Published on January 02, 2024Updated on November 07, 2024
JANUARY
Monte-Carlo Rally
In January, Monaco ushers in the New Year with a bang, at its annual Monte-Carlo Rally, the prestigious inaugural round of the World Rally Championship, which kicks off from the famous Casino square. It's a historic sporting event that offers an extraordinary spectacle, with the best drivers taking to the wheel of their cars on a series of truly special “Special Stages”. Every year, the event attracts tens of thousands of spectators, from the simply curious to motor sports enthusiasts.
International Monte-Carlo Circus Festival
Another not-to-be-missed event at the start of the year in Monaco is the International Monte-Carlo Circus Festival, which, under the big top in Fontvieille, brings together a selection of the world's best circus acts: juggling, high-altitude acrobatics, magic tricks and clowning, not to mention spectacular animal parades. Created by HSH Prince Rainier III in 1974, it is now the biggest circus festival in the world, with a triple focus on tradition, enchantment and transmission.
FEBRUARY
Valentine’s Day in Monaco
On 14 February, for Valentine's Day in Monaco, the Principality rolls out the red carpet for all romantics. The perfect opportunity for a top class lunch or dinner for two, a relaxing interlude in one of the city's spas, a shopping spree to find that special gift, or a night in an exceptional suite... In Monaco, there are a thousand and one opportunities to experience a crazy, romantic day of love.
From one float parade to another around Monaco
Also in February, in the Monaco area, you can celebrate Menton's lemons at the official Lemon Festival. The streets dance with a parade of floats decked out in lemons and oranges, the famous golden fruit “corsos”, followed by night time float parades that are just as beautifully zesty.
Then off to the Bay of Angels for the resounding Nice Carnival, one of the four biggest carnivals in the world and the biggest in France. For a fortnight, the streets of the city come alive with traditional floats and flower battles, all under the benevolent eye of His Majesty Carnival.
MARCH
The Bal de la Rose
Held in the dazzling Salle des Étoiles at Sporting Monte-Carlo, the Bal de la Rose is the legacy of Princess Grace of Monaco, who created the event in 1954. Since then, it has established itself as an exceptional social gathering for international high society. In the Salle des Étoiles, a grandiose setting for a dazzling show on a theme reinvented every year. These glamorous festivities are a symbol of the legend of Monaco, with all proceeds going to the Princess Grace Foundation.
APRIL
European Poker Tour Monte-Carlo
When Monaco takes on the air of Casino Royal... The EPT Monte-Carlo is one of the highlights of the international poker circuit. The famous European Poker Tour franchise has made the Rock one of its most elegant stops, and certainly one of its most glamorous. The legendary Salle des Étoiles at the Sporting Monte-Carlo will be the venue, transformed for the occasion into a glorious temple of Texas hold'em poker!
Monte-Carlo Spring Arts Festival
A veritable crowning glory of spring, it is a testament to the Principality's great cultural vitality and again owes its existence to Princess Grace of Monaco. The Monte-Carlo Spring Arts Festival celebrates the arrival of the blossoming season with its eclectic, multi-disciplinary approach, building musical bridges that are as unexpected as they are enriching, and taking over venues that are as grandiose as they are unusual.
Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters
Another major competition in Monaco this April is the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters, one of the most famous on the ATP circuit. On the clay courts of the Monte-Carlo Country Club, the top men's seeds go head to head. And in the stands overlooking the magnificent bay of Roquebrune, framed by Monte-Carlo Beach and Monte-Carlo Bay & Resort, there is the passionate fervour of the spectators!
MAY
Monaco Grand Prix
The Monaco Grand Prix is THE legendary Grand Prix par excellence and one of the most spectacular events in the Principality. One of the oldest and one of the three most prestigious races in the world. The powerful single-seaters race through the heart of the city, their engines roaring, along a unique and spectacular track that puts the talent of the greatest champions to the test.
Monaco Historic Grand Prix and E-Prix
The Monaco Historic Grand-Prix takes place every two years, in even-numbered years, ahead of the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix. Held on the same circuit as its 'high-tech' counterpart, the event showcases the charm of classic cars, attracting more and more curious onlookers and collectors from all over the world with each new edition. And valuable traditional know-how is being matched by innovation at the Monaco E-Prix, a motor racing event featuring only 100% electric single-seaters. All the more reason to show what sustainable mobility has under the bonnet!
Lights, camera, action!
While the chequered flags are being waved in the Principality, the red carpet is being rolled out at the foot of the Palais des Festivals in Cannes, the venue for the international film festival. With its glamorous and chic star-studded line-up shining on the famous steps and world premieres, the Cannes Film Festival is the ultimate celebration of the Seventh Art every May.
