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    Christmas in Monaco & Monte-Carlo 🎄 Holiday Markets & Events

    If you are planning to spend the holiday seasons in the French Riviera, one of the most dazzling places to spend the holidays is the Principality of Monaco . There are Christmas markets and villages. Mulled wine and festive cocktails. Sparkly decorations and light shows on the landmark buildings. Decadent goodies galore…

    Christmas in Monaco & Monte-Carlo 🎄 Holiday Markets & Events - Monaco Fireworks christmas events
    Christmas in Casino Square, Monte Carlo

    Every holiday season, the Place du Casino in Monte Carlo glows due to the yearly Christmas tradition of decorating the area with trees and lights. The 18-metre-high Christmas tree, decked with 4,000 ornaments in white and gold, will put every visitor in a festive mood. Expect to see lots of colorful balloons, enchanting lights, and tall sparkling trees. Not to be missed is the wonderful light and sound show, as the famous Casino de Monte-Carlo is all dressed up for the season.

    Glowing igloos dotted all around Monte Carlo are the perfect spots for taking a break from shopping to admire Monaco’s Christmas decoration as you sip a glass of champagne. Monaco’s top hotels and restaurants also get glam’d-up during the holidays. Make sure to check out the lobby bar at the Metropole hotel , which always has the most glamorous and decadent holiday decorations.

    Christmas in Monaco & Monte-Carlo 🎄 Holiday Markets & Events - guide monaco christmas monte carlo1
    Christmas holiday decorations in hotel Metropole, Monaco

    Important note about this holiday guide: Please make sure to double-check with the local tourism office or venue before going to an event. Make sure to also check our complete guide to spending your Christmas season holidays on the French Riviera.

    Monaco has everything you could ever want for Christmas! Here are the main Christmas holiday attractions in Monaco:

    Casino Square & Ice Skating ⛸️

    Be dazzled by the beauty of the enchanting Christmas Carousel and its Chalet in the Jardin des Boulingrins, opposite the Casino de Monte-Carlo. In Place du Casino , you can sit on the chalet’s wooden terrace and enjoy some Christmas cheer prepared by the Café de Paris. The menu includes crepes, waffles, Italian hot chocolate and mulled wine – for an instant boost! Open every day from December 10 to mid-February, from 10am to 8pm. 

    In addition, young and old alike can slide down a ice-skating trail on Place du Casino! A trail winds between the white fir trees adorned with gold and white balls and light garlands on the Place du Casino, letting you listen to live caroling while you skate between the iconic illuminated facades of the Casino de Monte Carlo and the Hotel de Paris. It’s open every day from December 3 to January 8, from 11am to 7pm on weeknights and 10pm on Fridays & Saturdays. Rent ice skates from the chalet erected at the entrance to the track for €15 per adult or €10 for kids, but are free for those under 12 years-old and free for Silver+ My Monte-Carlo members.

    Monaco’s Christmas Village & Market

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    Monaco’s Christmas Village Market

    The most popular highlight of Christmas in Monaco and Monte Carlo is its Christmas village and market. But if you’re expecting to find luxury gifts here, you’ll be disappointed. It’s basically the same stuff for sale as most cities in Europe.

    The main thing that sets it apart from all the other holiday markets in France is that each year it has a different theme, with large sculptural characters and decorations that fit with the year’s theme.

    Held each year on the seaside Esplanade Du Port Hercule , this Christmas market mini-chalets selling the usual type of products, where you can find gift ideas and culinary specialties for the season.

    Christmas in Monaco & Monte-Carlo 🎄 Holiday Markets & Events - Monaco holiday markets events

    Children will enjoy the carousel, mini-train, and Ferris wheel. There will be makeup or face painting and other creative workshops, every Wednesday. Kids will have a chance to meet Santa Claus and see his reindeer.

    Access to the village is free, but there is a charge for the attractions. Free parking available in two large parking lots nearby.

