Event Dates
From: Saturday, February 15, 2025
To: Sunday, March 2, 2025
More than 1 million people will descend upon the beautiful city of Nice for the annual Carnival festivities. It is one of the top 3 carnivals in the world.
Nice Carnival 2025, A spectacular series of parades and parties.
Every year Nice celebrates a colourful traditional Carnival in the modern era in its current form when the floats and tribunes made their appearance in 1873.
- Stay close to all the Carnival parades and parties at the Best Western Plus Hotel Massena Nice, a beautiful 4-star hotel, close to the old town.
Nice Carnival 2025
- Next Edition: Awaiting Dates – Saturday 15th February – Sunday 2nd March, 2025
- The 2025 theme is confirmed – King of the seas and oceans!
- Celebrate Carnival in one of Europe’s most stylish cities, complete with a dedicated gay Carnival parade! Famous for its stunning float creations of epic proportions, Nice Carnival has a unique theme each year, reflecting contemporary politics and world events.
- As well as the elaborate parades, other activities include a series of fun runs, Carnival Swim heats and street parties. Most people however come for the main parades, of which there are two, including a special gay parade.
The Carnival Parade – The Daytime Parade
- Awaiting dates – Typically held on the first Saturday and Sunday and the final Sunday of the event.
- On the Place Masséna and around the Jardin Albert 1er – More than 20 allegorical or burlesque floats parade through Nice, accompanied by live entertainment, street art and international musical groups.
- This special show takes place in the afternoon, from 14:30 and lasts about 1 hour 30 minutes.
- Each float tells a story, often in a comical or exaggerated way. An allegory is the expression of truths about human existence by means of symbolic figures and their actions.
- Stay right on the seafront with views of the Carnival at the Westminster Hotel & Spa Nice featuring stylish and spacious rooms in a historic building.
The Evening Parade – Carnival Parade of Lights
- Awaiting dates – Typically on the first Saturday and Sunday, the second Tuesday and the final Saturday of the event.
- The evening parades are held on each Saturday and Tuesday of the Carnival celebrations.
- Everything lights up, the visual spectacle becomes even more amazing, and the arts and music troupes that bring the route to life offer a real sound and light show.
- The parade kicks off at 8.30p m on the Place Masséna and lasts around 1 hour 30 minutes.
The Flower Parade
- Awaiting dates – Typically on the first and second Wednesday and first and Second Saturday of the event.
- The Flower Parade features Floats decorated with floral compositions. The parade takes place beside the sea, on the Promenade des Anglais. Parades run from 14:30 and last about 1 hour 30 minutes.
- The grace and elegance of these processions of floats reminds us of the power of the flowers and shows off the floral heritage of the region. A more poetic facet of the Carnival, inseparable from the other more ironic side.
- Stay at the Hyatt Regency Nice for some of the best balcony views of the Carnival festivities.
The Gay Carnival – Lou Queernaval
- Awaiting Dates – Typically on the first Friday of the event – Lou Queernaval
- Lou Queernaval is the first gay Carnival in France and typically takes place on the Friday during the second week of Nice Carnival. The parade kicks off at 8 pm from Place Masséna.
- Queernaval is the first gay carnival in France, rooted in the Nice tradition of carnival festivities. It’s a popular event open to all. Lou Queernaval is committed to promoting the values of sharing, inclusion and living together. Feathers, makeup, sequins, extravagant parades, colourful troupes and strange creatures set the carnival alight.
- For the ultimate Carnival celebration, stay at Le Negresco, one of the most famous hotels in France with period furniture fit for a queen, over the top service and high-end amenities.
Closing Ceremony
- Typically on the final day of the event – Expect an elaborate closing event from 22:45 along Promenade des Anglais.
Gay Nice
- Nice has one of the largest gay scenes in France, outside of Paris. The Carnival festivities attract French guys from around the country and international visitors from beyond!
- Most of the gay bars and clubs are located in the Old Town known as Vieux Nice. Other popular venues can be found along the Promenade. The Hotel Rossetti is rated “Superb” and is just 400m from the beach and right in the centre of the old town.
Recommended Hotels in Nice
The following hotels are all close to the carnival celebrations and the city’s lively gay scene:
Hotel Negresco, Hotel Suisse, Hotel Aston La Scala, Hôtel Massena
Where to stay close to all the gay bars
Our top 4 selections with the best rates.
Hyatt Regency, literally, built into Castle
Hill at the end of Promenade des Anglais.
For further information and advice on
Nice Carnival, check out The Website
The gay bars in Nice are close to each other just a short walk, we have chosen Hotels close to the gay bars that have high reviews on booking.com our hotel partner .
Hôtel Negresco, 37, Promenade des Anglais, Carré d'Or, Les Baumettes, Nice, Maritime Alps, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Metropolitan France, 06000, France
The famous Hotel Negresco, dating from the beginning of the 20th century, overlooks the beach and the Promenade des Anglais in Nice. From Louis XIII style to modern art, 5 centuries of history are exhibited throughout the hotel. Free Wifi access is provided and there is an on-site fitness centre. Each room and suite is decorated individually with period furniture and features air conditioning. Rooms are also equipped with a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom.
