In May, Munich has a lot going on in the streets: The Corso Leopold and the Vespa Parade showcase the city's Italian-inspired attitude to life. The traditional Dult, the popular folk festival with market hustle and bustle, looks forward to numerous guests. The backyard flea markets offer unique insights into the liveliness of Munich's neighbourhoods - perhaps even a spontaneous barbecue party with new acquaintances!
It doesn't get much more Munich than this: on Mariahilfplatz in the Au district of Munich, people like to get together in traditional costume for the Auer Dult - or to be more precise, the Maidult, which starts as early as April. From 30 April to 8 May 2022, around 100,000 guests celebrate spring here - each to their own liking: children love the nostalgic chain carousels, handmade dolls' clothes, small furniture for their playhouses at home and the candy floss. Adults browse pottery, knitted jackets or practical household goods - and treat themselves to a beer or a fresh steamed dumpling in between. Dult is cult!
Auer Dult, 29.04. to 07.05.2023, Maria-Hilf-Platz
Meet a true Munich original: explore this authentic Munich folk festival and all of its delicious treats with an official city tour guide. Read more
A Bavarian community without a maypole? There is no such thing. Often even neighbourhoods or large companies have their own tree. The painted and decorated trunks decorate the squares in front of the town hall, the church or other places in the village. If you want to be there when such a maypole is erected, join the many spectators at the Viktualienmarkt on 1 May in the morning, who watch from around 10 am onwards as the Munich fire brigade raises the freshly painted and decorated landmark of the market into the vertical position. The maypole there has been donated by Munich's six major breweries for over 50 years.
Maypole setting up Viktualienmarkt, 01.05.2023 at approx. 10 am, Viktualienmarkt Munich
One of the most important events in May is the "Long Night of Music". Thousands of night owls listen to musicians and bands who are at home in every conceivable style of music - at the most unusual venues, such as churches, savings banks, bookshops, cinemas, museums, cafés, Bavarian inns or even in the city's clubs.
Long Night of Music, 06.05.2023, various locations
At the "Munich Creative Business Week - The Long Week of Design" everything revolves around good style, sustainability, art, music, communication and creativity – at all kinds of locations in the city. Read more about Germany's largest design event that takes place every year in Munich.
Munich Creative Business Week, 06. to 14.05.2023, various locations
The fun on two wheels begins at the Erlöserkirche near Münchner Freiheit in Schwabing. In relaxed Italian style, the Vespa parade takes the beloved scooters along Leopoldstraße to Maxvorstadt and the Pinakothek der Moderne - with lots of chattering, honking and sometimes in formation with nice stunts.
Vespa Corso, 18.05.2023, from the Erlöserkirche church (Ungererstraße) through Schwabing
The "Corso Leopold" is one of the most colourful and creative street festivals you can imagine. On the last weekend in May, all cars are banned from Leopoldstraße in Schwabing between Siegestor and Münchner Freiheit. The one-kilometre-long promenade will be dedicated to art and culture in all its forms: from music and arts and crafts to discussion events, street football, a beer garden and participatory programmes for the whole family.
Corso Leopold, 13. to 14.05.2023, Leopoldstraße
The Pferd (Horse) International München in the Olympia-Reitstadion (Equestrian stadium) in Munich-Riem is one of the very big family-friendly events all about horses. In addition to competitions in the disciplines of show jumping, dressage, working equitation and vaulting, new products from the fields of equestrian sports and nutrition, clothing, outdoor and much more are exhibited at the fair, partly outdoors but also in the tents. A show programme with horses, carriages and music, pony rides for the little ones and the Almhütte with typical Bavarian delicacies complete the programme.
Pferd International, 18. to 21.05.2023, Olympic Riding Stadium Munich-Riem
For the curious and the sociable, Munich's backyard flea markets offer surprising and often wildly romantic insights into the gardens and estates of Munich's district residents. From May to October, all neighbourhoods are covered on weekends, from Giesing to Glockenbachviertel to Westend. Wherever colourful balloons hang from the façades, the best bargains are to be found in clothing, toys, household goods and antiques - the important thing is that what you're willing to part with goes into good hands! But even that often becomes a minor matter when the residents spontaneously invite you over for apple pie or a barbecue and strangers become acquaintances. A typical Munich togetherness!
Backyard flea markets, several dates, cattle yard, abattoir, three-mill quarter and afterwards until October in all districts
Munich in May means: the best time for fresh asparagus from the surrounding countryside, which is of course also available at the stalls on the Viktualienmarkt. The heart of Bavaria’s asparagus-growing region is Schrobenhausen, 70 kilometres north of the state capital. The first stalk of asparagus from Schrobenhausen was delivered to Munich’s royal court in 1856. Farmers later began cultivating it on a large scale in 1913 and asparagus has been a Schrobenhausen tradition ever since. Harvesting – also known as asparagus plucking – normally starts in mid-April and ends no later than 24 June. During asparagus season, countless local eateries, like Gasthaus Zum Schimmelwirt, serve fresh asparagus dishes on a daily basis. The tips of the asparagus are generally considered to be particularly delicious. Anyone keen to find out more about this delicacy can pay a visit to Europäische Spargelmuseum (the European Asparagus Museum) after their meal. The world’s only asparagus museum is housed in the former prison tower in the town walls.
A detailed calendar of events can be found here.
