What to do in Monaco in April
Monte-Carlo Spring Arts Festival
The Printemps des Arts de Monte-Carlo Festival continues to enchant music lovers and the curious until 27 April! A number of highlights have already been added to this unique cultural event, but there are still some great moments to be experienced. From 23 to 27 April, Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo will be presenting an exceptional programme of three powerful pieces, all with a strong emphasis on emotion and virtuosity. A grand finale with George Balanchine's The Four Temperaments, Alexei Ratmansky's Wartime Elegy and Marco Goecke's Transfigured Night. To be discovered at the Grimaldi Forum Monaco.
Exhibitions
" Mediterranean 2025 " at the Oceanographic Museum
The Oceanographic Museum is opening a new chapter in its commitment to protecting the oceans with "Méditerranée 2050", the Museum's new immersive exhibition. The exhibition invites young and old alike to travel through time, exploring an ideal future for the Mediterranean, rich in biodiversity, thanks to decisions taken today. It's a real call to action, highlighting the need to protect this unique and fragile ecosystem, while inspiring individual and collective commitment.
CINEAM, Monaco's club of artisan filmmakers" exhibition at the Institut Audiovisuel de Monaco
Monaco's Audiovisual Institute is presenting a new exhibition on Cinéam, the Principality's club of artisan filmmakers. This retrospective, open until 30 January 2026, offers a fascinating insight into the evolution of Monegasque amateur cinema, from the first attempts in the 1950s to the advent of video in the late 1980s. It's a unique opportunity to discover the inventiveness and passion of the filmmakers who captured the essence of Monaco in their work.
Karl goes to Memphis " exhibition at the Almine Rech gallery
The "Karl goes to Memphis" exhibition at the Almine Rech gallery features the flat of Karl Lagerfeld, an exceptional resident of the Principality. Bold and colourful, this Monegasque space is a true testament to his love of the Memphis style, reflecting the energy of the movement with graphic, modern designs. On view until 24 May 2025.
Ongoing exhibitions
" Agora, the museum square " Villa Sauber - until 4 May 2025 " Francisco Tropa, Paesine " Villa Paloma - until 21 April 2025 " The butterfly effect, the pre-history of animals " at the Museum of Prehistoric Anthropology - until 1 December 2025
Culture and entertainment
Music, sport and dance at the Grimaldi Forum Monaco
The Grimaldi Forum Monaco hosts an eclectic range of events. April kicks off with a concert by Pascal Obispo on 1 April, accompanied by five musicians for an intimate performance.
The GFM will host an exhibition of premium and luxury second-hand vehicles with the Monaco-Occasions Special Days on 4 and 5 April, while 10 April sees the return of the Thursday Live Sessions. At the microphone? Lidiop, a Senegalese musician and songwriter who blends reggae, dancehall, R'n'B, Afro and pop. A wealth of music not to be missed! On 11 April, celebrate Celtic culture with Irish Celtic - Le chemin des légendes. An Irish journey of song and dance, a unique voyage of initiation...
Finally, the last weekend in April (26-27 April) will be devoted to padel, with the Padel Best Village event. The main attraction over the two days? The Givova Five Padel Cup: five tournaments featuring football legends, celebrities and athletes with a passion for padel. Get your rackets ready.
The first event in April has been awarded the " discovery label ". In other words, the Théâtre Princesse Grace is inviting the curious to take an interest in this play: L'effet miroir (The Mirror Effect), by Léonore Confino - nominated for a Molière in 2024 for best living Francophone playwright - and Jeanne Arènes, winner of the Molière for best supporting actress.
Other events include the Rencontres Philosophiques de Monaco on the theme of identity on 3 April, and Alexis Michalik's play 'Passeport' on 8 April. On 23 and 24 April, the public can discover "Le cercle des poètes disparus". This huge film success was adapted for the stage by Tom Schulman and won two Molières in 2024: the prize for Best New Actor with Ethan Oliel and the prize for Best Direction in a Private Theatre Production orchestrated by Olivier Solivérès.
Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra
True to form, the OPMC is offering a varied series of concerts this month, mixing classical works with musical discoveries. From 5 April, the Orchestra will accompany violinist Valeriy Sokolov as part of the Printemps des Arts festival at theAuditorium Rainier-III. This venue will also host a symphonic concert on 13 April, where piano prodigies Lucas and Arthur Jussen will perform works by Debussy, while a spiritual concert is being organised in Monaco Cathedral on 14 April. As part of the musical happy hour, the musicians of the OPMC will be paying tribute to Shostakovich and Tchaikovsky on 16 April. Finally, on 27 April, pianist Grigory Sokolov will offer a recital of works by Byrd and Brahms.
