Big parade, little train, rides… what are we doing in Nîmes this December 24 while waiting for Santa Claus ?

Rendez-vous pour la parade dès 18 h avec un départ devant le musée de la Romanité. Midi Libre – MiKAEL ANISSET

Plusieurs animations sont proposées dans le centre-ville de Nîmes tandis que des messes de Noël sont également organisées dans les églises de la ville.

La grande parade du centre-ville

With six floats, led by more than 120 dancers, come this Tuesday, December 24 to admire the great Christmas parade. Starting at 6 p.m., reindeer, elves, and Santa Claus will take young and old on a magical journey from the Musée de la Romanité to Boulevard Victor-Hugo, Rue Général-Perrier, Boulevard Amiral-Courbet, before greeting the public on Boulevard de la Libération. Please note that Boulevards Courbet, Gambetta, and Victor-Hugo and Rues Notre-Dame and Gaston-Boissier will be closed to traffic from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

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The Polar Village and the Fairground

What if we took a little spin on the ice rink or the merry-go-round while waiting for Santa Claus ? The polar village, with its six gourmet chalets, its ice rink, but also the nearby Ferris wheel, awaits little sports enthusiasts, curious or gourmands from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. (2 p.m. to 8 p.m. for the Ferris wheel). Ice rink: €2 for a 45-minute session, skates included and gloves required. For children under 8 years old: accompanying adult required The fairground area includes eleven rides on the Esplanade with a toboggan run, a snowball shooting range and a giant Christmas tree.

The little Christmas train

Until January 5, the train runs every day from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., except December 25 and January 1. Circuit around the Écusson in the direction of traffic, two stops: the dome and the arenas (Cheval Blanc). Tickets, offered by the City, are available at participating downtown merchants for any purchase.

Christmas of the Heart

Organised by the Pastorale nîmoise, with the support of the Evangelical Churches of Nîmes and Marguerittes, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Gard, the town hall of Nîmes, the Departmental Council of Gard, the Order of Malta France, the Tango buses and the Rotary Club Tour Magne, the Christmas evening of the Heart offers a meal for New Year's Eve to the most deprived and single people of the city, with also entertainment for children. At the exhibition centre, free entry without registration; free bus, departure 6:30 p.m. in front of the train station, Feuchères side.

Christmas masses in Nîmes this Tuesday, December 24

ÉChurch of Bethlehem: 8 p.m.
Cathedral: 11:30 p.m.
Courbessac: 6 p.m.
Monastery of the Clarisse: 23 h
Our Lady of Children: 19h
Saint-Baudile: 19h
Saint-Césaire : 18 h
Sainte-Eugénie  Chapel: 24 h
Sainte-Jeanne d’Arc : 19 h
Sainte-Perpétue: 18h
Saint-Joseph (route de Sauve) : 18h 30
Saint Luc (rue Bonfa) : 18h 30
Saint-Paul (boulevard Victor-Hugo) : 19h

As a reminder, until Tuesday, December 24, surface parking is free in downtown Nîmes.