The event, which is presided over by H.S.H. Princess Stéphanie, presents a selection of the best acts from circuses all over the world.
Acrobats, jugglers, animal tamers, clowns, contortionists… and of course animals perform beneath the famous Fontvieille Big Top for a prestigious show lasting around three and a half hours.
In addition, each year the Festival rewards the best performances by presenting prizes in the form of Gold, Silver and Bronze Clowns.
There’s also New Generation, which is held after the Festival and has been recognising the best young artists since 2016.
A great fan and connoisseur of the circus arts, Prince Rainier III established this new event in 1974 to “select the best acts and promote the circus throughout the world” at a time when the circus in Europe laid dormant. Today, the International Circus Festival has become an unmissable event for circus artists and amateurs who dream of achieving international recognition from their peers. Following the death of her father, Princess Stéphanie assumed his mantle, getting involved in organising this annual celebration.
“The circus is full of generous people. They give their all during a performance, offering audiences happiness and a chance to dream.”
H.S.H. Princess Stephanie, President of the Monte-Carlo International Circus Festival.
The Fight Aids Cup has been held during the Monte-Carlo International Circus Festival since 2020. The funds raised during this charity match featuring a five-star cast are donated to Fight Aids Monaco, the association chaired by Princess Stéphanie which works to combat the disease.
The Barbagiuans team, led by Prince Albert of Monaco and his nephew, Louis Ducruet, took on the Cirque F.C. team, captained by Princess Stéphanie and Sébastien Frey. The match brought together football stars with links to the Principality, including Didier Deschamps, Ludovic Giuly, Fernando Morientes, Youri Djorkaeff, Robert Pirès, Clarence Seedorf and Luca Toni, as well as other sports personalities such as Formula 1 driver Charles Leclerc.
In 2025, it was the Circus team who were crowned winners of the third Fight Aids Cup.
