Christmas Day in Monaco
Christmas Day, celebrated on 25 December, is a statutory public holiday in Monaco. The law provides a Monday holiday when Christmas falls on Sunday, and requires the day to be paid for employees, subject to specific rules for workplaces that cannot stop operating.[1][2]
A holiday under Monaco law
Monaco’s Law No. 798 of 18 February 1966 lists Christmas among the Principality’s legal public holidays. It provides that when Christmas falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is also a legal holiday. This is the rule for Sunday dates; there is no general substitute day stated for Christmas falling on another day of the week.[1]
Law No. 800 says legal holidays are normally compulsory paid days off for all employees, regardless of how they are paid. In establishments and services whose work cannot be interrupted, staff working on the holiday are entitled to an additional payment or paid compensatory rest. The laws establish employment rights, rather than guaranteeing that every business closes.[2]
Religious observance and local customs
Christmas is the Christian feast of the Nativity. Monaco’s Catholic Diocese publishes Christmas services at the Cathedral and local parish churches, including vigils and night services on Christmas Eve and Masses on Christmas Day. Service times can change, so visitors planning to attend should check the Diocese’s current notices.[4]
A distinctive public celebration takes place before Christmas at the Prince’s Palace: the Princely Family’s Christmas tree gathering for Monegasque children includes gift-giving and festivities in the Palace courtyard. The Palace reports that the first distribution of gifts in this form dates to 1949, when Prince Rainier III came to the throne.[3]
Planning for Christmas Day
Because Christmas is a legal holiday, employees should expect the day to be treated as a paid holiday under Monaco’s employment rules, with exceptions for certain essential or uninterrupted activities.[2] The laws do not specify opening hours for individual shops, banks, restaurants, public offices or transport services. Travelers should check directly with the places and operators they plan to use; the Compagnie des Autobus de Monaco provides route schedules and identifies a timetable for Sundays and public holidays.[5]
Christmas Day in Monaco: questions and answers
When is Christmas Day in Monaco?
Christmas Day is on 25 December. If that date falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is also a legal public holiday in Monaco.[1]
Is Christmas Day a paid day off?
The law generally makes legal holidays compulsory paid days off for all employees, regardless of pay method. Some workplaces cannot interrupt operations; employees working then are entitled to additional payment or paid compensatory rest.[2]
Are shops, banks and restaurants open?
Do buses run on Christmas Day?
The bus operator publishes route schedules and lists a timetable for Sundays and public holidays. Check the operator’s current schedule for your route before traveling.[5]
Are there Christmas services in Monaco?
The Diocese publishes Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services at the Cathedral and parish churches. Check its current notices for locations and times.[4]
Sources and references
Sources used for Christmas Day in Monaco:
- Loi n° 798 du 18 février 1966 portant fixation des jours fériés légaux- Légimonaco
- Loi n° 800 du 18 février 1966 régissant la rémunération et les conditions de travail relatives aux jours fériés légaux- Légimonaco
- Christmas tree at the Prince's Palace- Prince's Palace of Monaco
- Horaires des Offices de Noël 2025- Diocese of Monaco
- Horaires des lignes de bus – Compagnie des Autobus de Monaco- Compagnie des Autobus de Monaco