The Smakelijk Comedy Club at Le Méridien Beach Plaza is the last opportunity of the year for couples, families and friends to laugh together! On 18 and 19 April, this Belgian-flavoured event will feature a cosmopolitan line-up of comedians. The central concept of these two evenings? "One Belgian, one Swiss, one Parisian", with Inno JP, Charles Nouveau and Nathalie Boitel on stage.
A new leisure centre in Monaco ! Box98 opens its doors in April with a tantalising promise: to diversify Monaco's entertainment offering. Located right in the heart of Fontvieille, this 4,700 m² facility features an electric karting circuit and racing simulators. The site formerly occupied by the Sovereign's car collection will also feature bowling lanes and a karaoke bar. A place to discover as a couple, with family or friends, and which can also be privatised for seminars or professional events.
Sport
The start of spring in Monaco means the long-awaited return of the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters! For the 118th time, the world's best tennis players will compete in an idyllic setting to try and win the first clay-court Masters 1000 of the season.
One of the oldest tournaments in the world is constantly evolving, and this 2025 edition marks a turning point with several new features:
- the privatisation of the Monte-Carlo Beach Hotel, transformed into an exclusive area for the players, their staff and their families - a 35% increase in the size of the site
- Court No. 2 was renamed Elizabeth-Ann de Massy, paying tribute to a key figure in Monegasque tennis
- refereeing equipped for the first time with " hawk-eye " and " video review " tools
Join us from 5 April for an exceptional week of tennis, with the final on 13 April!
The home straight for AS Monaco as they aim to secure a place in Europe for the 2025-2026 season! The Monegasques will host Olympique de Marseille for a Mediterranean derby on 12 April before welcoming Racing Club de Strasbourg Alsace on 19 April.
Once again, it's all about the final sprint, the moment when the top clubs jostle for places in the play-offs. On the domestic scene, Roca Team will host Nanterre 92 on 5 April, Saint-Quentin on 12 April and historic club CSP Limoges on 27 April. As for the Euroleague, Mike James and his team will host Panathinaikos, 2nd in the standings, in their final regular season home game!
Gourmet
The Festival des Etoilés Monte-Carlo returns, once again celebrating culinary excellence with a series of exceptional dinners featuring Michelin-starred chefs from around the world.
The event kicks off on 10 April with a prestigious dinner at Le Grill*, where Dominique Lory and Pierre Gagnaire reunite after 25 years together. On 20 June, Alain Ducasse and Albert Adrià will join forces at the Louis XV for a gastronomic experience fusing French and Spanish cuisine. On 13 July, Yannick Alleno and Davide Oldani will offer a convivial and innovative evening at the Pavyllon, followed by an exceptional event at the Blue Bay on 18 July with Marcel Ravin and Anne-Sophie Pic. A unique gala dinner will conclude this edition.
3rd instalment of three exceptional dinners
After two exceptional events on 21 and 28 March at the Pavyllon Monte-Carlo and Marcel Ravin's Blue Bay, guests will have the opportunity to enjoy the third part of a unique triptych on 26 April. The Grill at the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo will honour Italy with a sumptuous four-hands dinner whereAlessandro Borghese will join Dominique Lory for a Mediterranean score.
Outside the walls
To round off the news, two events taking place in Japan and Germany respectively deserve a special mention:
World Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai - Monaco Pavilion
World Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai will be held from 13 April to 13 October 2025, with 28 million visitors expected. This international event falls under the general theme of " Designing the society of the future, Imagining our life tomorrow ", with the Principality opting for the " Connecting lives " angle. Comprising several buildings, the Pavilion will be surrounded by a Mediterranean garden and will highlight Monaco's environmental commitments.
Monaco invites itself to Europa Park! From 2026, the Principality will become the 18th country to have a home in the famous theme park on the Franco-German border. With its elegant architecture, exclusive experiences and atmosphere combining prestige and escape, this new area promises to enhance Monaco's image in the eyes of an international audience. A great opportunity to raise the destination's profile and inspire travellers in search of emotions and wonder.