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
- Sports events
- Events for the curious
- What you eat in May
Munich will continue to set an example for Europe with the Europe May 2024. Living the basic European values, talking together about the future of Europe, that is of great importance, especially in difficult times.
With Munich's Europa-Mai, the city draws attention to Europe and offers many European participatory activities, exchange opportunities and events for a whole month, such as European film classics at the Werkstattkino or the Zamanand-Festival on May 13 and 14 on Odeonsplatz (see next event) with European street food.
Europa-Mai, 1 to 31 May 2024, various venues in Munich
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 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, 27 April to 5 May 2024, Mariahilfplatz
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
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, 11 May 2024, 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, 11 to 19 May 2024, various locations
The ‘Your body is enough’ initiative aims to promote a culture of appreciation and visibility for all body types. The photo exhibition at Café Lozzi shows a visual journey through the beauty of different bodies that is intended to touch the public and challenge stereotypes.
Your body is enough, 30 April to 23 May 2024, Café Lozzi
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, 01 May to 09 September 2024, Corneliusbrücke
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.
09 May, 2024, starting at 12:00 PM, forecourt of the Erlöserkirche (Ungererstraße), Munich Schwabing
11 May, 2024, starting at 4:00 PM, Deutsches Museum Verkehrszentrum
Whether hip-hop or tango, samba or gaga, disco or salsa - dance fans can take over the entire Gasteig HP8 area once a year at “Tanz den Gasteig“. Hall E, Hall X, the rehearsal hall, rooms of the MVHS in House K and the stage of the Isarphilharmonie are transformed into a dance floor from the afternoon until late into the night. Whether you're a dance pro or a novice, a single, a couple or in a group, young or old – everyone is invited to try out different dance styles in workshops, experience inclusive dances with a sign language interpreter, listen to live music or simply let yourself go.
Dance Festival "Tanz den Gasteig", 25 May 2024, Gasteig HP8
The title alone is an invitation to follow the artist Nelson Ramos Sandoval to his colourful exhibition. The works reflect the Afro-Cuban culture with its myths and customs, which is still lived today.
Sigue Mi Rumbao, 7 to 12 May 2024, Orangerie Englischer Garten
You can find a well curated selection of concerts on Munich - City of Music.
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, 9 to 12 May 2024, Olympia-Reitstadion München-Riem
The Megamarsch is perfect for the adventurous and for those who love extremes and action. The challenge is to run 100 km in 24 hours from Munich to Mittenwald. Passing rivers, lakes, monasteries and beautiful nature, you try to persevere as a group and break the 100 km barrier.
Mega Marsch, 18 to 19 May 2024
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
Glitter and glamour, depth and tragedy, great emotions and lots of humour. With around 30 events ranging from cabaret shows and lecture performances to concerts, panel discussions and film screenings, Munich's first drag festival poses the question of what constitutes a man or a woman and whether such criteria are even meaningful. The various performances will provide a variety of answers to this question.
go drag! munich, 1 to 5 May 2024, Pathos Theater, Gasteig HP8 and other venues
The Vesakh Festival in the Westpark is the most important holiday in the Buddhist calendar. The festival begins at 12.30 pm with the ceremonial entry of the Buddha statue accompanied by the traditional Vietnamese lion dance. The varied cultural programme includes meditations and ceremonies of the different Buddhist traditions, lectures, traditional music and dances as well as a children's programme. The physical well-being will also be catered for with Vietnamese, Thai and Tibetan vegetarian delicacies. The event will conclude with a candle lighting ceremony at 8.30 pm.
Vesakh Festival, 11 May 2024, Westpark
The exhibition is perfect for Harry Potter fans, as it gives them the opportunity to take a look behind the scenes. It is also possible to see the costumes, props and pictures from the crowned Broadway production “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child“ in the exhibition. The exhibition in general showcases the iconic moments, characters and locations from the Harry Potter films, helping fans to immerse themselves in the Harry Potter universe.
Harry Potter: The Exhibition, 10 May to 5 September 2024, kleine Olympiahalle
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.
