TrekUnity
When
May
Attendance
~40,000 industry + press
Admission
Free
Setting
Both
The Cannes Film Festival is the most prestigious event in world cinema — twelve May days on the French Riviera when the Palais des Festivals hosts premieres competing for the Palme d'Or, the red carpet fills with global stars, and the seaside town of Cannes becomes the glamorous center of the film industry.
While the main screenings are invitation-only, the atmosphere spills across the Croisette, the beaches, and the yacht-lined harbor — and a public "Cinéma de la Plage" shows films on the beach, wrapped in Riviera sun and style.
Want to go? Turn Cannes Film Festival into a trip you plan with your group.
Creates an editable trip seeded with a starter itinerary, hotels & eats.
Event details
Typical dates
About 12 days in mid-May
Admission
Screenings accredited/invite-only · red carpet & beach cinema free to watch
Parking
The Croisette is walkable; park outside the center or arrive by train from Nice.
Nearest airport
Nice Côte d'Azur (NCE) — ~30 min
Typical weather
Warm, sunny Riviera May — 70s °F; light layers and something for a glamorous evening.
Official website
Location
Cannes, France
Where to stay
InterContinental Carlton Cannes
The legendary belle-époque hotel on the Croisette.
Hôtel Martinez
Art Deco luxury by the sea.
Le Suquet guesthouses
Charming stays in the old town above the port.
Where to eat & drink
Marché Forville
The Provençal food market.
Socca & Niçoise fare
Riviera chickpea pancakes and salade niçoise.
La Croisette dining
See-and-be-seen seaside restaurants.
Nearby attractions
La Croisette & the Palais
The famous seafront boulevard and festival home.
Le Suquet (old town)
Cobbled streets and views over the bay.
Îles de Lérins
A short boat ride to peaceful island monasteries.
A sample itinerary
1Arrive + Croisette
- •Fly into NCE
- •Afternoon: La Croisette + the Palais
- •Evening: red-carpet watching
2Festival buzz
- •Morning: Marché Forville + Le Suquet
- •Evening: Cinéma de la Plage on the beach
3Islands + depart
- •Morning: Îles de Lérins
- •Head to NCE
Make it yours — an editable trip you can share with your group.
Travel tips
- Watch the red carpet and the free beach-cinema screenings.
- Base in Cannes or nearby Nice and take the coastal train.
- Book far ahead — Riviera lodging spikes during the festival.
Frequently asked questions
Can the public attend Cannes screenings?
The main competition screenings are accreditation/invite-only, but you can watch the red carpet arrivals and attend the free public "Cinéma de la Plage" beach screenings.
When is the Cannes Film Festival?
About 12 days in mid-May on the French Riviera.
How do you get there?
Fly into Nice and take the train or a transfer to Cannes (~30 minutes).
Going with friends?
TrekUnity keeps the whole group on the same page — vote on plans, split costs, and see who's arriving when.
Start planning freeTrekUnity is an independent travel guide and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Cannes Film Festival or its organizers. Dates, prices, and details are provided for informational purposes and can change — always confirm on the official event website before booking.