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.
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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, November 20 to December 24, 2026, Marienplatz
In December, they are out and about in the pedestrian zone again: every year, „wild fellows“ such as Krampus, Perchten and Klause surprise visitors at the big show run of customs, but no one needs to be afraid of them. The run now attracts up to 50,000 onlookers.
Krampus run, date TBA, pedestrian zone/inner city
The Tollwood Winter Festival enchants visitors with its colourfully illuminated tent tops on the Theresienwiese. What makes this alternative Christmas market so special is its street theatre, artistic masterpieces, concerts, a children's programme, organic food and colourful arts and crafts from all over the world. Most of the events are free of charge. Politicians, scientists and artists appear in the multimedia tent of the ‘World Salon’ to discuss ecological and social issues with the public.
Tollwood Winter Festival, November 24 to December 23, 2026, Theresienwiese
There is no way around the Glockenbachviertel at Pink Christmas. 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, date TBA, Stephansplatz
The exhibition at the Archäologische Staatssammlung (State Archaeological Collection) presents the results of modern excavations and analyses of Stonehenge, the famous prehistoric stone circle in south-west England, for the first time in Munich. Visitors can immerse themselves in the exciting history of Stonehenge, which is considered an important testimony to early human history.
Stonehenge, September 18, 2026 to August 29, 2027, Archäologische Staatssammlung
The Münchner Krippenfreunde e.V. has put together around 30 different Christmas nativity scenes in a joint project with the parish and monastery of St. Theresa. The nativity scene journey through time begins in the 18th century and ends in the present day. It takes visitors through different scenes, art styles, and countries. The exhibition thus shows a wide variety of creative interpretations of the Christmas story. Opening hours are Sundays from 11:45 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and additionally on December 26, 2025, and January 1 and 6, 2026.
Nativity scene exhibition: Come to the manger, dates TBA, St. Theresia/Neuhausen
Once again this year, the “Münchner Advent“ organised by the Münchner Kreis für Volksmusik, Lied und Tanz e.V. (Munich Circle for Folk Music, Song and Dance) aims to get you in the mood for the coming festive season with its contemplative and impressive performances in the Prinzregententheater. Get in the mood for the Advent season and experience alpine music in words and tunes.
Munich Advent, date TBA, Prinzregententheater
The “Munich Children's Advent“ is aimed at children aged 3 and over and families. While singing together, the musical offspring can interactively get to know the customs of Advent with all their senses and experience a journey through the traditional Christmas season.
Munich Children's Advent, date TBA, Prinzregententheater
To mark its 50th anniversary, one of Germany's most successful rock bands is going on an anniversary tour, bringing legendary catchy tunes such as ‘Verdamp lang her’ and many other anthems by the Cologne-based band to the Olympiahalle.
BAP, December 3, 2026, Olympiahalle
The iconic German band will be playing in Munich on 16 December 2026, and fans can look forward to many hits from over three decades as well as songs from the new album – an atmospheric evening of pop-rock classics just before Christmas.
PUR, December 16, 2026, Olympiahalle
The Night of the Proms will once again offer its fans an extraordinary concert experience in December 2025 for its 30th anniversary in the Olympic Hall. International rock and pop music stars will once again perform under the motto „Classical meets pop“.
Night of the Proms, December 18 to 20, 2026, Olympiahalle
You can find a well-curated selection of concerts on Munich - City of Music.
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.
