Skip to main content
SeeNice

What's On in Nice May 2017

Culture, music, markets and family fun!

featured in News & reviews Author Pam Williamson, Nice Editor Updated

As with most weekends in Nice and along the Cote d'Azur, the May day holiday weekend this year begins with festivals and a good smattering of culinary delights. Throw a running-come- wine-tasting event into the mix and the month has truly begun.

The first week brings the Fete des Mai, a traditional celebration of all things Niçoise, where they will embrace their history with plenty of tradition, music, costumes and special culinary delights. Expect plenty of family fun amongst the wonderful Roman ruins of Cimiez. Monday 1st May will see another traditional event with 19th edition of the Ronde des Collines Niçoises. An 18km race that takes you through the vineyards of the Nice area and celebrates the start of summer with plenty of fun costumes, wine tastings and a selection of uphill climbs to run or walk...

rose fashion at the fete des roses Villa Ephrussi

Fete des Roses (Festival of Roses), Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild

A week into May and we come up smelling of roses! The Expo Rose in Grasse celebrates all things floral and showcases the importance of this flower in the area. For a full floral experience you can't get much better than this. Sticking with the flower theme, the stunning villa of Ephrussi de Rothschild also celebrates the blooms in their garden with guided tours, exhibitions of prize winning roses and much more at their Fete des Roses & des Plantes.

Holiday on Ice Spectacular, City of Bordeaux

Holiday on Ice

This popular ice skating show is a winner with all the family. Wonderful music, dazzling costumes and spectacular skating will entertain and amaze you. now in its 70th year, Holiday on Ice has welcomed more than 325 million viewers, making it the most visited ice show in the world.

Festival des Heures Musicales de Biot

Les Heures Musicales de Biot - calssical music festival

Music and tradition go hand in hand for the Festival des Heures Musicales de Biot. This music festival in nearby Biot has been happening annually for over 25 years and takes place in the Eglise Sainte Marie-Madeleine in the village centre. Organised by the music association "Les Heures Musicales de Biot" and the local commune, this festival has become an occasion not to be missed in the cultural calendar of the Alpes-Maritimes. 

Open de Nice tennis tournament

Tennis is a popular sport along the coast and Nice gets its fair share of the tournament pie when the Open de Nice Cote d'Azur comes to town from the 14th until the 20th May 2017. A world class tournament that brings world class players such as Juan Monaco, Jiri Vesely, Gilles Simon and Dominic Thiem. All matches are battled out over 3 sets during this clay court tournament.

Depeche Mode Live at Stadio San siro, Northwest Milan

Music to your ears

The month is filled with the sound of music in Nice as we start with the iconic musical, Hair. A cult portrait of the US sixties generation, a musical reflection of a mythical era. Then 80's electronic band, Depeche Mode arrive on their Global Spirit Tour.

More inspiration...

Plenty going on and with the warmer weather and outdoor activities to enjoy, Nice is a fine choice for a holiday in May - check our Events Calendar for a full run down. Find some accommodation for your stay on our Hotel Pages.