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!
- Typically Munich
- Top events
- More great events
- Concerts
- Exhibitions
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- Events for the curious
- 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 April 24 to May 2, 2027, 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, April 24 to May 2, 2027, Mariahilfplatz
Introducing a true local: discover this traditional Munich market with a City of Munich tour guide. Read more
This year, the contemporary art festival “Various Others“ once again invites visitors to enjoy an exciting program. Visitors can experience Munich's contemporary art scene throughout the city. The complete program preview with all venues and participating artists can be found on the website.
Various Others, date to be announced, various venues
The “Cocktail X Festival“ in Munich has established itself as the largest festival of bar culture. 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, date to be announced, various venues
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, date to be announced, various venues
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 to be announced, various venues
As every year, the Theatron Pfingstfestival takes place in the Olympiapark and, organised by the Social Department, cordially invites all music enthusiasts to celebrate together. The programme mainly features newcomers from the region. Above all, the festival represents values such as the women's quota and queerness.
Theatron-Pfingstfestival, date to be announced , Olympiapark
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! All events are free of charge! In addition to the Kulturstrand on the Isar, Munich has three further projects of this kind: the Maximiliansstrand at the Wittelsbacher Brunnen offers sand, drinks and music right in the city centre. The Neptunbrunnen cultural beer garden in the Old Botanical Garden is a real asset to the station district. And this summer, a new Kulturstrand will be added at Professor-Huber-Platz near the LMU.
Kulturstrand, date to be announced, at the Vater-Rhein-Brunnen on Ludwigsbrücke
Maximiliansstrand, date to be announced, Maximiliansstrand behind the Wittelsbacher Brunnen
Kulturstrand an der Uni, date to be announced, Professor-Huber-Platz in front of Ludwig Maximilian University
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 to be announced, forecourt of the Erlöserkirche in Schwabing (Ungererstrasse)
The in-house production “A Techno Symphony” transforms the Elektra Tonquartier at the Bergson Kunstkraftwerk in Munich into a truly special setting. This specially composed concert format, created by the two resident ensembles – the Jazzrausch Big Band and the Bergson Phil’ – combines contemporary classical music, techno, metal and film music with a 3D audio production to create a unique sonic experience. The production began in early September and will be performed regularly until summer 2027.
A Techno Symphony, May 15, 2027, Bergson Kunstkraftwerk
Stonehenge, the famous prehistoric stone circle in southwest England, is now understood more comprehensively than ever before thanks to new archaeological and scientific findings. Modern excavations and analyses show that its builders – early farmers 5,000 years ago – were part of a fascinating and complex cultural landscape. The development of Stonehenge spanned centuries and culminated around 2500 B.C. in the monumental form that continues to fascinate us today. The international exhibition “Stonehenge. Ancient Secrets, New Discoveries” presents these research findings through approximately 600 original artifacts, replicas, and immersive media installations. Following stops in North America, the exhibition has now been completely revamped and expanded to include finds from Bavaria, making its Central European debut.
Stonehenge. Ancient Mysteries, New Discoveries, September 18, 2026, to August 29, 2027, Archäologische Staatssammlung
You can find more exhibitions in our overview!
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 program with horses, carriages and music, pony rides for the little ones and the Almhütte with typical Bavarian delicacies complete the program.
Pferd International, date to be announced, 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, date to be announced, 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 June 24. 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.
