Best Christmas Markets on the French Riviera

Where: Place Général de Gaulle, Place Nationale and Esplanade Pré des Pecheurs 
When: 29 November 2025 to 4 January 2026, Christmas lights will be turned on at 5.30pm
Attractions: The festive parade will begin in Antibes on 30 November at 6pm on Rue de la République and wind its way through the old town to end up at the Christmas market at the Esplanade. On the Place Nationale,  you will find rides and rollercoasters for children aged 2-10 years-old. From 2o December, you can experience riding in a horse-drawn carriage on Place des Martyrs de la Résistance or Post Office Square as local English-speakers call it. Rides are available from 10.30am to 12.30pm and 2-6pm. And don’t forget to take a selfie with Santa if you can find him!
For the full calendar of Christmas activities, please click here.

When: 30 November to 30 December 2025
Where: Biot Village
Attractions: The Christmas season is being celebrated again this year in the village famous for its iconic hand-blown glass. Wooden chalets and stands reminiscent of the Nativity will adorn the picturesque cobbled streets. Visitors will be spoilt for choice with colourful parades, local products, and children’s activities. Highlights of the market include welcome drinks on 19 December at 6.30pm with mulled wine, champagne soup and marrons chauds (roasted chestnuts). Followed at 7pm by a concert performed by Biot Harmony, a group of 40 musicians whose dulcet tones will resonate throughout the village.
For the full calendar of Christmas activities, please click here.

When: 28 November 2025 to 4 January 2026
Where: Allées de la Liberté and Cours Félix Faure
Attractions: The traditional Cannes Christmas village is back with its chalets, colourful animations, free concerts and skating rink. Children can take part in fun activities on Saturdays, Sundays and Wednesdays up to 21 December, and then daily until 4 January (2.30-6.30pm). Not to be missed, a chance to meet Santa and the Christmas parade which will feature Elves, sensational toys and light fairies on stilts. And local restaurants will ensure you don’t go hungry as they will offer you a taste of their favourite dishes. 
The Christmas street parade will take place on 23 December from 5.30-7pm and depart from Cours Felix Faure.
For the full calendar of Christmas activities, please click here.

When: 5-25 December 2025 from 3pm to 8.30pm
Where: Palm Beach, Place Franklin Roosevelt
Attractions: This December, Palm Beach Cannes transforms into a sparkling seaside Christmas village where Riviera elegance meets festive charm. Under twinkling lights and the scent of mulled wine, stroll among illuminated fir trees and admire panoramic sea views for a magical Côte d’Azur experience.
Discover 14 gourmet and artisan chalets offering oysters, socca, wines, golden crêpes, Cannes honey, and other seasonal delights. Enjoy a festive lineup including a glittering ice rink, a hot-air balloon experience, an ice bar, luxury car test drives, children’s workshops, live music. And a special contest to win a trip to Lapland, plus a visit from Father Christmas.
Insider Tip: The Christmas market is open Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only until 20 December, then open daily. The Opening ceremony is on 5 December at 5pm in front of the main entrance. More details here.

Where: Jardin de la Pinède and Square Jacques Leonetti.
When: 29 November 2025 to 4 January 2026
Attractions: This seaside resort will have plenty to entertain families over the festive season.  The young ones are sure to enjoy the animal petting farm (open from 20 December) and the pony rides located in Jardin de la Pinède. And Square Jacques Leonetti will be home to a 200sq meter skating rink open from 9.30am to 9pm (free for children under 10, 3€ entry for others). If you happen to be here on 20 December at 10.30am, head to Plage du Pont Dulys (at the end of the large public beach) on the Boulevard du Littoral for a chance to see Santa arrive on water skis!
Insider Tip: If there’s bad weather, it’ll be postponed to the following day at the same time.
For the full calendar of Christmas activities, please click here.

