Every year, Munich's residents and their guests from near and far let themselves be enchanted by the charm of this atmospheric traditional market in the best parlour of the Bavarian capital. We look forward to seeing you again at Marienplatz from 24 November to 24 December 2025.
- Interesting facts
- Music & traditions
- Krampus run
- Guided tours
- For families
When darkness falls and the snow on the roofs of the market stalls glows in the bright light of countless lights, Munich's Christmas market on Marienplatz is at its most beautiful. The nearly 4,000 lights on the large Christmas tree, the market's landmark, sparkle against the romantic backdrop of the neo-Gothic town hall. This classic Christmas market is considered the oldest in Munich and has had a permanent place in the heart of the city since 1972. It is the original and most popular in the city, as a study by Munich University of Applied Sciences has found.
Today, gingerbread, wooden goods from Oberammergau, South Tyrol and the Ore Mountains, and everything else associated with Advent and Christmas are on offer in over a hundred stalls around Marienplatz. As in former times, the Christmas market is still a goods market where you can find excellent gifts for others and yourself.
A delightful stroll through the Christmas market also includes sampling culinary delicacies. Hot mulled wine, punch and Feuerzangenbowle warm you from the inside, while freshly roasted almonds and hot chestnuts warm you from the outside. The tempting aroma of bratwurst invites you to feast. Sweet Advent specialities such as gingerbread cookies and gingerbread bread are simply part of the Christmas market experience.
Since 2023, the Munich Christmas market has been presented in a new lighting concept, which has been continuously developed and expanded ever since. This year, visitors can once again look forward to atmospheric illuminations, sparkling star islands and attractive photo points.
The opening also marks the start of the annual musical programme. Every day at 5.30 p.m. and on 24 December at 12 noon after the carillon, Christmas music can be heard from the balcony of the town hall, performed live by soloists, choirs or music groups, getting everyone in the mood for Advent and Christmas.
Another very popular highlight is ‘Singing under the Christmas tree’. Every Wednesday at 4:30 p.m., musicians Traudi Siferlinger and Monika Drasch, well-known from radio and television, invite you to join them for half an hour of singing Advent and Christmas carols, accompanied by Hansi Zeller on the accordion. This is an opportunity to learn traditional Bavarian and German Advent and Christmas carols. This year, the meeting point is in front of St. Michael's Church on Neuhauser Straße. For people with disabilities, there is barrier-free access, large print and Braille lyrics, sign language interpreters, and induction loops for the hearing impaired. Assistance dogs are allowed.
Participation in the singing sessions is free of charge, as is the sheet music provided. Registration is not required.
St. Peter's, just a few steps away from Marienplatz, is home to what is probably Germany's largest nativity market. Twelve stalls at this traditional market offer exclusively nativity scenes, nativity figures and accessories. Almost every stall also has something special to offer: from large oriental nativity scenes to miniature Alpine versions. From lanterns for the stable to straw for the ox and donkey to the gifts of the Three Kings, you will find everything you need for a real nativity scene here.
Nativity scenes have a long tradition in Munich. First mentioned in 1757 and the largest of its kind in Germany, the Munich Kripperlmarkt is at the heart of Christmas tradition. It became independent in the mid-19th century, but was reunited with the Christmas market after the Second World War. Today, it invites visitors to discover special pieces at their leisure – memories that bring back the magic of Christmases past, when the nativity scene next to the Christmas tree opened up a small, wondrous world.
The Krampus run on 14 December 2025 through Munich's Christmas market is an attraction for locals and visitors alike. The centuries-old Alpine tradition of Krampus running dates back to the Christian mythological figures of the benevolent Bishop Nicholas and his companion Krampus. The ‘Krampus run’, a custom that is still alive today in Austria and Bavaria, was once intended to protect against evil spirits.
Today, numerous young people are reviving this 500-year-old custom. The imposing figures – Krampus, Perchten and Klause – parade through the city centre in archaic masks and heavy fur costumes. But no one needs to be afraid of the big parade of customs. Encountering the audience is simply part of it – and after a wild dance, there's of course a selfie.
Who participates in a Tour of the Munich Christmas Market will not only find lots of interesting facts about the past and present, but with a bit of luck also a chat with the stall owners. When there isn't too much going on, they tell you about their products, some of them have been on sale here for decades. Click here for booking.
There are also special advent tours for kids.
Sky workshop, Christkind tram and nativity scene viewing – Munich's Christmas market has plenty to offer families.
Become an angel yourself – with white or golden wings, crafting, painting and being creative under cotton wool clouds and stars: "Himmelswerkstatt" in the New Town Hall opens its doors every year at Christmas time. The free hands-on programme for children aged six to twelve is organised on behalf of the Department of Labour and Economic Development (RAW) and supervised by the Munich Children's Museum. Since 1994, the Heavenly Workshop has been an integral part of the Christmas market and every year delights over a thousand children from all over the world, who come together here to enjoy hours of imaginative fun without any language barriers.
This attraction has been delighting young and old alike since 1994: The Christkindltram will once again be travelling through Munich's old town this Advent, festively decorated and playing Advent music. The approximately 30-minute tour starts at the special stop at Sendlinger Tor and leads via Isartor, Maxmonument, Maximilianstraße and Lenbachplatz back to the starting point. On board, guests can enjoy mulled wine, children's punch and gingerbread.
Kripperlschaun has a long tradition in Munich and is an integral part of the Christmas season. Visitors will find numerous nativity scenes in the city centre, including the Munich City Nativity Scene in the courtyard of the New Town Hall and the Oberammergau Grand Nativity Scene on Marienplatz, whose almost life-size figures were created by woodcarver Georg Lang. The nativity scenes of the city centre parishes can also be discovered on a separate circular trail. The lovingly designed representations from the Old and New Testaments are an important piece of religious folk art and attract many nativity scene enthusiasts every year.
2025: 24 November to 24 December
2026: 23 November to 24 December
More information on the christmas market and all events can be found here.
