The original among the Christmas markets is Munich Christkindlmarkt at Marienplatz (main square) – and a whole series of other markets in Munich's districts are original and lovingly designed. An overview.
Munich Christmas Market Guide
- Old Town
- Glockenbachviertel and Ludwigsvorstadt
- Neuhausen-Nymphenburg
- Haidhausen and Bogenhausen
- Lehel
- Schwabing
- Olympiapark (Olympic Park)
- Werksviertel
- Schlachthofviertel
- Giesing and Sendling
- Airport and Pasing
Christmas markets in Munich’s old town
Munich Christkindlmarkt in Marienplatz square
This traditional market, with roots dating back to the 14th century, is considered the original among Munich's Christmas markets. Against the romantic backdrop of the neo-Gothic town hall on Marienplatz, the village of stalls enchants with its old Bavarian charm and seduces all the senses. This is not only the home of living customs and old crafts but also of what is probably Germany's largest Nativity scene market.
Here you can find everything needed for a real Nativity scene – from the lantern for the stable to the gifts of the Magi. The first independent Nativity market was held in Munich as early as 1757, and this year the Christkindlmarkt at Marienplatz is scheduled to take place from 25 November to 24 December 2024.
The heavenly workshop Himmelswerkstatt for children aged six to twelve is a little paradise for young craftspeople – crafting fun for free is the name of the game here. At the Krampuslauf (Krampus run), there is no need to be afraid of the creepy creatures and shaggy fellows. Every day, live Bavarian Stubenmusik (traditional folk music), brass bands and choirs set the mood for the Advent season from the town hall balcony. If you want to learn more about the history of the Christkindlmarkt, you can book a guided tour of the Christkindlmarkt at Marienplatz.
Venue: Around Marienplatz (main square) and in the Fußgängerzone (pedestrian street)
Date: 25 November to 24 December, 2024
www.christkindlmarkt-muenchen.de
The traditional market at Marienplatz with its roots in the 14th century is considered the original among Munich's Christmas markets.
Winter magic at the Viktualienmarkt (food market)
The Viktualienmarkt stands for a fresh variety and a close-up experience of the Munich way of life. During the Christmas season, the popular market exudes a special charm – many tasty treats invite you to nibble. In addition, guests are welcomed with Christmas lights, Advent magic and mulled wine. A must-see is the Nativity scene in the beer garden, which beautifully mirrors the market activities.
Venue: Viktualienmarkt (food market)
Date: Dates follow
“Eiszauber“ at the Karlsplatz-Stachus
This year, Bavaria's largest mobile ice arena will once again be on Karlsplatz-Stachus: for the 22nd time, visitors can skate in the middle of Munich's city centre between 10.30 a.m. and 10 p.m. at the “Eiszauber“. The programme changes daily: on Mondays, for example, all Dirndl and Lederhosen wearers have free admission to "Tracht on Ice", party hits are played at “Saturday Night Fever“ and on Sundays two people can skate for the price of one.
Venue: Karlsplatz-Stachus
Date: Dates follow
Christmas Village in the Kaiserhof of the Residenz (city palace)
Nestled away from the cold wind and driving snow, the Christmas Village is located in the largest courtyard of Munich's city palace, the Residenz. Hansel and Gretel in the fairytale forest and puppet shows don't only make children's eyes light up.
And as befits a Bavarian village, the handicraft workshops play a distinctive role: Goldsmiths, fur tanners and glassblowers allow you a glimpse over their shoulders while they work.
Venue: Munich Residenz (city palace), entrance Residenzstrasse, Odeonsplatz (square)
Date: 18 November to 22December, 2024
Christkindlmarkt at Sendlinger Tor (gate)
As early as 1886, a Christmas market is said to have already taken place on the grounds in front of Sendlinger Tor. More than a hundred years later, this tradition continues with a small and charming Christkindlmarkt. The Sendlinger Tor, one of the three remaining city gates of Munich's former fortifications, is aglow with lights and invites visitors to take a leisurely stroll.
Vendors with goods from all over the world offer Nativity scenes from Tyrol and Peru, extravagant Christmas tree baubles, hand-drawn candles, scented oils, ceramics, jewellery, Indian handicrafts, wooden toys and much more. Plenty of food and drink is available. To warm up, there is spicy mulled wine and Feuerzangenbowle, which literally means “fire-tongs punch” and, of course, non-alcoholic hot drinks. A daily changing programme with Christmas music gets visitors young and old in the mood for the Advent season.
