Are you planning to celebrate Christmas in Nice in 2024 and wondering what to expect? Then this is the Nice Christmas market guide you need to plan your winter getaway!
It includes practical information, such as the dates and times, zooms in on the top things to see and do, and provides plenty of pictures to help you visualize exactly what the Christmas market in Nice is all about.
Add to that my experience-based tips and you’re all set to enjoy the winter holidays on the French Riviera.
While many of the most famous Christmas markets in France overflow with tourists, the Christmas Village in Nice truly feels like a hidden gem. It’s an enchanting winter wonderland where decorated Christmas trees and twinkling palm trees set the mood and mild temperatures and Mediterranean breezes replace bitter winter winds.
Are you ready to discover when the Christmas market in Nice takes place and what it offers? Let’s dive in!
This article specifies the dates of the Christmas market in Nice and highlights the must-sees and must-dos while also providing plenty of expert travel tips by a seasonal Niçoise.
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Where to stay in Nice for Christmas
Two hotels with rooms directly overlooking the Christmas market in Nice are Anantara Plaza Nice (5*) and Hôtel Albert Ier (4*) while Hotel La Pérouse (4*) offers a panoramic view of the festivities from a distance.
If you’re flexible about the views, here are some excellent alternatives:
My Top Picks
Practical information about the Christmas market in Nice
Discovering when and where the Christmas market in Nice takes place is the first step in planning your winter getaway. You can find all these – and more – practical details in the following paragraphs.
Nice Christmas market dates and times
The Christmas market in Nice takes place from the end of November 2025 up to and including early January 2026 (usually New Year’s Day). I’ll share the 2025 dates and times as soon as they are announced.
Here’s an overview of the opening times:
Note that arriving at least one hour before closing time is recommended.
You can access the entire Christmas events calendar (in French) here.
Nice Christmas market location
The Nice Christmas market is held in Jardin Albert 1er, the park just west of Place Masséna. The beautiful architecture in warm ochre tones provides a stunning backdrop for over 60 wooden chalets and twinkling holiday lights.
It’s the most central location in Nice and within walking distance of popular areas like Vieux-Nice, Carré d’Or, Promenade des Anglais, Jean-Médecin, and the Musicians’ Quarter.
Nice Christmas market weather
Nice enjoys mild winters, with temperatures typically ranging from 8° to 15°C (46° to 59°F). It’s mostly sunny and the air is delightfully crisp.
While you’ll need a coat in the evening, you may do without in the early afternoon, especially when the sun is out. The weather is pleasant enough to enjoy the festivities without ever feeling cold. Rain is possible but usually doesn’t last long. During my last three days there, I only experienced 2 hours of rainy one morning.
Tips for your visit to the Christmas market in Nice
The Christmas market in Nice is free to visit. It is, however, gated, and there’s a security checkpoint at the entrance to the market.
During my recent visits, the security check was well organized and I got in without much hassle. Just note that, if you’re traveling with a backpack, it’ll be subjected to a thorough manual check.
More wintry things to do in Nice and beyond
The Christmas market in Nice may be the highlight of the festive season, but there’s much more to experience during the winter season. UNESCO even recognized Nic as the Winter Resort Town of the Riviera.
My dedicated article about the top winter activities in Nice complements this list of fun things to do in Nice year-round and this overview of the top tourist attractions.
And while you’re here, you might just as well explore the French Riviera by taking day trips from Nice. My comprehensive 7-day itinerary for the French Riviera is a great place to start if you’re spending more than a few days on the Côte d’Azur and are keen on exploring more exciting places close to Nice.
10 festive things to do at the Christmas market in Nice
Here’s my selection of what to see and do in Nice during the holiday season.
The first four items on the list take place in the Christmas Village or Village de Noël while the final six are located within walking distance of the Nice Christmas market.
Psst… You’ll find a map showing all these Christmas experiences in Nice further down in this article.
1. Ride the Ferris wheel
Don’t miss a ride on the 50m (164 ft) Ferris wheel. You can find it in the heart of the Christmas Village. Tickets cost €10 per person.
Time your visit for sunset to catch the golden hour over the Bay of Angels, followed by the twinkling of the market lights below. It’s particularly magical when the city’s holiday illuminations are all aglow.
