Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene, joined by Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella, led the official lighting ceremony at the Place du Casino on Saturday 29th November, marking the start of Monaco’s Christmas season with style and elegance.
Crowds filled the iconic square to witness the Princely family take part in the annual tradition, a moment that continues to hold a special place in the Principality’s festive calendar.
The princely twins took centre stage, as they launched the spectacular light display at around 6pm, watched by their parents and gathered crowds. At their signal, a towering Christmas tree burst into life with 6,000 lights, followed by five giant snow globes that now adorn the historic square.
The evening’s highlight came as the Casino de Monte-Carlo’s façade transformed into a canvas for the ‘Reindeer Show’, a choreographed display of lights and music.
The Princely Family, accompanied by by Stéphane Valéri, President-Delegate of the Société des Bains de Mer (SBM), and Minister of State Christophe Mirmand with his wife, then toured the five oversized snow globes.
Designed as musical boxes around the theme ‘The Magic of Monte-Carlo Christmas’, each presents a scene featuring five reindeer characters – Flocon, Rose, Hercule, Stella and Rudolph, Father Christmas’s faithful companion.
After the tour, Santa Claus also made a special appearance, surprising and hugging the twins and greeting Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene, before posing for photographs with the family.
The ceremony marks the official launch of the festive season, which runs until January 6th. For anyone who missed the spectacular light show, it will be projected again onto the Casino façade every thirty minutes at weekends in December between 6pm and 10pm, with daily performances during the school holidays.
See more in our video reel below…
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Main photo credit : Frédéric Nebinger / Palais princier / Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer