The City of Nice will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States’ Declaration of Independence on Saturday 4th July with a free afternoon of music, dance and cultural activities on the Promenade du Paillon, honouring the longstanding ties between France and the United States.
Running from 2pm to 6pm at Place du Général Leclerc, the festivities will feature a New Orleans brass band, live jazz concerts, country dancing with introductory workshops, and family-friendly arts activities. Nice Mayor Eric Ciotti is expected to attend the celebrations at 3pm.
The event forms the centrepiece of a wider programme organised by the City of Nice throughout 2026 to commemorate the 250th anniversary of American independence. Earlier this year, the city welcomed Charles Kushner, the United States Ambassador to France, to launch the commemorations. Nice has also been awarded the official ‘Freedom 250 France’ designation in recognition of its role as a partner in the anniversary celebrations.
The anniversary marks the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia on 4th July 1776, a document founded on the principles of liberty, democracy and equality that gave birth to the United States. According to the City of Nice, the celebrations are intended to honour the historic friendship between France and the United States, forged through shared democratic values and a long history of cooperation.
Nice’s connections with the United States extend beyond history. The city maintains sister-city relationships with Houston, Miami and New Orleans, alongside ongoing partnerships in the economic, cultural, academic and scientific fields.
The Independence Day programme follows a series of American-themed events already held in Nice this year, including the Festival du Film Américain in June and a summer retrospective dedicated to Grace Kelly, organised by the Cinémathèque de Nice.
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Photo source: Ville de Nice