Santons fair in Antibes cancelled in 2026, will return in 2027

The Association of Friends of Sainte-Armentière announced on 13 August 2026 the cancellation of the traditional santons fair in Antibes, which usually took place in October. The municipality acknowledged communication problems and hopes to resume the event in 2027.

Unexpected cancellation

The Association of Friends of Sainte-Armentière, based in Antibes, announced on 13 August 2026 on its Facebook page the cancellation of the santons fair, which for many years brought together masters and collectors in October. The decision caused disappointment among regular visitors and participants.

Co-organiser and craftsman Nicolas Kane noted that the decision was not an easy one, and stressed that “with sadness we announce the discontinuation of our show.” The cancellation is linked to organisational difficulties and insufficient coordination between the association and the city services.

The municipality’s position

Culture councillor Gaël Dumas, who was instrumental in setting up the event, acknowledged that there was a “real communication problem, which everyone recognises.” She clarified that there had been a “general mistake” due to which the dates for installing and dismantling the contemporary ceramics exhibition that was to occupy the space were not agreed.

“We faced a situation where one exhibition was cancelled and another replaced. But there is a week for installation and a week for dismantling, and the calculations were wrong,” Dumas explained. She emphasised that the town hall has no intention of abandoning the fair: “The mayoralty’s wish is to prevent the disappearance of the santons fair.”

Hope for a return

Despite the cancellation, the municipality has already offered the association a round-table meeting to find a solution. “Next year the fair will take place. The offer was made, we are ready to discuss,” said Gaël Dumas.

Nicolas Kane confirmed that contact with the mayoralty has been restored but was cautious in his forecasts: “I am waiting to see how things develop for 2027. It is too early to say for now, everything must start again.” Traditionally the fair attracted about 3,000 visitors over the weekend and was first held in the 8 May 1945 Hall, and later in the Arcades cultural space.

While waiting to return to Antibes, the association is organising a similar event in Plan-de-la-Tour (Var department) on 10 and 11 October 2026, where around ten santonniers will gather.

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Photo: Yu Xinlei / Pexels