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Every December, the Monaco Christmas Ball marks the beginning of the Principality’s winter season. Since 2005, this charity gala has brought together residents, patrons and international friends of Monaco in the Salle Empire of the Hôtel de Paris, in support of children’s causes. For PIRAS Immobilier, established for nearly fifty years at the heart of Monaco’s property market, the event says a great deal about what makes the Principality so distinctive. Monaco remains a vibrant social destination twelve months a year, far beyond the summer high season.
The next edition of the Christmas Ball will take place on Friday, 11 December 2026, at the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo. In keeping with tradition, attendance is by invitation through Five Stars Events, the company founded by Sandrine Knoell, who has organised the event since its inception. The artistic programme and full details of the evening will be announced at a later date by the organiser. This 21st edition will open a new chapter following an anniversary year that celebrated two decades of philanthropic commitment.
On 12 December 2025, the Salle Empire hosted an anniversary edition held, as every year since 2016, under the High Patronage of H.S.H. Princess Charlene. Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene honoured the evening with their presence, confirming the special place this event holds in the Principality’s calendar.
At the heart of the evening, an auction conducted by Sotheby’s raised funds that were donated in full to the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation. Established in 2012, the Foundation focuses its work on drowning prevention and the education of children through the values of sport. The 2025 edition was also marked by a first. Sandrine Knoell presented Princess Charlene with the “Monaco Star” award, a new distinction created by the International Action Committee of the Christmas Ball. It is intended to honour, each year, individuals committed to the well-being of younger generations.
The origins of the Christmas Ball began with a personal gesture. Sandrine Knoell organised the first evening shortly after the birth of her son, in support of the maternity department that had cared for her. The event was an immediate success. Initially held under the patronage of Princess Caroline, and then under that of Prince Albert II from its second edition, the Ball has supported a number of paediatric causes in the Principality over the years. In 2016, it entered a new era through its association with the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation. This longevity is far from insignificant. In Monaco, the institutions that endure are those that combine high standards, discretion and loyalty. These are precisely the values that also shape the Monaco property market, where reputation is built over decades rather than seasons.
The choice of the Hôtel de Paris is a reminder of the central role played by Casino Square in the geography of the Principality. Around this area, Monte-Carlo and the Carré d’Or concentrate a significant share of Monaco’s luxury real estate. Here, one finds prestigious residences, highly sought-after addresses and apartments whose value is linked as much to their amenities as to their immediate proximity to the places where life in the Principality unfolds. For an international buyer, this dimension is particularly important. Buying an apartment in Monaco also means gaining access to an entire ecosystem. Charity galas, the Monte-Carlo Opera season, the International Circus Festival in January, the Rallye Monte-Carlo and the celebrations of Sainte-Dévote all contribute to an exceptionally rich winter calendar. This rhythm sets Monaco apart from seaside destinations whose activity slows significantly outside the summer season.
“The Christmas Ball is a reminder of something our clients understand from their very first visits: in Monaco, an address is never simply about square metres,” says Silvio PIRAS, Director of PIRAS Immobilier. “It provides access to a social, cultural and philanthropic life that continues far beyond the summer. This is often the dimension that transforms a property purchase into a genuine lifestyle project.”
When analysing a real estate investment in Monaco, attention naturally focuses on the price per square metre, the scarcity of supply and the stability of the legal environment. Yet the quality of life during winter also deserves to be part of the consideration. For residents who settle permanently in the Principality, the months from November to March often reveal the true day-to-day quality of an address. The sunlight on a terrace, a panoramic view over Port Hercule, and the proximity of schools, cultural institutions and social venues all become particularly important.
This perspective also applies to the Monaco rental market. A high-end rental clientele, often made up of families living in the Principality year-round, looks for properties that can be fully enjoyed in every season. These clients tend to prioritise natural light, generous volumes and ease of access rather than simply seeking a summer pied-à-terre.
From Château Périgord, just a few minutes from Casino Square, the teams at PIRAS Immobilier assist buyers, tenants and investors through this comprehensive approach to the Monaco property market. Our services include the selection of exceptional properties, access to off-market opportunities and discreet management of every stage of the process. you are considering a purchase, a rental or the valuation of a property, our advisers are available at our offices in Château Périgord, by telephone on +377 93 25 30 00, or by email at contact@pirasimmobilier.com.
PIRAS Real Estate has been advising clients on property sales, rentals, acquisitions and management in Monaco and on the French Riviera since 1976.
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