2. Sink your teeth in heart-warming delicacies
The food court of the festive Christmas village, situated behind the Ferris wheel, offers a wide array of mouthwatering food options.
You’ll find anything from local Niçois specialties such as socca, a crispy chickpea flatbread, to traditional Christmas flavors such as tartiflette and raclette.
Satisfy your sweet tooth with a crêpe, some nougat, or honey-glazed peanuts (cacahuètes) from one of the many food stalls.
3. Visit Santa’s house and mail your letter
Santa’s house is located behind the Ferris wheel and next to the food court of the Christmas Village.
Father Christmas’s red-roofed house is equipped with a play area for little ones. There’s also a mailbox for letters to Santa, a face-painting area, and a photoshoot area.
I didn’t get to meet Santa during my visit – he must have been out and about on his sleigh – but I did get to visit his cozy house.
4. Browse handmade crafts and gifts
The first area of the Christmas Village, between the entrance and the Ferris wheel, is dedicated to crafts and gifts. It’s named “Le Chemin de Calèna” with Calèna being the Niçois name for Christmas.
Admire the works of local artisans at one of the chalets selling hand-crafted nativity sets, carved light ornaments, warming blankets, or one-of-a-kind souvenirs.
These cute finds make lovely souvenirs or perfectly unique gifts for your loved ones.
5. Admire the Christmas tree
The family-friendly Promenade du Paillon on the opposite side of Place Masséna, across the Christmas market, is where you’ll find Nice’s beautiful Christmas tree.
The tree’s setting amidst the shallow mirror pool creates the most magical reflection from every angle.
6. Watch the Christmas Parade
A big Christmas event in Nice is La Grande Parade de Noël, a vibrant Christmas parade.
In 2024, it takes place on Sunday 8 December from 5 p.m. on Avenue Jean Médecin, ending with a grand finale at 6:20 p.m. on Place Masséna.
This festive initiative, hosted by the Nice Shopping Association, features hundreds of musicians, dancers, and acrobats.
7. Go on a Christmas shopping spree
The shopping streets of Nice are beautifully decorated. Shop till you drop in the exclusive Avenue de Verdun or the central Avenue Jean Médecin.
Browse popular brands in the Nicetoile shopping mall or enjoy a premium shopping experience in Galeries Lafayette. For unique local boutiques, head to Vieux Nice, between Cours Saleya and Place Masséna.
8. Take in the views from Castle Hill
The hill-perched park of Colline du Château offers a stunning panoramic view of Nice year-round but, during the holiday season, it’s extra magical thanks to the twinkling lights of the Ferris wheel, on the Promenade des Anglais, and around Port Lympia.
9. Light projections and twinkling palm trees
Watch the light projections against the elegant red façades lining Place Masséna and the color effects on the Sun Fountain as you make your way to the waterfront. The sleigh amidst its snow-topped decor in the corner provides the perfect photo opportunity. It promotes the ski stations in the Nice hinterland.
When the evening falls, the beaches of Nice are almost deserted but the Promenade des Anglais that hugs the Bay of Angels is ever-enchanting. During the Christmas season, hundreds of palm trees are decorated with strings of twinkling lights, bringing a festive touch to this renowned coastal promenade.
10. Visit the nativity scene in Old Town Nice
Last but not least on this list of things to do during the Christmas market in Nice is the nativity scene at Place Rossetti, in the heart of Old Town Nice.
In the shadow of the Sainte-Réparate Cathedral, you can visit this life-sized scene, known as Lou Presèpi in Niçois culture. The accompanying live music, Christmas carols, and stories for little ones make this a very special place to soak in the festive atmosphere.
The nativity scene can be admired from 19 to 29 December 2024 from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. You can find the detailed calendar here.
Map of the Christmas experiences in Nice
For your convenience, I created this map showing the location of all the highlights mentioned in this article.
FAQ on celebrating Christmas in Nice
When will you visit the Christmas market in Nice?
That’s it for this guide on the Nice Christmas market. By now, you’re probably itching to book your winter getaway (if you haven’t already) and count down the days until you can explore the most magical winter wonderland on the French Riviera yourself. Joyeux Noël à Nice!
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