As engines roar through the narrow streets of Monte-Carlo and eyes turn to the glittering spectacle of the Monaco Grand Prix, a very different kind of magic unfolds just a few hundred metres away on the shore. Sunset Monaco, held annually at Le Méridien Beach Plaza, has become far more than a side event to the world’s most famous race. It is a cultural happening in its own right, an experience that, as co-founder Thomas Peeters tells it, “belongs to Monaco – because it’s made for Monaco.”
Now in its 12th edition, Sunset is the Principality’s largest beach party and the most inclusive celebration of the Monaco GP weekend. Co-founded by Thomas Peeters and Cédric Houdrouge, the event is not a velvet-rope affair for the few, but a shared moment for thousands. “Seventy to eighty percent of the people who attend Sunset are locals,” says Peeters. “That’s what makes this event so special. We’re not just entertaining visitors. We’re creating a space for the people who actually live here to celebrate one of Monaco’s greatest weekends together.”
While the Principality is no stranger to luxury and exclusivity, Sunset stands apart by offering an experience that feels deeply personal and unmistakably communal. Over three days, more than 8,000 guests pour into the beachfront venue for an immersive programme of music, performance, and atmosphere, wrapped in the breezy elegance of the Principality of Monaco. It’s part music festival, part social ritual, and every bit the heartbeat of Monaco’s modern-day Grand Prix scene.
“We’ve reached a point where Sunset is synonymous with the Grand Prix,” Peeters says. “People ask, ‘Are you going to Monaco for the race?’ and the answer is, ‘Yes—plus Sunset.’ For a lot of locals and even international fans, it’s become part of the Grand Prix DNA.”
This year’s lineup underscores that reputation, with high-calibre talent spanning continents and genres. “On Friday we welcome PAWSA, one of the biggest names in the scene right now—his sets are groovy, powerful, hypnotic,” says Peeters. “On Sunday, we have Honey Dijon, who’s become known as the queen of house music. She’s had a residency at Pacha in Ibiza, and this year she’ll be with us. It’s a big deal. Also returning are Parallells and Salomé Le Chat—names that our audience already loves.”
But as much as DJs drive the atmosphere, Sunset’s scope has long extended beyond the turntable. The beach is transformed into a multi-sensory playground. “This year, we are bringing in what we call the Nereids,” Peeters explains, “aerial performers who dance and glide above the swimming pools, suspended in the air. It’s poetic, elegant, and completely unexpected.” Guests can also expect a first-of-its-kind lighting show projected onto the façade of Le Méridien itself. “It’s very Monaco, very cinematic. A moment you won’t forget.”
Inclusivity remains at the heart of Sunset’s philosophy. Ticket prices start at €60, making it a rare democratic space during a notoriously expensive weekend. “Of course, we offer premium experiences—tables can reach €20,000,” says Peeters. “But the idea has always been to offer options for everyone. We don’t want this to be something only the elite can access. That’s why our local audience keeps returning. They feel that this is their party, and they’re right.”
The crowd is also striking in its diversity. “The average age of our guests is about 35 to 38,” he says, “but the mother of my business partner—she’s 75—she comes every year and parties like the rest of us. We have all ages, all backgrounds. That’s what makes the atmosphere so rich.”
In 2024, Sunset expanded its footprint with new lounges and a beachfront restaurant—Casa Sunset—serving up fusion Latino dishes, signature cocktails, and a curated DJ lineup from midday through to 3 a.m. It was a move that has extended the celebration well past the sunset itself. “We’ve added a whole new dimension,” Peeters says. “People can now stay long after the music stops, enjoying food, drinks, and a second lineup into the early hours.”
Though Sunset Monaco has already made waves internationally, with recent editions in Miami and cross-over events in Cannes, Peeters insists its soul remains rooted in the Principality. “We’ve done Sunset in Miami four times now, and it’s amazing—people fly in just for it. But Monaco is the flagship. It’s where we began, and it’s where the identity of Sunset lives.”
With its growth and cultural impact, Sunset has arguably become a Monaco institution—something that, each year, residents count down to with the same anticipation as the race itself. “Every year when we end Sunset with the fireworks, people cry,” says Peeters. “It’s emotional. They tell us, ‘We have to wait a whole year again.’ That’s when we know we’ve done something meaningful.”
Indeed, in a city defined by spectacle and velocity, Sunset Monaco offers something refreshingly lasting—a ritual of connection that grows stronger with every edition. It is a celebration that doesn’t just complement the Grand Prix, but completes it. Rooted in local pride and elevated by international flair, Sunset is more than a party. It’s a tradition, a movement, and a reflection of a modern Monaco that embraces both its elegance and its energy. As the Principality welcomes the world once again this May, one thing is certain: the race may stop the city, but Sunset makes it dance.
Monaco Life is produced by 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.
Main photo: Cédric Houdrouge and Thomas Peeters, Co-Founders Sunset Monaco. All photos provided