Over 44,000 spectators, open stages for all, and a rich lineup marked this edition of the Nice festival, now firmly rooted in the local cultural scene.
The Nice Jazz Fest 2025 brought together more than 44,000 people over four days between the stages of the Théâtre de Verdure and Masséna. An increase of nearly 4,000 visitors compared to last year demonstrates the public’s enthusiasm for an event that blends headliners and musical discoveries.
On stage, 28 artists offered a wide variety of styles. From Raye to Polo & Pan, including guitarist John Scofield and singer Jorja Smith, the festival brought together artists from different backgrounds. Jazz remained the common thread, in a spirit of openness.
Around the main festival, the “Fest’OFF” also attracted a crowd. In Nice and several communes of the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis, nearly 25,000 people attended about forty events: street concerts, balls, screenings, and workshops. This complementary, free program gave an important place to local cultural actors and merchants.
A space for life, transmission, and inclusion
The Nice Jazz Fest is not limited to concerts. The Merenda village, set up in the heart of the site, hosted numerous activities. A dining area offered cuisine blending bistronomy and local products. JoeyStarr, present this year, participated in an unprecedented culinary workshop alongside Nice chefs.
A children’s area was set up once again. The Kid’s Club, open every concert night, welcomed children aged 4 to 10. Facilitators provided a varied program around music: blind tests, jazz yoga, rhythmic games, or African nursery rhymes.
The evenings continued at the village with the “Jam Sessions”. In a more intimate setting, local musicians and festival artists shared the stage in a relaxed atmosphere. This moment charmed many enthusiasts.
The municipality wants to emphasize inclusion. A comprehensive system was deployed for people with disabilities: sign language interpreters, accessible restrooms, facilitated circulation, and dedicated reception.
An ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) space informed the public on several topics: prevention of sexist violence, alcohol and drug consumption, auditory risks, cigarette butt littering, and waste sorting. These actions aim to make the event more responsible.
An event in motion
The mayor of Nice, Christian Estrosi, praised a successful edition: “Thanks to the commitment of my deputy Graig Monetti and the remarkable work of all the mobilized teams, the Nice Jazz Fest has managed to reinvent itself while remaining true to its DNA: an open, unifying event firmly rooted in our territory.”
He also recalled the festival’s objective: “to make the city of Nice vibrate to the universal rhythm of jazz, an inexhaustible source of connection, emotions, and future.”
Setting up this edition spanned 21 days, dismantling will last 11 days. Each evening, seven platforms followed one another. A meticulously organized setup.
The 2025 edition confirms the anchoring of the Nice Jazz Fest in the city’s cultural calendar. Conceived as a space for listening, celebration, and transmission, the festival continues to evolve. It targets a broad and diverse audience while maintaining a particular focus on social and ecological issues.