    Opening times:
    From the first Friday in December to the first Sunday in January, the Christmas market and skating rink are open daily at 11am.
    • From Sunday to Thursday: open 11am to 9pm
    • Friday and Saturday: open 11am to 10pm

    Exceptions:
    • December 24: open 11am to 7:30pm
    • December 25 and January 1: open 2:30pm to 10pm

    Monte-Carlo Christmas Promenade

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    Are you looking for Christmas decorations or unique presents for your loved ones? The ‘Christmas Promenade’ Monte-Carlo shopping area has gifts and decorations to brighten up any fancy winter haven. There are five beautifully decorated booths set up where you can shop for luxury crystal glass items, garlands, furniture, or jewelry.

    Also, don’t forget to try the food! To make this year’s holidays truly unforgettable, check out the Chefs’ Gourmet Christmas Cabin on Avenue Monte-Carlo, where you’ll find a selection of signature dishes from our Michelin-starred chefs, sweet and savory treats, sharing nibbles and traditional Christmas chocolates and desserts – all to take away!

    The setting is quite mesmerizing, overlooking Port Hercule and The Rock. The Monte Carlo Christmas Promenade is open from December 2 to January 9 from 10am to 7pm.

    Christmas Theater

    See a holiday performance on stage at the English-language ‘Theatre Des Variétés’ in Monaco (350 seats). Get tickets on the Drama Group of Monaco website for €20 and check our events calendar for specifics.

    Roller Rink & Go-Karts

    The Olympic-sized Rainier III nautical stadium (which is a swimming pool in summer) will turn into an roller-skating rink with music as well as the go-karting. Kiosks for food and drinks are near the rink. Highlights include a roller-skating show on 11th, 14th, 18th, 21st and 24th of December.

    Santa Swim 🎅🏼

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    Santa Christmas swim in Monaco

    Every year, hundreds of Santa’s take to the water for the Monaco Christmas Swim at 10am on the morning of Christmas Eve (December 24). Grab your Santa hat and meet at the Larvotto beach  for this chilly sea swim. Then, warm up afterward with breakfast and a raffle supporting charity. 

    Hotel de Paris’ Winter Garden

    Christmas in Monaco & Monte-Carlo 🎄 Holiday Markets & Events - christmas markets events monaco 1

    During the holidays, the Hotel de Paris Monte-Carlo plays host to a small Christmas village in their courtyard, where luxury, tradition, delectable chocolates, dining, and drinks, arts, crafts, shopping, and shows combine. You can even enjoy delicious treats snuggled up in blankets in one of the cozy heated areas surrounded by Christmas trees.

    Give in to the temptation of the dining glasshouse, where you’ll be able to enjoy Christmas treats – for giving or sharing, on the spot or to take away. In the evenings, the central glasshouse transforms into a pop-up restaurant for private dinners, complete with seasonal, creative, and delicious menus: an exclusive, unprecedented experience to enjoy under the stars out in the middle of the Patio.

    There are shopping experiences for you to enjoy in several glass houses, and from December 14 onwards, there will be performances to set the mood on Saturday evenings.

    • Location: The inner courtyard at the Hotel de Paris Monte-Carlo
    • Timing: The winter garden is open every day from December 3 to January 2 from 11am to 7pm.
    • Lunch: 12pm to 3pm (reservation required)
    • Dining Glasshouse: available by reservation only; email or call +37798063189

    Gourmet Treats at the Pôle Sucré & Bar à Chocolat

    The warm, comforting smell of roasted cocoa beans will lead you straight to the Patio Monte-Carlo for their famous hot chocolate – a must during any shopping spree or hunt for Father Christmas! Any excuse to enjoy Michelin-starred chef Alain Ducasse’s expertly crafted creations is a good one: and this Christmas, he has created the dreamiest hot chocolate ever – a mouth-watering blend of childhood memories and classic flavors. Treat yourself to this ultra-gourmet hot chocolate while comfortably installed in one of the heated lounges on the patio of the Hotel de Paris.

    Children can take part in gourmet workshops organized by the Pôle Sucré of the Hôtel de Paris, while the Boutique du Patio offers exclusive festive delicacies made by the Hôtel de Paris and Louis XV restaurant.

    • Location: The inner courtyard at the Hotel de Paris Monte-Carlo
    • Timing: The Chocolate Factory store is open every day from December 3 to January 2 from 11am to 7pm, and the Chocolate Bar is open from 3pm to 7pm. You’ll need to check the menu and place your orders at least 3 days in advance.
    • Orders: Call +37798068999

    Christmas Workshops

    Fun, educational and friendly workshops on a range of themes, including cooking (preparing sweet and savory specialties), flower arranging, drawing, and making Christmas decorations. You’ll leave with your own handmade creation, produced with the help of skilled artisans.

