Saturday, February 28
2:30 PM – Flower Parade
Twenty fully flower-decked floats parade on the Promenade des Anglais between Avenue des Phocéens and Hotel Negresco. On each float, models dressed by Hervé Moreau throw 80,000 to 100,000 flowers to the spectators. These battles are in sync with the carnival floats, a procession of plant-based scenes on the same theme.
9:00 PM – Illuminated Procession
The procession consists of 20 floats designed around a central theme and includes around 220 “big heads”. It becomes a colorful parade accompanied by lights with the inclusion of street art and musical groups from around the world. A giant screen then livens up the heart of the city.
Sunday, March 1
10:30 AM – Waiters’ Race
Professionals from the hotel and restaurant industry start at Place Masséna, in work attire, for this unique event. The course takes them along Avenue de Verdun and through pedestrian streets to the finish line at Place Masséna!
Registrations at the Syndicate of Café Owners, Soft Drink Vendors, and Restaurateurs: 06 08 10 00 26 or 04 93 87 99 43 or on-site in the morning.
11:00 AM – Carnacocca (Nice-style brunch)
Discover Nice’s most famous culinary specialty: socca!
Albert 1st Garden every Sunday (Promenade des Anglais/Avenue des Phocéens).
11:00 AM to 5:00 PM – The Playful Garden
The Playful Garden, in the Yitzhak Rabin Square near the Théâtre de Verdure, is very welcoming, enriched by the “Billevesées and Estaminet” sets from the Cie Picto Facto. Open every event day from 11 AM to 5 PM, it offers a mix of free show workshops, and some Carnival participants will share their secrets.
2:30 PM – Carnival Procession
The procession of 20 theme-designed floats and 220 “big heads”, including 80 made of papier-mâché. This vibrant, humorous parade mixes street arts and music groups from around the world from Place Masséna to the Promenade des Anglais.
9:00 PM – 10:30 PM – Incineration of the King and Fireworks
8:30 PM, starting from Avenue des Phocéens, the King’s float and its accompanying procession, followed by the Queen, gather at Place Masséna where the verdict is pronounced at 9:30 PM by Christian Estrosi, Deputy Mayor. The announcement of the coming reign follows, and the procession moves towards the sea via Avenue de Verdun. At 10:00 PM, the King is burned over the Baie des Anges where the sky lights up with a magnificent sound-synchronized fireworks display, answered by the lighting of the Château Hill at 10:25 PM.
