On Sundays in May, Nice celebrates its history with free events in the Arènes de Jardins de Cimiez. Niçois specialities tempt visitors, performances of local folk tales are loudly applauded and more contemporary attractions include bouncy castles and local bands.
Nice's Book Fair draws over 300 French and international authors and features talks and debates, workshops, book signings and a few live music concerts in the stunning Albert I gardens. Kids can also free their inner-bookworms at the children's stands.
Around 2500 competitors plunge into the sea beside the Promenade des Anglais to start Nice's Ironman triathlon. Thousands watch throughout the day as the race continues through surrounding villages and along the seafront. Forty thousand people visit the race's Expo Village.
The Jardin Albert 1er and place Massena host the annual Nice Jazz Festival an event renowned for its unique atmosphere, consistently broad and impressive programme. Performances alternate between two stages, and the audience is free to wander between them.
Nice's Crazy Week festival is all about today's popular music, from rock, rap and reggae to folk, pop and chanson. Set inside the Théâtre de Verdure, festival goers can see an explosive cocktail of bands - both international and French.
Nice's Promenade des Anglais is the setting for the annual European Petanque Competition, Europétanque. The best club teams on the continent battle it out for supremacy - the action also unfolds at the Place Masséna and Quai des Etats-Unis.
Dance halls and arthouses across Nice strut their way through the annual Côte d'Azur Tango Festival. International stars perform as amateurs and beginners get the chance to brush up on their Latino footwork during eight days of shows and seminars.
Several delightful classical programmes make up Nice's annual Concerts in the Cloisters Festival. The concerts, held under the stars within the courtyards of the Clôitre du Monastère de Cimiez, are a wonderful way to spend an alfresco Mediterranean summer's evening.
The Académie Internationale d'Été de Nice showcases the region's most promising musical talent, held in various venues, including the spectacular Cimiez cloister. The event includes baroque, classical and contemporary musical performances by students, sometimes accompanied by established musicians.
Throughout summer Nice throngs to the rhythm of its Prom'Party - free evening music concerts held on stages between the Théâtre de la Verdure and the iconic Negresco hotel. Each night brings a different sound and cafés roll out their terraces.
Southern France is proud of Occitan - the medieval Romance language traditionally spoken in the region. Each autumn Nice celebrates this linguistic heritage with the Occitan FestiVous Festival of music and plays, held across town including the Francis Gag Theatre.
The San Bertoumiéu Fête takes place all over Old-Nice, bringing together food producers, artisans, winegrowers and over 80,000 visitors eager to discover the region's heritage. Try an ancient game of Mourra, sample a salade niçoise or discover some traditional music.
France's legendary Gruss Circus has thrilled audiences for a quarter of a century. The travelling Big Top hits Nice every autumn, setting up at the Esplanade de Lattre and wowing kids and adults with its mix of magic and mayhem.
After competitions in Turkey, America, Britain and Italy, The Extreme Sailing Series comes to Nice at the end of September for a weekend of heart-stopping sailing feats. Come to see the biggest names in the sport and bring your suncream!
The Fourres de Rire Comedy Festival, held at Nice's Francis Gag Theatre, presents established comics from the region. New talents are most welcome, though, and you might see a future star among the novice opening acts featured in the shows.
The Nice Short Film Festival showcases short films by mostly novice filmmakers in various venues throughout town. More than 150 works are shown, with a Grand Prix (prize) selected by the public from the official selection.
Catherine Ségurane saved Nice in 1543 by showing the attacking armies her bare posterior. She is remembered with a slightly more solemn ceremony, the Celebration of Catherine Ségurane, held in the Sainte Réparate Cathedral in Nice Old Town.
Nice's National Centre of Musical Creation (CIRM) organises the annual Nice Manca Music Festival, with wonderful performances in select venues across Nice. You can expect everything from intimate recitals to fully-fledged operas and performances by symphonic orchestras.
If you're holidaying in Nice in November look out for the C'est Pas Classique classical music festival. Concerts, which take place across the city and include everything from chamber music and opera to workshops and piano recitals, are absolutely free!
If a December dip in the Mediterranean is your idea of fun, join the foolhardy swimmers at Nice's annual Christmas Swim (Bain de Noël). The swim departs from the Ruhl beach, in full view of the Promenade des Anglais.
Nice's Place Massena hosts a charming Christmas Fair every year. Chalets offer traditional handicrafts and gifts, including Provençal specialities such as honey, lavender and traditional Santons nativity figurines. There's also a public skating rink and a big wheel.
Nice welcomes its annual Prom'Classic, a popular 10km running event which takes participants along the city's famous seaside thoroughfare, the Promenade des Anglais. Over 5000 pairs of legs, belonging to French running champs and amateurs alike, take part every year.
The Nice Carnival is the most popular winter event on the French Riviera. The city comes alive during a fortnight of festivities, with carnival processions, flower parades, prestige soirées, concerts and fireworks, attracting over a million spectators.
Nice goes poetry mad for two weeks, with events taking place on the streets, in cafes, schools and theatres around the city. Please visit the Poets' Springtime website for further details and to discover this year's theme.
The Gourd Festival is held in Nice's Cimiez quarters and celebrates the Annunciation of Mary at the beginning of spring. The event traditionally symbolises the end of winter and gives pride of place to the gourd (Cougourdon in French).
Nice's Palais des Expositions is the setting for the vast Foire de Nice (Nice International Fair). The event is a chance to browse countless stalls showing off the latest in house and garden, DIY, cooking, beauty and motoring.
The day of Nice's Half Marathon includes a 5km charity race (La Niçoise) aimed at raising breast cancer awareness, a 10km fun run and the full 21km half marathon itself. All races start at the Promenade des Anglais.