The City

A Season of Light and Tradition in Monte-Carlo

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by Alexander Agafiev Editor-at-Large
December 01, 2025
A Season of Light and Tradition in Monte-Carlo

With winter’s early darkness settling over the Principality, Monaco welcomed the 2025 holiday season with a display of ceremony, spectacle and tradition that has become a hallmark of Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer. On Saturday, November 29, the Princely Family - LL.AA.SS. Prince Albert II and Princess Charlène, accompanied by their children, Hereditary Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella - arrived on the Place du Casino for the annual illumination ceremony. They were received by Stéphane Valeri, Président-Délégué of Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer, as well as S.E.M. Christophe Mirmand, Minister of State, and his wife.

At precisely 6:20 p.m., under the gaze of residents, visitors and their parents, the young Prince and Princess initiated the lighting that transformed the historic square into a tableau of holiday enchantment. The towering Christmas tree, adorned with 6,000 lights, ignited first, followed by five newly imagined giant snow globes. Moments later, the façade of the Casino de Monte-Carlo itself became a canvas for a luminous and musical performance - an official, and unmistakably festive, start to the year-end celebrations.

These five monumental snow globes - designed as whimsical music boxes - introduce the theme “La Magie de Noël Monte-Carlo” through five scenes: the Ballet enchanté, the Chœur de Noël, le Goûter des Rennes, le Ciel de Noël and Minuit. Each tells a chapter in the adventures of five young reindeer - Flocon, Rose, Hercule, Stella and Rudolph, Santa Claus’s faithful companion - inviting families into a gentle narrative that animates the entire square.

The celebrations continue across the Resort through January 6, 2026. December weekends will feature a sound-and-light “show des rennes” projected onto the Casino’s façade every thirty minutes from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., with daily showings added during school holidays. Families will also find new children’s festivities at New Moods on December 21, including Le Rêve de Noël for ages 3 to 7 and the Christmas Dance Party for ages 8 to 12. Adults, meanwhile, can look forward to the launch of the Casino Café de Paris Advent Calendar on December 1, offering prizes for My Monte-Carlo loyalty members. Across the Resort, holiday pop-ups, festive menus and seasonal treats round out an invitation to celebrate in Monte-Carlo’s famously elegant fashion.

Photo credits: Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer

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Alexander Agafiev

Editor-at-Large

Alexander is a contributing writer for Monaco Voice, covering high-profile, difference-makers Monaco residents. He is also a features editor on The Monegasque™ editorial team and is studying Business Management at the International University of Monaco.

The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of MonacoVoice™

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