For twelve days, Cannes lives two lives in parallel. By day, it’s the festival — the screenings, the press conferences, the red carpet ascents. By night, it’s something else. It’s the real network, the real encounters, the real opportunities. And for our clients — agencies, talent, models, brands, press officers — the parties are often where everything is decided.
We’ve compiled the 2026 party calendar for you, with what you need to know about each one and, above all, how to get in. Spoiler: some are already full. For the rest, here are the keys.
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What you need to understand first
Cannes parties don’t work like ordinary events. There’s no ticket office, no official website to buy your place. Everything rests on three pillars: invitation, relationships and reputation. A fourth route exists — luxury concierge agencies that resell access at a high price. We cover it for each event.
A few universal rules before we get into the detail:
The dress code is strict and non-negotiable. Black tie for galas, formal attire for brand parties, couture strongly recommended for jewellery events. We’ve seen people turned away at the entrance to the Carlton in trainers and a blazer. Don’t push your luck.
Your festival badge won’t open any doors at private parties. They are two separate worlds. Your Cannes Film Festival press accreditation serves you by day. At night, it’s your address book that counts.
Never arrive too early. Cannes parties rarely get going before 10 pm. Arriving at 9 pm puts you among the suppliers and crews. Arriving at 11 pm puts you among the guests. Arriving after midnight is sometimes the best moment of all.
The calendar, party by party
12 May — Opening Ceremony After Party ⛔ FULL
The festival’s opening party, held after tonight’s ceremony hosted by Eye Haïdara. It’s the official kick-off of Cannes nightlife. The full jury — Park Chan-wook, Demi Moore, Chloé Zhao, Stellan Skarsgård, Ruth Negga — will be there, along with the team behind the opening film, Pierre Salvadori’s La Vénus électrique. Ultra-secure venue, list closed weeks in advance, no exceptions possible.
How to get in: It’s closed. For good. If you didn’t receive an official invitation from the festival before mid-April, you won’t be there tonight. Focus your energy on the days that follow.
14 May — Magnum Opening Party
The Magnum opening party is one of the most accessible of the week — and one of the most photographed. Every year the ice cream brand takes over an iconic venue on La Croisette for a party mixing creatives, models, lifestyle press and influencers. Festive atmosphere, open bar, DJ, and the unmissable personalised Magnum ice cream bar. It’s the kind of event that generates social content by the bucketload.
How to get in: Magnum works with local and national PR agencies for its invitations. Contact the agency handling Magnum France’s communications directly, several weeks in advance. If you represent a talent or influencer with an engaged community in food, fashion or lifestyle, your application stands a chance. Lifestyle journalists and specialist Festival photographers are regularly invited.
14 May — Nespresso × Brut
A collaboration between Nespresso and the media brand Brut, this party targets a very specific profile: content creators, new-generation journalists, digital media professionals. A relaxed cocktail format, very networking-focused — less glamorous than the mid-week galas but remarkably effective for professional connections.
How to get in: Brut handles the invitations on the digital side. If your agency produces video or social content and you have a link with the Brut team, that’s the way in. Nespresso also reaches out to its direct ambassador partners. Recognised digital press accreditation helps.
14 May — Model Party
The models’ party is a mid-festival classic. After-club format, loud music, an exclusively fashion and beauty crowd. It’s the event of Wednesday night, the one that finishes latest. The big model agencies — Elite, IMG, NEXT — invite their talent. Fashion and beauty brands present at the festival bring along their ambassadors.
How to get in: Go through your model agency if you’re talent. If you’re a brand or a communications agency, the contact is made via bookers at the major model agencies or via the fashion PRs on La Croisette. It isn’t an event open to the general press.
15 May — Chopard Love Party ⛔ FULL
The most coveted party of the first week. Every year Chopard hosts a private party bringing together the cream of world cinema, the biggest names in jewellery and the most photographed faces of the festival. The dress code has been explicit for years: black tie, diamonds and a touch of love. This year, with Demi Moore as patron of the Chopard Trophy, the line-up is even stronger. Venue kept secret until the last moment, entry screened at the door by a private security team.
How to get in: It’s closed. Invitations are sent by Chopard directly to its ambassadors, official partners and the festival’s VIP guests. No concierge agency, however premium, can guarantee access. If your client is a Chopard ambassador or a jewellery partner of the festival, that’s the only way in.
