#hello_monaco weekend: what to do on February 15th and February 16th

This weekend is all about winter festivals: with Menton lemon zest and Nice flower parades you have very little time to rest. So let’s get started.

The arrival of spring in Nice is unimaginable without its traditional carnival and flower parade taking place from February 15 to March 2. Its 2025 theme is “The King of Oceans” with the most colourful scenery, huge inflatable sculptures, live music and tons of confetti. Are you ready to take part in its fragrant battle of flowers? Or enjoy a scenic night “Corso” parade? Then head to Masséna Square in Nice and get ready for tons of fun.

Menton and lemons are inseparable. Not only is this fragrant fruit cultivated in the city, but the annual festival featuring giant lemon and orange sculptures seems to bring them to life. The Lemon Festival in Menton traditionally hosts fruit parades, light shows, street animations and fairs. Held from February 15 to March 2, its 2025 theme is “Journey(s) to the stars”.

And for sports fans there is a Ligue 1 French Football Championship match between AS Monaco and FC Nantes on Sunday 16 February 2025, Stade Louis II.

There are several interesting exhibitions going on in Monaco these days. For example, discover the new monographic exhibition by Portuguese artist Francisco Tropa, specially conceived for the Villa Paloma and featuring a previously unseen selection of sculptures, drawings, films and light projections.

The exhibition takes its names from pietre paesine (imaged stones), whose geological designs are evocative of painted landscapes, on the boundary of figuration and abstraction. This idea of an analogy between nature and technique is at the heart of Francisco Tropa’s work, which focuses on the conditions of appearance and perception of an image.

For one month, starting on February 6, the public will once again be able to admire a selection of contemporary works with Art Xploration. This exhibition aims to be “an invitation to celebrate art in all its forms” by allowing six artists to display their work. Espace 22 announces: “To mark the occasion, a series of meetings with the artists will be organized, as well as a special program of events.”

The Monaco Museum of Prehistoric Anthropology is delighted to invite you to discover its new temporary exhibition: The Butterfly Effect: The Pre-History of Animals, organised under the High Patronage of H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco. Explore whole rooms themed to the animal kingdom and biodiversity, and take a fascinating journey through archaeology and our natural history! It is open until Monday 1 December 2025, from 9 am to 6 pm in Musée d’Anthropologie Préhistorique.

Of course there are other interesting events taking place in Monaco. If you want to learn more about them visit our Calendar.

So have fun and enjoy your weekend!