A decade after introducing raw, spray-painted urban culture to the pristine coastline of the Principality, the UPAINT street art festival has returned to the Promenade du Larvotto. The milestone 10th-anniversary event, which opened on Sunday, June 21, 2026, to coincide with the Fête de la Musique, transforms the city’s waterfront into an active, open-air gallery through June 25.
Organized by Creative Compass, the five-day festival strips away traditional gallery barriers by allowing the public to engage directly with the creative process. A curated lineup of 17 prominent international artists - all of whom are past contributor figures within the “UPAINT Family” - are producing original large-scale artworks live on-site. The temporary open-air village accommodates visitors daily starting at 10:00, combining the live painting sessions with community amenities including food trucks, a dedicated bar, music, and scheduled happy hours.
Over its previous nine editions, the festival has established a distinct philanthropic footprint within Monaco. The event has historically brought together 87 international artists to generate 241 original paintings, raising more than €300,000 for environmental conservation.
The 2026 iteration continues this model of high-net-worth charity. The collective output of the five-day live marathon will culminate in a public auction on Thursday, June 25, at 18:00. Net proceeds from the sale are earmarked for donation to the Prince Albert II Foundation, specifically to fund a designated environmental protection project targeting global ecosystems, biodiversity, and wildlife conservation.
The cause maintains ongoing institutional backing, carrying the official endorsement of His Serene Highness Prince Albert II alongside various local Monegasque entities. Collectors and prospective buyers seeking to participate in the bidding process must register in advance through the festival’s designated administrative contact at valentina@upawart.com.
Photo credits: UPAINT