Menton, France, holds a wonderful Christmas market and festival each year in the central Bioves Gardens. The Christmas market takes place from 1 December 2026 to 6 January 2027. The market is open from 10.00am through to 19.00pm each day.

Menton is a beautiful little coastal located on the French Riviera near Nice, Monaco and the Italian border. With the poweder blue skies and lovely views across the Bay of Garavan, Menton is an exceptional location for a short winter break to complete your Christmas shopping. The famous microclimate in Menton ensures that the town is a few degrees warmer than the rest of the French Riviera coast and the backdrop of the dramatic hills behind the town and the lovely colourful houses makes Menton a truly special place to visit.

The Menton Christmas market, with its extraordinary nativity scenes, is widely regarded as one of the most colourful Christmas markets in France. Also, with Nice just down the road, you can take in two of the best Christamas markets in France during your stay.

Menton Christmas market France

The Menton Christmas market features beautiful nativity scenes, a wonderful Christmas lights show, a ski track, ice skating rink and a stunning Carousel. The market is centred on the Bioves Gardens, but you will also find events taking place at other locations including Les Halles (the indoor market) and the Marché du Carei, located on the Promenade du Maréchal Leclerc. But what makes the Menton Christmas market so special is that the whole town gets involved in the festivities. All throughout Menton you will find lovely nativity scenes displayed in doorways, small alleys and in the shops. On the main Promenade du Soleil, which borders the beach, you will find a whole collection of Alpine huts where stallholders sell everything from beautiful nougat, French mulled wine, lavender soap and oils and a whole range of regional food and crafts. 

The Menton Christmas market is a good place to bring families to shop because it is not too crowded and there plenty of activities for the kids to enjoy. Apart from the lovely old carousels, the Christmas Village has a grotto for Santa to visit and the Bioves Gardens in the centre of Menton is converted into a winter wonderland scene with circus sideshows, a small children's train and a special post box which receives letters for Santa.

Menton Christmas festival

Menton's Christmas Festival runs from the first Saturday in December through to the first week of January. The Christmas festival is officially opened on Friday 1st December at 6pm with the switching on of the Christmas lights in the town and the opening of the Christmas market on the Francis-Palmero esplanade. 

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If you are visiting the South of France this summer, then get the inside track on the best Places to see & visit in the South of France in 2026 (written by people who live in Southern France all year around). Read about the best restaurants to eat at, get local information on the best beaches to visit and discover the best tourist sites, markets and festivals to see during your stay.

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