After a memorable debut in 2024, Chocolashow is preparing to make its return to Monaco in 2025, this time drawing inspiration from the world of yachting and the prestigious Monaco Yacht Show.
The inaugural edition, held in the Riva Tunnel and inaugurated by Prince Albert II alongside Hereditary Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella—who each signed a chocolate bar—marked a bold new addition to Monaco’s cultural calendar. The 2025 event will continue the concept in two distinct parts, combining artistic expression, culinary spectacle, and charitable giving.
The first phase will present a public exhibition of large-format chocolate artworks, with 80x80cm slabs engraved by international artists. The second phase will centre around the immersive Choko-Show, an evening featuring a themed dinner, live cooking show, raffle, and a charity auction. As before, eight non-profit organisations will receive all proceeds from the sale of the artworks, with each piece randomly assigned to a beneficiary.
Building on the success of its first year, Chocolashow will again collaborate with returning partners while also welcoming new contributors through varied formats. More information is expected in the coming months as preparations advance.
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Ten years of sun-drenched celebration: Nikki Beach Monte Carlo reopens for a milestone summer
Perched above the coastline on the rooftop of the Fairmont Monte Carlo, Nikki Beach has once again opened its white-linen doors for the summer season—and this year marks a special occasion: the tenth anniversary of the brand’s Monte Carlo outpost. With its now-iconic “Celebration of Life” spirit, Nikki Beach returns with a full programme of signature events and a menu that perfectly captures its global flair and Mediterranean roots.
The official opening cocktail, held on Thursday 24th April, set the tone for what promises to be a standout summer in the Principality. Guests gathered beneath the Monaco sun for an afternoon of music, flowing rosé, and refined coastal dining—an early celebration of a decade-long success story that began with little more than a cult following and a contagious energy.
The Nikki Beach restaurant is a welcome retreat high above the busy streets of Monaco
On a beautiful bright day in May, I found myself back on the Fairmont rooftop, wedged delightfully between pool and sea, to experience a long lunch that felt like a brief escape to Saint Tropez—minus the sand, but with all the mood. The starters, a sea bass ceviche and a truffle tuna tartare, were crisp, fresh, and perfectly suited for the season. We moved on to the Mediterranean Octopus, tender and lightly grilled, and a rich Simmental Ribeye Steak, cooked to perfection.
Despite being full, we couldn’t pass up the table-side tiramisu and a crème brûlée infused with tonka bean, paired with a delicate homemade cherry sorbet. This is a menu crafted with flair and precision, and it’s no surprise—it’s overseen by Corporate Executive Chef Alessandro Pizza, a Nikki Beach veteran who blends his Italian heritage with influences from five continents.
The grilled octopus was a delight on this warm May day. Photo credit: Cassandra Tanti
Alex Pizza, who first joined Nikki Beach in 2002, has helped shape the group’s culinary identity, from Saint Tropez to Saint Barth and now in Monte Carlo. His expertise is evident in every course served on this rooftop terrace, where food, music, and atmosphere align to create something truly immersive.
The 2025 season at Nikki Beach Monte Carlo is set to be livelier than ever, with weekly events lighting up the rooftop every Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday. Among the season’s standout moments, Formula One driver Charles Leclerc will unveil a new capsule collection with Ferrari Style during an exclusive private event at the venue, marking the start of a high-profile collaboration between the luxury fashion house and the beach club over Monaco’s Grand Prix weekend.
Sunbeds by the pool at Nikki Beach Monte Carlo
Additional highlights will include themed celebrations during Monaco Race Week, Ferragosto, and the Monaco Yacht Show. With its three distinct terraces offering everything from sun-soaked lounging to sunset soirées, Nikki Beach Monte Carlo continues to deliver the high-energy afternoons and glamorous evenings that have defined its decade of success.
