Every year-end, the Monaco Christmas market sets up on Port Hercule, right at the foot of Port Palace. Dates, opening hours, attractions and practical tips to enjoy the Christmas Village.
Every year-end, the Monaco Christmas market sets up on Port Hercule, facing the yachts and the Rock. Glowing chalets, rides, an ice rink and festive treats: the Christmas Village is one of the most anticipated events in the Principality in December, and it sits right at the foot of our hotel.
Here is our team's practical guide: usual dates, opening hours, attractions, how to get there, and ideas to extend your evening around the harbour and Casino Square.
☉ Good to know
Monaco Town Hall has not yet published the 2026 programme for the Christmas Village. The dates, hours and prices in this guide are based on the 2025 edition and serve as pointers: confirm them on the official Town Hall website before planning your visit.
What is the Monaco Christmas market?
The Monaco Christmas market is officially called the Village de Noël, or Christmas Village. It is organised by Monaco Town Hall and takes place on Port Hercule, Quai Albert Ier, in the heart of the Condamine district. Each edition has its own theme: in 2025 the village was dedicated to a "teddy bear land", with chalets decorated accordingly.
Unlike the large Christmas markets of Central Europe, the Monaco village stays human-sized. You can visit it in an hour or two, right by the water, with the harbour and the Prince's Palace as a backdrop. That is part of its charm: it is easy to stroll through as a family or a couple, without overwhelming crowds on weekdays.
When is the Monaco Christmas market?
The usual dates
The Christmas Village generally opens at the beginning of December and closes in the first days of January. In 2025 it ran from 5 December 2025 to 4 January 2026, every day from 11am to 10pm, with opening at 4pm on the first day.
What about 2026?
At the time of writing, Monaco Town Hall indicates that the 2026 programme is still to come. It is therefore wise to treat the 2025 dates as a guide and to check the official information a few weeks before your visit. This guide will be updated as soon as the dates are confirmed.
What can you find at the Monaco Christmas Village?
The chalets: decorations, gifts and treats
In 2025 the Christmas market had 24 chalets offering decorations, gadgets and jewellery, plus 21 food stands. It is a good place to find a gift idea or try a sweet speciality as you wander: the content of the chalets changes from year to year, depending on the exhibitors selected.
The rides and the ice rink
The village had 7 paid rides in 2025, including a Ferris wheel, a carousel, a toboggan slide and Father Christmas sleighs. An ice rink, also paid, went with the village: in 2025 it stayed open from 5 December until 1 March 2026, well after the market itself closed. For children, it is often the highlight of the visit.
Activities for children
Free workshops (Christmas decorations, face painting) were offered on weekends and during school holidays, from 2pm to 6pm. Father Christmas welcomed children on 23 and 24 December, from 2.30pm to 6.30pm. These events vary from one edition to the next, but the spirit stays the same: a village designed for families.
How do you get to the Monaco Christmas market?
The village is set up on the harbour, in the heart of the Condamine, a few minutes' walk from Monaco station and the Rock. If you stay at Port Palace, you are already there: the hotel looks straight onto Port Hercule.
If you are coming from Nice or the surrounding area, our guide on how to get to Monaco details the options by train, bus and car. The train is the simplest way in December, as car parks near the harbour fill up quickly at peak times. If you come by car, see our Monaco parking guide to spot the most convenient public car parks.
What to see around the Christmas Village
Port Hercule and the Condamine district
Before or after the village, enjoy the harbour and its glowing reflections. Our Port Hercule guide presents the places to know along the quay, and our La Condamine guide covers the district's addresses and market.
Casino Square and its lights
Monte-Carlo is only a few minutes away by car or bus. In 2025 the official tourism programme highlighted an 18-metre tree, light shows and large snow globes on Casino Square. The decoration changes every year, but the square remains the essential backdrop of Christmas in Monaco. Our Monte-Carlo Casino guide helps you plan your visit.
