WhatEurope’s leading in-water boat show
When8–13 September 2026 (6 days)
Hours10am daily, until 10pm Friday
Boats~700 afloat, up to 50 m
VisitorsAround 56,000 over the week
WhereVieux Port & Port Canto, Cannes
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What is the Cannes Yachting Festival?
The Cannes Yachting Festival is the biggest in-water boat show in Europe and the season opener for the yachting world. Every September the whole industry lands in Cannes to unveil the year’s new models, and most of the fleet sits in the water, ready to board, rather than parked in a hall. That is what makes it special: you walk the pontoons and step straight onto the boats.
Around 700 boats spread across two marinas, from 5-metre tenders to 50-metre superyachts, with roughly 56,000 visitors over six days. It is a professional trade show, but it is wide open to the public too, and it turns the whole Bay of Cannes into a floating showroom you can admire from land or, far better, from the sea.
2026 dates, hours & venues
The 2026 edition runs Tuesday 8 to Sunday 13 September. Doors open at 10:00 am every day, with one late Friday night until 10:00 pm, the best evening to visit if you want the lit-up-marina atmosphere.
| Day | Date | Opening hours |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday | 8 September | 10:00 am – 7:00 pm |
| Wednesday | 9 September | 10:00 am – 7:00 pm |
| Thursday | 10 September | 10:00 am – 7:00 pm |
| ★Friday | 11 September | 10:00 am – 10:00 pm (late night) |
| Saturday | 12 September | 10:00 am – 7:00 pm |
| Sunday | 13 September | 10:00 am – 6:00 pm |
★ Friday runs late until 10pm; weekends are the busiest, so go early or midweek for room to breathe.
The show is split across two marinas, a free shuttle boat apart:
How to visit: tickets & access
- Tickets are online only. Buy your e-ticket in advance, there are no cash desks at the entrance.
- Children under 10 go free.
- One ticket covers both ports and the shuttle boats between them.
- No suitcases or large bags (nothing bigger than a small backpack), and no animals, for security and hygiene.
- Both venues are accessible for visitors with reduced mobility.
⛵ Plan your Festival day
Three taps and we’ll map out your visit: which day, how to get there, and the smart way to do it.
Seeing the Festival from the water
Here is what most visitors miss. During festival week the whole Bay of Cannes fills with anchored yachts, and the view from the sea beats any pontoon. From your own boat you glide past the superyachts moored off La Croisette, drop anchor for a swim away from the crowds, and watch the marina light up at sunset, no queues, no shuttle, no 56,000 people between you and the water.
A private boat with a skipper is also the calmest way to move around a very busy Cannes that week. Whether it’s a sunset cruise with drinks for two or a full day out with a group, we sort the boat, the skipper and the timing so you just step aboard.
⛵ Your private boat, priced
Pick your group and how long you want on the water. We’ll show the boat and a ballpark price, then get you an exact quote.
Want to see the Festival from the water?
We arrange private boats and yachts in the Bay of Cannes for Festival week, from a short sunset cruise to a full day on the sea. Tell us your date and group size and we’ll handle the rest.
Chat with Léa
Nice Party Life · private boats, yachts & events on the French Riviera
Getting there from Nice
Cannes is about 30–40 minutes from Nice, and the train is by far the smartest way in during Festival week. The Nice–Cannes line drops you a 5-minute walk from the Vieux Port, with none of the parking and traffic pain. If you drive, park on the edge of town and walk in; central car parks fill fast and the roads by La Croisette get very busy. Coming from Nice for the day? See our Nice to Cannes guide.
Good to know before you go
- Go midweek (Tue–Thu) for smaller crowds; Friday night and the weekend are the busiest.
- Wear flat, non-marking shoes, you’ll be walking pontoons all day.
- Bring a hat, water and sunscreen; the pontoons are hot and shade is scarce.
- Book restaurants and boats well ahead, all of Cannes is full that week.
- Buy your e-ticket before you arrive, there are no ticket desks on site.
Local business on the Riviera?
Charter company, concierge, chauffeur, villa or venue? Get listed on Nice Party Life and reach visitors planning their Festival week.
FAQ
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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! 🌴✨
