In short
The Monte-Carlo Jazz Festival 2026 runs from 18 to 29 November at the Salle Garnier in Monaco. Evening concerts start from 20:30, with doors at 20:00. Gregory Porter and Youn Sun Nah play on 20 November, Melody Gardot on 21 November. Tickets start at 60 € to 100 €, the opening night is free, and SBM asks for proper attire.
Planning a long weekend in Monaco around one concert? The Monte-Carlo Jazz Festival 2026 is a good reason to come in late November. The 20th edition runs from 18 to 29 November 2026 at the Salle Garnier, the opera house inside the Casino de Monte-Carlo building.
This guide is written for a couple flying in from London, Copenhagen or Stockholm for two or three nights. It covers the line-up night by night, prices, how to book, what to wear, where to eat and how to get there. Every fact comes from Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer (SBM), which runs the festival, and other official sources read in October 2026.
Key facts: dates, venue, concert times, prices and airport for the Monte-Carlo Jazz Festival 2026
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Dates | Wednesday 18 to Sunday 29 November 2026 |
| Venue | Salle Garnier, Opéra de Monte-Carlo, Place du Casino, Monaco |
| Evening concerts | Doors 20:00, concerts from 20:30 |
| Sunday shows | 22 and 29 November, from 17:00 |
| Prices | Free opening night; concerts from 60 € to 100 € on the SBM booking site |
| Bookings | +377 98 06 36 36 or ticketoffice@sbm.mc |
| Nearest airport | Nice Côte d'Azur, about 7 minutes to Monaco by helicopter |
Sources: Monte-Carlo SBM and Monacair, checked October 2026.
Who is playing at the Monte-Carlo Jazz Festival 2026, and when?
There are nine dates over twelve days, with the big names on Friday 20 and Saturday 21 November. Most nights pair two acts on the same bill. Gregory Porter, twice a Grammy winner for Best Jazz Vocal Album, shares the Friday with Youn Sun Nah. Melody Gardot plays the Saturday.
Programme: the 2026 line-up night by night, with times and prices
| Date | Time | Line-up | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wed 18 Nov | 20:30 | Opening concert by the young musicians of the Académie Rainier III | Free, booking recommended |
| Fri 20 Nov | 20:30 | Youn Sun Nah, then Gregory Porter | 100 € |
| Sat 21 Nov | 20:30 | Thanda Choir, then Melody Gardot | 100 € |
| Sun 22 Nov | 17:00 | Film screening: The Man with the Golden Arm (1955) | 15 € |
| Wed 25 Nov | 20:30 | Tyreek McDole, then Selah Sue with The Gallands | 80 € |
| Thu 26 Nov | 20:30 | GoGo Penguin with Daudi Matsiko, then The Brand New Heavies | 70 € |
| Fri 27 Nov | 20:30 | Marillion | 100 € |
| Sat 28 Nov | 20:30 | Lila-May, then Thomas Dutronc | 80 € |
| Sun 29 Nov | 17:00 | Soweto Gospel Choir, JOY | 60 € |
Source: Monte-Carlo SBM event pages, checked October 2026. The 3 September press release quoted lower starting prices (from 60 € to 80 €), so check the price when you book.
"Twenty years later, the adventure continues, and the event has established itself as one of the Principality's unmissable musical highlights." Monte-Carlo SBM press release, 3 September 2026
How do you book tickets, and which nights suit a long weekend?
Book through SBM by phone, by email or on its website, and do it early for the Friday and Saturday shows. Those are the two nights most couples will want.
- Phone: +377 98 06 36 36, from 10:00 to 19:00, seven days a week
- Email: ticketoffice@sbm.mc
- Online: the festival pages on montecarlosbm.com
- Minimum age: 7 years old, for every show
Three ways to build the weekend
The first weekend is the strongest. Arrive on Friday 20 for Porter, stay for Gardot on Saturday 21, and catch the 17:00 film on Sunday 22 before an evening flight. Prog rock fans can choose Marillion on Friday 27 instead. A gentler option is Thomas Dutronc on Saturday 28, then the Soweto Gospel Choir at 17:00 on Sunday 29.
What should you wear to the Salle Garnier?
SBM asks for "proper attire" at every concert. In practice, think smart evening wear: a jacket for him, a dress or tailored trousers for her. You will not look out of place in black tie, but it is not required.
If dinner is at Le Louis XV, the jacket is not optional.
