Everyone at Cannes this week knows the real action of the film festival doesn’t end once the credits start rolling. Every evening, the Cannes Film Festival transforms into a theatre of lavish celebrations. From secret villas to illuminated yachts and takeovers of Grande Dame hotels, the after-parties and events of Cannes are the true privilege of the initiated.
Of course, most of these invitations are strictly IYKYK. But while the guestlists may remain closely guarded, the whispers rarely do. Consider this your inside guide to Europe’s most glamorous party circuit.
What are the Cannes Film Festival after-parties, and who hosts them?
Well, the clue is in the name, but after-parties typically begin post-10pm, once the red carpets have cleared and official premieres wrap. The biggest bashes are usually hosted by major film studios and streaming giants, alongside luxury brands and festival sponsors keen to align themselves with Cannes’ glossy atmosphere. National pavilions and production companies also host more industry-facing gatherings.
“There are over 150 parties at the Cannes Film Festival over 11 days,” says Mini Vohra, managing director at The Cornucopia Group, an event management and concierge group that covers the film festival. “Some happen during the day or in the early evening, but of course, the best ones happen late at night.”
Where do the best after-parties happen?
Follow your way along the Boulevard de la Croisette, Cannes’ beachfront promenade, and you’ll see almost every inch of the stretch as a potential party venue – but there are a few addresses where you can rely on. Cannes’ grand hotels are central to the scene, with the Carlton, Martinez, and Majestic hosting luxury fashion houses and film studios.
Superyachts anchored in the Vieux-Port host some of the festival’s most elusive gatherings; meanwhile, hidden in the hills along Cap d’Antibes, sprawling private estates are where the ultra-exclusive parties happen long after midnight. Away from photographers and crowds, they attract partygoers after something more than the craze found on the Croisette below.
For those without a gold-stamped invitation, restaurants around Le Suquet and Rue d’Antibes also become unofficial late-night hubs, packed with producers, actors, journalists, and fashion insiders until the early hours.
How do I get invited?
Most Cannes after-parties operate on tightly controlled guest lists curated by studios, luxury brands, PR agencies, and talent teams, meaning access is usually granted through industry relationships rather than outright ticket purchases.
That said, Cannes has always thrived on a little strategic spontaneity. During the festival, invitations circulate quickly through hotel lobbies, yacht decks, and WhatsApp groups, and it’s not uncommon for guests to find themselves added to an event hours before it begins. Staying at the right hotels, attending premieres, networking, and simply being visible on the Croisette can open more doors.
Luxury brands and sponsors also host a number of semi-private events, where concierge connections and high-end hospitality networks can sometimes secure access.
Which Cannes Film Festival after-parties are the most exclusive?
Leonardo DiCaprio‘s Villa Party
“The most talked about after-party is probably Leonardo DiCaprio‘s Villa party,” reveals Vohra. “This happens on the evening of Thursday in the second week, which for the 2026 festival falls on Thursday, May 21.”
“For DiCaprio‘s party, tickets can be purchased from The Cornucopia Group for £9,999pp (approx. $14,780), plus VAT. Demand significantly exceeds supply; only billionaires, celebrities, and sovereigns can get access,” explains Vohra.
amfAR Gala
The crown jewel of Cannes after-dark, the amfAR Gala at Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc is a party that gives back. “AmfAR is probably the biggest event in the world that nobody has heard of,” says Vohra. “It’s a €25m budget event with more celebrities in the room than any other I’ve ever attended in my life – and I’ve been to the Oscars, so that’s saying something.”
Past guests have included Leonardo DiCaprio, Bella Hadid, and Sharon Stone, while previous performers range from Diana Ross to Christina Aguilera. “The amfAR Gala stands out not just for its star-studded guest list, but also for the charitable foundation behind it,” says Andrew Bezhenar, CEO of Berkeley Travel.
Speaking exclusively to Elite Traveler, Bezhenar revealed that this year will feature surprise performances from Robbie Williams and PinkPantheress. “But the highlight of the evening will undoubtedly be the charity gala,” he stresses. “This year, Berkeley Travel has partnered with One&Only to donate a lot worth €350,000, with proceeds going directly to amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research.”
Global Gift Gala
Hosted by Maria Bravo and long associated with Eva Longoria, The Global Gift Gala brings together actors, entrepreneurs, and philanthropists for a celebration that feels more intimate than many of the festival’s larger-scale spectacles. “For me, what makes the Global Gift Gala so unique is that it is a celebration with heart,” Bravo tells Elite Traveler. “There is glamour, of course, but there is also meaning behind every moment.”
This year, it will be held at the iconic Carlton Cannes. “People today are searching for more meaningful experiences,” Bravo explains. “The most memorable gatherings are the ones that create emotion, connection, and impact.”
And, naturally, she hints there are surprises in store. “We have some very special guests, emotional tributes, and performances that will truly touch people’s hearts,” she says. “It will be a night filled with emotion, inspiration, and unforgettable moments.”
Chopard Gala
No jewelry house is more synonymous with Cannes than Chopard. As the official partner of the festival, the maison hosts a series of ultra-private dinners and late-night celebrations throughout the week. But it’s Caroline Scheufele’s legendary Chopard rooftop soirées that have become one of the festival’s most hard-to-secure invitations, and have seen everyone from Julia Roberts to Marion Cotillard, not to mention the house’s dazzling displays of jewels.
Magnum Beach Party
What started as a simple brand activation has seen Magnum’s annual beach party become one of Cannes’ most reliably chaotic late-night events, in the best possible way. Held on the Croisette sand, the crowd of celebrity ambassadors and DJs is typically younger, louder, and more playful than Cannes’ traditional black-tie galas. In previous years, stars like Irina Shayk, Cara Delevingne, and Diplo have all stopped by, helping transform the beach into something closer to Ibiza at 2am than a film festival. This is one of the hardest parties to access, with notoriously tight door control despite its more carefree reputation.
L’Oréal Lights on Women Dinner
As one of Cannes’ longstanding beauty partners, L’Oréal Paris hosts a number of private events during the festival, though its Lights on Women Award dinner has become particularly coveted in recent years. Focused on celebrating female filmmakers, the gathering has seen Eva Longoria, Viola Davis, Elle Fanning, and Jane Fonda attend previous editions, helping make it one of the more conversation-driven evenings on the Cannes calendar.
Aston Martin Dinner Party
Aston Martin’s dinners tend to skew more discreet than the flashier beach parties on the nearby Croisette. Usually hosted aboard yachts or inside private villas, the British marque gathers collectors, actors, athletes, and UHNW clients for intimate dinners that tend to continue long after midnight.
Vanity Fair Party
Missed your invite to the Oscars after-party? Well, Vanity Fair pops up at Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc for one night only during the Cannes Film Festival, bringing just as many stars (but remaining equally as hard to get into). The soiréee leans distinctly old-school Riviera glamour, with champagne served by the infinity pool rather than chaotic nightclub energy. Previous guest lists have included Cara Delevingne, Quentin Tarantino, Priyanka Chopra, and Jake Gyllenhaal, and for many of these Cannes regulars, it remains the party that matters most.
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KLUB at Palm Beach Cannes
For those still standing after 2am, KLUB Cannes is where the festival’s younger crowd migrates. A pop-up nightclub taking over Palm Beach Cannes, this is a venue more for dancing rather than networking. The energy is messier, sweatier, and significantly less polished than the Carlton terraces, which is precisely why so many people end up there before sunrise. This year’s line-up features Rüfüs Du Sol, Black Coffee, and Peggy Gou.
See also: How to Navigate a Yacht Show Like a Pro
