Those who want to celebrate New Year’s Eve in the cozy atmosphere of a European Christmas holiday and enjoy a dose of sunshine at the same time should head to Nice, France. Decorated fir trees standing next to palm trees make for a truly unusual sight.
You can find and book suitable accommodation in Nice for the winter holidays at this link. But first, we recommend reading our article on where to stay in this beautiful city.
» READ MORE – What to do in Nice in winter?
Weather for New Year’s Eve in Nice
They say that the French Riviera enjoys at least 300 days of sunshine a year. This is true for Nice as well. However, it can sometimes be rainy during Christmas and New Year’s Eve. The showers are usually short, and after a brief spell of bad weather, the skies turn bright and warm again.
During the day, the temperature often reaches 17–18°C. The boldest tourists even manage to sunbathe. They say a French winter tan has a lovely bronze hue, lasts for a long time, and is completely safe thanks to the low ultraviolet levels.
By evening, it gets a little cooler – the thermometer usually drops to around +10°C. Keep this in mind when packing your suitcase for a New Year’s trip to the French coast.
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What to take with you to Nice
A light coat and comfortable shoes are enough for the southern winter. An umbrella might come in handy, but mittens are unlikely to be needed. Instead of snow, you’ll find sparkling water, and the air is filled with the scent of citrus fruits. Christmas in Nice doesn’t promise a fairy tale, but it gives you a rare feeling of ease — when you don’t need anything else.
What to do in Nice for New Year and Christmas
Nice prepares for Christmas quietly but confidently. At the beginning of December, garlands appear on facades, shop windows shimmer with gold, and by evening the streets glow with soft light. The center of winter events is Place Masséna and the Albert I Garden – these two areas combine into one festive zone, Village de Noël. Here, a Ferris wheel, an ice rink, and dozens of wooden chalets appear, where waffles are baked, hot chocolate is poured, and santons, traditional Provençal figurines for nativity scenes, are sold.
» READ MORE – 10 activities to do in Nice
By this time, music already fills the promenade, and the Old Town feels especially cozy. For an evening stroll, turn on the TouringBee audio guide – it will lead you through narrow streets filled with the aromas of mulled wine and pastries and tell you how the south of France experiences December without snow, yet with plenty of festive charm.
The Christmas market
Village de Noël is open almost throughout December. Here you can buy local sweets, decorations, and handmade items. The French don’t come to the markets for gifts, but for the mood — waffles, hot chocolate, and figurines of santons, the traditional Provençal characters for nativity scenes.
In the evening, music fills the square, children skate on the ice rink, and the Ferris wheel sparkles over the sea like a giant festive lantern. Everything feels homely and warm, without excess glitz but full of heart.
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Holidays by the sea
At the end of December, Nice hosts the Christmas Star regatta – dozens of boats and yachts decorated with lights set sail. From the shore, it looks like a floating garland. The next day, the bravest participants take part in a «winter swim» along the Promenade des Anglais: the water is barely +15°C, yet more and more people are willing to take the plunge.
For those who prefer to watch the festivities from afar, a winter cruise along the coast is a great option. From the sea, you can see the lights of Place Masséna and their reflections in the water – a calm, mesmerizing sight that can easily replace any party. Just sit on the deck with a cup of coffee and watch the city prepare for the New Year.
How New Year’s Eve is celebrated in Nice
In France, Christmas is a family holiday, while New Year’s Eve is an occasion for a beautiful dinner. Most restaurants in Nice offer a «Réveillon de la Saint-Sylvestre» menu – oysters, foie gras, champagne, and the traditional bûche de Noël dessert. Everything is elegant, delicious, and without unnecessary extravagance.
Fireworks on the Promenade des Anglais don’t happen every year – much depends on the weather and safety regulations. When they do, they’re brief but spectacular, lighting up the sea in brilliant colors. Some people head to Monaco or Cannes for louder celebrations, but Nice prefers a quieter night: wine, music from open windows, and the sound of the sea instead of an orchestra.
The fair closes in early January, but the festive lights remain. Locals outnumber tourists on the Promenade, and café tables are once again easy to find. Daytime temperatures hover around +15°C, and evenings are cool, yet coffee is still served on the terraces. Nice gradually returns to its usual rhythm – calm and sunlit.
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