Prince Albert II, Princess Charlene and their children, Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella signalled the start of the holiday season on 30 November as they watched the season’s first light show on the Place du Casino. Stephane Valeri, President of the Société des Bains de Mer (SBM), Didier Guillaume, Minister of State, and many other Monegasque personalities also attended the ceremony.
“At precisely 6:36 p.m. on Saturday evening, the magic began on the Place du Casino, with a cascading illumination of the historic heart of Monaco, under the eyes of the Princely Family, guests of the SBM and passers-by,” states a recent press release by the SBM.
This holiday season, the end-of-year celebrations in Monte-Carlo are being held under the theme of ‘Magical Christmas Moments’. The theme will be used in all SBM establishments until 5 January 2025.
Magical lighting show scheduled until January
A towering 18-metre-high fir tree sparkled with a thousand lights before a captivating sound and light show took place on the façade of the Monte-Carlo Casino. All eyes then turned to five giant Christmas baubles which came to life with decorations inspired by different magical Christmas moments, including Advent, the trimming of the tree, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
The Princely Family and Monegasque officials were then invited to take in the magical installations. The ceremony ended with a second light show, launched to musical reinterpretations of Christmas classics.
The Magical Christmas Moments sound and light show can now be enjoyed by the public until 5 January 2025 (from 6 to 20 December: Fridays and Saturdays, every hour from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and from 21 December: every evening). A New Year’s countdown with music will take place on 31 December. Other celebrations, including Christmas pop-ups and festive menus are also on the SBM’s holiday agenda.
