Long live the Queen! The Carnival reinvents itself for 2026.
After decades of male-dominated reigns, it’s time to celebrate femininity with the bold theme “Long live the Queen,”
Behind this enigmatic theme, we will be able to highlight the struggles of many lives and create a dramaturgy that pays tribute to the great heroines of humanity, real or fictional, across eras and centuries.
We will explore major scientific discoveries and great explorations. Innovations in craftsmanship, culture, and painting. Historic sports moments as well as renowned literary works. This carnival will also be a time to deliver strong messages about women’s status in different countries and the role of women in our contemporary societies. We cannot overlook great warriors, historic female leaders, or prominent resistance figures. The 2026 Nice Carnival will also feature heroines from comics, films, series, and novels. The animal kingdom will not be forgotten, as “They” also rule the animal world.
Finally, we keep in mind that our planet is feminine (Mother Earth) and that across the globe, people celebrate and protect Lady Nature.
The 2026 Nice Carnival will, therefore, be a carnival of heroines!
All the Troupes
Company Name: La Sal de Torrevieja
Show Name: Silver Princess / Golden Phoenix
Origin: Spain
Description:
- Silver Princess: magnificent dancers wearing sumptuous silver and white costumes. The troupe captivates all spectators with its grace and the beauty of its outfits.
- Golden Phoenix: highly skilled dancers in golden metal warrior costumes.
Company Name: Master Ballet
Show Name: Master Ballet
Origin: Spain
Description:
- Orange Costume: A performance immersing us in the legend of a mythical being, torn between strength and fragility. With its imposing silhouette, the dragon bears an impenetrable shell, forged by battles and time. Yet beneath this unbreakable exterior beats a sensitive heart, scarred by past war wounds and the weight of fear. This creation reveals the duality of the Dragon: a formidable guardian driven by unwavering vengeance, yet also a tormented creature with unspoken desires and emotions.
- Wing Costume: Elegant dancers, dressed in stunning handmade angel costumes, perform an impeccable choreography to gentle music.
Company Name: Not specified
Show Name: Timbaloe Batucada
Origin: Spain
Description: A group of young musicians capable of playing drums with passion and energy, transporting the audience into their world.
Company Name: La Sal de Torrevieja
Show Name: Ametistas / Rainbow Dream
Origin: Spain
Description: Magnificent dancers wearing sumptuous pink, silver, and white costumes, entirely handmade from fine, recycled fabrics. The troupe participates annually in Spain’s major carnivals and has performed at international events in China, France, Italy, Croatia, Hungary, and more.
Company Name: Lanceurs de drapeaux Asta di Asti
Show Name: LD Asta di Asti
Origin: Italy
Description: The performance draws inspiration from the historic “flag game” of Asti, both as a historical and sporting expression, documented as early as 1275. Costumes faithfully replicate medieval attire, and flags display the colors of all participating villages, districts, and municipalities in the Palio di Asti.
Company Name: Not specified
Show Name: Italian Skaters
Origin: Italy
Description: A magnificent group of skaters, highly experienced and elegant, wearing unique costumes created especially for the 2026 Nice Carnival.
Company Name: Kalimba Batucada
Show Name: Kalimba Batucada
Origin: Spain
Description: Kalimba Batucada is a percussion group from the Murcia region of Spain, aiming to energize streets and bring spectacle wherever they go.
Company Name: Not specified
Show Name: Female Icons / Women of Tomorrow / Cartoons
Origin: Spain
Description: Two performances celebrating women in all their facets. One highlights historical women such as Frida Kahlo, Joan of Arc, and others.
The other presents enchanting characters from fairy tales and cartoons, like Snow White, Alice in Wonderland, and more.
Company Name: Stelzen Art
Show Name: Marie-Antoinette & her Court
Origin: Germany
Description: A fascinating and elegant performance highlighting the splendors of Queen Marie-Antoinette’s legendary court, a timeless inspiration for artists, honored by Stelzen Art in this unique show.
