The Alpes-Maritimes department has unveiled its summer cultural programme for 2026, and for residents and visitors looking for something to do between now and the end of August, the answer is: almost anything.
More than 450 entirely free shows will take place across 150 municipalities, from the coastal cities to the remotest mountain villages, running from Friday, June 26 to Monday, August 31. The 31st edition of the Soirées Estivales, the department's flagship summer initiative, involves more than 1,500 artists and technicians, with the programme spanning concerts, theatre, circus, dance and lyrical music.
This year's edition gives a particular focus to Brazil, with samba rhythms, traditional music from the country's northeast and broader cultural influences running through several events, creating what organisers describe as an artistic bridge between the Mediterranean and South America.
Among the highlights: the Festival des Mots runs from Friday, July 17 to Saturday, August 8 across eight municipalities, featuring public readings and literary events with performers including Raphaël Quenard, Valérie Bonneton, Lionnel Astier and Alice Pol. Jazz lovers will find their Thursday evenings taken care of from Thursday, July 16 to Thursday, August 20, when the Espace Culturel Lympia in Nice hosts the Jazz Art Lympia series on a panoramic terrace overlooking the port.
For something more unusual, the Folies des Lacs on Sunday, July 19 at La Colmiane brings concerts, animations and performances inspired by Brazilian culture to a mountain lake in the Mercantour national park from noon to 5.30pm.
Department president Charles-Ange Ginésy confirmed the council is committing more than 30 million euros to support culture across the Alpes-Maritimes this year, with nearly 1,000 free events planned in total. Ninety-nine percent of the artists and technicians scheduled are from the territory, a deliberate policy of supporting local talent rather than importing names from elsewhere.
The full programme is available at soirees-estivales.departement06.fr.
Photo: Ville de Nice