Every November, the gilded Salle Garnier of the Opéra de Monte-Carlo trades opera for jazz, soul and gospel. In 2026 the Monte-Carlo Jazz Festival celebrates its 20th edition, from Wednesday 18 to Sunday 29 November, with Gregory Porter, Youn Sun Nah, Melody Gardot, Marillion, Thomas Dutronc and the Soweto Gospel Choir on the bill. This Belle Époque hall seats only around 500 people and the best nights go quickly, so if you want to go, now is the time to plan. You can find dates and tickets on our Monte-Carlo Jazz Festival page.
The Festival at a Glance
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Dates: 18–29 November 2026, nine dates on the published programme (no shows on 19, 23 and 24 November).
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Venue: Salle Garnier, Opéra de Monte-Carlo, Place du Casino, Monaco.
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Start times: evening concerts at 8:30 pm; the cinema afternoon on 22 November and the closing concert on 29 November at 3 pm.
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Prices: concerts from about €70, depending on the evening; the film screening from €15.
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Organiser: Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer, which also runs the Casino next door.
Monte-Carlo Jazz Festival 2026 Programme
Most evenings follow the festival's usual format: a first set by a rising artist, then the headliner. Here is the programme as announced by the organiser.
Wednesday 18 November — Académie Rainier III
By tradition, the festival opens with around thirty students from the jazz and contemporary music department of Monaco's Académie Rainier III, joined on stage by their teachers. It is the most relaxed evening of the fortnight and a nice way to see the hall.
Friday 20 November — Youn Sun Nah and Gregory Porter
South Korean singer Youn Sun Nah, known for her intimate, daring takes on jazz and pop standards, presents a new band. Then two-time Grammy winner Gregory Porter brings his warm baritone and gospel-tinged soul jazz. Tickets from about €100.
Saturday 21 November — Thanda Choir and Melody Gardot
The 15-voice Thanda Choir opens on its first international tour. Melody Gardot follows, celebrating 20 years of her career with the songs collected on The Essential Melody Gardot. Tickets from about €100.
Sunday 22 November, 3 pm — Jazz & Cinema
A screening of The Man with the Golden Arm (1955), Otto Preminger's film starring Frank Sinatra, with its landmark jazz score by Elmer Bernstein. Presented with the Institut Audiovisuel de Monaco. Tickets from €15 — the cheapest way into the Salle Garnier during the festival.
Wednesday 25 November — Tyreek McDole, Selah Sue and The Gallands
Young American jazz singer Tyreek McDole opens, then Belgian soul singer Selah Sue shares the stage with The Gallands. Tickets from about €80.
Thursday 26 November — GoGo Penguin and The Brand New Heavies
Manchester trio GoGo Penguin present Necessary Fictions with guest Daudi Matsiko, followed by acid-jazz pioneers The Brand New Heavies — the evening most likely to get the audience out of its seats. Tickets from about €70.
Friday 27 November — Marillion
The British progressive rock band in an opera house: one of the more surprising bookings of the anniversary edition, and a rare chance to hear them in such an intimate room.
Saturday 28 November — Lila-May and Thomas Dutronc
Singer Lila-May opens before French guitarist and singer Thomas Dutronc and his Jazz Nights, with swing and manouche jazz in the spirit of Django Reinhardt.
Sunday 29 November, 3 pm — Soweto Gospel Choir
The festival closes in the afternoon with the Grammy-winning South African choir and its show JOY — a good choice for families and for anyone who would rather not take a late train home.
Around the concerts, the Café de la Rotonde inside the Casino de Monte-Carlo hosts "Before" and "After" sessions, so you can start with a drink and finish the night with more music.
Tickets: How to Book and What to Expect
The Salle Garnier is small, so the headline nights — Gregory Porter, Melody Gardot and Thomas Dutronc in particular — tend to sell out well before the festival. Book as soon as you know your dates: all festival dates and ticket links are on our Monte-Carlo Jazz Festival 2026 page. Prices depend on the seat category; the stalls and the front of the balcony have the best view of the stage. If an evening shows as sold out, check again closer to the date, as returns are sometimes released.
Getting There and Practical Tips
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By train: regional TER trains run along the coast from Nice, Antibes, Cannes and Menton to Monaco-Monte-Carlo station (about 20–25 minutes from Nice). From the station, public lifts and a walk of around 15 minutes take you up to Place du Casino.
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Getting back: evening concerts end late, so check the time of the last train before you go, or plan a taxi or a night in Monaco.
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By car: the Casino and Opéra car parks are right next to the venue.
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Dress code: there is no strict rule, but smart casual fits the setting — the Opéra is part of the Casino building.
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Arrive early: doors open before the show, and the Café de la Rotonde and the Casino gardens are worth a look before the concert.
Make a Weekend of It
Late November is quiet and mild on the Riviera, and the festival's final weekend (27–29 November) lines up three very different shows. Spend the day exploring the Rock, the Oceanographic Museum and the harbour — see things to do in Monaco — and stay in Monaco or in Nice, which is cheaper and only a short train ride away: see where to stay on the French Riviera. The Christmas villages of Nice and Cannes open on 27 November, so you can combine both: Christmas markets on the French Riviera 2026.
Monte-Carlo Jazz Festival 2026: FAQ
When is the Monte-Carlo Jazz Festival 2026?
From Wednesday 18 to Sunday 29 November 2026, with events on 18, 20, 21, 22, 25, 26, 27, 28 and 29 November.
Where does it take place?
In the Salle Garnier of the Opéra de Monte-Carlo, Place du Casino, Monaco, with Before and After sessions at the Café de la Rotonde in the Casino.
Who is playing in 2026?
Youn Sun Nah, Gregory Porter, Thanda Choir, Melody Gardot, Tyreek McDole, Selah Sue and The Gallands, GoGo Penguin, The Brand New Heavies, Marillion, Lila-May, Thomas Dutronc and the Soweto Gospel Choir, plus the Académie Rainier III opening night and a Jazz & Cinema screening.
How much are tickets?
Concerts start at about €70–100 depending on the evening (Gregory Porter and Melody Gardot from about €100); the film screening on 22 November starts at €15.
