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!
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- What you eat in May
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 25 April to 3 May 2026, around 100,000 guests celebrate spring here – each to their own liking: children love the nostalgic chain carousel, 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, 25 April to 3 May 2026, Mariahilfplatz
The “Corso Leopold“ is one of the most colourful and creative street festivals you can imagine. On the weekend 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, date follows, Leopoldstrasse
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
The Cocktail X Festival in Munich has established itself as the largest festival of bar culture. This year, over 40 bars throughout the city will be presenting their signature drink. The ticket is a recipe book in which all participating bars are listed. To receive the respective cocktail recipe, you have to pick up the sticker on site.
Cocktail X Festival, 29 April to 18 May 2026, Munich
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, date follows, various locations
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, 9 May 2026, various locations
Germany's first champagne trade fair is taking place in Munich for the fourth time this year: At “One Hundred Percent Champagne“ selected sommeliers from Champagne will present their fine wines. While the first day of the trade fair is open to all sparkling wine fans, only the specialist wine trade and the catering trade will have access on the second day. During tastings and masterclasses, you can learn a lot about champagne!
Einhundert Prozent Champagne, date follows, MTC world of fashion Munich
The Kulturstrand is a place of encounter and relaxation with a cultural programme for all Munich residents and their guests. Throughout the summer it offers an open cultural platform and meeting place – everyone is cordially invited to join in thinking, talking and shaping. All dates for the music, children's and sports programme or other events can be found throughout the summer in the Kulturstrand programme calendar and on the official Facebook page! On the Facebook page, the organisers also provide information about rain, highlights and life at Kulturstrand. All activities are free of charge!
Kulturstrand, date follows, probably at the Vater-Rhein-Brunnen on the Museumsinsel
The queer pub ‘fesch’ opened in the Glockenbach district just the year before last and has been welcoming more than just the LGBTQ* community ever since. The pub has been expanding its range since last summer: In Nussbaumpark at Sendlinger Tor, the associated beer garden is open daily between 4 and 11 p.m. in good weather - and entices guests with music, cold beer and vegan dishes throughout the months. There is a concert every Thursday at 7 pm!
Fesch Biergarten, date follows, Nußbaumstraße 1
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, date follows, forecourt of the Erlöserkirche in Schwabing (Ungererstraße)
On 14 May 2026, Sportfreunde Stiller will be performing at the Olympiahalle München and promise an unforgettable concert. The band, known for their catchy melodies and rousing lyrics, will delight their fans with a mix of old hits and new songs. The Olympiahalle, a historic venue, provides the perfect backdrop for this live experience. Fans can look forward to an energetic show celebrating the best moments in the band's history.
Sportfreunde Stiller, 16 May 2026, Olympiahalle
Running for a good cause - that's possible at the Giro di Monaco! The starting signal is given at 11 a.m. on Blumenstraße, not far from Bellevue di Monaco, the organiser of the charity run. The route runs for around five kilometres along the Alstadtring - via Viktualienmarkt, Isartor, Maximilianstraße, Englischer Garten, Odeonsplatz, Stachus, Sonnenstraße and Sendlinger Tor. Over 10,000 participants took part last year!
Giro di Monaco 2026, date follows, Munich Old Town Ring
The Pferd (Horse) International München in the Olympia-Reitstadion (Equestrian stadium) in München-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, date follows, Olympia-Reitstadion München-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.
