Lou Queernaval 🌈
Lou Queernaval, when Carnival opens up to every kind of pride
On Friday 27 February 2026 at 8 pm, Lou Queernaval returns at the heart of the Nice Carnival. Launched in 2015, it is France’s first gay carnival and has become a free, open and popular event where celebration becomes a shared language.
Sometimes, one evening is enough to shift perspectives, open things up and turn the street into a space for shared freedom. On 27 February, the city hosts a one-of-a-kind moment, rooted in Carnival tradition while clearly focused on inclusion, connection and togetherness.
You’ll see Nice batucadas, drag queens, dancers and artists coming together around a simple message: sharing and inclusion. Costumes catch the light, rhythms flow, people move. You watch, you clap, you join in no labels, no boundaries.
Since its creation, Lou Queernaval has drawn crowds well beyond Nice. Visitors from across France and around the world gather to kick off a festive weekend shaped by diversity and openness. The event is led by the local LGBTQIA+ community, in close partnership with the City of Nice.
Lou Queernaval extends the spirit of the Nice Carnival with a distinct, contemporary and joyful energy. With humour, creativity and a touch of boldness, it offers another way to experience a long-standing local tradition, open, respectful and shared. A night where everyone is welcome, where people celebrate together, and where the party truly comes alive.
