Munich Christmas markets 2026

Dates, opening hours and how to get there for the markets worth your evening, plus the closed days most guides forget.

Last checked: 9 November 2026

The short version: most markets open on Friday 20 November and run until 23 or 24 December. The big one on Marienplatz is open every day except one. On Sunday 22 November every market in the city is closed, because it's Totensonntag (the day of remembrance for the dead, a "quiet day" in Bavaria). Don't plan a market trip that day.

In the old town

Christkindlmarkt on Marienplatz

The classic: 137 stalls around Marienplatz and the streets nearby, the big Christmas tree in front of the town hall, and the Kripperlmarkt (nativity-figure market) around Alter Peter. The Lord Mayor opens it on 20 November.

It gets very full after work and at weekends. For room to breathe, go on a weekday before 17:00.

Weihnachtsdorf in the Residenz courtyard

A smaller "Christmas village" in the Kaiserhof of the former royal palace, with a fairy-tale forest and puppet theatre for children. Calmer than Marienplatz, and only a few minutes' walk away.

Medieval market on Wittelsbacherplatz

The Münchner Adventsspektakel (Advent spectacle) is a medieval-style market: costumed traders, fire, mead and food cooked over open flames.

Pink Christmas on Stephansplatz

Munich's queer Christmas market in the Glockenbachviertel, with pink lights, a stage and DJs from 18:00 Monday to Saturday. Everyone is welcome.

In the neighbourhoods

These are where people who live nearby go after work: smaller, more relaxed, and good for meeting friends.

Haidhausen, Weißenburger Platz

About 50 huts around the fountain on one of the prettiest squares in the east of the city.

Schwabing, Münchner Freiheit

Opens a few days later than the others.

Chinese Tower, Englischer Garten

A market around the wooden pagoda in the Englischer Garten, best on a cold, clear afternoon after a walk through the park.

The Monday and Tuesday closure catches people out every year.

The two big festivals

Tollwood Winter Festival, Theresienwiese

Not a classic Christmas market but a festival on the Oktoberfest grounds: organic food from around the world, crafts in the big tents, performances and music. Entry to the festival grounds is free.

A New Year's Eve party on the same site follows on 31 December.

Märchenbazar, Olympiapark

A night-market-style bazaar with tents, food and free music, and one of the few that keeps going after Christmas.

Still open after Christmas

Winterzauber at Viktualienmarkt: until 5 January
Christkindlmarkt am Maibaum, Luise-Kiesselbach-Platz, with an ice rink: until 6 January
Münchner Feuerzangenbowle at Isartor, where the flaming rum punch is the star: 23 November – 6 January
Münchner Eiszauber, ice skating on Karlsplatz (Stachus): until 10 January
Märchenbazar: until 28 December

Good to know

The mug deposit. Glühwein (hot spiced wine) and Kinderpunsch (alcohol-free punch) come in a mug with a Pfand (deposit) added to the price. Bring the mug back and you get the deposit back, or keep it: every market has its own design, and plenty of people collect them.
Carry some cash. Many stalls take cards now, but not all of them.
Krampus run. On Sunday 13 December, Krampusse (horned, fur-clad figures from Alpine folklore) parade through the old town. Loud, a bit wild, and not for very small children.
More markets. The city lists over 30 markets this year, from Moosach to Trudering. The full list is linked under Sources below.

Sources

We check these facts against the sources below. Spotted something out of date? Tell us at [EMAIL ADDRESS].