Cannes Events and Festivals

(Cannes, Alpes-Maritimes, Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur, France)

Every May, the whole population here rises dramatically as Hollywood comes to town in the form of the Cannes Film Festival. The world-famous and truly iconic Cannes Film Festival is the city's biggest and brightest event of the year, attracting thousands of spectators, film crews and, of course, large numbers of celebrities and movie stars.

For the rest of the year, there are always things to do in Cannes, with the famous Palais des Festivals playing host to many top trade fairs and festivals. Cannes' Mediterranean location also makes it a popular venue for sailing competitions, regattas and similar events.

National Public Holidays

• 1st January - New Year's Day (Jour de l'an)
• Easter Holiday - Easter Monday (late March or early April)
• 1st May - Labour Day (Fête du premier mai)
• 8th May - Victory in Europe Day (Fête de la Victoire 1945; Fête du huitième mai)
• May (40th day after Easter) - Ascension Thursday
• 14th July - Bastille Day (Fête nationale)
• 15th August - Assumption of the Virgin Mary (Assomption)
• 1st November - All Saints Day (La Toussaint)
• 11th November - Remembrance Day, Armistice Day (Jour d'armistice)
• 25th December - Christmas Day (Noel)
• 26th December - Second Day of Christmas (In Alsace Lorraine only)

Calendar of Festivals and Events 2014 / 2015

January

• New Year's Eve Dinner - a festive dinner served at midnight at the Cannes Communal Centre of Social Action on the Avenue Michel Jourdan. Fun and games as everyone gets into a celebratory spirit
• Cannes Shopping Festival - mid-January, five days of spring fashion shows are held in the Palais des Festivals, along with themed dinners, young designers workshops and awards, and other fashion-related events

February

• Games Festival - every year, participants come to play a variety of games in the Palais des Festivals. Whether it's bridge, cards, crosswords, Scrabble or backgammon, there's sure to be something of interest for the whole family

March

• MIPIM - mid-March, held in the Palais des Festivals, this top property market conference and trade show attracts over 25,000 visitors and the leading industry professionals

April

• Printemps des Musées - every April or May, visitors can look forward to free entry to museums all around Cannes

May

• Cannes Film Festival - first staged back in 1946, this is the biggest and most famous film festival in the world. Held in the Palais des Festivals, most of the events are by invitation only. However, there are a number of screenings that the public can attend. And of course, anyone can walk La Croisette in search of a star or starlet
• Quinzaine des Réalisateurs (Directors' Fortnight) - this is an annual alternative to the more famous Film Festival

June

• Cannes International Advertising Festival - mid-June, this is where thousands of the world's advertising, creative, direct marketing, interactive, media and marketing communities get together once a year. During the festival, commercials, ads, websites, media solutions and direct marketing entries compete to be the best

July

• Firework Festival - during the summer, Cannes stages six spectacular firework displays, including a special Bastille Day celebration. Some 200,000 spectators come to watch
• Nuits Musicales du Suquet - classical musicians play in a series of evening concerts outside the Eglise Notre Dame de l'Esperance

August

• Festival of Russian Art - mid-August, this festival includes works of Russian art as well as performances of work by Russian classical composers
• Pantiero Festival - mid-August, an outdoor electronic music festival held on the terrace of the Palais des Festivals in Cannes. When the concerts finish, the parties begin

September

• Journees du Patrimoines - free entry to many museums and other places of interest in Cannes on the weekend closest to September 15th
• Salon de l'Automobile - held in the open air by the Vieux Port in Cannes, this event features a vast display of cars from all over the world as well as many other attractions for the whole family
• Regates Royales - late-September, this sailing competition is a spectacular sight, featuring both the Royal class, including vintage sailing ships, as well as the Dragon class

October

• MIP-COM - producers, distributors, buyers, investors, broadcasters and webcasters from the world of film are brought together in Cannes' Palais des Festivals
• TFWA World Exhibition - a leading event in the duty free and travel retail industry, buyers, airport authorities, agents and leading luxury brands meet in Cannes in order to network

November

• Cannes Dance Festival - this biennial event is held in the Palais des Festivals and features an impressive line-up of international dancers

December

• International Luxury Travel Market - mid-December, it seems only right that this luxury travel event should be staged in the upmarket resort of Cannes. Luxury travel goods buyers and sellers meet in the La Croisette District to discuss the latest happenings in their industry