Monaco’s National Day: the Story of 19 November

The story of Monaco’s Fête Nationale: how the date moved with each Prince until it settled on 19 November, the Te Deum and the review on the Place du Palais, and the 2026 programme of fireworks, shows and the giant stockfish at the Condamine market.

Every year on 19 November, Monaco keeps its Fête Nationale, the day the whole Principality celebrates its Prince and itself. Fireworks light up Port Hercule and the Marché de la Condamine turns into a party.

Behind the celebrations lies a lovely piece of history: the date has changed with almost every reign, always for the same reason. Here is the story, and how to join in this year.

Why 19 November

It began in 1857, when Prince Charles III declared that 4 November, the feast of his patron saint, would be the Fête du Souverain. In everyday speech it soon became the Fête du Prince.

Later Princes moved it again. A Sovereign Ordinance of 8 May 1890 moved the celebration to 15 November, the feast of Saint Albert, for Prince Albert I. Prince Louis II’s saint’s day fell on 25 August, when the Principality’s shops and services closed for the summer, so in 1922 the celebration moved to 17 January, the feast of Saint Anthony the Abbot and of Princess Antoinette. From 1923 the official Journal de Monaco began to call it the Fête Nationale.

Prince Rainier III’s accession was celebrated on 19 November 1949, and the national day was first set for 11 April, the feast of the Blessed Rainier. When 11 April 1952 turned out to fall on Good Friday, an ordinance of 27 October 1951 moved it for good to 19 November, Saint Rainier’s day. Prince Albert II kept the date in memory of his father.

The ceremonies

From the very first Fête du Prince, the day opened with a Te Deum, sung in the Église Saint-Nicolas: the cathedral, begun in 1875, was only inaugurated in 1884. In 1863 the “air national”, today’s Monegasque anthem, was played in church for the first time.

The date of Monaco’s national day has moved four times, always following the patron saint of the reigning Prince.

In 1871 the first review of the troops followed the Te Deum on the Place du Palais, with the Compagnie des Gardes du Prince. The Carabiniers joined it in 1875, the Sapeurs-Pompiers in 1911 and a Police detachment on 19 November 1952. Even in the nineteenth century the day ended with a great fireworks display, concerts and popular games on the Rock.

National Day 2026

The Mairie de Monaco’s programme for 2026 begins with fireworks launched from Port Hercule on Wednesday 18 November at 8.10pm, open to everyone.

On Thursday 19 November the Marché de la Condamine celebrates all day: a tasting of local specialities at 10am, the giant stockfish at noon and music from 7.30pm.

The Mairie also stages free shows at the Espace Léo Ferré: the family show “Pyjamas” on Saturday 14 November at 3pm, “PIAF – Le Spectacle” with Nathalie Lermitte on Wednesday 18 November at 9pm, and Anne Roumanoff’s “L’Âge Libre” on 19 November at 6pm. Invitations go first to Monegasques and residents.

Did you know? Prince Rainier III’s national day was meant to be in April: it moved to 19 November only because 11 April 1952 fell on Good Friday.

Our advice

Our advice: watch the fireworks over Port Hercule on the evening of 18 November from the quays of La Condamine, then be at the Condamine market at noon on the 19th for the giant stockfish. Check the Mairie de Monaco’s programme before you go, as times can change.