Cannes Film Festival turns 12 days of premieres into 12 nights of yacht parties, beach club takeovers and brand activations on the Croisette. Most of the official film parties are invitation-only. But there is a parallel layer of buyable yacht parties, beach club tables and afterparties that most visitors can access if they know where to look. Here is the honest guide for 2026, with prices in EUR.
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The 10 party venues that matter
1 Nikki Beach Cannes
The Croisette beach club institution. Daytime DJ sets, lunch service, table dancing by 4pm during festival. Brand activations and private parties at night. Walkable from the Palais.
Daytime table from €1,500 (4 to 6 pax)2 Magnum Beach (Magnum x Cannes)
Ice-cream brand activation by day, exclusive afterparty venue by night. Open to ticketed guests during festival, then converts to private events. One of the most photographed beach setups of the festival.
Day passes from approximately €80, evening table from €1,000+3 Baoli Beach + Baoli Cannes (nightclub)
Two venues, one brand. Baoli Beach for lunch and aperitif on the Croisette, Baoli Cannes nightclub at Port Pierre Canto for the late session. The talent magnet. Travis Scott, DJ Snake and similar level have played past editions.
Beach lunch from €120 pp, nightclub table from €2,0004 Carlton beach club + Carlton terrace
The grand-hotel beach club. Daytime industry meetings, evening private parties. The Carlton terrace bar is one of the easiest celebrity-spotting setups during festival, open to hotel guests and reservation only.
Beach day from €100, dinner from €200 pp5 Hotel Martinez beach + La Palme d’Or
The most established festival hotel. La Palme d’Or restaurant is a 2-Michelin-star dinner pre-party room. The Martinez beach hosts industry events daily. Doors are strict.
Dinner €250 to €400 pp at La Palme d’Or6 Gotha Club Cannes
The 1,500-capacity nightclub up at Pointe Croisette. International DJ programming during festival. More commercial than Baoli, larger room, easier door for non-industry guests.
Entry €40 to €80, table from €1,0007 Bagatelle Cannes
Lunch-into-party brunch model. Saturday and Sunday brunch becomes a champagne-shower DJ set by 5pm. Festival weekends are peak. Reservation only.
Brunch €180 to €280 pp + bottle minimum8 Vieux Port and Port Pierre Canto yacht parties
The actual heart of Cannes festival nightlife. 200+ superyachts moor for the 12 days. Most parties are private or brand-sponsored, but a layer of ticketed yacht parties is sold through brokers (Senate Grand Prix, Octagon, Quintessentially). See our yacht charter for Cannes Festival guide.
From €500 to €1,200 per person evening9 Cinema de la Plage (free, public)
Free outdoor screenings on Plage Macé every night of the festival. Public seating, popcorn stand, classic and new film selection. The non-VIP move that actually works. Doors typically 9pm, screening 9:30pm.
Free10 Industry-sponsored afterparties (kayne.fr, Cinetelegraph, AmfAR)
The most exclusive parties are tied to specific premieres or industry events. AmfAR Cinema Against AIDS Gala (Eden Roc, around 22 May) is the famous big-ticket charity night, €15,000+ per table. Smaller premiere afterparties are invitation-only and tied to the film’s distributor.
€10,000+ table (charity galas)Yacht parties: the open secret of Cannes Festival
The Vieux Port and Port Pierre Canto fill with 200+ superyachts for the 12 days. The vast majority host private receptions for studios, brands and individual financiers. But a layer of ticketed yacht hospitality is sold publicly through accredited operators.
- Public yacht parties typically run €500 to €1,200 per person for an evening package (open bar, food canapes, DJ, 4-hour window).
- Private day or evening charter for a group of 8 to 12 runs €3,000 to €8,000 for the boat during festival (vs €1,500 in normal weeks). See our full Cannes yacht charter guide.
- Weekly charter of a 30 to 50m crewed superyacht with mooring in Vieux Port runs €150,000 to €500,000+ for the festival week.
- Book by January for premium berths. Last-minute resale exists but limits choice.
- Industry pass opens the official film parties. You need to be a working professional (producer, distributor, critic, talent rep) with a Cannes badge issued by the Festival. Public application not realistic.
- Yacht party tickets are bookable through Senate Grand Prix, Octagon, Quintessentially and similar accredited operators. €500 to €1,200 per person. Book 1 to 2 weeks before the night.
- Beach club tables at Nikki Beach, Magnum, Baoli, Bagatelle are bookable directly through the venue or via reservation platforms. €1,000 to €5,000 small table. Book 2 weeks ahead during festival.
- Nightclubs (Baoli, Gotha) require either a table reservation or arrival before 11pm. Smart cocktail dress mandatory. Doors get stricter as the night progresses.
- Cinema de la Plage is genuinely free and public. Arrive 8:30pm for a Macé Beach spot. Bring a blanket.
- Charity galas (AmfAR) require tables purchased months in advance. Single tickets very rarely released.
- Cannes Film Festival 2026 Guide: dates, lineup, how to attend.
- Best Services for Cannes Film Festival: VIP support, yacht, private chef.
- Yacht Charter for Cannes Festival: private deck options.
- Where to Stay for Cannes Film Festival: Nice vs Cannes vs Antibes.
- Monaco Grand Prix 2026 Guide: the week after Cannes.
- Contact us for concierge and private yacht requests.
12-night calendar 2026 (highlights)
| Date | What’s on | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Tue 12 May | Opening ceremony + opening film | Palais des Festivals + private dinners |
| Wed 13 May | First press night, brand activations open | Nikki Beach, Magnum, Baoli Beach |
| Thu 14 May | Daily premieres, yacht season kicks in | Vieux Port + Croisette beach clubs |
| Fri 15 May | End of first week, talent rotation | Bagatelle brunch, Baoli late |
| Sat 16 May | Peak weekend night, biggest yacht parties | Port Pierre Canto + Croisette |
| Sun 17 May | Brunch parties + AmfAR-adjacent events | Bagatelle, La Palme d’Or, Carlton |
| Mon 18 May | Industry mid-festival reset | Mostly private |
| Tue 19 May | Daily premieres continue | Cinema de la Plage opens |
| Wed 20 May | Talent-spotting nights | Carlton terrace, Martinez |
| Thu 21 May | AmfAR Gala (Eden Roc, traditionally) | Eden Roc Hotel du Cap, Cap d’Antibes |
| Fri 22 May | Pre-palmares peak commercial night | Gotha, Baoli, yachts |
| Sat 23 May | Palme d’Or night, official dinners + late afterparties | Palais + Martinez + Carlton |
How to actually get in
Want a private yacht for a Cannes night?
Groups of 6 to 12 can charter a private deck in the Vieux Port from approximately €3,000 to €8,000 for an evening during festival. We connect with vetted skippers in Cannes, Cap d’Antibes and Golfe-Juan. Send us your dates and group size.
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Thomas
I’m Thomas, founder of Nice Party Life. We share the best tips, from hidden gems to must-sees, to make your stay in Nice unforgettable. Whether you’re seeking nightlife or city adventures, we’re here to guide you! 🌴✨