"Please note that elegant dress is required, and jackets must be worn at dinner throughout the year." Le Louis XV, Monte-Carlo SBM
Where should you eat before or after the concert?
Everything is on the Place du Casino, a few steps from the opera house. The only question is timing, as the doors open at 20:00.
Before the show
Le Louis XV, Alain Ducasse's three-Michelin-star restaurant at the Hôtel de Paris, serves dinner from Tuesday to Saturday, 19:30 to 21:15. That clashes with a 20:30 concert, so book it for Saturday lunch (12:15 to 13:30, Friday and Saturday) or for a free evening. On a concert night, an early bite at the Café de Paris is easier.
After the show
- Café de Paris Monte-Carlo: the brasserie on the square, open daily from 8:00 to 1:00.
- Le Bar Américain at the Hôtel de Paris: Visit Monaco lists it as a jazz venue with live concerts.
- Le Grill: the one-star restaurant on the eighth floor of the Hôtel de Paris, with panoramic views.
For the obvious base, the five-star Hôtel de Paris has stood on the Place du Casino since 1864.
How do you get from Nice airport to Monaco?
The helicopter takes about 7 minutes; the train from Nice takes 23. Choose by budget and by how much luggage you carry.
Getting there: Nice airport to Monaco by helicopter, coach, train or car, with times and prices
| Option | Time | Price and notes |
|---|---|---|
| Monacair helicopter | About 7 min | From 195 € per person one way, every 30 minutes from 8:15 until nightfall |
| Zou! line 80 Express coach | About 50 min | 21.80 € one way on board, Terminal 1 to Place d'Armes (June 2026 timetable) |
| Train from Nice Ville | 23 min | Around 60 round trips a day to the underground Monaco Monte-Carlo station |
| Private car or taxi | Depends on traffic | Door to door, the easiest choice in evening clothes |
Sources: Monacair, Zou! Région Sud and Visit Monaco, checked October 2026. Check winter timetables before you travel.
The helicopter flies only until nightfall, and the sun sets around 17:00 in late November. If you land in the evening, take a car.
What is the weather like in Monaco in late November?
Expect mild days and cool, often wet evenings. Météo-France normals for Nice give a November average high of 17°C and a low of 9.7°C. November is also the wettest month of the year there, with 138.4 mm of rain on average.
What to pack
- A wool coat that works over evening clothes
- A compact umbrella for the walk across the square
- Comfortable shoes for the steep lanes of the Rocher by day
Our guide to the French Riviera in winter covers what else is open off-season.
Is it worth booking a photographer for a jazz weekend in Monaco?
Yes, if you want pictures of the two of you dressed up, and an hour is enough. Riva is a private luxury photography agency based on the Riviera. Our photographers work quietly in public places, never inside the opera house.
It is dark by 17:30, so the square is lit when you step out for dinner. That is the moment to capture.
Photo session: the best times and places around a Monte-Carlo Jazz Festival concert
| When | Where | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Concert day, 19:00 to 19:45 | Place du Casino | The Casino and Hôtel de Paris are lit, and you are already in evening wear |
| The morning after, 10:00 | Monaco-Ville, on the Rocher | Soft winter light, quiet lanes and views over the port |
| Sunday, 15:30 | Casino gardens | A relaxed daytime portrait before the 17:00 show |
What Riva takes care of
- The photographer meets you at your hotel or on the square, with no travel fee anywhere from Saint-Tropez to Menton.
- We scout the spot and plan the timing around your concert.
- Every photo is edited by hand.
- A preview of 5 to 8 images within 48 hours, the full private gallery within 7 days, 24-hour delivery on request.
- We watch the forecast 72 hours ahead and move the session free of charge if rain is due.
How much does it cost?
Prices are all taxes included:
- Express 30 minutes in one place: from 390 €, on request
- 1 hour, 30 edited photos: 790 €
- 2 hours, 60 edited photos: 1,290 €
Photos inside a hotel or the casino need the venue's consent, so we arrange those with you in advance. See our Monaco page, the full pricing, or the best photo spots in Monaco, then message us on WhatsApp with your concert date.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Monte-Carlo Jazz Festival 2026?
The 20th Monte-Carlo Jazz Festival runs from Wednesday 18 to Sunday 29 November 2026 at the Salle Garnier of the Opéra de Monte-Carlo, on the Place du Casino. Evening concerts open their doors at 20:00 and start from 20:30. The two Sunday shows, on 22 and 29 November, start from 17:00.
