What does a real Monaco Christmas look like? See what you can find in this small state!

What does Christmas look like in Monaco, the wealthiest city in Europe?

Who brings gifts to the children of Monaco?

What makes the Advent markets in Monaco unique?

And what are your favorite Christmas foods? Let’s see what Monaco will surprise us with!

Advent time in Monaco

Perhaps no one will be surprised that Christmas markets are also popular in Monaco. But if you’re expecting opulence and luxury, you’re wrong. As in other states, you will also find wooden stalls that offer regional dishes and traditional products.

However, one thing is unique about these markets. The Christmas markets in Monaco have a different theme every year and are decorated with giant sculptures. Every year, children are excited about the carousels that are also there.

Every year, the Christmas season is associated with a festive festival Prince Albert and Princess Charlene attend at the Prince’s Palace.

Established by Princess Grace in the 1950s, this Monaco Christmas tradition is attended by invited Monaco children. It includes magic shows, afternoon tea, and an appearance by Santa Claus, much to the delight of the young children, who each receive a gift from one of Santa’s elves.

How is Christmas Eve celebrated in Monaco?

The celebration of the Christmas holidays is very similar to Christmas in France. On the morning of December 25, children run to the decorated Christmas tree and unwrap their presents. And who brings gifts to the children of Monaco?

As in France, Père Noël, or Father Christmas, brings gifts in Monaco. You can imagine him as a bearded grandfather in a red suit.

As in other European countries, Monaco has many Christians; the midnight mass, which takes place on the evening of December 24, is popular here.

What is the traditional Monaco Christmas food?

As in many countries worldwide, food takes center stage during Christmas in Monaco. Every year, the people of Monaco enjoy several traditional delicacies during the festive season.

Pan de Natale is a round sweet bread and a popular Christmas tradition, sold in bakeries throughout the Principality. Traditionally, Pan de Natale is folded into the shape of a cross and placed in the center of the Christmas table before blessing the head of the family.

Other delicious Christmas traditions in Monaco include serving 13 desserts in honor of Jesus and his 12 apostles.

Sweet treats include dried figs, almonds, raisins, hazelnuts, walnuts, and La Pompe, an orange-flavored sweet bread similar to focaccia.

A long-standing and respected tradition is sitting at a traditional Christmas feast with the family.

In Monaco, Christmas Eve dinner is usually served on Christmas Day. Popular dishes include roast goose, turkey, foie gras, oysters, game, and cheeses, all washed down with champagne.

A traditional dinner is also brandamincium, a Monaco dish prepared from salted cod mixed with garlic, oil, and cream. This dish is accompanied by carda, a white sauce.

Other Christmas dishes include barba-giuan, stuffed fritters and fougasse.

Christmas customs and traditions in Monaco

Pan de Natale is one of Monaco’s oldest traditions, especially consecrated during Christmas mass. A round sweet bread with four to seven hazelnuts and an olive branch stacked in the shape of a cross cannot be missing from the Christmas table.

Mister de Natale is traditionally blessed by the head of the family, just as he is during midnight mass in the cathedral on Christmas Day. At the end of Mass, the Archbishop of Monaco will symbolically bless all the bread that will be shared at family tables that evening or at Christmas Eve dinner.

Another fascinating tradition is the olive branch ceremony. It is an important ritual performed by family guests before Christmas Eve dinner. The youngest or the oldest performs this ceremony. The guest dips an olive branch into a glass of old wine and then moves to the fireplace.

The fireplace is hung with pine and laurel branches. The olive branch is repositioned to follow the sign of the Holy Cross. The guests will say a few words about the merits of the olive tree. At the end of the ceremony, all the members gathered to eat and wet the lips of the guests with the same glass of wine.

At Christmas in Monaco, swimmers dressed as Santa take to the cold Mediterranean for a festive dip, all for a good cause.

The event has been held on Christmas Day since 2004, and up to 100 swimmers participate. Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene usually attend the event and pose for pictures with attendees. There is usually a raffle after the event.