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 2024 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 16 September 2023, when Munich's mayor taps the first beer barrel in the Schottenhamel marquee 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, 21 September to 6 October 2024, 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 12 October 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, 22 September 2024, through Munich city centre to Theresienwiese
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, 1 May to 9 September 2024, Corneliusbrücke
In September, Munich will once again become an exciting art meeting place: almost 20 international galleries from Brussels, London, Paris, Amsterdam, Venice, Athens, Copenhagen, Tbilisi, Los Angeles and New York will enrich the cultural landscape in Munich for the fifth time. This year, a gallery from Munich's Ukrainian partner city Kiev will also show its programme. After a successful start in 2018, Various Others has established itself more and more as an integral part of the international art calendar. Openings and numerous other events will take place at a wide variety of exhibition venues in the city.
Various Others, 5 September to 15 September 2024, various exhibition venues spread across the city
Every year on a weekend in September the popular Isarinselfest will take place. Every year different bands play here, there is a cultural and sports program. Also the little ones are well taken care of with workshops and demonstrations. And the best: the Isarinselfest is completely free!
Isarinselfest, 6 to 8 September 2024, between Ludwigs- and Maximiliansbrücke
If you are looking for an alternative, a new art and culture festival is waiting for you: In the beginning of September the “Superbloom“ will start again in the Olympiapark and Stadium. The organizers promise just as last year good music, art, design, undreamt-of adventures and lots of fun to leave everyday life behind. This year, both international and national stars will be performing - including Calvin Harris, Sam Smith, Shirin David, CRO, Milky Chance and Tokio Hotel. Visitors can find the complete line-up on the website.
Superbloom, 7 and 8 September 2024, Olympiapark
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 Bavarian National Museum on 8 September 2024.
Run for Life, 8 September 2024, forecourt of the Bavarian National Museum
The Zamanand Festival has the motto “Sustainability, Diversity and Tolerance“. In cooperation with the Department for Climate and Environmental Protection and M-net, this year's first festival will take place on May 13 and 14 between Odeonsplatz and Siegestor. Around 200,000 visitors are expected.
Thanks to the car-free day, the Zamanand-Festival offers a large platform for the entire urban society, the core topics are environmental protection and social cohesion. With numerous events, 8 stages, workshops and information booths, the festival aims to help raise awareness of today's challenges and set an example for a better future.
Zamanand Festival, 14 to 15 September 2024, Ludwigstrasse between Odeonsplatz and Siegestor
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.
Curious? The old town tour is for all those who want to get to know the most beautiful corners of Munich city centre. Book the tour with an official guide at München Tourismus.