Even if things are a little quieter in Munich between Christmas and Epiphany (6 January), there are still lots of concerts, exhibitions and stage shows that are not to be missed at the turn of the year!
Munich has lots to offer during what Bavarians call the stade Zeit – the “quiet” period: between Christmas and the public holiday of Epiphany (January 6, 2023, known as Heilige Drei Könige), you can attend concerts and exhibitions or else go to the theatre, opera or readings. Here’s a summary of Munich’s cultural highlights for you.
- Events over the Christmas holidays
- Events between Christmas and New Year
- Events in the New Year
- Opening hours of the Munich tourist attractions
Concert: Christmas Swing
If you’re in the mood for American Christmas classics like Let It Snow, this is the place to be: pianist and bandleader Andrej Hermlin is on tour with his wonderful Swing Dance Orchestra.
Where: Gasteig
Information and tickets: www.muenchenticket.de
Film: Drei Haselnüsse für Aschenbrödel
An absolute Christmas must: the Isarphilharmonie is showing the Czech/East German Yuletide classic Drei Haselnüsse für Aschenbrödel (original title: Tři oříšky pro Popelku – “Three Gifts for Cinderella”) on the big screen, with the soundtrack played live by the Prague Royal Philharmonic. And there’ll be a second showing on December 30, 2022!
Where: Isarphilharmonie
Information and tickets: www.muenchenticket.de
Ballet: The Nutcracker Suite
A wonderful blend of ballet, colour, light and artistry: Tchaikovsky’s famous Nutcracker Suite is showing on 20 dates around the Christmas/New Year period – an especially magical experience around the Christmas holidays, of course.
Where: Prinzregententheater
Information and tickets: www.muenchenticket.de
Musical: Der Brandner Kaspar
After numerous stage versions and film adaptations, the Bavarian national hero is back this time as a musical. It premiered in the Silbersaal at Deutsches Theater in mid-November!
Where: Deutsches Theater
Information and tickets: www.muenchenticket.de
Stage fairy tale: Miroslav Nemec & Udo Wachtveitl
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens is a classic – at the Isarphilharmonie it is now being staged by Miroslav Nemec and Udo Wachtveitl, known for 30 years as the police inspectors in the Munich edition of the famous TV detective series Tatort.
Where: Isarphilharmonie
Information and tickets: www.muenchenticket.de
Concert: German Brass
A great tip for fans of classical music: the ensemble German Brass performs its festive programme in the beautiful Herkulessaal at the Munich Residence (city palace).
Where: Herkulessaal of the Residenz
Information and tickets: www.muenchenticket.de
Show: Cavalluna Kids – WinterWünscheLand
From December 26, 2022 to January 8, 2023, the popular horse show Cavalluna will be presenting a play for all the family: in a wintry wonderland, the boy Robert has exciting adventures with the horses.
Where: Showpalast München
Information and tickets: www.cavalluna.com
Reading: Axel Hacke
Axel Hacke’s readings are always a genuine pleasure: he not only reads from his latest book Ein Haus für viele Sommer, he also has numerous copies of his SZ Magazin columns with him.
When: December 28, 2022
Where: Volkstheater
Information and tickets: www.muenchner-volkstheater.de
Concert: Max Herre & MIKI's Takeover! Ensemble
Musician, rapper and lyricist Max Herre is known for his unique sound. He is an artist who is constantly reinventing himself – this time with the support of Takeover! Ensemble and numerous classical instruments.
When: December 28, 2022
Where: Hekulessaal of the Residenz
Information and tickets: www.muenchenticket.de
Concert: Blechschaden & Bob Ross
Classical music can be a blast: Cult Munich-based brass ensemble Blechschaden has been playing humorous concerts with founder and director Bob Ross for almost 40 years – featuring everything from traditional classical pieces and brass music to rock songs.
When: December 29, 2022
Where: Herkulessaal of the Residenz
Information and tickets: www.bellarte-muenchen.de
Opera: Opera in Bavarian
Paul Schallweg’s versions of world-famous operas in Bavarian dialect are classics: here they are performed at Prinzregententheater by a trio of Bavarian actors.
When: January 1, 2023
Where: Prinzregententheater
Information and tickets: www.muenchenmusik.de
Concert: New Year’s Concert by the Munich Symphony Orchestra
At their New Year’s Concert, the Munich Symphony Orchestra with conductor Andreas Kowalewitz perform some of the best-known waltzes by the Strauss family. If you can’t make it on 2 January, be sure to book a ticket for January 8, 2023!
When: January 2, 2023
Where: Prinzregententheater
Information and tickets: www.muenchenmusik.de
Operetta: Budapest New Year’s Gala
The ensemble of Budapest Operetta Theatre comprises some 50 members. With colourful costumes, lots of Viennese waltzes and perfect choreography, a magnificent show is guaranteed at the Isarphilharmonie.
When: January 3 and 4, 2023
Where: Isarphilharmonie
Information and tickets: www.muenchenmusik.de
The Sound of Hans Zimmer & John Williams
Having written the score for movies such as Star Wars, Harry Potter and Pirates of the Caribbean, John Williams and Hans Zimmer are among the most famous film composers of our time. At the Isarphilharmonie you can enjoy music from a whole range of different films!
When: January 5, 2023
Where: Isarphilharmonie
Information and tickets: www.muenchenticket.de