September in Munich usually has only one hotspot: the Theresienwiese. Millions of people meet here for the Oktoberfest every year. But Munich has even more to offer. All events in September 2026 at a glance.
- Typically Munich
- Top events
- More great events
- Concerts
- What else happens
One thing is clear: the Oktoberfest dominates the city. The next Oktoberfest starts on September 19, 2026, when Munich's mayor taps the first beer barrel with just a few strokes. For two weeks, the beer tents and rides on the Theresienwiese will be on their way. By the way, the largest and most popular folk festival in the world was originally a horse race to celebrate the wedding of the future King Ludwig I and his Therese, after whom the venue is named.
Oktoberfest, September 19 to October 4, 2026, Theresienwiese
Sure, the Wiesn will start on Saturday. But for many people in Munich, the Oktoberfest doesn't start until the next day, when the traditional costumers start parading through the streets. Always on the first Sunday of the Oktoberfest the traditional costume parade takes place, the largest in the world. Around 9000 people take part, including shooting and traditional costume clubs, marching bands and bands from all over Europe. The Münchner Kindl rides at the front. Munich's Lord Mayor and Bavaria's Minister-President roll past in festive carriages, the breweries send their magnificent carriages with several horses. The entire train is about seven kilometres long and winds its way through the city centre to the Theresienwiese. If you want to stand in the front row as a spectator, you should arrive early, the rush is especially great when the weather is fine. As an alternative, you can watch the train on television: Bayerischer Rundfunk broadcasts live. The costume parade first took place in 1835, at the silver wedding of King Ludwig I. and Therese of Bavaria – their wedding on October 12, 1810 is considered the origin of the Oktoberfest. Since 1949 the traditional costume parade has been held annually.
The tradtitional costume and hunter's parade, September 20, 2026, through Munich city centre to Theresienwiese
The ARD International Music Competition was first held in 1952. It is now regarded worldwide as one of the most prestigious and largest competitions of its kind. For many artists who are now world-famous, winning an award at the ARD International Music Competition in Munich served as a springboard for their careers. Each year, an average of 400 to 600 young musicians register for the competition. After a preliminary round, approximately 200 candidates from 35 to 40 countries advance to the main competition. The international reputation of the ARD Music Competition is also evident in the high percentage of foreign participants - over 90%. This year, the ARD International Music Competition celebrates its 75th anniversary and will take place from August 30 to September 18, 2026, in the categories of bassoon, organ, percussion, and string quartet.
75th ARD International Music Competition, August 30 to September 18, 2026, various venues
Every year on a weekend in September, the popular Isarinselfest takes place. Various bands perform and there is a cultural and sports programme. There is also plenty to keep the little ones entertained with workshops and demonstrations. And best of all, the Isarinselfest is completely free of admission!
Isarinselfest, September 4 to 6, 2026, Steinsdorfstrasse, between Ludwigs- and Maximiliansbrücke
With the Outdoor Sports Festival in the Olympiapark (Olympic Park), the city of Munich offers you many great opportunities to be active together in the fresh air, discover new sports and, above all, have lots of fun. Numerous clubs, associations and institutions present a varied programme for active participation and trying things out.
Outdoor Sports Festival of the City of Munich, September 27, 2026, 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, May 1 to September 14, 2026, at the Vater-Rhein-Brunnen on Ludwigsbrücke
Maximiliansstrand, May 1 to September 14, 2026, Maximiliansstrand behind the Wittelsbacher Brunnen
Kulturstrand at Professor-Huber-Platz, opens at the end of May 2026, Professor-Huber-Platz in front of Ludwig Maximilian University
The Run for Life organised by Münchner Aids-Hilfe is a fun for everybody approved by the German Athletics Association. It is not only a sporting event but also an opportunity to do something good, because every step counts. The starting point is the forecourt of the Bayerisches Nationalmuseum (Bavarian National Museum) on September 14, 2025.
Run for Life, September 13, 2026, forecourt of the Bavarian National Museum
Munich loves the autumn. And as the light gets warmer and the colours intensify, this is the time of year when Munich’s residents really get adventurous.
Oh no, the chaotic class 10b storms the stage and even wins an award for it! Following its mega success, the ‘Best Musical’ based on the German cinema hit FACK JU GÖHTE, featuring Zeki, Lisi and all the cult characters, goes on a big school trip with a stop in Munich. Now even wilder, bolder and more musical than ever before!
Fack Ju Göhte, September 15 to 20, 2026, Deutsches Theater
On September 13, 2026, Michael Kofler, principal flutist of the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra, together with the Residenz soloists, will perform Giuseppe Verdi's overture from “Nabucco“, Antonio Vivaldi's “Flute Concerto“, Mozart's “Flute Concerto in D major“ and Beethoven's “Eroica“ in the grand ballroom of Schloss Schleißheim.
Festive concert at Schloss Schleißheim, September 13, 2026, Schloss Schleißheim
AnnenMayKantereit (AMK) is a German pop rock band from Cologne. The three band members have known each other since school and started out as street musicians. Their big breakthrough came in 2016 with the album ‘Alles nix Konkretes’, which stormed to number 1. In September 2026, they will give three concerts at the Olympiahalle.
AnnenMayKantereit, September 15, 16 and 18, 2026, Olympiahalle
You can find a well-curated selection of concerts on Munich - City of Music.
In autumn it is pleasantly quiet on the lakes. The bathing season is almost over, the number of day tourists from Munich is decreasing. Best time to explore the Fünf-Seen-Land. First choice for this are of course canoe, pedal boat and sailboat; for the latter, however, you need a sailing license. There are boat rentals in every bigger place. The boat rental of Peter Neuner is considered to be a classic destination in Herrsching – which is also the case in the restaurant next door. Matos fish shop offers the best fish sandwiches at the Ammersee. If you prefer a more comfortable trip, take a tour with the Bayerische Seenschifffahrt, their steamers shuttle between all ports. Alternatively, you can take a walk along the Ammersee high trail. The 12.2-kilometre-long circular trail begins at Schondorf railway station. It then leads first into the hinterland to Achselschwang and via Utting on the lakeside back to Schondorf. You should plan about two and a half hours for the route.
When Bavarians say this sentence, they want to spend half the autumn day wandering around in the woods to get some fresh air – and look for some mushrooms. Going for mushrooms is a kind of popular sport, which is lovingly cultivated especially by the elderly. Because: Newcomers have a hard time. Mushroom hunters are secretive, good mushroom sites are passed on. Nevertheless, a few things have gotten around. For example, that Munich's best mushrooms grow in the south, in the Ebersberg, Perlacher and Hofoldinger forests or in the forests around Ammersee and Starnberger See, Holzkirchen and Sauerlach. Especially popular are porcini mushrooms, mushrooms and chanterelles. But be careful: poisonous and edible mushrooms often look very similar. Therefore, if you are not sure what you have found, you should visit the town hall on Mondays (10-13, 16.30-18) when the Mushroom Society holds its office hours. If you don't find anything, you don't have to worry – instead of going out into the countryside, you can go to the Zollner mushroom and forest stand at Viktualienmarkt.
You can find a detailed calendar of events here.
