The fireworks this evening in Cannes on the French Riviera, has been postponed until tomorrow evening, Wednesday 26 August 2026. Meanwhile, also in southern France, but closer to Carcassonne, a tornado has ripped through south west France!
UPDATE: Watch the final fireworks show for Cannes 2026 competition here
Fireworks in Cannes Postponed – UPDATED
“Due to significant, unforecasted swell conditions that intensified rapidly—preventing the transport and setup of the firing barges—the fireworks display originally scheduled for this evening has been postponed to tomorrow, Wednesday, August 26, at the same time (10:00 PM),” the City of Cannes has announced in the last few minutes.
On Monday, the fireworks was delayed due to a “potentially severe thunderstorm risk”, the Pyrotechnic Festival of Cannes had said in a message on social media.
Strong gusts of wind, exceeding 90km/hr have been predicted for the second half of the evening, which would present a fire hazard. (In Cannes, and most of the French Riviera, the fireworks takes place over the Mediterranean Sea, reducing the risk of fires.)
What is the new time for the closing show of the Cannes International Fireworks competition?
The fireworks will now be held at 22:00 on Wednesday 26 August 2026, presented by Flash Barrandov Special Effects from Czech Republic.
This will be the closing show of the Festival d’Art Pyrotechnique, but is not part of the international competition.
Therefore the competition awards ceremony will still go ahead this evening, Monday 24 August 2026.
Update: Cannes Fireworks Competition Winners 2026
Vestale : JOHO PYRO PROFESSIONAL FIREWORKS AB (Finland)
Special Jury Prize : AQUARÊVE (France)
Public Award : PYRO-TEAM D.O.O (Serbia)
Weather warning (Below info is from Monday 24 Aug)
The local Cote d’Azur weather bureau said that the Alps Maritimes region (including the French Riviera) should remain on the fringes of the most intense storms forecast for this evening.
“However, that does not mean nothing will happen. Rain – sometimes accompanied by thunderstorms—is expected in certain areas, though the most significant activity within our region is likely to affect the #Var. This weather system will sweep rapidly across the region before gradually moving off towards Corsica,” said Meteo Cote d’Azur.
UPDATE 19:00
A violent storm swept through the southwest of France, spawning a tornado south of Carcassonne! “You could almost imagine you were in the United States!” said the local meteo. (Watch the video of the tornado below.)
An Orange Alert has been issued for the Var department, effective until 23:00
The storm system is expected to move across the Alps-Maritimes region, from west to east before moving towards Corsica.
Although most of the French Riviera will only experience rainy thunderstorms, the Cote d’Azur Meteo warned that “the potential for severe storms remains high for this evening, given the significant atmospheric energy available. There is a notable risk of tornadic activity, particularly near the coast.”
UPDATE MIDNIGHT – An intense thunderstorm swept across the French Riviera. You can watch the impact in Antibes, French Riviera
