The Festival International du Cirque de Monte-Carlo celebrates its 50th anniversary!

There are time-honoured rituals in the Principality, special events that mark the years and seasons, the excitement mounting as they draw nearer, bringing with them memories of youthful days.

The Festival International du Cirque de Monte-Carlo is one of them. Widely considered to be among the world’s most prestigious events, it kicks off the Principality’s annual programme in style.

This year’s 46th edition will be particularly special, as it marks the 50th anniversary of the Festival’s creation (it has been cancelled five times since it was founded). The opening day on 19 January will also mark the close of the Prince Rainier III centenary commemorations, providing a symbolic and remarkable epilogue to a year of remembrance in tribute to the man who founded the Festival International du Cirque de Monte-Carlo.  

In recognition of the occasion, an exhibition entitled "The Prince and the Circus" will run until 11 February, on the site of the former Cars Collection of the Sovereign Prince, at Les Terrasses in the Fontvieille district. Visitors and locals alike can learn about the passion that drove Prince Rainier III, whose visionary spirit and benevolence saw him restore the circus to its rightful place among the arts, combining tradition and modernity.

Under the big top, like last year, experienced circus artistes from all over the world will come together with their fellow performers taking part in New Generation, the competition reserved for up-and-coming young talents, all looking to earn a coveted Golden Clown trophy. Experts in their discipline will be watched carefully by a jury made up of representatives from leading circus families, including the Bougliones.  Sixteen shows are scheduled to take place between 19 and 28 January, including three shorter two-hour versions on 21, 27, and 28 January.

This 2024 edition will be special in more ways than one, since the Festival International du Cirque de Monte-Carlo will open on Saturday 13 January with a grand parade through the city and an open air circus show on the Place du Palais at 2.30 pm. Flying trapeze, tightrope walkers, master jugglers... The world’s greatest artists will perform their spectacular turns against the backdrop of the Prince’s Palace, for a quite unforgettable circus experience.