From February 14 to March 1, 2026, the Lemon Festival makes its grand return in Menton. For this 92nd edition on the theme “Marvels of Life,” will the city nestled between Monaco and the Italian border manage to break its attendance record?
This Monday, September 22, the must-attend event of the French Riviera opened its ticket office. The Lemon Festival returns in 2026 for a 92nd edition under the theme “Marvels of Life.” From February 14 to March 1, enthusiasts, curious visitors, tourists, and locals can find the citrus structures within the Biovรจs Gardens. This year, the planet’s natural treasures and biodiversity will be celebrated, sure to amaze both young and old. After 99,833 visitors in 2024, 116,000 in 2025, more than 200,000 spectators are expected over this fortnight. A record attendance that will triple the population of Menton.
A New Edition Full of Colors
Each year, visitors from the four corners of the world flock to the small city on the Riviera. The globally renowned event attracts with its impressive and gigantic sculptures made of lemons and oranges. Between the fruity parades, night events, sculptures, exhibitions, the streets of Menton will be alive with a colorful, fragrant, and above all festive atmosphere.
This 92nd edition follows the 2025 theme, “Journey through the Stars” and promises to be unforgettable. The Lemon Festival, recognized by the Ministry of Culture and listed in the inventory of intangible cultural heritage in France in 2019, will embrace this new theme and emphasize the preservation of the environment.
To manage the high attendance, multiple changes will be organized, such as an enhancement of public transport (additional trains on parade evenings), new instructions concerning arrival times depending on the planned events. However, regarding parking, the city has few spaces. This is unlikely to improve in light of the security measures, with many streets barricaded for the festivities.
On the Festivities Agenda
During this fortnight, the festival will be in full swing. The program includes a craft market, citrus motif exhibition, Orchid and Winter Garden Show from February 14 to March 1, and Golden Fruit Parades on Sundays, February 15, 22, and March 1, not to mention the highlight of the night parades on Thursday, February 19 and 26, 2026.
The ticket office is open from today on the festival’s official website. Prices range from 14 to 30 euros for grandstand seats and 8 to 16 euros for the promenade (standing). Children aged 6 to 12 can enjoy a reduced rate while those under six will not have to pay. So, mark your calendar from February 14 to March 1 for a unique moment when Menton transforms and adorns itself with citrus fruits to present a colorful and festive outdoor spectacle.
