Top Events in February 2026 in Paris and the French Riviera
- Eli Chostak
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
February in France is a time when cultural and social life becomes more intimate, yet especially rich and refined. Fewer casual tourists, more meaningful events — private receptions, festivals, and curated gatherings where discretion, precision, and relevance matter more than show.
In this guide, we have curated the most significant events of February 2026 in Paris and on the French Riviera, featuring exact dates, venues, key highlights, insider insights, and practical recommendations from BeautéGo experts, based on real experience working with international clients.
1. Nice Carnival 2026 — “Vive la Reine”
📍 Place Masséna & Jardin Albert I, Nice🗓 February 11 – March 1, 2026
One of Europe’s largest carnivals and the most iconic winter event on the French Riviera.In 2026, the carnival theme is “Vive la Reine” (Long Live the Queen) — a celebration of feminine figures, power, and symbolism throughout history and culture.
Programme
February 11 — Grand Charivari & official opening
February 14, 18, 21, 25, 28 — Evening Illuminated Carnival Parades
February 18, 21, 25 — Bataille de Fleurs (Flower Parades)
February 27 — Queernaval
March 1 — Final parade & closing ceremony
Insider note
Locals rarely attend the carnival during peak tourist hours.
➜ The most pleasant experience is during midweek evening parades: fewer crowds, a more elegant audience, and the perfect opportunity to continue the night with dinner in the city center.
BeautéGo Insider Tips
Fact: Even in winter, the French Riviera has highly contrasting light — bright sunshine during the day and cool air in the evening.➜ Makeup should transition seamlessly from day to night without requiring a full redo.
Fact: Sea air dries out hair even in February.➜ We always include preparatory hair care — without it, styling can lose its shape within 1–2 hours.
2. 🍋 Fête du Citron® — Lemon Festival
📍 Jardins Biovès & Palais de l’Europe, Menton🗓 February 14 – March 1, 2026
A citrus festival officially recognized as part of France’s cultural heritage. Each year, the Biovès Gardens are transformed into an open-air art space featuring monumental installations made entirely of lemons and oranges.
Programme
Daily citrus art installations
Fruit Corso parades — February 15, 22 & March 1
Night parades — February 19 & 26
Orchid exhibition & winter garden
Artisanal market
Insider note
The installations are continuously refined and “ripen” toward the end of the festival.
➜ During the final week, the displays look the most complete and photogenic.
BeautéGo Insider Tips
Fact: The festival’s vibrant colors amplify even the smallest makeup imperfections.
➜ It’s best to focus on an even complexion and clean accents, rather than complex techniques.
Fact: Most visitors spend several hours outdoors.
➜ We select products that are resistant to temperature changes and humidity, ensuring long-lasting results.
3. 🎬 César Awards 2026
📍 L’Olympia, Paris🗓 February 27, 2026
France’s most prestigious film awards ceremony and a major focal point of Parisian social life at the end of February.
Highlights
Red carpet arrivals
Private screenings
Exclusive after-parties held in luxury hotels and private residences
Insider note
The most active social scene unfolds around the ceremony rather than inside the venue.
➜ Bars and hotels near Olympia become key meeting points before and after the event.
BeautéGo Insider Tips
Fact: Most photos are taken in close-up.
➜ We avoid products with high SPF and excessive glow, as they can create white flashback on camera.
Fact: Looks are designed more for cameras than for the stage.
➜ The focus is on skin quality and precise work with facial features, ensuring a refined, editorial result.
4. 🩰 Opera & Ballet in Paris
📍 Opéra Garnier & Opéra Bastille, Paris🗓 Throughout February
February is one of the most vibrant months of the theatrical season in Paris, with an especially rich programme of opera and ballet performances.
Insider note
Parisians rarely arrive very early for performances.
➜ 15–20 minutes before curtain time, the foyers are already calm — no rush, no queues, no unnecessary bustle.
BeautéGo Insider Tips
Fact: Historic interiors create warm, yellow-toned lighting.
➜ We adjust makeup tones so the face looks fresh and balanced, never heavy or overdone.
Fact: Overdressing is considered poor taste here.
➜ The ideal choice is an evening look with a daytime logic — refined, effortless, and appropriate.
5. 🏟️ Major International Sports Event in Paris
📍 Accor Arena, Paris🗓 February 7–8, 2026
A major international sporting event attracting a mixed business and social audience, well beyond the sports community itself.
Insider note
Many guests use the event as a gateway to networking.
➜ Dinners and private meetings are often scheduled nearby immediately after the competitions.
BeautéGo Insider Tips
Fact: The format usually means a long, demanding day.
➜ We create looks that can be easily adapted for the evening without a full refresh — subtle adjustments, not a complete transformation.
6. 💖 Valentine’s Day in Paris
📍 Citywide, Paris🗓 February 14, 2026
Romantic dinners, Seine river cruises, cabaret shows, and specially curated Valentine’s menus across the city’s most iconic restaurants.
Insider note
February 13 and 15 are often more comfortable than the 14th itself.
➜ The same romantic atmosphere, but without fully booked restaurants and peak-day pressure.
BeautéGo Insider Tips
Fact: Intimate restaurants often feature dim, low lighting.
➜ Soft makeup and well-groomed hair tend to look far more flattering than overly complex or dramatic looks.
💄 Event Preparation with BeautéGo
If you are traveling to France for a cultural or social event, BeautéGo connects you with Russian-speaking hair stylists and makeup artists who:
work regularly with international clients,
understand the local codes of Paris and the French Riviera,
create looks tailored to the real conditions of each event — lighting, timing, venue, and audience.
👉 Book a BeautéGo stylist or makeup artist
Be ready for the moment — calm, confident, and effortlessly polished, without unnecessary stress.