As the Monaco Grand Prix weekend unfolds, it’s not just the screech of tyres and roar of engines grabbing attention. Just down the road from the main circuit, a very different kind of spectacle takes place on the sands of the Méridien Beach Plaza.
From Friday, May 23 to Sunday, May 25, SUNSET returns for its 12th edition — an event that, over the years, has become a staple in the unofficial calendar of Grand Prix week. It’s not part of the race itself, but it has certainly carved out its niche: part music festival, part art installation, part networking space for those drifting between the worlds of motorsport, entertainment and art.
Originating in Monaco, the event has expanded in recent years, with previous stops this May in Miami and Cannes. Now, SUNSET is back on home turf with a new feature called Casa Sunset — a daytime-to-late-night venue open to the public. With DJs, live F1 broadcasts, and Latin-inspired food, the space aims to appeal to those seeking something more low-key (or at least off-track) during race weekend.
On the main stage, the lineup includes PAWSA, Honey Dijon, and Parallelle — a Monaco-raised electronic duo who’ve performed at high-profile festivals across the globe. As ever, the musical offering is heavy on house and electronic sounds, tailored to the setting rather than the mainstream.
Art continues to be part of the mix, with sculptor Richard Orlinski returning to install his oversized creations along the beach. His pieces — often themed around power and movement — align easily with the Grand Prix backdrop, though they also court the attention of Monaco’s high-end collectors and sponsors.
With acrobatic performances, elaborate lighting and fireworks rounding off the evenings, SUNSET remains one of the more polished fringe events orbiting Monaco’s most famous weekend. Less about hedonism and more about curated spectacle, it’s a reminder that not everything during Grand Prix week happens on the track — or in the paddock.