JUNE
Top Marques
There's more motoring passion in June with the Top Marques show, an exclusive international exhibition of supercars and classic cars. From innovation to classic cars, Top Marques offers an impressive panorama of the very best in automotive engineering, past and present. When myth serves progress.
The Monte Carlo Television Festival
After the big screen celebrations in Cannes, here come the small screen celebrations in Monaco at the Monte-Carlo Television Festival, held at the Grimaldi Forum Monaco. With world premieres, tributes, anniversaries and conferences, it is quite simply the benchmark for all the talent, creators and producers of television content. This is where all the TV stars gather!
Monte-Carlo International Show Jumping
The Monte-Carlo International Show Jumping event is one of the major stages of the famous Longines Global Champions Tour. Held in Port Hercule, at the foot of the princely Rock, this spectacular event brings together the world's best horses and riders every year for a show jumping competition all about excellence.
JULY-AUGUST
Monaco Art en Ciel
Perfect for evening strolls along Port Hercule, Monaco's mild summer nights are also synonymous with illuminated skies at the Monaco Art en Ciel festival. Over the course of four evenings - two in July and two in August - the Principality's celestial vault becomes the immaculate canvas for the world's greatest pyrotechnic 'painters’ who come to outdo each other with their multicoloured displays in this magnificent competition.
Monte-Carlo Summer Festival
Every summer, during the legendary Monte-Carlo Summer Festival, the Salle des Étoiles at the Sporting, the Opéra Garnier Monte-Carlo and the open-air stage at the emblematic Place du Casino become the perfect stages for the elite of pop music. The promise of unforgettable concerts.
Monaco Red Cross Gala
And the Salle des Étoiles is also the venue for the traditional and eagerly-awaited Monegasque Red Cross Gala, with its charity concert always graced by one of the most prestigious names on the international music scene.
Meeting Herculis EBS Monaco
As soon as AS Monaco is rested for the summer break, the Stade Louis II takes the opportunity to offer its track and pitch to the international athletes of the Meeting Herculis EBS Monaco. A member of the elitist Diamond League, it has already been the setting for numerous world records!
The Grimaldi Forum Monaco Summer Exhibition
And so it has been since its inauguration in 2000: with the summer months in focus, the Grimaldi Forum Monaco unveils its major summer exhibition. This is an "event" exhibition that often breaks attendance records, as it did with its "Monet in the Light" exhibition in 2023.
SEPTEMBER
Monaco Yacht Show
In September, Port Hercule becomes the temple of yachting, for the Monaco Yacht Show, the world's largest yachting exhibition! Majestically moored, more than 120 superyachts and megayachts ranging from 25 to 100 metres in length: marvels of naval architecture and engineering. All of which will amaze the curious and delight potential buyers.
OCTOBER
Sportel Monaco
Sportel Monaco is the leading exhibition dedicated to the business of sport. All the sports of today and tomorrow. At the heart of the Grimaldi Forum Monaco, it brings together broadcasters, federations, sponsors and technology companies. It's the epicentre of the sports industry.
Halloween
On 31 October, Monaco takes on the air of a joyous "ghost town"! In the shop windows, spider webs and carved pumpkin. In the streets, strangely dressed individuals... And a whole host of activities everywhere! There's a parade through the city, Halloween parties in clubs with stunning decorations, themed guided tours of museums, and dinners in restaurants with 'frightfully' revisited menus.
NOVEMBER
Monte-Carlo Jazz Festival
The Monte-Carlo Summer Festival is followed each year by the autumn Monte-Carlo Jazz Festival... And just as Monaco's parks and gardens are decked out in colourful foliage, the Monte-Carlo Jazz Festival is an ode to creativity, open to all colours of jazz and much more. It's a festival of diversity, with a mix of unmissable standards and the most inventive offerings, international stars and rare new gems, all in the idyllic setting of the Opéra Garnier Monte-Carlo.
DECEMBER
Christmas and New Year festivities
Spend Christmas and New Year's Eve in Monaco... when a fairytale becomes reality! When the Principality's streets are lit up and its Christmas markets come alive, the magic gradually spreads to every corner of the city. There are the sounds of a choir singing, the legendary Carrousel merry-go-round at the foot of the Casino de Monte-Carlo, and festive gourmet pop-ups. It's also an opportunity to enjoy a gastronomic festive meal in a Michelin-starred restaurant, or an unforgettable celebration in one of the many venues dedicated entirely to festivities.
If you're wondering where to stay in Monaco? Where to eat in Monaco? Choose from all the hotels and restaurants of Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer and discover the great art of living!
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