15 May — Nespresso Ambassadors Party
More intimate than the Nespresso × Brut party on the 14th, this Ambassadors edition is reserved for the brand’s official faces and those close to them. Seated dinner, luxurious setting, hushed atmosphere. It’s the kind of evening where the real conversations happen.
How to get in: Only via Nespresso directly, as part of an ambassador partnership or an official collaboration with the brand. If your talent or brand is in partnership talks with Nespresso, now is the time to follow up.
15 May — Private Castle Party
A party held in a private château in the hills behind Cannes — Mougins, Valbonne or Grasse depending on the year. A very closed format, a list of 150 to 200 people maximum, a mix of producers, investors and international talent. No public communication, no official photos. It’s the kind of party nobody talks about but everyone wants to be at.
How to get in: Exclusively through your network. These parties circulate within very closed professional circles. If you have a producer or international distributor contact who is invited, that’s your only way in. The concierges at the Martinez or the Majestic can sometimes point their VIP clients in the right direction, provided there’s a long-standing relationship.
16 May — Nespresso × GQ
The Nespresso-GQ collaboration targets men of style — actors, directors, designers, art directors. Chic cocktail format, photocall, international men’s press in attendance. It’s an event that generates great images and solid press coverage.
How to get in: GQ France and GQ international handle invitations on their side. Contact the GQ editorial or events team with a press kit if you represent a male talent. Nespresso reaches out to its partners. Event concierges at the big hotels can sometimes point you in the right direction.
17 May — Roberto Cavalli Party
The Roberto Cavalli party is a Cannes institution. Animal print, gold, rhinestones, unapologetic excess — it’s exactly what you imagine. The Florentine house invites its muses, its VIP clients and the personalities who embody its exuberant world. It’s one of the most photogenic parties of the festival, and one of the most free-spirited.
How to get in: Roberto Cavalli works with agents and fashion PRs for its invitations. If your talent embodies the brand’s world — boldness, glamour, sensuality — submit a profile to the Cavalli communications team. Models who have walked for the brand often find access easier. Some luxury concierge agencies also offer access.
18 May — Chopard “Miracles” After Party
Chopard’s second big party of the week, centred on a specific collection or theme. An after-dinner format, more festive than the Love Party on the 15th, with a DJ and performances. The atmosphere is more relaxed but the list remains very selective. This party often brings together talent who have been involved in Chopard projects throughout the year.
How to get in: Same logic as the Love Party: through Chopard directly. However, the “Miracles” party is slightly less closed, and some fashion or talent agencies with ties to the house can secure places. One or two direct contacts at Chopard are essential.
19 May — Kilian Paris Party
Niche fragrance house Kilian Paris throws one of the most sensual, most nightclub-style parties of the festival. Dark atmosphere, heady scents, a fashion-beauty-music guest list. Kilian Hennessy attracts a very on-trend crowd, a mix of international it-girls, art directors and faces from independent luxury.
How to get in: Kilian Paris works with beauty and fashion PRs on its invitations. If your client or talent is in the luxury beauty or high-end fashion space, contact is made via the house’s communications team. High-end beauty influencer platforms are regularly approached.
20 May — Philipp Plein Fashion Show
Philipp Plein is the very definition of calculated excess. The German-Swiss designer turns every Cannes edition into a moment of pure spectacle. Tonight, it’s a fully fledged fashion show — monumental staging, international models, hand-picked guests, a worldwide livestream. It’s one of the most widely covered events of the festival outside the official competition.
How to get in: Philipp Plein invites its muses, VIP clients and the international fashion press. If you’re a model with a strong book, submit your profile to the casting team. If you’re a journalist or a fashion press agency, request official press accreditation via the brand’s communications office. Clients of the Plein showroom in Cannes sometimes enjoy privileged access.
20 May — Knight Charity Gala + Castle After Party
A charity gala organised by the Knight Club or an associated entity, followed by an after party in a château. A gala dinner format with auctions, speeches and performances, then an after party at a private venue. It’s the classic Cannes charity gala formula — paid access for the gala, closed list for the after party.
How to get in: Charity galas of this kind sell tables (between €5,000 and €25,000 depending on placement). It’s the most direct and transparent way to attend. The château after party is strictly by invitation, usually reserved for major donors and the event’s partners.
