The Promenade du Larvotto is best known for its sun-drenched pebbles and glittering Mediterranean views, but for five days this June, it will become the epicentre of the international urban art world. From 21st to 25th June, the UPaint Monaco festival returns for its 10th anniversary, marking a decade of a uniquely Monegasque cultural phenomenon: high-end street art created live under the open sky, entirely for the benefit of the planet.
When founder Alberto Colman launched the initiative in 2017, the concept of bringing raw, spray-painted street culture to the pristine shores of the Principality raised a few traditional eyebrows. Yet, over the last nine editions, the festival has established itself as a cornerstone of Monaco’s summer season. It has successfully bridged the gap between subcultural grit and high-net-worth philanthropy, hosting nearly one hundred international artists, producing over two hundred original pieces, and raising more than 300,000 euros for environmental causes.
Demystifying the creative process
The secret to UPaint’s longevity lies in its immersive nature. Unlike static gallery exhibitions, the festival strips away the barrier between the creator and the public. Passers-by walking the promenade are invited into the creative process, watching complex murals evolve from blank canvases into striking visual statements over several days. The 2026 edition promises an even deeper level of community engagement, transforming the central UPaint Village into a social hub where live DJ sets, interactive installations, and casual artist meet-and-greets blend seamlessly into the coastal landscape.
A definitive reunion of urban pioneers
To celebrate this historic milestone, Colman has curated a retrospective lineup that reads like a ‘who’s who’ of the festival’s history, bringing back seventeen of its most iconic past contributors. Among those returning to the Larvotto waterfront are Chanoir and PEZ, whose vibrant characters and intricate, illustrative styles have long captivated local crowds.
They will share the space with Italian artist Andrea Ravo Mattoni, famed for using modern spray cans to recreate classical masterpieces, effectively turning contemporary graffiti into a dialogue with art history. Monaco’s own street art pioneer, Mr. One Teas, will also return to his home turf, alongside an elite international contingent including RYLSEE, Cacao Rocks, Harry James, Theo Lopez, and Tim Marsh, ensuring the anniversary showcase spans a dizzying array of geometric, abstract, and nature-inspired disciplines.
Art under the hammer for global conservation
The artistic marathon culminates in a high-stakes finale on the evening of Thursday 25th June. In partnership with the Hôtel des Ventes Monte-Carlo, the live-created works will go under the hammer at 6pm, inviting both local collectors in the village and digital bidders from around the globe to compete for a piece of Monaco’s urban art history.
Crucially, the financial success of the auction serves a much larger purpose. As has been the tradition since its inception, the proceeds are channelled directly into the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, funding tangible global initiatives dedicated to ocean conservation, forest protection, and the preservation of biodiversity.
Launching concurrently with the Fête de la Musique on 21st June, this anniversary edition represents something far greater than a milestone birthday for a local festival. It stands as a testament to ten years of artistic innovation, proof that open-air creativity can foster deep community connection, and a reminder that art, at its best, has the power to protect the world it depicts.
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Photo: Prince Albert II with Mr One Teas at UPaint Monaco 2024, credit: Manuel Vitali, Government Communications Department
