In December, Munich shimmers and slides in a race: small groups meet on the Nymphenburg Canal for curling. At the somewhat different “Pink Christmas“ Christmas market, it's all about attracting attention and a relaxed get-together.
- Typically Munich
- Top events
- Concerts
- International Fairs
- What else happens
The classic among Munich's Christmas markets is the Christkindlmarkt around Marienplatz – the largest and most traditional in the city. Until Christmas Eve, there is Christmas music, high-quality handicrafts, mulled wine, roasted desert and roasted almonds in front of the illuminated backdrop of the town hall, the Frauendom and the church Alter Peter. And between the stalls, the huge Munich Christmas tree towers up.
Christmas market, 25 November to 24 December 2024, Marienplatz
From 26 November to 31 December 2024, the Tollwood Winter Festival enchants with its colourfully illuminated tent tops on the Theresienwiese. What makes this alternative Christmas market so special are its street theatre, artistic masterpieces, concerts, a children's programme, organic food and colourful handicrafts from all over the world. Most events are free of charge. In the multimedia tent of the “World Salon“, politicians, scientists and artists appear to discuss ecological and social issues with the audience.
Tollwood Winter Festival, presumably 26 November to 31 December 2023, Theresienwiese
At the “Night of the Proms“ from 15 to 17 December 2023 in the Olympiahalle, classical music and pop sounds meet in a fascinating way. Famous musicians will sing their greatest hits from all possible genres and eras with symphony orchestras. Always with them: songs like “Music was my first love“ and “Land of hope and glory“.
Night of the Proms, 6 December to 8 December 2024, Olympiahalle
... there is no way around in the Glockenbachviertel. At the idyllic Stephansplatz the Christmas market “Pink Christmas“ shows that Christmas does not always have to be traditional. Munich residents love the unusual atmosphere of pop music, a prosecco bar, travesty shows with Whitney Houston doubles, kitsch and pink plush. The fact that heterosexuals, gays and lesbians celebrate together here shows the respectful and self-evident living and letting live in the city. The proceeds will go to the AIDS relief organization and social projects in Munich, among others.
Pink Christmas, last weekend of November to 23 December 2024, Stephansplatz
You can find a well-curated selection of concerts on Munich - City of Music.
Accompanied by a six-piece band under the direction of Christian Frank, musical stars such as Annemieke van Dam and Jan Ammann sing contemplative songs and Christmas melodies. The evening will be hosted by Mark Seibert and Lukas Perman.
The great Christmas gala of musical stars, 16 December 2024, Deutsches Theater
This is about style, about furnishing and the question: Are you still living or are you already living? The “Heim + Handwerk“ trade fair at the exhibition centre is the largest of its kind in southern Germany and is expected to attract around 100,000 visitors with a good thousand exhibitors. They will find inspiration in the fields of furniture, crafts and the latest ideas of young designers. Experts will be on hand to provide advice on topics such as “Tiny Houses“ or children's rooms that grow with their age.
Heim + Handwerk, 27 November to 1 December 2024, Munich Trade Fair Centre
The best thing is to shoot straight away! Because too much ambition harms the pleasure, say the curling players on the Nymphenburg Canal. Here at the castle, beginners are just as welcome as advanced shooters when it's cold and the stream is frozen. Friends and family then try in teams on one of the 40 lanes with sticks (available for hire!) to get as close as possible to the stave. Great fun – and an ancient Munich tradition!
You don't even need music to find the ambience impressive. The Herkulessaal in the Residenz is one of the most beautiful halls in Munich: high ceiling, massive stage, lots of stone, tapestries with Greek motifs. The furnishings are quite stately, no wonder, originally the room was used by Ludwig I as a throne room. But when music is added, the whole magic of the Hercules Hall unfolds. The acoustics in the hall are excellent. The Christmas concerts are especially popular, they are aimed at the whole family, newcomers to classical music as well as connoisseurs. The festive finale is the joint singing of Christmas carols. Until the opening of the Gasteig in 1988, the Herkulessaal was the city's most important concert hall for classical music. It offers space for about 1400 people. Because the Residence was badly damaged during the Second World War, the Herkulessaal was rebuilt in 1953 in neo-classical style. Tickets are available at München Ticket, among others.
When Christmas approaches and the nights are dark, they come out of their hiding places again: evil spirits. At least that's what people used to believe – and invented the custom of the rough nights. Every evening they would smoke out their houses and stables in the hope of driving away the ghosts. The belief in smoking out has now evaporated, and the tradition has been preserved. A special highlight of the Rauhnächte nights are the so-called Perchtenläufe, in which people dress up as demons or witches. Under horrible wooden masks and shaggy skins they then make noise through the alleys at night. In Berchtesgaden, the haunted people are known as Buttnmandl and Kramperl. On the first Advent they walk through the district of Loipl during the Buttmandel walk, on the second through Winkl; on St. Nicholas Day they do their mischief after dark in almost all communities. With the Night of the Three Kings on 6 January the time of the rough nights ends.
You can find a detailed calendar of events here.