When: 6 December 2025 to 5 January 2026
Where: Port Hercule and Quai Albert 1er
Attractions: From end November, this small municipality embodies the Christmas spirit. Every year the Christmas Village with its 800 natural fir trees, returns to Port Hercule in Monaco, to the delight of children and grown-ups alike. Three large arches, at each entry point to the village, symbolize Prince Rainier III’s love of the circus, sport and yachting. Stroll among its traditional chalets and attractive stands before hopping onto its iconic ferris wheel. Marvel at the giant snow balls located on the Place du Casino, where you can also listen to enchanting Christmas Carols from 20 to 25 December (1pm to 5pm). And admire the magical Christmas carrousel and its chalet at the Jardin des Boulingrins, situated right opposite the Monte Carlo Casino.
For the full calendar of Christmas activities, please click here.

When: 5 December to 4 January 2026  
Where: Mougins Village
Attractions: The festive season kicks off in this charming hilltop village on 5 December at 5pm. A chance to discover the monumental Nativity scene, followed by the opening of Santa’s house. An unmissable opportunity for children to meet him in person. Then a fireworks display at 6.30pm before the turning on of the Christmas lights at 6.45pm. Look closely as you stroll around the village as some of the windows will reveal a giant Advent Calendar. The actual Christmas market opens its doors on 12 December from 5-9pm, and you have two more days to see it (14 and 15 December from 10am to 7pm). During the school holidays, don’t miss a chance to put on some skates and have a twirl on the outdoor skating rink situated at Mougins-le-Haut.
Insider tip: You can catch a free shuttle bus to the Christmas market between 3.30-8pm from Avenue de Tournamy in Mougins.
For the full calendar of Christmas activities, please click here.

Where: Jardin Albert 1er, Place Masséna and the Promenade du Paillon
When: 28 November 2025 to 4 January 2026
Attractions: This year 45 chalets will showcase gift ideas, local artisans’ creations, and Christmas delicacies. If you’re visiting at night, linger at the oyster and champagne bar. Feeling the winter chill? Warm yourself up with the always popular vin chaud (mulled wine). You will find not only Traditional Christmas décor but also street animations and stunning light sculptures which will come into their own at nightfall. Free children’s entertainment every Wednesday, weekends and during the school holidays. And for those who love Christmas carols, don’t miss the free concert on 24 December at 5.30pm at the Church on Place Saint-Augustin.
For the Christmas market opening hours and activities calendar, please click here.

Where: Le Rouret
When:7 December from 9.30am to 6.30pm and 20 December from 4-10pm
Attractions: Finally, Le Rouret will host the biggest Christmas market on the Côte d’Azur on 7 December. An unforgettable market of pure tradition. Many artists, artisans and farmers will be on hand to showcase local products and delicious confectionery. Street acrobats, a small farm, but also numerous activities and workshops, will bring the magic of Christmas to life for young and old alike. Streets will be closed for pedestrians with around 200 stands, and open-air catering. Followed on 20 December by Christmas carols, rides in a horse-drawn carriage and of course, the arrival of Father Christmas at 5.30pm!
Insider tip: Free shuttle buses to the market will depart every 1/2 hour from the Intermarché roundabout in Le Rouret and from the Font Neuve Parking in Opio.

Where: Port of St Tropez, Quai Jean-Jaurès
When: 6 December 2025 to 4 January 2026
Attractions: Looking for that perfect Christmas present? Then drive to St Tropez and walk around the port where 35 chalets will set up their temporary home. And you will even get a chance to admire the stunning yachts and sailing boats at the same time. The little ones can meet Santa every day from 4.30 to 5.30pm until 23 December. The Christmas market will be open daily from 11am to 2.30pm and 4.30-7pm, and from 11am to 7pm weekends and during the school holidays.
Insider tip: If you’re an art lover, don’t miss an opportunity to visit the Musée de l’Annonciade, a little gem of a museum, situated only a few steps away from the port (open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm).

When: 6 to 24 December 2025
Where: Valbonne village and Sophia Antipolis 
Attractions: Based around this year’s theme of Fairy Tales, the picturesque village of Valbonne is always a firm favourite among Christmas market connoisseurs. It will showcase a mix of children’s entertainment, musical concerts, a magic gala and a fireworks display. And of course there will be stands selling local Christmas gifts and enticing produce. Make sure you bring your winter woolies as it is always a few degrees colder in Valbonne.
Open 10am-9pm on 21 and 22 December, 10am to 7pm on 23 December and 10am to 4pm on Christmas Eve.