Who is playing at the Monte-Carlo Jazz Festival 2026?
Youn Sun Nah and Gregory Porter play on 20 November, Thanda Choir and Melody Gardot on 21 November, Tyreek McDole and Selah Sue on 25 November, GoGo Penguin and The Brand New Heavies on 26 November, Marillion on 27 November, Lila-May and Thomas Dutronc on 28 November, and the Soweto Gospel Choir closes on 29 November.
How much are tickets for the Monte-Carlo Jazz Festival?
In October 2026 the SBM booking site listed concerts from 60 euros (Soweto Gospel Choir) to 100 euros (Gregory Porter, Melody Gardot, Marillion). The film screening on 22 November is from 15 euros and the opening concert on 18 November is free, with booking recommended. Book on +377 98 06 36 36 or ticketoffice@sbm.mc.
Is there a dress code at the Salle Garnier?
Yes. SBM states that proper attire is required for every festival show. Smart evening wear is the safe choice: a jacket for men, a dress or tailored outfit for women. Black tie is welcome but not required. Children must be at least 7 years old.
How do you get from Nice airport to the Monte-Carlo Jazz Festival?
The Monacair helicopter takes about 7 minutes, from 195 euros per person one way, but flies only until nightfall. The Zou! line 80 Express coach costs 21.80 euros on board. Trains from Nice Ville take 23 minutes to Monaco Monte-Carlo station. A private car is easiest in evening clothes.
Coming to Monaco for a concert?
Tell us your concert date and your hotel. We plan an hour on the Place du Casino before the doors open, or a walk on the Rocher the next morning. From 790 € all taxes included, or 390 € for a 30-minute express session, with first images within 48 hours.
Plan my sessionMore reading: the best photo spots in Monaco, the French Riviera in winter, and the Monte-Carlo Rally 2027.
Sources
Times, rules and figures in this guide come from these official sources. Checked in October 2026.
- Monte-Carlo SBM, press release of 3 September 2026, 20th edition from 18 to 29 November 2026 at the Salle Garnier; nightly line-up; free opening concert with booking recommended; bookings on +377 98 06 36 36 (10 a.m. to 7 p.m., 7 days a week) or ticketoffice@sbm.mc; starting prices quoted at the time.
- Monte-Carlo SBM, Monte-Carlo Jazz Festival programme, event list with starting prices per person: 100 € on 20 and 21 November, 15 € on 22 November, 80 € on 25 November, 70 € on 26 November.
- Monte-Carlo SBM, Gregory Porter and Youn Sun Nah event page, seated concert, doors at 08:00 pm, concert from 08.30 pm, proper attire required, minimum age 7; the same details appear on the other evening event pages.
- Monte-Carlo SBM, Soweto Gospel Choir event page, 29 November 2026, concert from 05:00 pm, starting price 60 €; the 22 November screening page also gives 05:00 pm.
- Monte-Carlo SBM, Marillion event page, 27 November 2026, concert from 08.30 pm, starting price 100 €; the Thomas Dutronc page (28 November) lists 80 €.
- Monte-Carlo SBM, Le Louis XV - Alain Ducasse, 3 Michelin stars; dinner Tuesday to Saturday 7:30pm to 9:15pm, lunch Friday and Saturday 12:15pm to 1:30pm; jackets required at dinner.
- Monte-Carlo SBM, Café de Paris Monte-Carlo, brasserie on the Place du Casino, open daily 8am to 1am.
- Visit Monaco, Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo, five-star hotel on the Place du Casino, opened in 1864; Le Louis XV, Le Grill (one Michelin star, 8th floor) and Le Bar Américain, a jazz venue with live concerts.
- Monacair, Nice to Monaco regular line, about 7 minutes, every 30 minutes from 8:15 until nightfall, from 195 € per person one way.
- Zou! Région Sud, line 80 Express timetable, timetable valid from 2 June 2026; 21.80 € one way sold on board; Terminal 1 08:35 to Place d'Armes 09:25.
- Visit Monaco, arriving by train, around sixty round trips a day between Nice and Monaco, journey time 23 minutes; Monaco Monte-Carlo station is underground.
- Météo-France, Nice climate sheet, 1991 to 2020 normals for November: average maximum 17°C, average minimum 9.7°C, 138.4 mm of rain, the highest monthly figure of the year.
- Sunrise-Sunset.org, sunset in Monaco at 17:02 on 20 November 2026 and 16:57 on 28 November 2026; civil twilight ends around 17:30.