Nice’s Grande Parade de Noël returns to Avenue Jean Médecin on Sunday 6th December for its sixth edition, with organisers billing the free evening show as the largest Christmas procession in the south of France and the official start of the city’s festive shopping season.

Organised by the traders’ association Nice Shopping, the parade will set off at dusk from the top of Avenue Jean Médecin and make its way down to Place Masséna between 5pm and 6.30pm. Organisers say a record 60,000 people turned out last year, and they expect large crowds of residents and visitors to line the city centre again for the 90-minute show.

Carnival floats and street performers

Led by artistic director Sylviane Palomba, this year’s parade will feature more than 200 performers from 16 professional groups, including dancers, acrobats, stilt-walkers, drummers, circus acts and mascots.

Three large floats built by the Povigna and Pignataro families, who have made floats for the Nice Carnival for generations, will give the procession a distinctly local feel. Organisers have also promised several new surprises, with details still to be announced.

A boost for local shops

“With the Grande Parade de Noël, we want to create a moment of sharing and wonder that marks the start of Christmas shopping in Nice’s stores,” said Patrick Nolier, President of Nice Shopping and Director of Nicetoile. “Because nothing else in France matches its scale, the parade helps make Nice a must-visit festive destination. It brings energy to our neighbourhoods, supports local independent shops, and attracts more visitors to the city.”

First held in 2021, the parade is part of Nice Shopping’s year-round work to promote local shops and artisans. The association says it promoted 500 Nice businesses through its website and social media in 2025, generating more than 8.2 million views.

The full programme will be published on niceshopping.fr and on the association’s @Niceshopping.06 social media accounts.

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Grande Parade de Noël in Nice. Photo credit: David Nouy