What began as a mother’s impulse to give back has become one of Monaco’s most anticipated and meaningful events of the year. The Bal de Noël, now celebrating its 20th anniversary, is more than a glittering gala — it is the Principality’s unofficial launch of the glamorous festive season, a magnet for Monaco’s social elite, and a driving force behind one of its most cherished charities: the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation.
The event is the creation of Sandrine Knoell, who has single-handedly shaped the Ball’s identity over the last two decades — from concept to cause, from table placement to auction lots. “I actually organised the first Bal de Noël just after the birth of my son, Allan,” Sandrine tells me in the lobby of the Hôtel de Paris. “They knew I organised events, and the doctor asked if I could help make the delivery rooms more cozy. And that’s when the idea of creating a Christmas Ball came to me.”
A ball with purpose from the very beginning
Sandrine’s roots in Strasbourg — home to one of Europe’s grandest Christmas markets — made the festive season feel sacred. “Christmas was magical: decorating the tree, singing with my mother while she played the piano… it was a big moment for our family.” So when she arrived in Monaco to study at 18, she was struck by the absence of that atmosphere. “Not much was happening here at Christmas time back then — there were not many decorations, no winter gala.”
While Monaco had the iconic Bal de la Rose in spring and the Red Cross Ball in summer, there was nothing anchoring the winter social scene. Sandrine spotted the gap — and filled it. “I thought it would be perfect to create a Christmas Ball in the centre of Monte-Carlo – a charity ball, because Christmas is about giving, generosity, and doing something meaningful. It was the perfect time to raise money for a cause.”
That first Bal de Noël raised funds for the very maternity service that had sparked the idea, helping install ambient lighting and whimsical murals for newborns and their families.
The concept caught on. Over the years, the ball has raised money for numerous charities include Monaco’s paediatric and cardiology services – initiatives that bring children from developing countries to the Principality for life-saving surgeries. “As a young mother, I could really relate,” reflects Sandrine.
Building momentum — and the support of the Prince
From those early days, the ball attracted high-profile support. It was first held under the patronage of Princess Caroline, and then, from its second edition, under Prince Albert II. But it was in 2016 — ten years in — that the event took a defining turn: Prince Albert asked Sandrine to direct the fundraising toward the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation, placing the ball under the Princess’s high patronage.
“I was absolutely delighted — to have the backing of the Princess, and to support her foundation,” Sandrine says. Princess Charlene has since become a regular presence at the event. “She really enjoys the gala,” Sandrine notes. “As secretary general of the foundation, her brother Gareth often attends as well.”
This association with the Princess has become so synonymous that many now call it “Princess Charlene’s Christmas Ball”. Sandrine is flattered. “It means the ball is seen at a very high level, well organised, and associated with the Princess and her foundation. I am very proud of that.”
A Monaco tradition with a modern twist
Today, the Bal de Noël has evolved into an unmissable moment in Monaco’s winter social diary — a night of elegance, entertainment and meaningful giving. The setting is classically Monte-Carlo: the gilded halls of the Salle Empire at the iconic Hôtel de Paris, overlooking the giant Christmas tree and remarkable decorations that now adorn Casino Square. Guests dress to theme, as each edition brings a new creative concept: from The Nutcracker to Moulin Rouge, and this year, a towering 20th-anniversary cake.
“Of course, the first Christmas event is the lighting of the Place du Casino, but the Bal de Noël is the first big gala. I love that, because even though it started from a place of generosity and love, it has become a very special event — a part of Monaco’s season,” says Sandrine.
Demand has grown so fast that tickets now sell out well in advance. That demand has also meant a growing pressure to deliver ever more spectacular experiences — and Sandrine leans into the challenge. She personally oversees the production, from hand-painted invitations by longtime collaborator Elisabeth Wessel to staging, décor, and performances. “I always say I’d love to be a guest at the Bal de Noël! But I’m too busy managing it all.”
Raising serious funds — and expectations
With increased visibility has come greater fundraising power. In 2023, the ball raised a record €250,000 for the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation. Sandrine hopes to surpass that for the 20th edition. “The auction is a big challenge,” she says. “You need the right crowd, the right items, the right auctioneer.” In recent years, that formula has been led by Sotheby’s.
This year’s edition is also seeing new milestones. For the first time, Princess Charlene will write a personal message in the gala booklet, while SBM is also officially partnering the event for the first time.
A legacy with lasting impact
Sandrine has gone on to found other well-known Monaco events, including the Women of Monaco Lunch and the Women of Monaco Club — but the Bal de Noël remains closest to her heart. “I think of the ball like my baby — and now it’s 20 years old. One day, this baby will walk on its own, maybe without me. I hope it continues like the Bal de la Rose or the Red Cross Ball — events that last for 100 years.”
For Sandrine, the most rewarding part is seeing the joy the event brings — not just to the guests, but to the lives changed by the funds it raises.
In a Principality known for its refined soirées and philanthropic legacy, the Bal de Noël has earned its place among the greats. It is, above all, a celebration of Monaco’s most enduring values: elegance, generosity, and community – all centred around the magic of a Monte-Carlo Christmas.
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