Munich’s Christmas market goes back to the 14th century, when a December market grew up around Marienplatz, and it has been the heart of the city’s winter ever since.
Today it is less one market than a dozen of them: the classic on Marienplatz under the Gothic New Town Hall, a nativity market, a medieval one with knights and mead, a pink one, a village in the courtyard of the Residence, and a winter festival of tents and world food on the Oktoberfest grounds.
Here are the markets worth seeing, when they open in 2026, what to eat and drink, and how to plan the trip with friends.
What are the best Christmas markets in Munich?
| Market | Where | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Munich Christkindlmarkt | Marienplatz, old town | The classic: the New Town Hall and a giant tree |
| Medieval Christmas Market | Wittelsbacherplatz, Maxvorstadt | Knights, mead and roasting spits |
| Pink Christmas | Stephansplatz, city centre | Munich’s LGBTQ Christmas market |
| Christmas Village in the Residenz | Kaiserhof, Residenz | A fairytale village in the palace courtyard |
| Tollwood Winter Festival | Theresienwiese, the Oktoberfest grounds | Tents of world food, music and art |
Marienplatz, old town
Munich Christkindlmarkt
Stalls spread from Marienplatz down the streets around it, with a giant Christmas tree in front of the neo-Gothic New Town Hall and live music from its balcony in the early evening.
Next to it, on Rindermarkt, the Kripperlmarkt sells everything for a nativity scene, one of the largest of its kind in Germany.
Good to know: The Glockenspiel in the Town Hall tower plays at 11 and 12 every day: come before the market fills up.
Wittelsbacherplatz, Maxvorstadt
Medieval Christmas Market
Traders in costume, fire pits and hot mead, and food off the spit, a short walk from Odeonsplatz.
Stephansplatz, city centre
Pink Christmas
A Christmas market in pink, with shows, DJs and drag, and some of the best Glühwein in town.
Kaiserhof, Residenz
Christmas Village in the Residenz
The courtyard of the Bavarian kings’ Residence palace fills with a fairytale village of stalls, quieter than Marienplatz and only steps away.
Theresienwiese, the Oktoberfest grounds
Tollwood Winter Festival
On the Oktoberfest grounds, a festival of big tents with food from around the world, art, music and an organic bent, running until New Year’s Eve.
When are the Munich Christmas markets open in 2026?
The Christkindlmarkt on Marienplatz usually opens on the Monday before the first Sunday of Advent, which is November 23 in 2026, and runs until December 24, closing early on Christmas Eve. Most of the other markets follow the same days.
Tollwood usually starts in late November and runs until December 31. The Krampus run, with costumed Alpine devils, comes through the old town in early December. Check each market’s site for the exact dates and hours.
What should you eat and drink at the Munich Christmas markets?
- Glühwein: Mulled wine in the market’s mug, with a deposit. Ask for a shot (mit Schuss) if you want rum in it.
- Feuerzangenbowle: Mulled wine with a rum-soaked sugar loaf set alight above it, dripping into the cup.
- Lebkuchenherzen: Iced gingerbread hearts with a message, worn on a ribbon round the neck.
- Gebrannte Mandeln: Candied almonds, roasted in sugar and cinnamon. You smell them before you see them.
- Schupfnudeln: Potato noodles fried with sauerkraut and bacon.
- Kaiserschmarrn: A torn, fluffy pancake with plum sauce. Dessert, or dinner, depending.
How do you plan a Christmas market trip to Munich?
Two days covers the markets in the evenings and the city by day: the Residence, the Viktualienmarkt, the English Garden in the snow, a beer hall.
Stay in the old town or near the station: everything is a walk or an U-Bahn ride away.
Easy trips from Munich: Salzburg and its markets about an hour and a half by train, Nuremberg about an hour by fast train, and Neuschwanstein in winter as a long day out.
Why go to the Munich Christmas markets with friends?
Munich does Christmas the way it does everything: in a crowd, with a drink in hand. A round of Feuerzangenbowle, gingerbread hearts with each other’s names, a beer hall to finish.
In SwipeSights, everyone swipes on real places in Munich, from Marienplatz to the beer hall, and the group’s picks become a day-by-day plan.
Plan Munich at Christmas together
Start a trip, invite your friends, and let the group’s picks become a day-by-day plan.
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Frequently asked questions
When do the Munich Christmas markets open in 2026?
The Christkindlmarkt on Marienplatz usually opens on the Monday before the first Sunday of Advent, November 23, 2026, and runs until December 24.
What is the best Christmas market in Munich?
The Christkindlmarkt on Marienplatz is the classic, in front of the New Town Hall. The medieval market on Wittelsbacherplatz and the Christmas village in the Residenz are favourites too.
What is the Krampus run in Munich?
In early December, groups dressed as Krampus, the horned Alpine devil who comes with St Nicholas, march through the old town and the Christmas market.
What is Tollwood?
Tollwood is a winter festival on the Theresienwiese, the Oktoberfest grounds, with tents of world food, music and art, usually running until New Year’s Eve.
How many days do you need for the Munich Christmas markets?
Two days covers the main markets and the old town. Add a day for Salzburg or Nuremberg.
SwipeSights: plan the whole group trip together.