The Carré d'Or and the Prince's Palace
In December the Carré d'Or boutiques dress up in festive decorations: find our tips in our guide to shopping in Monte-Carlo. For a cultural break, a visit to the Prince's Palace remains one of the finest walks on the Rock. Remember to check opening days, which vary by season.
Sleep a few minutes' walk from the Christmas Village.
Check availabilityOur tips for enjoying the Monaco Christmas market
- Visit the village in the late afternoon on a weekday: the light is beautiful and it is calmer than on weekends.
- Dress warmly: December evenings can be cool by the water, even on the Riviera.
- Bring a little cash or a card for the rides and the ice rink, which are paid.
- Come by train if you can: parking near the harbour is limited at peak times.
- For New Year's Eve, check the official programme: in 2025, a DJ set from 9pm and fireworks at midnight were planned on the harbour.
💡 Concierge's Tip
« Visit the village in the late afternoon, when the light falls on the harbour: the chalets light up, weekday crowds stay manageable and you can then have dinner without rushing. When you stay at Port Palace, your concierge can book a table for the rest of your evening. »
How long should you plan for your visit?
The village can be explored quickly: allow one to two hours to wander between the chalets, try a speciality and take a turn on the Ferris wheel. If you come with children, an ice rink and several rides can easily extend the visit by another hour or two.
To enjoy Christmas in Monaco, we rather recommend a stay of two or three nights: one evening at the village on the harbour, a day devoted to the Monte-Carlo lights and the Carré d'Or, then half a day on the Rock. In December the Principality is calm and bright, and walking distances between the harbour, the Rock and the casino stay short.
Finally, keep in mind that the Christmas market is only one of the season's events. Depending on the year, the Principality also offers shows, festive brunches and New Year's Eve parties. The official programme is published each autumn on the websites of the Town Hall and the tourist office.
Staying at Port Palace over the holidays
Our boutique hotel sits on Port Hercule, making it a natural base to enjoy the Principality at Christmas. Every room has a view of the harbour, and you walk back in a few minutes after visiting the village. To choose your accommodation, discover our rooms and suites with harbour views, or take a look at our current offers.
By staying at Port Palace, our guests benefit from a concierge service to organise every detail of the stay: discover our services. For dinner, the La Môme restaurant, on the hotel's 6th floor, offers a table with a harbour view, a lovely way to extend the evening after the village. Our team also welcomes family stays, with connecting suites.
If you are looking for other activity ideas, our guides Monaco with family and Monaco as a couple will inspire you, and the must-sees of Monaco complete your programme.
Port Palace Monaco
Christmas on Port Hercule
A 4-star boutique hotel on the harbour, with views over the yachts and the year-end lights. An ideal base to enjoy the Principality in December.
Book your stayFrequently asked questions about the Monaco Christmas market
When is the Monaco Christmas market?
The Christmas Village sets up on Port Hercule every year from early December to early January. In 2025 it ran from 5 December to 4 January 2026. Monaco Town Hall has not yet published the dates of the 2026 edition.
Where is the Monaco Christmas market?
It takes place on Port Hercule, Quai Albert Ier, at the foot of the Rock. Port Palace is on the same harbour, a few minutes' walk away.
What are the opening hours of the Christmas Village?
In 2025 the village was open every day from 11am to 10pm, with opening at 4pm on the first day. The 2026 hours will be confirmed by Monaco Town Hall.
Is entry to the Monaco Christmas market free?
Access to the village is open and free. The rides, including the Ferris wheel, and the ice rink are paid.
What else is there to do in Monaco at Christmas?
You can admire the tree and decorations on Casino Square, shop in the Carré d'Or, visit the Prince's Palace or see a show. The programme changes from year to year.
In short: a human-sized Christmas on the harbour
The Monaco Christmas market does not try to rival the big European markets: it wins you over with its setting, facing the yachts, and its family atmosphere. For official information, see the Christmas Village page on the Monaco Town Hall website, and for the festive programme across the Principality, the tourist office's Christmas and New Year in Monaco page.
Once the 2026 dates are published, all that is left is to choose your room and enjoy the harbour lights.