Company Name: Lanceurs de drapeaux de Alba
Show Name: LD de Alba
Origin: Italy
Description: The Alba flag-throwing group was founded in 1974 to revive ancient flag games from the Middle Ages. They officially represent the Langhe region in Italy and abroad, bearing the red and white colors under the name “Flag Bearers and Musicians of the City of Alba.”
Company Name: Te Lo Digo Bailando
Show Name: Las Mujeres Samurais
Origin: Spain
Description: An energetic and powerful dance performance, featuring beautiful dancers in exotic costumes and valiant samurai women.
Company Name: Ballet Carmina Nadal
Show Name: Las Guardianas del Viento
Origin: Spain
Description: “Las Guardianas del Viento” is a contemporary and classical dance work choreographed by Carmina Nadal. Inspired by nature, female strength, and mysticism, it features protective warrior women and captures dreams and nightmares in a poetic and visually striking narrative.
Company Name: Ballet Gawazi
Show Name: La Louve & Guerreras
Origin: Spain
Description:
- Guerreras: A group of beautiful, strong, and elegant warriors. The costumes are stunning, entirely handmade by expert costume designers.
- La Louve: A group of wolves in original, unique costumes, evoking strength, momentum, and their characteristic fur.
Company Name: Batucada Batala
Show Name: Batucada Batala
Origin: Spain
Description: Batala is an international percussion group performing Brazilian samba-reggae. Their infectious rhythms and vibrant sounds will make you dance! With over 30 percussionists, the Barcelona-based group performs in more than 30 cities worldwide.
Company Name: La Sal de Torrevieja
Show Name: Las Reinas del Carnaval
Origin: Spain
Description: Magnificent dancers wearing sumptuous pink, silver, and white costumes, entirely handmade from refined recycled fabrics. The troupe participates annually in Spain’s major carnivals and has performed internationally in China, France, Italy, Croatia, Hungary, and more.
Company Name: Not specified
Show Name: Medellin Vanguardia
Origin: Spain
Description: Medellín Vanguardia presents an interpretation of Queen Marie-Antoinette, accompanied by wind and percussion musicians, as well as a group of dancers with visual elements like flags. Period costumes enrich the show, presented directly from Colombia.
Company Name: Not specified
Show Name: Comparsa Tamba Taya
Origin: Spain
Description: A dance show accompanied by vibrant modern music, conveying “The Silver Legion.”
More than just a carnival costume, it pays tribute to women’s power: creators, leaders, and true protagonists of their era. Their mission was to protect the queen. With majestic feathers, they embody grandeur and freedom, representing women who shine, inspire, and pave new paths. An ideal fantasy for those who want not only to dazzle but also to convey a message of strength, elegance, and centrality of women in the world.
Company Name: Not specified
Show Name: Sinjske Mazoretkinje & Band
Origin: Croatia
Description: The majorettes and band from Sinj, Croatia. The majorettes are current world champions in majorette dance, accompanied by their hometown band.
Company Name: Ballet Ivan Gomez
Show Name: Queens of the Crownes
Origin: Spain
Description: A fabulous diva takes you on a celestial journey.
Surrounded by Astros, magical characters and light creatures, she brings forth new stars and worlds. These otherworldly acrobats dance along the Milky Way and juggle comets in a star-filled ballet.
The procession is punctuated by close-up pyrotechnic performances and fire manipulation.
Company Name: Ballet Victor Campo
Show Name: Honor y Gloria
Origin: Spain
Company Name: Not specified
Show Name: Mazoretky Diana
Origin: Slovakia
Description: Majorettes and band. Six-time European champions, Slovak champions for 20 years.
Company Name: Not specified
Show Name: Los Joroperos
Origin: Spain
Description: Carnival No. 1 in Tenerife for 20 years! Group founded in 1972. Tours throughout Europe.
Company Name: Not specified
Show Name: Noise Mazoretky
Origin: Slovakia
Description: Majorettes and band. Tours throughout Europe. International competitions.
Company Name: Lanceurs de Drapeaux Sbandieratori di Arezzo
Show Name: LD Sbandieratori di Arezzo
Origin: Italy
Description: No. 1 flag-throwing group, first founded in 1960! They have traveled all over the world.
