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Monaco at Christmas & New Year: What's On & Weather
Our guide to this festive season in & around Monaco
The Christmas village in Monaco is one of the most popular and anticipated events of the year, and not just by the kids! Monaco at Christmas is fun for children of all ages – from the very young to the young at heart.
But that's not the only thing happening in the quaint Principality over the festive period. Here's our guide to what's happening in Monaco over Christmas and New Year for those celebrating by the Mediterranean sea this year.
Worth knowing
If you’re interested in more Christmas events, including what's happening in the surrounding villages, then make sure you check out the details in our events calendar.
Christmas village
2018 sees the 19th Christmas Village set up along the Quai Albert 1er. Until Sunday, December 6th you can take a stroll along the port to enjoy the sights and smells of the traditional 'German market' style chalets, selling crafts and specialities of the region. Don't forget to try some 'churros' – a seasonal treat which people queue up for. You'll understand why, once you've sunk your teeth into these fried choux pastry sticks sprinkled with sugar and served with chocolate sauce. You could even indulge in an oyster plate and some mulled wine whilst doing some people watching and your Christmas shopping.
Ice skating rink
During the festive season, the Stade Nautique Rainier III transforms into a giant 1000m2 ice skating rink. There's also a smaller version for young children where they can learn. The open-air ice rink will be open to the public from early December all the way through the winter until March 3rd 2019.
Le Chemin des Creches
For a more traditional Christmas, then you can enjoy the Chemin des Crèches Nativity trail. This year's edition of the Nativity Trail will take place on the Recher of Monaco until January 8th 2019. Discover the variety and beauty of nativities scenes and cribs from around the world as you wind your way through the old streets of Monaco to the Princes' Palace.
New Year's Eve
Whatever you do for New Year's Eve, you are sure to have fun in the playground of the rich and famous. Most of the local hotels, restaurants and bars will be putting on glamorous parties to see 2019 in. There will be a DJ evening with fireworks in the Port of Monaco just like every year while the Christmas Village will be open until 03:00 and the ice rink will not shut until 02:00.
If money isn't an objective, you could celebrate the New Year on at one of the many prestigious nightclubs and restaurants of the Société des Bains de Mer. There will be special menus served at most of its glitzy eateries while the iconic Jimmy'z Club, the celeb's favourite, will have four nights of champagne-flowing fun from December 28th to 31st to celebrate the end of 2018. You could also pull out all stops by dressing up real fancy and ringing in the New Year with a sumptuous evening at the Salle des Etoiles, dancing the night away to live music by Laura Pausini.
