Munich Christmas Markets

Few cities do Advent like Munich. The Christkindlmarkt on Marienplatz, which has roots going back to the fourteenth century, is one of the oldest and best-loved Christmas markets in Germany, and in 2026 it runs from 20 November to 24 December, spreading from Marienplatz along the pedestrian streets and into the Rindermarkt. Wooden stalls sell carved figures, glass baubles, candles, gingerbread, roasted almonds and, of course, Gluehwein in souvenir mugs, while a towering Christmas tree stands in front of the New Town Hall. The market opens Monday to Saturday from 10am to 9pm and on Sundays from 10am to 8pm, closing at 2pm on Christmas Eve. Advent music is played from the balcony of the New Town Hall during the market, and on Wednesdays there is communal singing under the Christmas tree by St Peter's. Next to St Peter's Church, the Kripperlmarkt, probably the largest nativity market in Germany, sells everything you could need to build a crib scene, from tiny figures and stables to moss and lanterns. Beyond Marienplatz, Munich has a whole calendar of themed markets. The Christmas village in the Kaiserhof of the Residenz, open from mid-November, is one of the prettiest, with a fairy-tale theme for children. Tollwood, the alternative winter festival on the Theresienwiese, runs from 24 November to 23 December 2026, with a big market of crafts and international food, organic Gluehwein, art installations and evening performances in tents. Other favourites include the medieval market on Wittelsbacherplatz, with stalls in period costume and mead, the Pink Christmas market in the Glockenbach quarter, the cosy market at the Chinese Tower in the English Garden, and neighbourhood markets in Schwabing and Haidhausen. Dates for the smaller markets are announced each autumn, so check before you go.

How to plan your visit: start at Marienplatz in the late afternoon, as the lights come on and the town hall music begins, walk through the Kripperlmarkt and the Rindermarkt, and continue to the Residenz village a few minutes away. On another evening, take the U-Bahn to Theresienwiese for Tollwood, which feels like a different world, with its tents, art and global food. Most markets are within walking distance of each other in the old town, so you can see several in an evening. Bring cash for smaller stalls, though many accept cards. Mugs carry a deposit: return them for a refund or keep them as a souvenir.

When to go: weekday afternoons are the most relaxed. Evenings and weekends, especially the Saturdays in December, are very crowded at the Christkindlmarkt, and the pedestrian streets can be shoulder to shoulder. The first week, from 20 November, is quieter than the run-up to Christmas. On 13 December 2026 a Krampus run, with masked, horned figures from Alpine folklore, passes through the old town, a memorable and slightly scary spectacle. In early November, before the main markets open, the Eiszauber ice rink at Karlsplatz and several themed markets start up.

Things to know: Gluehwein is strong and warming, and there are non-alcoholic versions, Kinderpunsch, for children. Dress warmly, as Munich in December is often around freezing, and wear waterproof shoes. Pickpockets operate in the crowds, so keep valuables close. The Christkindlmarkt closes early on Christmas Eve, and most markets do not open on Christmas Day, so plan your last visit for the days before. For a quieter, rural alternative, combine the city markets with a day trip to Andechs or a castle visit, where winter crowds are thin.