20 May — Eva Longoria — Global Gift Gala After Party
Eva Longoria is one of the most visible figures at the festival, and the Global Gift Foundation has been her cause for years. The Global Gift Gala is a charity dinner in aid of the Global Gift Foundation, which supports children and families in need. Red carpet format, cocktails, seated dinner, live auction, performances. The after party that follows is even more exclusive than the gala itself.
How to get in: The Gala sells tables and individual seats — expect between €2,500 and €10,000 depending on placement. Contact the Global Gift Foundation directly or its ticketing partners (SwissGlam, Above+Beyond). For the after party, only premium donors and Eva Longoria’s personal guests get in.
20 May — Philipp Plein — Champagne & Candy
Plein’s second event of the evening — a more festive, clubbier format. Champagne, giant sweets, kitsch-luxe decor. It’s the uninhibited, after-dark version of the Plein universe. The designer hosts his friends, his collaborators and a few last-minute surprises.
How to get in: It follows on from the fashion show the same evening. If you’re on the show list, you generally have access to this after party. Otherwise, the same channels as for the Fashion Show apply.
21 May — amfAR Eden-Roc Gala After Party
Since 1993, the amfAR gala has been the festival’s most iconic event, bar none. Tonight it takes place at the Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Antibes — the most exclusive palace hotel on the Côte d’Azur. Geena Davis hosts the evening, with performances by Robbie Williams, Zara Larsson and PinkPantheress. The fashion show is once again curated by Carine Roitfeld, with houses such as Alaïa, Jacquemus, Louis Vuitton, Miu Miu, Prada and Tom Ford on the runway. The event’s chairs include Leonardo DiCaprio, Tommy Hilfiger, Eva Longoria and Chopard’s Caroline Scheufele. It’s the most coveted ticket of the festival.
How to get in: amfAR is a black-tie event, with tickets and tables available by contacting the organisation directly. Expect between €10,000 and €50,000 for a table depending on placement. Specialist agencies such as Magnificence Agency and Cornucopia Events offer complete packages including accommodation, transfers and access. It’s the most reliable — and most transparent — way to be there.
21 May — DiCaprio amfAR After Party
After the official amfAR gala, an even more exclusive after party takes place in an adjoining space or on a private yacht nearby. Leonardo DiCaprio, who co-chairs the gala, hosts his personal guests. Fewer than 100 people. No cameras. The true Cannes inner circle.
How to get in: Honestly? There’s no way in. If you’re not in the personal network of DiCaprio or someone close to him, there’s no point trying. No concierge agency can get you in. Enjoy the amfAR gala, which is already exceptional in itself.
21 May — Kering Private Ambassadors Party
Kering — the group behind Gucci, Balenciaga, Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta and Alexander McQueen — hosts a party for its ambassadors and official partners. It’s as much an internal showcase as an image exercise. Status still to be confirmed at the time of publication.
How to get in: Exclusively via an ambassador partnership with one of the Kering group’s houses. If your talent is under contract with Gucci, Saint Laurent or another house in the group, their agent or press officer must submit the request to the events department of the house concerned.
22 May — Philipp Plein — An Evening of Glamour & Prestige
Plein’s penultimate party is often the grandest of his Cannes week. Gala dinner, theatrical staging, international guest list. Plein treats this event as a closing moment ahead of the festival’s official closing — a way for the brand to leave its mark on the edition.
How to get in: Same logic as the other Plein parties — via the brand’s communications office, the fashion press team or a partner concierge agency. At this stage of the festival, the lists have often been finalised for several days.
23 May — Philipp Plein Private Soirée
Philipp Plein’s private closing party, on the very evening the Palme d’Or is awarded. End-of-festival atmosphere, guests who have lasted the distance, electric energy. It’s the last big party of the 2026 edition before everyone disappears on the morning of the 24th.
How to get in: Guests at this party are generally Plein-week regulars — those who attended the show and the previous dinners, and who built a relationship with the brand’s team throughout the festival. It’s the reward for consistency.
The golden rules to maximise your chances
Plan at least 30 days ahead. The lists for the big parties often close several weeks before the festival. Waiting until you’re in Cannes to look for invitations is a classic mistake. Identify the events that match your profile or your client’s, and start the process now.
Your profile must match the party’s world. A beauty model belongs at the Kilian party. An independent filmmaker stands a chance at the Private Castle. An audiovisual production agency has a legitimate place at the Nespresso × Brut party. Don’t aim for every party — aim for the ones where you have something to bring.
