As summer reaches its peak, Monaco’s cultural calendar is packed with everything from jazz legends to fireworks shows. August promises to deliver a series of entertainment events that will keep residents and visitors captivated throughout the month.
The month opens with buzz-funk pioneer James Mason bringing his eight-piece ensemble to La Note Blue on 1st -2nd August at 21:00. The creative genius behind ‘Rhythm of Life’ – named one of the ’20 Essential Jazz-Fusion Records Everyone Should Own’ by Discogs – returns to Europe for the first time in over a decade. This rare performance promises extended versions of beloved classics that have influenced generations of musicians and DJS worldwide.
The musical journey continues mid-month with 30/70 X Dreamcastmoe on 8th-9th August at 21:00. Their blend of jazz, broken beat, soul, funk, electronic music and R&B creates what organisers describe as “raw art in motion made for the dance floor”.
Palace concerts
Classical music lovers can enjoy two magnificent concerts at Cour d’Honneur of the Prince’s Palace. On Saturday 3rd August at 21:30, conductor Tianyi Lu will lead the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra alongside pianist Georgijs Osokins in a program featuring Beethoven’s Coriolan Overture Op. 62, Piano Concerto No.4 in G major Op. 58, and extracts from Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet Suite.
The palace series continues on Thursday 7th August at 21:30 with conductor Emmanuel Tjeknavorian and violinist Sergey Khachatryan presenting a diverse program including Liszt’s Mephisto-Waltz No.1, Bruch’s Violin Concerto in G minor Op. 26, Strauss’s Till Eulenspiegel, and Johann Strauss’s The Blue Danube.
La Note Bleue’s summer festival will also reach new heights with Setenta on 15th-16th August at 21:00, promoting their acclaimed second album ‘Apollo Solar Drive’ – described as an ‘Afro-Latin retro-futurist tribute to the sun.’ The 7-piece ensemble promises to bring Latin heat to the Larvotto stage.
Additionally, the month features Afro-disco queen Oby Onyioha collaborating with Sai Galaxy on 22nd-23rd August at 21:00. The Nigerian pop star, whose 1981 hit’ Enjoy Your Life’ was re-edited by Soundway Records in 2016, joins forces with producer Simon Durrington’s Afro-disco project for an unforgettable experience.
Fireworks and summer fun
Families shouldn’t miss the spectacular fireworks show at Quai Albert 1er on Saturday 9th August. Starting at 18:00 with free access to inflatable castles until 21:30, the evening builds to the main fireworks display at 22:00, followed by a pop-rock party. The event is part of Monaco’s extensive summer entertainment program running until 24th August, featuring karting, basketball, courts, carousel rides, duck fishing, trampoline, small boat rides, temporary tattoo stands, and the popular Ninja Warrior course.
For those who love water activities, underwater diving initiatives are offered on Wednesday 6th August and Wednesday 27th August at 9:30am on Route de la Piscine. In collaboration with Monaco’s Club d’Exploration Sous-Marine de Monaco, these sessions welcome adults and children from age 8 for approximately 10-minute experience.
Following, football fans can catch AS Monaco in action with a preparation match against Inter Milan on Thursday 8th August at 20:00, followed by league fixture against Havre AC on Friday 16th August at 19:00 and RC Strasbourg Alsace on Sunday 31st August. The month also features the 2025/2026 UEFA Men’s Club Competitions Season Kick-off on 28th-29th August.
August concludes with two distinctive musical experiences. Tamo Junto , the South of France’s most infamous Samba band, returns on Tuesday 27th August at 21:00.
The month’s final weekend features Dr Wu ‘A Steely Dan Tribute’ on 29th-30th August at 21:00, where a 10-piece French collective led by Jean Luc Léonardon and François Bodin celebrates the sonic legacy of jazz rock and ‘Yacht Rock’ icons Steely Dan with both classics and lesser-known compositions
See also:
Games, go-karts and trampolines: Monaco’s summer village is back
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Main photo credit: Wendy Wei, Pexels.