What’s on in Cannes this December

29 November 2015

Attend a Leading Luxury Travel Show and Fun-Filled Festive Events During a Stay at Amarante Cannes

Cannes is renowned the world-over for its glamorous events calendar and December’s line-up won’t disappoint. From a leading luxury travel event that’s set to attract the very best international hoteliers, to an atmospheric Christmas village and a stunning New Year’s Eve fireworks display, Cannes is the perfect destination to enjoy an unforgettable festive season.

International Luxury Travel Market

30th November – 3rd December 2015

Boasting the fact it generated an estimated €132 million worth of business in 2014, and describing itself as the ‘ultimate global meeting in the annual luxury travel calendar’, the 2015 International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM) in Cannes is set to be unmissable for both buyers and suppliers. Upon ascending the red carpeted steps of the renowned venue Palais des Festivals et des Congrès, each attendee can look forward to four inspiring days of networking, learning opportunities and ultimately big business.

1,500 international luxury travel buyers and over 80 of the world’s leading luxury travel editors will be seeking out the ultimate in luxury travel experiences for their clients and readers from 1,500 suppliers; including hotels, private islands, restaurants and cruises. Alongside the chance to make appointments to build business relationships, the event will also offer the opportunity to attend an informative three part forum that will focus on persuasive storytelling. Vice President of Strategic Partnerships for AMEX Consumer Travel, Claire Bennett, will be discussing luxury trends, while Robert McKee, mentor to writers including 200 Emmy award winners, will be offering advice on how to tell a story... and Dr Thomas Trautmann of SalesBrain, the first neuromarketing agency, will be asking the question, is there a buy button in the brain?

Following the forum on the 30th, guests will also be invited to attend the Welcome Reception and sip on a glass of Champagne while making new contacts. However, the main event will be the annual official party that’ll boast a Champagne tower, revolving dance floor and resident DJ at the Grand Hyatt Cannes Hôtel Martinez. With 5,760 minutes of networking opportunities, insights to help your business get ahead of the curve and even the chance to meet with representatives from JJW Hotels & Resort’s Hotel Balzac and Hotel de Vigny, ILTM will provide an exceptional opportunity for anyone working in luxury travel this December.

Cannes Christmas Village 

28th November – 3rd January 2015

Enjoy a host of exciting family-friendly experiences at the Cannes Christmas village this December. Located on the les Allées de la Liberté, a 15 minute stroll from Amarante Cannes, the seasonal event is offering the chance to browse 60 artisan stalls, show-off skating skills on a 400m² ice rink and inspire little ones at workshops. Children can have their photo taken with Santa, while the whole family can look forward to musical entertainment including a Christmas concert by Band of Hope on the 19th. Take the opportunity to catch an Ice Show for free including ‘The Screen Legend’, which will see the 2009 Figure Skating Champion of France, Yannick Ponsero, perform to songs from cult films including Grease.

Meanwhile, those in search of the perfect stocking filler or the chance to sample local produce can peruse a variety of festive wooden chalets. If all that wasn’t enough, there’ll also be a funfair offering rides and games on the Pantiero esplanade, as well as a secondary village in the town’s district of La Bocca, which will also offer the chance to attend a float-filled parade along the Avenue Francis Tonner. With such an inspiring variety of events on offer, Cannes is the perfect destination for a fun-filled countdown to Christmas.

New Year Fireworks

31st December 2015

Start 2016 in style at the annual New Year firework celebrations in Cannes! La Croisette is set to fill with an excited crowd of visitors and locals as the night’s sky fills with a beautiful display that glitters across the famous yacht-filled port. Hosted by the Mayor of Cannes, this year’s event will centre around the theme of Star Wars, with fireworks set off in time to music from the saga so far. The award-winning composer John Williams is behind every spine-tingling score, from the recognisable Overture that has been used to open each film, to the melody of Princess Leia’s Theme and the ominous sounds of the Imperial March. Excitement is currently building towards the release of the first film of the new sequel trilogy, The Force Awakens, which will be shown from the 16th of December in France... and will mean the theme should be a definite crowd-pleaser. Located just a 15 minute walk from our four-star hotel in Cannes, this event will offer a truly atmospheric experience this New Year’s Eve.

Whether your luxury stay in Cannes is for business or pleasure, with such an outstanding line-up of events, you can look forward to an unforgettable December in the South of France.