down through generations.
Access is free for all events. Visitors can attend without prior registration, simply to share a moment of relaxation and conviviality.
The spirit of the Castagnada remains the same: to bring neighborhoods to life through encounters, exchanges, and flavors. An event that continues the tradition of terroir festivals and connects residents to their environment with simplicity and good cheer.
Thus, the celebration will continue for another two weeks before concluding at Saint-Jean-d’Angély. In the meantime, children, families, and curious individuals can still enjoy the upcoming meetings to celebrate the chestnut, a symbol of autumn in Nice.