Company Name: Ballet Ana Botella
Show Name: Angeles / Les Blancs de Dragones & Fire & Dragon / Drac et Focs
Origin: Spain
Description: Ballet Ana Botella is one of Valencia’s most international ballet troupes. Their choreographies and performances are created annually for the Moros y Cristianos festivities in Alcoy, recognized as cultural heritage. Their 20 dancers have enchanted Nice audiences for over 10 years. This year, they present costumes of Drac et Focs and Blancs de Dragones.
Company Name: Yera Teatro
Show Name: Lo Minusculo
Origin: Spain
Description: A giant-step puppet discovers the world as a whisper. Hearing awakens to the voices of the wind, touch to stones and children’s hands. Sight blooms like a flower in the sun. In every street, the tiny becomes immense. A multidisciplinary show where a five-meter marionette explores the world through all five senses.
Company Name: Not specified
Show Name: Parade Univers
Origin: France
Description: Star- and sphere-shaped characters form a fantastical parade. They can change colors: white, yellow, red, blue, green… A 5-meter-high illuminated float with original music accompanies this sparkling procession.
Company Name: Aérosculpture
Show Name: Star Catchers
Origin: France
Description: Invent a new zodiac sign, draw a new constellation, transform day into a starry night…
The twinkling stars play with the sun and turn reality into a dream.
Company Name: Nice Kid’s
Show Name: Ambianceurs & Animator
Origin: Nice
Description: Ambianceurs and Gilles ROCHE, NKP Production.
A touch of whimsy, lots of energy for a fun atmosphere.
Gilles Roche, master of ceremonies for Her Majesty for 10 years, shares information and the history of the Carnival, creating an environment that turns spectators into active participants. Karaoke dance and theme-related games transform the audience.
He is assisted by a team of dancers and performers with a precise role: to lead the audience into this temporary madness, achieving the “Wowwww…” effect every event organizer dreams of.
Company Name: Plasticiens Volants
Show Name: 5 Inflatable Structures
Origin: France
Description: The Queen is everywhere: in our myths, dreams, and rebellions. In Nice, Plasticiens Volants offer her a poetic procession: the Cantatrice, Nikki the Mare, the Dove, the Earth-Frog, and the Princess. Majestic yet fragile, these aerial creatures sculpt the sky with universal symbols. They combine softness and power, humor and consciousness, inviting everyone to see the world differently. A vibrant parade where imagination becomes an act of freedom.
Company Name: Remue Ménage
Show Name: Street Revue
Origin: France
Description: Street Revue immerses us in the ambiance and bustle of cabarets from the 1920s to today. This sparkling, sensual, lively creation inspires a return to celebration and magic. The desire to gather, go out, celebrate, and embrace the street, to believe and continue living together, gives color to this performance.
Dazzling characters, inspired by haute couture parades, dressed in feathers, dancer-artists and acrobats, emerge from a musical Iron Lady, inviting reunions in the street where public space gathers us again.
An unusual encounter, full of joy and beauty, desire and nostalgia, inspired by the characteristic world of French cabarets, elegant and timeless. An invitation to celebrate.
Company Name: Elixir
Show Name: Astro Diva
Origin: France
Description: A fabulous diva accompanies you on a celestial journey.
Surrounded by Astros, magical characters and light creatures, she brings forth new stars and worlds. These otherworldly acrobats dance along the Milky Way and juggle comets in a star-filled ballet. The procession is punctuated by close-up pyrotechnic performances and fire manipulation.
Company Name: Danka
Show Name: Contre-Temps
Origin: France
Description: Tick, tock, tick, tock…
The big clock is playing up, determined to take a break, giving itself a minute, or even an hour, off…
Deconstructed
Each element of its complex mechanism breaks free from its frenetic gears.
Time fades away…
The machine comes to life, freeing MILA the Automaton from her golden cage.
A mobile and luminous machine.
A luminous street fresco in motion.
The aesthetic
A mobile and luminous machine.
Actors move around a clock in motion.
An automaton dancer, inside this machinery, breaks free from this mechanical universe to perform swaying dances.
A trapeze artist soars on a mobile, autonomous apparatus, spinning on its axis and rising nine meters high, flying over her audience like a bird released from its cage.