    These fun, creative and delicious workshops last 90 minutes each, with festive themes such as cooking up Christmas treats, flower arranging, and making decorations. You’ll leave with your own handmade creation, produced with the help of skilled artisans.

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    Workshops are luxury-focused and intimate
    • Location: The inner courtyard at the Hotel de Paris Monte-Carlo
    • Workshop Timing: Tuesday to Saturday from 10:30am to 12:30pm and from 2:30pm to 4pm (reservations required)
    • Price: €75  per person / Duo Formula ‘Adult-Child’ at €120 (8 people capacity)
    • Reservation: +37798068999 or LePatio@sbm.mc

    Christmas Tree Auction Event 🎄

    Christmas in Monaco & Monte-Carlo 🎄 Holiday Markets & Events - christmas markets events monaco auction 1
    Trees in the lobby of the hotel de paris, Monaco

    Hotel de Paris’ annual Christmas tree auction is always fun to see. Almost forty trees in all sizes get decorated by commercial brands and put up for auction. They are displayed in the center of the lobby of the Hotel de Paris. Christie’s holds the tree auction, the yields of which go to a different charity every year.

    • Location: The lobby at the Hotel de Paris Monte-Carlo
    • Timing: The decorated Christmas trees will be on display from December 1 to 8. The auction will be held on December 8.
    • Charity: Mission Enfance, a Monaco-based charity focused on disadvantaged children worldwide.
    • Reservation for Auction: +37797775111

    Christmas Dinner, To Go

    The SBM chefs have put together a catering collection featuring gourmet hampers and a Michelin-starred festive menu, from lobster sandwiches to truffle croque-monsieur with foie gras and garoube liqueur, accompanied by a glass of champagne, mulled wine, or a floral liqueur spritz. These menus are for sale between 24 and 31 December, and you’ll need to order at least 3 days in advance by calling +37798066157.

    Santa 🎅🏼

    Don’t let the kids miss out on meeting Father Christmas in Monte-Carlo this December at the Place du Casino and at all SBM venues. He will be accompanied by a choir at the Place du Casino .

    From December 20 to 23, children and their parents are invited for a Christmas snack at Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo, which is transformed into a magical Christmas wonderland. The gilded Salle Belle Époque will be filled with a delicious gourmet buffet that looks like a temple of pleasures and Christmas snacks. Enjoy the comforting dessert log and a refined choice of cakes, or a buffet of savory delicacies.

    Santa is one of the guests at this Christmas event, and will be present throughout. Children also take advantage of immersive creative workshops to play “little pastry chefs”.

    • Location: The prestigious Salle Belle Époque of the Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo
    • Timing: December 20, 22, 23 and 24 from 3pm to 6pm
    • Price: €100 per adult, €50 per child.
    • Reservations: Call +37798069898

    The Faux-Chalet

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    Blue Gin (in chalet mode!) at the Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort

    To warm up during cold winter evenings, head to the ‘Winter Party’ at Blue Gin every Thursday in December: all you need are good spirits and your best mountain attire.

    The bar will be redone to look like you’re in a real mountain chalet, and the outdoor seaside terrace will be a great place to bundle up in a faux-fur blanket while sipping a holiday cocktail. Cozy blankets, table games, billiards, magic close up, live DJs, a customized menu and a fully covered and heated terrace with a breathtaking view of the Mediterranean await you.

    • Location: Blue Gin at the Monte Carlo Bay Hotel
    • Timing: Decorated from November 26 to March 20; Winter party is every Thursday in December only; Live DJ on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays.

    Have a Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas in Monaco!

    Monaco is certainly the most luxurious (and possibly the most expensive) place in the world to spend the holidays. If you’re looking for a decadent Christmas, this is the place. Make sure to double check your plans with the venue (and consult the Monaco tourism office) in case anything has changed due to Covid-19.

    With all the luxurious events we’ve shared with you, there is only one thing left to say: We wish you a very, merry Christmas!

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