Venue: Sendlinger-Tor-Platz
Date: Dates follow
Brienner Strasse really lights up during Christmas season, with 16 silvery chandeliers creating a spectacular light display using LEDs. Modern technology is set against a distinctive feel for the history of this grand avenue.
Munich Advent Spectacle and Medieval Christmas Market
History at your fingertips: Dozens of lovingly designed wooden huts bring the Middle Age back to life. Merchants in historical garb offer their goods for sale. Artisans demonstrate ancient crafts. The culinary offerings of the Middle Ages are not neglected either: Bakers prepare traditional tarte flambée on site and grilled sausages sizzle over an open beechwood fire. Hot drinks like Drachenglut (dragon's embers) and spiced wine are prepared according to traditional recipes.
Venue: Wittelsbacher Platz, Briennerstrasse 6-10
Date: 25 November to 23 December, 2024
www.mittelaltermarkt-muenchen.de
Munich Feuerzangenbowle (traditional fire-tongs punch) at the Isartor (gate)
Munich Feuerzangenbowle at the Isartor will be a “hot hit” again in winter 2024: This punch, a fragrant mixture of red wine, rum and spices is served from a huge cauldron with a wreath of flames. Each year, there is a joint exhibition with the history workshop and other partners. Food and drink are in good supply. Good to know: On New Year's Eve, the stalls are open for an unlimited time.
Venue: Isartor (gate)
Date: 25 November 2024 to 6 January, 2025
www.muenchner-feuerzangenbowle.de
Video: simply Christmas market
Christmas markets in the Glockenbachviertel and in Ludwigsvorstadt
Tollwood – the winter festival
The Tollwood Winter Festival immerses the Theresienwiese (Oktoberfest fairground) in Ludwigsvorstadt in an intriguing light. Typical of the alternative Christmas market is the mix of delicious organic food and lots of original arts and crafts at the Markt der Ideen – Market of Ideas. Most of the events, ranging from theatre to music and performances to environmental activities and a varied children's programme, are free of charge. The Christmas markets on Tollwood close on 23 December. The entire festival then concludes with the traditional New Year's Eve party.
Venue: Theresienwiese (Oktoberfest fairground)
Date: 26 November to 31 December, 2024 (market until 23 Dec.)
Pink Christmas, the queer Christmas market
During Advent, the small Stephansplatz (square) in the middle of Munich's Glockenbachviertel glows in pink. Since 2005, the Christmas market of the LGBTQ* community has been held here. Mulled wine and gifts, tasty treats and light displays await the colourful crowd at Pink Christmas. The small show stage features travesty artists, upcoming singers or even big names like Grand Prix legend Johnny Logan or pop star Patrick Lindner. Small, fine and simply different!
Venue: Stephansplatz (near Sendlinger Tor)
Date: 25 November to 23 December, 2024
Christmas markets in Neuhausen-Nymphenburg
Neuhauser Christmas market / Christmas market at Rotkreuzplatz (square)
The market in Neuhausen-Nymphenburg opens its doors daily from 11 am to 8.30 pm and offers a wide selection of Christmas tree decorations, Nativity figures, soaps, beeswax candles, gloves, felt stars, wooden toys, jewellery, ceramics, gauntlets, scented oils and much more. In addition, there is an extensive programme of events, including a puppet show, Christmas goose raffle and music.
Venue: Northern and southern side of Rotkreuzplatz (square)
Date: Dates follow
www.weihnachtsmarkt-muenchen-neuhausen.de
Blutenburg Christmas
Because of its idyllic location in the middle of the courtyard of the late Gothic moated castle, it is worth making the detour to Munich-Obermenzing, for example after a visit to Schloss Nymphenburg (palace). At Blutenburg Castle, you will find small craft stalls and, of course, mulled wine and Feuerzangenbowle, the traditional fire-tong punch, is not to be missed. The masonry of Blutenburg Castle is bathed in colourful lighting, and there are live musical performances.
Venue: Blutenburg Castle
Date: Dates follow
Christmas markets in Haidhausen and Bogenhausen
Haidhausen Christmas Market on Weissenburger Platz
Not only Haidhausen residents, but also guests from near and far appreciate the homely, tranquil character of the Christmas market around the fountain at Weissenburger Platz. The Haidhausen Christmas market has been around for forty years – some consider it the most beautiful Christmas market in Munich. Almost every day, there is live Christmas music and a children's programme. The hand-carved figures in the South Tyrolean Christmas Nativity scene are another beautiful attraction.
