Christmas in Cannes 2017
NEW YEAR'S EVE AT MIDNIGHT - FIREWORKS
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Everyone can enjoy a Provencal Christmas in and around Cannes. There are santon exhibitions, live nativity plays known as pastorales, Christmas markets and food fairs, ice skating, circuses, Christmas lights and son and lumieres, horse racing and Christmas sailing regattas. The list is endless. Here we give you a flavour of events but keep an eye on our website's What's on in Cannes for the dates whilst you are here.
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Creche at St Catherine's Church,
Le Cannet
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A Provencal Christmas officially starts 4 December on St Barbara's Day and lasts until Candlemas on 2 February. On Christmas Eve a big supper is served before going to Midnight Mass. On returning from mass the 13 desserts are served, representing Christ and the 12 disciples. It consists of dried figs, almonds, raisins, walnuts, dates, black and white nougat, candied fruit and fresh fruit, oreillettes (sugar pastries) and fougasse.
Epiphany on 6 January is the day the three wise men arrived at the manger. The famous gateau des Rois with a santon inside can be found everywhere. Candlemas on 2 February, the end of the festivities, is celebrated with pancakes. |
Christmas in Cannes Cannes Christmas Village
The Christmas village on Les Allees - and the Christmas illuminations - is officially opened 1 December at 6pm. There will be carols and ice skating including a freestyle demonstration.
The chalets include ones selling mulled wine, champagne and seafood bars as well as stands selling everything for those special Christmas decorations and presents. The centre of attraction this year is a traditional Provencal creche from the private collection of Prince Albert ll of Monaco. The rue d'Antibes is pedestrianised 2-6pm every Sunday in December, The Christmas parade takes place 3pm 24 December and a musical parade at 3pm 31 December. Le Suquet church and the Malmaison will be illuminated by the light artist Gaspare de Cara from 15 -22 December. And the Cannes illuminated sign will be on show again. There is an ice rink, 400 sq m, on Les Allees in front of the Grand Cafe. The mornings are reserved for children aged 4-10 and it is free. Adults can take to the ice for three euros including skate hire from 12.30pm. This year you can book for ice hockey and artistic skating lessons. Every Friday and Saturday there are special evenings including a Christmas party when Pere Noel arrives on 23 December. Programme: 2 Dec Snow storm; 8 Dec Top 50 with DJ Max and Charly la Voute; 9 Dec Live music on Ice with Blue Ice Cocktail; 15 Dec Live music on Ice with Blue Ice Cocktail; 22 Dec Snow Queen with Elsa Anna and Olaf; 23 Dec Christmas Party with Pere Noel; 29 Dec Crazy Skating with DJ Mozart – fancy dress essential; 30 Dec disco; 5 Jan Snow Storm; 6 Jan Break the Ice Xmas Church Services
Notre Dame de Bonne Esperance, Le Suquet Hugely popular with locals and tourists, especially the Italians, are the provencal Christmas and New Year services at the church atop Le Suquet (see above). Get there early or prepare to stand or even have to go elsewhere if full. Christmas Eve at 10.45pm there is an enactment of the shepherd's story by the Provencal Academy. A real shepherd with a lamb leads the representatives of the villages around Cannes. Wearing traditional costumes, they bring to the child Jesus a selection of local treats. The choir sings Christmas carols in the Provencal language of the 17th century. This is followed by Midnight mass during which the ladies of the academy knit a shawl for the first child born in Cannes after midnight. Do note that the creche is not Provencal but a true nativity scene, known in France as a Sulpice creche. It is the largest in France. Put in one euro and it lights up! Christmas Day service at 11am &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& Christmas Concert featuring the Cannes Orchestra and the Cannes Conservatory choir at the church at 8.30pm 21 December 30 euros. 
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Christmas in Le Cannet Town Hall - son et lumiere
A Christmas market is in the Tivoli gardens from 15 - 23 December. The son and lumiere on the facade of the town hall lights up at 6.30pm on Saturday 16 December. Father Xmas arrives and there will be fireworks and mulled wine to enjoy. Christmas events take place in Place Bellevue and rue St Sauveur from 11am till late.
The town's lights are officially switched on at Place Foch, Rocheville on 9 December at 6pm - events from 4-8pm. There is a marvellous Provencal creche at the equally marvellous, and very old, St Catherine's Church - just off the Grande Bretagne roundabout. Opens officially 16 December but pop in to see before to see the creche being erected.
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NEW YEAR BALLET
The Great Gatsby stars Denis Matvienko of the Marinsky Ballet of St Petersburg together with dancers also from the Kiev Opera Ballet and the Complexions Ballet, New York. This ballet is a marvellous show of classical and contemporary dance.
It is at the Palais on 31 December at 8.30pm and 1 January at 4pm. and costs from 34 euros.
Tickets for all events can be obtained from the Tourist Office at the Palais and FNAC on the rue d'Antibes
Christmas Lights in Mougins
The Christmas lights will be switched on 16 December at 4.30pm in the village and Father Xmas will be there. The creche in the Lavoir also opens (free). There will be carols and mulled wine as well as pony and trap rides
The Christmas market in the old village starts Saturday 16 December and finishes 6pm Sunday. The ice rink will be operating and costs one euro. Photos with Santa Claus also cost one euro. There is a free Christmas Concert at St Jacques le Majeur at 7.30pm. There will also be live music, food trucks, workshops and lots of fun for all.
The photography museum has an exhibition
Christmas Further Afield
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ANTIBES - official switching on of the lights and start of the Christmas festivities 16 December at 5.30pm. There is a big wheel with terrific views, a giant carrousel, a Xmas market and ice skating in the Pre des Pecheurs. There are chalets and special light shows to be found throughout the town.
Father Christmas arrives on skis - water skis of course - at Juan les Pins and for New Year there is a concert and fireworks, See www,antibesjuanlespins.com for full details
CAGNES SUR MER - the winter horse racing season starts 2 December. Festive highlights include: Christmas eve, hurdles from noon; Christmas day trotting, 4.30pm; New Year's eve trotting, 1pm; and 2 January hurdles at noon. See www.hippodrome-cotedazur for full details and reservations. Entry is 4.50 euros and free for under 18s. Parking is free or you can take the train to Cagnes sur Mer and then a bus or cab to the course. There are restaurants and snack bars.
MOUANS SARTOUX - you can buy santons at the Santon Fair at La Strada library, av de Cannes, from 2pm daily. Take them home and create your own Provencal creche. The Christmas market is on 3 December
THEOULE - take a Christmas stroll around the village from 22 December until 7 January between 10.30am and 5.30pm to discover the creches, santons, shows, animals and to taste some delicious food. The santon fair where you can buy Provencal santons is at the Espace Culturel 9 December to 7 January 10 to noon and 2pm till 5.30pm.
ST RAPHAEL - the town has a terrific Christmas programme from 8 December until 7 January. There is also a light show at the old port and a big wheel (4 euros) on the prom. Other events include the Xmas market, the lighting of the tree 8 December at 6.30pm. At the Basilique are creches (9am to 6pm). The son et lumiere on the facade takes place 22,27,28 December and 2/3 January with three showings from 6,30pm each lasting 15 minutes. Father Xmas arrives 24 December at 5.30 with fireworks at 6.30pm There is a fabulous show in Jardin Bonaparte of light sculptures from 22 December to 7 January 9am till 8pm. See www.noel-saintraphael.fr
Best to go by train from Cannes.
SKI SEASON opens 9 December
There are ski buses from Nice to the resorts. Ask at the tourist office for details.
There are ski buses from Nice to the resorts. Ask at the tourist office for details.