There’s a reason Nikki Beach Monte Carlo has lasted 10 years in one of the most exclusive corners of the world. It offers a rare blend of elegance, consistency, and escapism that continues to draw an international crowd back, year after year.
See more of Cassandra Tanti’s experience at Nikki Beach Monte Carlo in the video reel below…
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Monaco is preparing to welcome the return of the UIM E1 World Championship presented by PIF, the world’s first all-electric raceboat series, with qualifying scheduled for Friday 18th July and race day on Saturday 19th July 2025.
Following its high-profile debut in 2024, the championship returns with nine teams, each featuring both a male and female pilot. Backed by global celebrities such as Rafael Nadal, Didier Drogba and Will Smith, the event promises another weekend of high-speed action on the Mediterranean, paired with the glamour that has become synonymous with the Principality. Last year’s Monaco race ended with Team Brady—co-owned by Tom Brady and Didier Drogba—claiming the win before an audience that included HRH Prince Albert II of Monaco.
The 2025 edition will once again be anchored at the Yacht Club de Monaco, which will host the championship’s Ocean Club, a VIP hospitality venue for guests and team owners. French fans will be keeping a close eye on Rouen-native Tom Chiappe, who races for Team Rafa and is expected to contend for a podium finish after his strong showing in qualifying last season.
Monaco has played a central role in the development of the E1 series, serving as host of the E1 Pilot Academy, a talent programme aimed at cultivating future electric raceboat pilots. Two of its graduates—Sara Misir of Team Blue Rising and Micah Wilkinson of Team Drogba—have already achieved podium finishes in the current season.
As the fifth stop on a seven-race calendar that includes coastal cities such as Doha, Dubrovnik, Lagos and Miami, the Monaco leg is expected to further enhance the Principality’s growing reputation as a leader in sustainable marine innovation and electric mobility.
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World premieres and youthful promise: Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo prepare for a dazzling summer season
This summer, the spirit of creativity will take centre stage in Monaco as Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo close their season with two highly anticipated world premieres. The excitement begins even earlier, with the rising stars of the Académie Princesse Grace showcasing their talent in a celebratory Gala that honours the next generation of international dancers.
On the 20th and 21st June 2025, the Salle Garnier Opéra de Monte-Carlo will host the Gala de l’Académie Princesse Grace. This annual event is a cornerstone for the renowned school, allowing audiences a privileged glimpse into its rigorous training. Combining classical and contemporary styles, the Gala offers a poignant farewell for eight graduating students, while welcoming newcomers as they make their debut on the iconic stage.
From the 17th to 20th July 2025, the spotlight returns to the same venue for a thrilling double bill of new works, commissioned by Jean-Christophe Maillot to close the season on an inspired note. Slovak choreographer Lukáš Timulak, a former dancer of Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo and graduate of the Académie Princesse Grace, will present a fresh piece developed alongside long-time collaborator Peter Bilak. Their work, shaped by the shifting forces of nature and guided by the philosophy that each performance should be a singular experience, promises a dynamic blend of fluidity, chaos, and organic transformation.
Joining him on the programme is the Madrid-based Compagnie Kor’sia, whose previous appearance in Monaco with the ballet Igra left a lasting impression. Led by Antonio de Rosa and Mattia Russo, Kor’sia continues to break boundaries with powerful visual storytelling and daring scenographic choices. Their latest creation, infused with the language of the body and a desire to transcend verbal expression, is expected to be a standout moment of the season.
While the Principality enjoys these artistic moments, Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo will also be representing Monaco on the international stage. The company is set to tour Cuba in May and Spain in June, performing in Havana, Valencia, and Granada, further reinforcing its role as a global cultural ambassador.
This end-of-season programme marks a continuation of Jean-Christophe Maillot’s artistic direction, bringing together Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo, the Monaco Dance Forum, and the Académie Princesse Grace in a collective effort that reinforces Monaco’s role in the international dance scene.
Monaco Life is produced by a team of real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Tik Tok.
Photo source: Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo
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