Venue: Weissenburger Platz
Date: Dates follow
www.haidhauser-weihnachtsmarkt.de
The Haidhausen Christmas market has been around for forty years – some consider it the most beautiful Christmas market in Munich.
Mulled wine festival in the magical Christmas forest of Bogenhausen
This winter, the festival grounds in front of the Cosimabad (wave pool) will once again be transformed into a fairytale Christmas world: In two large tents with modern lounge areas or cosy seating arrangements with alpine cottage flair, more than 30 varieties of mulled wine, punch and traditional Feuerzangenbowle (fire-tong punch) welcome the guests. In the open-air area, artisans present their work in a festively lit fir tree landscape. In addition to delicacies, such as roasted almonds, gingerbread or marzipan, dishes from all over the world are freshly prepared (also vegetarian and vegan). There are also plenty of things for children to explore: a nostalgic children's railway and a carousel with beautifully painted historic vehicles, a puppet show, storytellers and much more. Non-alcoholic mulled wines for children are also available.
Venue: Festival grounds in front of Cosimabad (wave pool) (Cosimastrasse/corner Englschalkingerstrasse)
Date: Dates follow
Christmas market in Lehel
Christmas market on Praterinsel
In 2023, a Christmas market was held on Praterinsel (island) for the first time, offering chill-out oases, street food and organic mulled wine. The location is particularly popular in summer when small festivals or cultural events take place. In winter, however, the view of the illuminated houses on the banks of the Isar over the rushing water is wonderfully romantic. A special atmosphere that creates a Christmas mood.
Location: Praterinsel 3-4
Date: Dates follow
Christmas markets in Schwabing
Christmas Market at the Chinesischer Turm
When the small stalls of artisans line up around the tower in Advent, the children's carousel turns and the reading granny and the carpenter grandpa open their huts, then it's Christmas ... with handicrafts and delicacies.
Venue: Englischer Garten (park) near the Chinesischer Turm (Chinese Tower),
Date: Dates follow
Schwabing Christmas markets at Münchner Freiheit
For more than 40 years, artists and restaurateurs have been opening an atmospheric Christmas market full of loving details and gift ideas on Münchner Freiheit in Schwabing. Of course, this year's Christmas market will again offer culinary delights, plus an art tent, a sculpture trail and installations, free concerts, performances, tours, children’s activities and above all: a special and unique atmosphere.
Venue: Forum Münchner Freiheit
Date: 29 November to 24 December, 2024
www.schwabingerweihnachtsmarkt.de
Christmas market at Olympiapark (Olympic Park)
Märchen Bazar (Fairytale bazaar) at Olympiapark
Nostalgic circus tents radiate warmth and cosiness, a movie set in the middle of the grounds serves as a snug bar, and delicacies from Bavaria and the rest of the world are on offer. Clothing, leather goods, fancy jewellery and wooden artworks tempt visitors to buy. In addition, the Fairy Tale Bazaar at Olympiapark offers an entertaining programme of art, culture and music for the “grown-ups“ and action and surprises for kids – including candle-drawing, a funny puppet show and even story time with a moon goddess. Last year, the fairytale bazaar took place for the first time on the grounds of the summer Tollwood in the Olympiapark (Olympic Park).
Venue: Premises of the Tollwood Summer Festival, Spiridon-Louis-Ring 100
Date: 28 November to 29 December, 2024
The Märchen Bazar offers an entertaining programme of art, culture and music for the “grown-ups“ and action and surprises for kids – including candle-drawing, a funny puppet show and even story time with a moon goddess.
Christmas market at the centre Werksviertel (district)
Magical Christmas market at the Werksviertel
Christmas under the sign of Pegasus? The mythical creature is the central theme of the magical Christmas market in the Werksviertel, which offers a colourful stage programme for young and old on two weekends from Thursday to Sunday. The market's assortment reflects all the diversity of the neighbourhood's residents – creative minds, artists and gourmets always provide great highlights. New since last year is the "Schmankerlmarkt", which delights with a variety of food trucks. Here everyone can try their way through, as there is something for everyone.
