What to do in Monaco in July
Culture
Art Monte-Carlo and Monaco Art Week-7 to 9 July and 7 to 12 July
July begins with a celebration of creativity. At the Grimaldi Forum, Art Monte-Carlo welcomes leading contemporary art galleries in an elegant and intimate setting. At the same time, Monaco Art Week invites visitors to explore the Principality through exhibitions, meetings and guided tours.
Philharmonic Orchestra concerts at the Prince's Palace -10, 20 and 31 July
As it does every summer, the Palace opens its doors to visitors and classical music. The Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra gives its traditional summer concerts here, combining virtuosity and majesty in an exceptional setting. The repertoire, ranging from classical masterpieces to modern inspirations, enchants music lovers and neophytes alike.
Monegasque Red Cross Gala -12 July
Founded in 1948 by Prince Rainier III, the Red Cross Gala combines refinement and solidarity. International artists, a star-studded dinner and a magical atmosphere all come together to make this an unforgettable night in aid of an essential cause. This year, Billy Idol will be taking to the stage in the Salle des Etoiles.
Monte-Carlo Summer Festival - 12 July to 15 August
Once again this year, the summer event will offer entertainment and thrills in unforgettable concerts at the Salle des Etoiles, featuring rock, pop and electro. A tribute to Jean-Jacques Goldman for the Fight Aids Monaco evening, Carlos Santana, Paul Kalkbrenner, a tribute to Dire Straits, Scorpions... as many legends as strong emotions in an exceptional setting.
La Note Bleue Summer Festival -7, 8, 20 and 21 July
In a more intimate setting, La Note Bleue celebrates world music, from jazz to soul, overlooking the sea. As night falls, the artists follow one another to the sound of the waves, combining good humour, conviviality and musical excellence.
Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo-from 17 to 20 July
To close the season, Jean-Christophe Maillot has invited Lukáš Timulak, a former dancer trained at the Princess Grace Academy, and the Kor'sia company to present two world premieres. Inspired by the movements and forces of nature, these site-specific works offer a unique experience at every performance.
Exhibitions
Colours! - from 8 July to 31 August
The Grimaldi Forum's summer exhibition is one of the major cultural events to look forward to in Monaco. Entitled Couleurs!, the exhibition will feature works by the Centre Pompidou. The Parisian contemporary art institution will be closing for 5 years of renovation work, and the Grimaldi Forum will be showcasing the best of its collections. The 2025 summer exhibition will take visitors on a grand tour of twentieth-century art, offering a multi-sensory experience that combines colour, sound and fragrance.
Monaco and the Napoleon(s). Destins croisés -12 July to 21 August
A second exhibition will be taking place this summer at the heart of the glass and steel cultural centre. In partnership with the Château de Fontainebleau, it will bring together over 150 works and objects from the imperial collection. An immersive journey through historical grandeur, aesthetics and political heritage.
Villa Sauber - "Cactus" - 6 July to 11 January
A new exhibition at Villa Sauber! Through the prism of the cactus, a symbol of resilience and adaptation, this exhibition explores our relationship with living things. A blend of art, science and imagination, Villa Sauber offers a sensory and contemplative journey that gently questions our environment.
"Architectural heritage of Monaco" - 5 June to 5 October
This is the result of a unique photo competition. The gates of the Jardins Saint-Martin reveal 15 photographs selected from young people aged between 11 and 25, showing a fresh look at Monegasque architecture. This open-air exhibition is free and accessible, showcasing the talent of tomorrow and celebrating the Principality's heritage in the summer light of the historic gardens.
Ongoing exhibitions
"Il était une première fois" for the 40th anniversary of the Stade Louis-II "Méditerranée 2050" at the Oceanographic Museum "Si Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer m'était contée", Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo "CINEAM, le club des artisans cinéastes de Monaco" at the Audiovisual Institute of Monaco "L'effet papillon, la pré-histoire des animaux" at the Museum of Prehistoric Anthropology World Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai - Monaco Pavilion
Gourmet
Festival des Etoiles Monte-Carlo-13 and 18 July
As part of the Festival des Étoiles Monte-Carlo, two exceptional dinners bring together leading figures in the world of gastronomy. On 13 July, Yannick Alléno will share the stoves of the Pavyllon Monte-Carlo with Davide Oldani, a Michelin-starred Italian chef whose style is both refined and relaxed. On 18 July, it's Marcel Ravin's turn to welcome Anne-Sophie Pic to the Blue Bay for a six-course encounter between the Caribbean and French haute cuisine. Two rare evenings where excellence is experienced by four hands.
Campari Lounge at Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo
Nestling in the peaceful Jardin Excelsior, the Campari Lounge is one of the must-visit ephemeral bars of the Monegasque summer. ach evening from 6pm to 1am, lovers of signature cocktails (Negroni, Shakerato...) enjoy a cosy atmosphere, a bewitching view over the Mediterranean and a refined finger food menu. From Thursday to Saturday, live DJs and a lounge atmosphere make for a chic and convivial evening.
Vivaldi Monaco
A new concept! Located on Port Hercule, Vivaldi invites you to reinvent the Monegasque aperitif in a warm and lively atmosphere. It's the place to be if you want to liven up your evenings in a lively, modern setting.
Sport
Monaco Energy Boat Challenge -1st to 5th July
Tomorrow's yachting is being built today, and the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge is working towards that goal. In addition to the races taking place throughout the week, the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge features a number of highlights: tech talks presenting innovative Open Source projects, a sea lab to discover cutting-edge projects and round tables to discuss innovative projects.
Jumping International de Monte-Carlo-3 to 5 July
The crème de la crème of show jumping takes up residence in Port Hercule, at the foot of the Rock, for a spectacular leg of the Longines Global Champions Tour. Three days of competition combining speed, precision and elegance on horseback. Local to Monaco, Iñigo Lopez de la Osa Franco will be proudly representing the Principality's colours! A rider to follow closely, at home, in front of his home crowd.
Herculis EBS-July 11
Like every summer, the flagship event of the Wanda Diamond League returns to the Louis-II athletics track! Some of the world's greatest athletes have made a habit of lining up at the Herculis EBS meeting, and the 2025 edition will feature some of the world's top names, both established and up-and-coming. Among them: sprint prodigy Gout Gout, Femke Bol, Hamish Kerr and pole vault superstar Mondo Duplantis.
Regional council
Summer shines brightly on the French Riviera, from Perfume Week in Grasse to the many festivals where you can sway your hips in the heart of exceptional settings!