The iconic Nice Carnival is making a splash this year with its ocean-inspired theme, ‘King of Oceans’. In a nod to the upcoming UN Ocean Conference in Nice this June, the festival blends satire with an eco-conscious message, reinforcing sustainability not just in spirit but also in practice.
As the message from the carnival organisers reads: “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the fascinating world of ‘the great climate skeptics’, these modern-day heroes who devote their lives to proving that global warming is a man-made invention.”
Festival takes aim at the sceptics
Monaco Life was there on Saturday 22nd February, as thousands of people crowded Place Masséna, cheering and eagerly awaiting the arrival of the infamous floating heads.
Ahead of each of the 14 floats, elaborately costumed dancers paraded cheerfully while conveying important messages. One group, dressed as prisoners, held banners that read, “Liberate the oceans from microplastics”.
See more: Monaco to host Blue Economy and Finance Forum as part of 2025 UN Ocean Conference
Amid the floating spectacles—including pirates, SpongeBob SquarePants, and giant air-filled balloons of Disney’s beloved underwater characters—one float stole the show, drawing the loudest laughter of the night. The satirical ‘Love Boat’ depicted US President Donald Trump, accompanied by a gleeful-looking North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Entering the parade just after a float overflowing with waste, the message was clear to all.
Despite the heavy satire and strong political messaging, the atmosphere remained light and celebratory—a great accomplishment for the carnival, which expertly balanced entertainment with environmental awareness and political humour.
The entire parade was a breathtaking spectacle, with each float and performance more extravagant than the last. With cameras flashing and the air filled with heartwarming laughter, the crowd celebrated the 140th edition of Nice’s Carnival in grand style.
A carnival that is both entertaining and ecological
From biodegradable materials to energy-efficient technology, the Carnival is setting a new standard for environmentally friendly celebrations.
The organisers, in partnership with the City of Nice, have taken significant steps to reduce the event’s ecological footprint. Low-energy projectors, biodegradable materials, and reusable equipment are key features of this year’s festivities. Even the massive floats reflect this commitment. Made from polystyrene, the intricate designs are crafted using robotic sculpting technology, which generates a considerable amount of polystyrene dust. To mitigate waste, specialised machines collect and compress the dust into reusable blocks. Most of the material is recycled after the event, while select pieces, such as the King’s head, are preserved as part of the Carnival’s historical heritage.
Adding to the festival’s eco-conscious approach, organisers have opted for biodegradable confetti and streamers, ensuring that the vibrant celebrations leave no lasting impact on the environment.
Tips for attending the Nice Carnival
Due to its immense popularity, most of the designated seating tickets have already sold out. However, general admission tickets without assigned seats are still available. Given the high demand, visitors are advised to arrive at least two hours before the event begins to secure a spot. Over the weekend, queues stretched along the Promenade des Anglais, with some attendees only managing to enter moments before the festivities concluded.
The festival runs from 12th February until 2nd March, with ongoing spectacles separated by the flower parade in the afternoon and the parade of lights at night. The flower parade will take place on Wednesday 26th February, and Saturday 1st March, at 14:30 in Place Masséna, while the parade of lights will be held on Tuesday, 25th February, and Saturday, 1st March, at 20:30 in the same location.
Additionally, several events offer free entry. The Carnival Village will take place on Thursday, 27th February, followed by the Queer Carnival on Friday 28th February. The Burning of the King and a fireworks display are scheduled for Saturday 1st March, while the festival will conclude with the official closing ceremony on Sunday 2nd March.
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Main photo credit: Kyriaki Topalidou, Monaco Life