A giant puppet, a free spirit, symbolizes the chime that rings and marks the time.
Company Name: Pangaea Batucada
Show Name: Pangaea Batucada
Origin: Nice
Description: Pangaea (pronounced Pangaya): 100% female, 100% Nice-based batucada.
The Panguigirls, percussionists from Nice and the South of France, are ready to ignite this 2026 edition, celebrating women with powerful Afro-Brazilian rhythms. From samba to merengue-zouk, they move in rhythm with choreographies, stage games, and audience interaction.
Company Name: Planète Vapeur
Show Name: The Tree of Seasons
Origin: Nice
Description: “The majestic tree, witness to the passing of time, its branches stretching out across the seasons. Before it, four wading birds embody the seasons: budding spring, blazing summer, melancholic autumn, peaceful winter. This spectacle is an ode to the cycle of the seasons, a celebration of the perpetual cycle where each ending heralds a renewal. Time passes, but life dances on forever…”
Company Name: Planète Vapeur
Show Name: Micro Cosmos
Origin: Nice
Description: Beneath the foliage of the darkest forests, among ferns or on moss, lives a very strange people. The grass people. Tiny!
Almost invisible! But when the tiny becomes gigantic, anything is possible…
A twelve-meter-long grasshopper with colorful eyes carries musicians and acrobats!
A water-spitting, dizzy spider!
Mysterious stilts, armored and curious insects!
Let yourself go and enter the Microcosmos!
Company Name: SAS Update – Cie Task T. Arène
Show Name: Dali’s Surreal Parade
Origin: France
Description: Imagine the appearance of the Master and his wife Gala riding on the back of an unusual metal horse…
Embedded in the body of this imposing animal are numerous objects that wink at Dalí’s works, such as melting clocks, glowing eggs, a giant eye, a lobster telephone…
On the ground, surrounding the couple, dancers with crocodile and bird heads share the space with flower women wearing skirts shaped like mouths.
To close this first tableau, a mystical stilt walker inspired by the Madonna wanders through, carrying her cross…
Colorful and wildly eccentric, this parade takes you…
Company Name: 24 Carats
Show Name: Karaba (Africa)
Origin: Nice
Description: Queen Karaba has come from the lands of Africa with her fetishes to enchant us and to demonstrate her strength, her beauty, her courage, and her great power.
Listen… the spirits are speaking to you!
Company Name: 24 Carats
Show Name: The woman is a rose
Origin: Indonesia
Description: The Indonesian Carnival comes to Nice and aims to leave an indelible mark on everyone’s memory through its floral costumes, which pay tribute to the beauty of women.
Company Name: La Ciamada Nissarda
Show Name: La Ciamada Nissarda
Origin: Nice
Description: Choreographed procession with music.
Company Name: Nice la Belle
Show Name: Nice la Belle
Origin: Nice
Company Name: Kalice Spectacles
Show Name: Flowers Queen
Origin: Nice
Description: Flowers have become the signature of Kalice Spectacles, with a multitude of creations and patents developed over 23 years, including the famous Magic Flower, which has toured the world multiple times.
The French Riviera holds flowers with delightful fragrances, queens of perfumery.
This troupe gives them full shape and brilliance, set to lively music, with luminous and magical costumes. Unique floral scents.
Two-piece flower costumes topped with two giant inflatables on 6-meter diameter carts.
Everything is bright, dynamic, and festive: they make everyone dance along their path.
Company Name: Teatro Pavana
Show Name: Danzanti / Ballerine
Origin: Netherlands
Description:
- Ballerine: From which marvelous ballet have these dancers escaped? As the Ballerine execute their pirouettes, their magnificent colorful skirts open spectacularly. Clouds of tulle wave and swirl, in unison or contrast, to the rhythm of the music.
- Danzanti: The Danzanti are graceful señoritas with a strong character. While their dance can be very passionate, they also reveal great gentleness. Set to mainly Spanish music, they offer varied choreography, sometimes captivating, sometimes serene and elegant. They skillfully use large fans, fabrics, veil-fans, and wings. Their costumes, in different shades of red, play a key role. By cleverly manipulating large silk fabrics, the Danzanti seem to transform with every movement.