Venue: Knödelplatz (near Ostbahnhof – Munich East)
Date: Dates follow
Christmas markets in the Schlachthofviertel
Star fleet on Alte Utting (decommissioned pleasure boat)
Since the opening of the Alte Utting in 2018, twinkling lights and beguiling scents have been pointing the way to the Sternenflotte, the star fleet, in the Christmas harbour – Sendlinger Weihnachtshafen. Located on a bridge between Großmarkt (wholesale market) and Viehhof (district), the decommissioned excursion steamer from the Ammersee (lake) offers mulled wine, food, gift stalls and music in the festive season before Christmas.
Venue: Lagerhausstrasse 15 (near Grossmarkthalle (wholesale market hall))
Date: Dates follow
The Moonlight Express – a Christmas market at the Bahnwärter Thiel
During the cold Christmas season, the entire grounds of the Bahnwärter Thiel in the Schlachthofviertel district are transformed into a “Bahntastic“ Christmas carnival! Along the promenade in the studio park, with its numerous studios and workshops where a wide variety of artists and craftspeople offer their work and all kinds of curiosities, past fragrant delicacies, rare treasures, cosy warm tents and fireplaces as well as delicious organic mulled wine stalls, you reach the enchanted market square. Here, concerts take place daily on a cabaret stage.
Venue: Bahnwärter Thiel, Tumblingerstrasse 45, Atelierpark
Date: Dates follow
Christmas Markets in Giesing and Sendling
Winterrausch im Hexenhaus (Witch's house) – Kulturcafé Gans Woanders
Here you can look forward to local musicians, exciting readings, Christmas workshops, spectacular fire shows, fun senior citizens' bingo, a colourful children's programme, breathtaking aerial acrobatics, delicious mulled wine, Christmas biscuits and much more throughout the Advent season. The Winterrausch Christmas Market takes place in and around the Hexenhaus in Untergiesing.
Location: Kulturcafé Gans Woanders, Pilgersheimerstrasse 13
Date: 21 November to 29 December 2024 (craft market only until 23 December)
Christmas market under the maypole
This market takes place in winter where people normally toast under a decorated maypole in spring. With its romantic, idyllic Christmas atmosphere, a small village of huts invites you to discover handicrafts and savour culinary delights. There is also an ice rink for anyone who would like to try their hand at curling, ice skating is also possible as well as the cosy experience of squeezing into ski gondolas! At 15 metres high, the organisers have also erected the largest mulled wine pyramid in Bavaria – this Christmas market has something curious and unusual to offer!
Location: Luise-Kiesselbach-Platz
Date: Dates follow
www.christkindlmarkt-maibaum.de
Winter magic Gans am Wasser
The Winter Magic – a dreamy place in the middle of the wonderful winter landscape of the Westpark. An oasis of calm in the midst of the Christmas hustle and bustle. Far away from the stress of everyday life, the „Winterzauber Gans am Wasser“ is a place where there is room for thoughts, musings and creativity. Cosy get-togethers around shimmering fire bowls, live music and a hands-on programme for young and old – you can enjoy it all here.
Venue: Café Gans am Wasser in the Westpark at Mollsee
Date: Dates follow
Further venues
Christmas and winter market at Munich Airport
Amidst a Christmas-decorated fir forest around a large ice rink, visitors from near and far can enjoy a wide range of culinary delights and lots of good vibes every day from 11 am to 9 pm (11am to 4 pm on 24. December) at Munich Airport. And as every year, this will be accompanied by great musical entertainment: Live music – the right music style for every taste.
On the covered outdoor area, passengers and visitors can enjoy the Christmas and winter market extensively – even in bad weather.
Venue: Munich Airport
Date: 17 November to 31December, 2024
www.weihnachtsmarkt-deutschland.de
Pasinger Christkindlmarkt (Christmas market)
Many items traded at the traditional Pasinger Christkindlmarkt are handmade and unique. From small souvenirs to exclusive gifts, there is something for every taste and budget. For example, a Nativity scene stall, embroidery, beautiful textile creations, lamps, jewellery, glass art, candles and honey, ceramics and much more. A crèpe and chestnut stall, Greek specialities, a mulled wine bar and other food stalls will cater for the visitors' culinary desires.
Venue: Schererplatz, in front of Maria Schutz church
Date: Dates follow
www.pasinger-christkindlmarkt.de
Photos: Lukas Barth (3), Bernd Römmelt, Redline Enterprises, Bernd Wackerbauer, Fabian Christ
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