Network beats money. For the most exclusive parties — Chopard Love, DiCaprio After, Castle Party — no budget can replace a genuine human relationship. Invest in your Cannes network all year round, not just in May.
Polish your digital presence before you arrive. Many PR teams check applicants’ Instagram and LinkedIn profiles before approving an invitation. A consistent professional account, an engaged community, a clear portfolio — that’s your digital business card.
Concierge agencies are a genuine option for charity galas. For amfAR, the Global Gift Gala or the Knight Charity Gala, going through a specialist agency is legitimate and transparent. You buy access, you support a cause, you get guaranteed placement. It’s a professional option, not a fallback.
Be visible wherever you can be. Every accessible party is an opportunity to meet the organisers of the closed ones. If you’re at Nespresso × Brut on the 14th, you may cross paths with someone who’ll open a door for you on the 18th. Cannes works as a network of networks.
What we do for our clients
Every year, our agency Images d’Azur supports talent, brands and communications teams during the festival. Selecting the right events for your profile, introductions to the parties’ PR teams, logistics coordination, content production before and during the events — that’s what we do, in practical terms.
If you’d like us to help you build your nightlife presence at Cannes 2026, write to us. Availability is limited.
📧 [email protected] · 📞 +33 (0)4 93 93 83 29 · 🎬 See our Cannes Film Festival coverage
Enjoy the festival — and see you tonight on La Croisette.
List of festival parties and events with invitations available — contact us
Our agency has direct access to a selection of events and parties for this 2026 edition. Whether you’re a talent, a brand, an agency or an individual wanting to experience Cannes differently, we can get you on the lists that matter.
Contact us for an invitation: [email protected] · 📞 +33 (0)4 93 93 83 29 · 🎬 our Festival coverage
📅 12 May — Opening
- → DDA Welcome Cocktail
- → Opening Ceremony
- → Red Carpet Experience
📅 14 May
- → Campari Party — A party hosted by the iconic Campari brand, a long-standing partner of the festival.
📅 15 May
- → Chopard Dinner & Love Party
- → Chopard Dinner VIP (full gala + after)
- → Chopard After Party Only
📅 16 May
- → Chopard Yacht Party
- → Grand Ball of Monte-Carlo — A grand gala ball at the Majestic, strict dress code.
- → Grand Ball VIP (Ruby access)
- → Deadline Disruptor Party — A party hosted by the media outlet Deadline, bringing together film industry professionals.
- → Fashion Show Carlton
📅 17 May
- → Magnum Party — The Magnum brand’s opening party, one of the most festive and accessible events of the festival.
- → Swedish Film Institute Villa Party
📅 18 May
- → A Better World Fund Gala
- → Better World VIP (Presidential)
- → Better World Ultra VIP (Golden Table)
- → Robb Report Lunch — An exclusive lunch hosted by Robb Report, the leading luxury magazine.
📅 20 May
- → Philipp Plein Fashion Show — A spectacular fashion show by Philipp Plein, one of the most widely covered events of the festival outside the official competition.
- → Philipp Plein Couture Experience
- → Kilian Paris Event — A party by niche fragrance house Kilian Paris, with a fashion-beauty-luxury vibe.
- → Global Gift Gala — A charity gala co-chaired by Eva Longoria in aid of the Global Gift Foundation.
- → Global Gift VIP Presidential
- → Highway To Peace Gala
- → Highway VIP Table (10 pax)
- → Swann Awards
- → Swann Private Table (10 pax)
- → Lucia Beach Fashion Show
📅 21 May
- → amfAR Gala — The festival’s most prestigious charity gala, at the Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Antibes, with Geena Davis, Robbie Williams, Zara Larsson and PinkPantheress.
- → amfAR Premium (Supporter)
- → amfAR Ultra VIP (Philanthropist)
- → amfAR Table Elite
- → DiCaprio amfAR Afterparty
- → VIP Afterparty Tables
📅 22 May
- → Philipp Plein – Evening of Glamour
📅 23 May
- → Philipp Plein Private Soirée
For any invitation request or further information, contact our team directly.
Limited availability — reply quickly, the lists are closing day by day.
📧 [email protected] · 📞 +33 (0)4 93 93 83 29 · 🎬 our Festival 2026 coverage
Images d’Azur — Content creation · Photo · Video · Audiovisual production · Côte d’Azur
