Christmas & New Year Festivities 2024-2025 in Monaco

Monaco transforms into an enchanting destination during the winter holiday season, combining its signature luxury with traditional festive charm. From early December through early January, the principality offers various seasonal celebrations, from Christmas markets to New Year's galas, attracting visitors from around the world.

Holiday Illuminations and Decorations

The Place du Casino serves as the centerpiece of Monaco's holiday decorations. The square features themed displays that change annually, including giant snow globes depicting Christmas scenes. The Casino de Monte-Carlo's façade becomes a canvas for a special sound and light show after sunset. The principality's leading hotels, including the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo, Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo, and Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort, showcase impressive Christmas trees adorned with luxury ornaments.

Christmas Village and Seasonal Activities

Running from December 6, 2024, to January 5, 2025, the Christmas Village at Port Hercule in Monaco transforms Quai Albert 1er into a festive wonderland, blending traditional charm with seasonal entertainment. The village showcases a series of traditional wooden chalets that highlight local craftsmanship, with exhibitors presenting unique gift ideas, handmade crafts, and regional culinary specialties. The culinary selection ranges from warm, festive treats to regional delicacies, inviting visitors to savor Monaco’s seasonal flavors.

Several attractions bring added magic to the Christmas Village, including an open-air ice-skating rink with scenic views of the sea and a towering Ferris wheel that offers panoramic glimpses of the principality. Younger visitors can enjoy children’s workshops, games, and interactive activities, while live performances and festive parades create a lively atmosphere throughout the market's duration.

Opening Hours

The Christmas Market welcomes visitors from Sunday to Thursday, opening its doors at 11 am and closing at 9 pm. On Fridays and Saturdays, it extends its hours, remaining open from 11 am until 10 pm. Special holiday hours include December 24, when it operates from 11 am to 7:30 pm, and December 25 and January 1, when it opens later, from 2:30 pm to 10 pm.

New Year celebrations in Monaco

New Year's Eve is equally impressive, with its parties all over Monte-Carlo. Monaco offers a glamorous and vibrant New Year’s Eve celebration, combining its royal heritage with a modern, festive atmosphere. From high-energy nightclubs with top DJs and live performances to sophisticated gala dinners, there’s something for every reveler.

As the final hours of the year slip away, Monte Carlo’s Casino Square becomes a dazzling hub of celebration. Elegantly dressed revelers gather beneath the iconic casino, their champagne flutes glinting under Belle Époque lamps. Music fills the air as couples sway beneath the Mediterranean stars, and the Prince's traditional New Year's appearance from the casino steps adds to the excitement. Along the harbor, mega-yachts sparkle with party-goers awaiting the midnight fireworks, which light up the sky over Port Hercule. For a front-row view, guests at the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo savor Monaco’s signature blend of luxury and celebration, welcoming the New Year with style and glamour.

Festive Dining

Monaco invites you to celebrate the season with exceptional dining crafted by top chefs in stunning settings. The Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo offers a festive afternoon tea, while the Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort hosts lavish brunches with Mediterranean views. For New Year's Eve, Monaco’s Michelin-starred restaurants provide unforgettable options. Dine at Le Louis XV - Alain Ducasse at Hôtel de Paris for a Riviera-inspired menu, or enjoy an elegant meal at Le Grill with sweeping views. Buddha-Bar Monte-Carlo’s chic Asian fusion and DJ sets make it a vibrant choice for the countdown.

Cultural Scene

Monaco’s holiday season is rich with cultural offerings that add sophistication to Christmas and New Year celebrations. Ballet lovers can enjoy La Mégère Apprivoisée by Jean-Christophe Maillot, performed by Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo at the Grimaldi Forum from December 29, 2024, to January 4, 2025. This dynamic adaptation of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew, choreographed for the Bolshoi and now reimagined for Monaco’s dancers, weaves athletic elegance with clever storytelling.

For classical music enthusiasts, the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra presents a Christmas concert at Cathédrale de Monaco on December 14, showcasing pieces by composers like Haendel and Bach, and featuring performances by the Children's Choir of the Académie Rainier III. Admission is free, providing an inviting opportunity to experience Monaco’s cultural warmth during the festive season.