Must-see events in Monaco: the guide to major events
Why is Monaco an exceptional event scene?
Throughout the year, the Principality of Monaco hosts a selection of some of the most prestigious events in Europe. Over time, Monaco has become an international showcase of excellence in fields as varied as sport, culture, gastronomy and philanthropy, and has made its uniqueness an asset in the highly competitive world of events.
This positioning is based on several pillars: a reception capacity perfectly calibrated for large formats, an exceptional architectural and natural heritage, an institutional fabric committed to cultural promotion, and a tradition of welcoming international high society. It is in this context that, over the seasons, events follow one another that embody prestige, organizational precision and emotion.
The Formula 1 Grand Prix, which crosses the Monte-Carlo and La Condamine districts, is undoubtedly the most emblematic event. But beyond motor racing, there are very diverse events that punctuate local life: trade shows such as the Monaco Yacht Show, high-level sports competitions such as the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters or the Jumping International, cultural and artistic events of international renown, gastronomic festivals or charity evenings supported by Monegasque institutions.
This central page offers you an organized overview of these great highlights. You will find access to detailed content dedicated to the main categories of events in Monaco: annual events, cultural shows, sporting events, galas and festivals. It is intended to become a useful landmark for visitors, residents or professionals looking for precise information on upcoming events in the Principality.
The calendar of major events in Monaco
The rhythm of the year in Monaco is punctuated by a series of emblematic events that structure the cultural, sporting and social life of the Principality. This seasonal organization allows visitors to plan their visit according to the themes and periods that interest them the most.
Winter: traditions, circus and motor sports
Winter opens the calendar with emblematic events that mark the local culture as much as the tourist season.
Highlights Events:
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Monte-Carlo International Circus Festival (January)
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Monte-Carlo Automobile Rally (January)
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Rose Ball (March)
The International Circus Festival, founded by Prince Rainier III, brings together the best circus troupes in the world under the famous big top of Fontvieille. The Rallye Monte-Carlo, the first round of the WRC world championship, puts drivers to the test on the demanding roads of the Southern Alps. Finally, the Rose Ball, organized every year in the early spring, opens the social season with pomp.
Spring: tennis, Formula 1 and heritage events
Spring in Monaco is marked by a rise in international events, particularly in the spheres of sport and automotive prestige.
Highlights Events:
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Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters (April)
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Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix (May)
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Historic Grand Prix (every two years alternating with F1)
The Monte-Carlo Masters is one of the oldest tournaments on the ATP circuit. It attracts the world's best players to the courts of the Monte-Carlo Country Club. In May, the F1 Grand Prix transforms the streets of the Principality into a mythical street circuit. When modern racing is not held, the Historic Grand Prix takes the same route to celebrate the great hours of motorsport with classic cars.
Summer: concerts, equestrian competitions and summer glamour
The summer season offers a concentration of art, sport and sociality, in an atmosphere conducive to festivities.
Highlights Events:
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Monte-Carlo Summer Festival (July-August)
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Jumping International de Monaco (July)
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Monte-Carlo International Television Festival (June)
The Summer Festival hosts an international musical program in prestigious venues such as the Opéra Garnier or the Salle des Étoiles. The Jumping International is a stage of the Longines Global Champions Tour, contested on a technical course set up on Port Hercule. The Television Festival brings together actors, producers and broadcasters around the Golden Nymphs, true rewards of the small screen.
Autumn: boating, gastronomy and contemporary art
Autumn closes the event year with events anchored in the luxury and contemporary culture sectors.
Highlights Events:
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Monaco Yacht Show (September)
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Monte-Carlo Star Festival (September-October)
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Monaco Classic Week (every two years)
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Exhibitions at the Grimaldi Forum
The Monaco Yacht Show is one of the largest boat shows in the world, attracting professionals and visitors who come to discover the latest innovations in yachting. The Festival des Étoilés highlights the great Monegasque chefs and gastronomy houses in exclusive culinary experiences. Finally, contemporary art exhibitions and heritage events such as Monaco Classic Week complete a dense and eclectic season.
Emblematic sporting events
Monaco occupies a special place in the international sports landscape. Every year, the Principality hosts prestigious competitions that bring together the best athletes in their discipline, in unique settings often turned towards the sea, the mountains or the urban heritage. These events, which combine sporting excellence and spectacular staging, fully contribute to the influence of the destination.
Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix
A mythical event of the Formula 1 world championship, the Monaco Grand Prix is one of the most famous events on the planet. Held every year in May, this race takes place on a narrow, winding street circuit that winds through the Monte-Carlo and La Condamine districts. Followed by millions of television viewers, the Grand Prix combines sporting spectacle and a social atmosphere, in a setting where grandstands, private balconies and yachts anchored in Port Hercules rub shoulders.
Monte-Carlo Rally
Created in 1911, the Monte-Carlo Rally is a reference in the world of motorsport. The first round of the WRC world championship, it takes place in January on demanding roads, often marked by harsh winter conditions between sea and mountains. The route starts in Monaco and extends over several Alpine departments, with a final return to the rock. It is a major technical and strategic test for the drivers.
Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters
This professional tennis tournament, played every year in April on the courts of the Monte-Carlo Country Club, is one of the nine Masters 1000 on the ATP Tour. It brings together the best players in the world in an exceptional setting, with panoramic views of the Mediterranean. The Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters is renowned for the quality of its organisation, the proximity to the players and the tradition of elegance that surrounds each edition.
Jumping International de Monaco
The Longines Global Champions Tour stops in Monaco every summer with a spectacular stop on the World Show Jumping Circuit. Located in the heart of Port Hercule, the Jumping International course is considered one of the most technical and prestigious of the season. It attracts renowned riders, exceptional horses and equestrian enthusiasts, in an environment where high-level sport and refinement meet each other.
Other renowned competitions
In addition to these major events, Monaco regularly hosts other major sporting events. The Monaco Run, the Yacht Club de Monaco regattas, e-sport events and nautical competitions also punctuate the calendar. What they have in common is a constant concern for quality, international visibility and careful integration into the urban fabric of the Principality.
Cultural and artistic events
Monaco's cultural life is marked by a rich, eclectic programme that is resolutely focused on excellence. Festivals, exhibitions, live performances and artistic initiatives punctuate the year, helping to make the Principality a place of influence for contemporary creation as well as for traditional arts. Culture benefits from active institutional support, first-rate infrastructure and international attendance.
Monte-Carlo International Circus Festival
Created in 1974 by Prince Rainier III, the International Circus Festival is an unmissable event in January. It brings together the best artists in the world under the famous Fontvieille marquee, in an atmosphere that is both family and prestigious. Clowns, acrobats, jugglers, trainers and illusionists compete to obtain the Golden Clown, the highest distinction in the circus arts. This festival embodies Monaco's desire to preserve and promote circus disciplines on a global scale.
Monte-Carlo Summer Festival
Organised during the months of July and August, the Monte-Carlo Summer Festival offers a series of concerts by international artists in emblematic venues in the Principality. The Salle des Étoiles of the Sporting Monte-Carlo, the Opéra Garnier and other prestigious stages host performances mixing classical, pop, jazz and variety music. This festival is part of the summer tradition of great Monegasque evenings, combining music and elegance.
Monte-Carlo International Television Festival
Every June, the Grimaldi Forum becomes the nerve centre of the audiovisual industry with the International Television Festival. Actors, directors, presenters and professionals meet there to present their productions, exchange with the public and compete for the Golden Nymphs. In addition to screenings and conferences, the festival also rewards committed programmes through distinctions such as the Monegasque Red Cross Prize or the Rainier III Special Prize.
Exhibitions and contemporary art
Monaco regularly hosts international exhibitions in several emblematic locations. Each year, the Grimaldi Forum offers a major summer exhibition devoted to a major artistic theme or to a key figure in art. The Nouveau Musée National de Monaco (NMNM), spread over the sites of the Villa Paloma and the Villa Sauber, highlights contemporary creation and Monaco's artistic heritage. In addition, there are events such as ArtMonte-Carlo or Monaco Art Week, which contribute to the dynamism of the local art market.
A sustained annual program
In addition to the highlights, the Monegasque cultural season is based on a continuous programme, notably supported by the Monte-Carlo Opera, the Philharmonic Orchestra and the Ballets de Monte-Carlo. Each year, these institutions offer original creations, prestigious revivals and international collaborations, reinforcing the cultural attractiveness of the Principality.
Other notable events in Monaco
In addition to its cultural and sporting calendar, Monaco is distinguished by social and heritage events that echo its history, its international influence and its attachment to great causes.
Among these events, the Rose Ball occupies a special place. Created in 1954 by Princess Grace of Monaco, this charity event is organised every year in March, under the patronage of the Princess of Hanover. It is held in the prestigious setting of the Salle des Étoiles of the Sporting Monte-Carlo, transformed for the occasion according to a thematic scenography, often entrusted to big names in design or fashion. The objective of the Ball is twofold: to celebrate Monegasque elegance and tradition, while supporting the actions of the Princess Grace Foundation, which works in the medico-social, cultural and educational fields. Each edition brings together international high society, influential personalities from the artistic, diplomatic and economic worlds, thus contributing to making the Rose Ball a symbol of commitment and refinement.
Another emblematic event, Monaco Classic Week pays tribute to maritime heritage every two years, bringing together vintage yachts, classic yachts and traditional boats in Port Hercule. This rare gathering combines passion for the sea, naval craftsmanship and a culture of excellence.
Finally, galas such as the Monegasque Red Cross Gala or the Amade Prize and the International Red Cross Prize also punctuate the year. All of them participate in Monaco's anchoring in a tradition of solidarity, cultural diplomacy and openness.
With a dense, diversified and demanding programme, Monaco asserts its position as one of the most prestigious event centres in Europe. From major sporting events to art festivals, from charity galas to renowned exhibitions, each event contributes to the Principality's cultural, social and international identity.
This guide is intended to provide you with a structured overview of the main events in Monaco. To go further, we invite you to discover each event in detail through the dedicated pages of our website. You will find practical information, enriched content, and useful resources to organise your visit, follow the news or explore the many facets of Monegasque event life.
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