Company Name: 24 Carats
Show Name: Queens of Africa
Origin: Nice
Description: Ten majestic costumes proudly celebrating Africa’s ancestral traditions. Here are the Queens of Africa! A powerful and inspiring symbol of the 24 Carats company.
Company Name: Exotica Danse
Show Name: Egypt / Queens of France
Origin: Nice
Description: Long live the Queen! Exotica Danse honors the Queens of France with their majestic gowns and the Queens of Egypt, taking the audience on a journey with their sumptuous golden costumes.
Company Name: Brasuca Danse
Show Name: Brasuca Danse
Origin: Nice
Description: “Deusas do Ebano” – Queens of the Carnival is an original and authentic show featuring the “Deusas do Ebano,” who in Afro-Brazilian culture represent the queens of the great African kingdoms during the colonial era, sold as slaves by the great colonial empire. An ancestral heritage reflected in Afro-Brazilian culture, particularly through samba, symbolizing today the queens of Brazil’s two largest carnivals: Salvador de Bahia and Rio de Janeiro, internationally recognized events.
Company Name: Classi Jazz
Show Name: Queens of Hearts
Origin: Nice
Description: A danced parade – myth or reality? Whether in Alice in Wonderland or Tim Burton’s reinterpretation, the Queen of Hearts fascinates… Even more when seen on playing cards worldwide, as Judith, the biblical heroine. Will the audience be enchanted by the umbrellas and veils of our Queen of Hearts, or let themselves be “beheaded”?
Company Name: Colombie Côte d’Azur
Show Name: Wayúu Women
Origin: Nice
Description: This show highlights the importance of Wayúu women in their culture, where they represent matriarchal authority. They are protectors, defending biodiversity and transmitting ancestral knowledge. They are agents of change: from their hands flow water and food in a territory often associated with scarcity.
Company Name: Lanceurs de Drapeaux Sbandieratori Fivizzano
Show Name: LD Sbandieratori Fivizzano
Origin: Italy
Description: With over 2,000 performances in Italy and worldwide, the historic Fivizzano Group demonstrates reliability and high-quality shows. Exercises are performed solo, in pairs, trios, and small or large ensembles, adaptable to any space. Drums, trumpets, and flutes accompany this majestic procession. Beyond Italy’s most prestigious cities, the group has participated in numerous international tours including Austria, France, Vatican, Switzerland, Germany, Spain, Brazil, South Africa, Chile, Argentina, Mexico, Belarus, England, Scotland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Turkey, Portugal, Denmark, Venezuela, China, USA, Cyprus, Thailand, UAE, Australia, Poland, Russia, Ukraine, Palestine, Kuwait, Monaco, Slovenia, and Croatia.
Company Name: Tambour’In + Young Dream
Show Name: Tambour’In
Origin: Nice
Company Name: Tambour’In + Young Dream
Show Name: Young Dream
Origin: Nice
Description: Choreographed procession by the Young Dream association on the theme of the Amazons, accompanied by Latin/tribal percussion performed by the Tambour’In group. An artistic collaboration celebrating the strong, combative, and independent woman. A unique and colorful tableau conveying the festive spirit of the Nice Carnival. Long live the Queen!
Company Name: Corps & Danse
Show Name: The Ice Queen
Origin: Nice
Description: At the heart of the carnival, the Ice Queen lights up the parade. Her silver flashes and polar blue reflections blend with joy and hypnotic rhythms, offering a grand spectacle. Founded in 2011, Corps et Danse is a professional troupe based in Nice, offering shows, animations, parades, and carnivals for all audiences, featuring artistic and cultural styles including Latin-American, Brazilian, and Caribbean, with a modern aesthetic.
Company Name: Street Ladies L
Show Name: Street Ladies L
Origin: France
Description: Parade of majorettes and cheerleaders: 47 girls from Albi aged 8 to 25, recognized in their field. French champions since 2015, vice-European champions since 2023, and triple world champions in 2024. They aim to transmit as much joy and sparkle to the audience as they feel themselves at the Nice Carnival.