Le Méridien Nice, Promenade des Anglais, Quartier Jean-Médecin, Nice, Maritime Alps, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Metropolitan France, 06046, France
Right on the Promenade des Anglais, this hotel faces the Mediterranean Sea. It is a few steps from the Old Town and offers a panoramic rooftop terrace and an outdoor swimming pool. The hotel was renovated in 2020. The modern guest rooms at Le Meridien Nice have views of the sea, the Albert 1st Gardens, or the hotel patio. Each is air conditioned and includes free WiFi access, a mini-bar and satellite TV, and most also feature a balcony.
Hôtel Suisse, 15, Quai Rauba Capèu, Vieux Nice, Nice, Maritime Alps, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Metropolitan France, 06046, France
Set on the seafront in Nice's Old Town, Hotel Suisse is an Italian-style hotel offering a partnership with a local private beach, where meals and beverages can be enjoyed for an additional charge. Guests can access the private beach for a discounted rate. Air-conditioned guest rooms include a flat-screen TV, minibar and telephone, and most have panoramic sea views. Each room features a refined décor and has a private bathroom.
L'Hôtel Masséna, Rue Gioffredo, Quartier Jean-Médecin, Nice, Maritime Alps, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Metropolitan France, 06046, France
Best Western Plus Hôtel Massena Nice is a design hotel in the heart of Nice, just 200 m from the beach. It offers air-conditioned rooms equipped with a flat-screen TV and free WiFi access. The property is with a 5-minute walk from Nice's Old Town and Massena Tram Stop.The guest rooms are equipped with a minibar and tea and coffee making facilities. Some rooms feature a balcony or a terrace. Most private bathrooms include bathrobes.
6 Rue du Pontin, 06300 Nice, France
The apartment has 2 bedrooms, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, an equipped kitchen with a dishwasher and a microwave, a washing machine, and 2 bathrooms with a shower. Located on the 5th floor, There is no an elevator.
4 Rue de l'Opéra, 06300 Nice, France
The apartment comes with 2 bedrooms, a flat-screen TV and a fully equipped kitchen that provides guests with a dishwasher, a microwave, a washing machine, a fridge and an oven. Bathroom with shower. Free WiFi
24 Rue Barillerie, 06300 Nice, France
The apartment provides air conditioning and free WiFi. The property includes a kitchen with a dishwasher and an oven, as well as a coffee machine. A flat-screen TV with satellite channels is offered. features sea and city views
39 Rue de la Préfecture, 06300 Nice, France
Located on the 2nd floor with no lift, this apartment is equipped with 3 bedrooms, a living room and a fully equipped kitchen with a microwave. Offering air conditioning, a flat-screen TV and a bathroom and a washing machine.
45 Promenade des Anglais 06000 Nice, France
The biggest gay night club in Nice, offering top DJs the place to finish your night out and dance till dawn.
1 Rue Alberti, 06000 Nice, France
One of the oldest gay barses on the French Riviera small but lots of fun
9 Rue Bonaparte, 06300 Nice, France
Nice gay bar with drag shows and karaoke
3 Rue Droite, 06300 Nice, France
Gay bar with a friendly atmosphere. Good selection of drinks. Great service. Great space for friends and making friends. offering free bar food.
3 Rue Lascaris, 06300 Nice, France
The 1st French LGBTQIA+ bar / store / expo / music concept
The art work and programming brings a quality experience unique to Nice.
7 Rue Foncet, 06000 Nice, France
Gay sex club offering a unique mix of cruising, late-night steam (with lockers & showers) cinema, and a bar. Refresh yourself after a drink, a dance, a midnight ride, or a hot movie.
10 Rue Defly, 06000 Nice, France
Nice gay bar offering Drag shows, Karaoke evenings, and live bands
8 Pass. Emile Négrin, 06000 Nice, France
Gay club with Friendly staff, music Electro, Electro House, Big Events, Drag Shows, Gay Tea Dance
3 Rue Claudia, 06000 Nice, France
Gay Cruising Sex Bar 100% GAY – 100% NATURIST
Open every evening from 10 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. except Monday
16 Rue Gubernatis, 06000 Nice, France
1930s style gay Cabaret bar with shows on sunday evernings
6 Rue Raoul Bosio 06300 Nice, France
Popular gay bar, always packed with friendly good looking guys. has been a gay-bar since 1999 offering a dance floor, international DJs & a shower show.
4 Rue JP Papon, 06300 Nice, France
CRUISING BAR GAY & SEX CLUB FOR MEN ONLY
6 Rue Eugène Emmanuel 06000 Nice, France
Popular gay dance club, packed with trendy good looking guy out for a night of fun. Offering Regular shows
Open 10pm till 5am
18 Rue Emmanuel Philibert 06300 Nice, France
Not for the faint of heart, this hard core cruise bar is very hand on with regular themed night and a blackout area. Open 10pm till 3am
Open 10pm till 3am
9 Rue Halévy 06000 Nice, France
If you fancy a snack drink or just to sit back with a coffee and people watch this is the place for located next to the beach. Fab Drag Shows
Open 8am till 2am
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We have chosen hotels in Nice that keep you close to all the shops,restaurants & bars
Carnaval de Nice 2018 : le Best Of