Company Name: Swing’N’Show
Show Name: Queens of Spring
Origin: Nice
Description: Swing’n Show presents “Queens of Spring.”
What a delight to stroll on a sunny spring day as nature awakens from its winter slumber. Wildflowers adorn themselves in their most beautiful colors. The show is breathtaking!
And this time, what if the flowers themselves came to dance among us in a magical, whirling performance?
Company Name: The Show Globe Parade
Show Name: Living Snow Globe, Sea Sphere, Enchanted Flower Globe and Mystic Mirror Globe
Origin: United Kingdom
Description: The Show Globe presents the Grand Parade.
An international all-female artistic company from the UK, with mobile magical worlds embodying timeless matriarchy. The Show Globes are magical worlds of exceptional quality, created in 2016 and presented worldwide. Micro-theaters that amaze from afar and enchant up close. Through physical theater, music, and special effects, these four worlds come alive for all ages. A unique and magnificent show.
The four worlds are:
- Mystic Mirror Globe: The wise Mystic, in this world filled with mirrors, invites the audience to look closer and pay attention to her messages and wisdom. This truth-teller shares her powers to illuminate and allow the public to connect with their divine truths.
- Enchanted Flower Globe: This magical world pays tribute to nature and Mother Earth’s strength, symbolizing the nourishing and vital power of the natural world. Butterfly puppets and the gentle character Floris enchant the spectators.
- Sea Sphere: The mermaid in this underwater world exercises her power over all who gaze upon her. Bubbles fill the air around this aquatic realm.
- Living Snow Globe: The Ice Queen’s power in her winter kingdom, majestic and elegant, surrounded by an icy landscape. She amazes the audience with a giant snowstorm at the push of a button!
Company Name: Fifres & Tambours des 3 Vallées
Show Name: Fifres & Tambours des 3 Vallées
Origin: Nice
Description: The fifres and drums are among the most authentic instruments, best representing Nice and its valleys.
During parades, aubades, and passa carriera, the music resounds, the atmosphere ignites: a whole neighborhood, village, or city enters the celebration. Traditional culture is highlighted through our instruments. The audience can see, admire, and discover the nuances of a tradition, a Nice way of life envied by the world.
Connoisseurs, actors, and promoters of this tradition, the Fifres and Drums of the Nice Country will be present all day on February 28th in Nice for a grand “passa carriera,” a festive stroll encouraging closeness and exchange with locals and visitors, around an aperitif or song. The day continues with their participation in parade formation for the grand closing corso and the Queen’s cremation.
Company Name: La Corte del Moro
Show Name: La Corte del Moro
Origin: Italy (Mondovi)
Description: La Corte del Moro, the masked troupe from the city of Mondovì, will be accompanied by the dance group “Good Vibes”, led by Manuela Marchisio, bringing to life a captivating historical reenactment.
Our masked group will parade in historical costumes and will be joined by professional dancers. Upon reaching the stands, the ensemble will perform a choreography inspired by the history of the Mondovì Carnival.
The first part of the performance will depict the Saracen invasion, culminating with the abduction of the beautiful village girl by the Moro.
Next, in line with the theme of the Nice Carnival 2026, the scene will focus on the two great female figures of La Corte del Moro: Bella Monregaleisa, kidnapped and then freed, and Princess Adelasia, daughter of Emperor Otto I.
The Moro will meet Adelasia on his path and decide to help her escape so she can live her love with Aleramo, a union opposed by her father.
The third part of the choreography will stage the confrontation between the emperor and the Moro, while the finale will celebrate the restored peace: the marriage of Adelasia and Aleramo, and that of Bella and Pietro, a commoner like her. Together, these two couples will found the city of Mondovì.
The performance will conclude with a grand choral celebration, involving the entire masked troupe in a triumph of music, dance, and festivity.
Company Name: Harmonie Fanfare La Jeunesse Niçoise
Show Name: Jeunesse Niçoise
Origin: Nice
Company Name: Harmonie Fanfare Écho de la Chaumière
Show Name: Écho de la Chaumière
Origin: Nice
