Advent in Munich: Where the Season Gathers
Munich's Christmas markets are among the most atmospheric in Germany, and the weeks of Advent transform the city's squares and courtyards into a landscape of wooden stalls, twinkling lights and the smell of roasted almonds, mulled wine and gingerbread. The season traditionally opens with the Christkindlmarkt on Marienplatz, where the Christkind (the Christmas angel) recites a prologue from the balcony of the Old Town Hall — a ceremony that has marked the start of Munich's Advent season for decades. From late November through Christmas Eve, the city hosts markets across its neighbourhoods, each with its own character.
Munich's Christmas Markets: A Tour by Neighbourhood
The main event is the Christkindlmarkt on Marienplatz, in the heart of the Altstadt. Beneath the neo-Gothic New Town Hall, stalls sell handicrafts, ornaments, candles and toys, while the giant Christmas tree — usually around 30 metres tall — dominates the square. Food stalls here serve the classics: grilled sausages, Reiberdatschi (potato pancakes), roasted chestnuts, and Glühwein served in collectible mugs.
Just a short walk away, the Mittelalterlicher Weihnachtsmarkt (Medieval Christmas Market) on Wittelsbacherplatz offers a step back in time, with craftspeople in period dress, blacksmiths, and performers. Nearby, the Weihnachtsmarkt am Chinesischen Turm in the Englischer Garten draws a more local crowd, with stalls arranged around the Chinese Tower and a programme of live music. In the Schwabing neighbourhood, the Schwabinger Weihnachtsmarkt on Münchner Freiheit is known for its arts-and-crafts focus and its alternative, neighbourhood feel.
Other reliable markets include the Weihnachtsmarkt am Sendlinger Tor, the Weihnachtsmarkt in der Praterinsel (with a focus on artisanal goods), and the Pink Christmas market at the Glockenbachviertel's Stephansplatz, which caters to Munich's LGBTQ+ community. The Weihnachtsmarkt am Viktualienmarkt combines the city's historic food market with Advent stalls, and the Weihnachtsmarkt am Tollwood on the Theresienwiese — held during Advent — blends international food, crafts and a cultural programme with a sustainability ethos.
Advent Concerts, Krampuslauf and Seasonal Traditions
Music is central to a Munich Advent. Churches across the city hold Advent concerts, and the Adventskonzert im Herkulessaal of the Residenz is a regular fixture on the calendar. The Münchner Adventssingen at the Olympiahalle brings together choirs and thousands of singers for an evening of traditional Advent songs. Smaller ensembles perform in churches such as St. Michael in the Altstadt and the Frauenkirche, where organ music and choral works are part of the Advent programme.
On the Second Advent Sunday itself, many markets host special activities. The Krampuslauf — a parade of costumed figures representing the companion of St. Nicholas — takes place in Munich and surrounding towns during early December. In Munich, the Krampus run has been held in the Bahnhofsviertel and other central locations, with participants in elaborate masks and fur costumes. The exact route and date vary by year, but the event is typically scheduled for the first or second weekend of December.
The Nikolaus tradition on 6 December is also widely observed: children leave shoes out for St. Nicholas, and in markets you may see Nikolaus figures distributing small gifts. The Christkindlmarkt on Marienplatz often hosts daily Advent and Christmas concerts on its stage, with choirs, brass ensembles and folk groups performing from late November through Christmas Eve.
What to Eat and Drink at the Markets
Munich's Advent markets are as much about eating as shopping. Look for:
- Glühwein (mulled wine), often served with a shot of rum or amaretto — the mugs are collectible and vary by market.
- Kinderpunsch, a non-alcoholic hot fruit punch for children and non-drinkers.
- Bratwurst and Krakauer grilled over charcoal, served in a roll with mustard.
- Reiberdatschi (potato pancakes) with apple sauce or smoked salmon.
- Lebkuchen (gingerbread), often heart-shaped and decorated with icing.
- Gebrannte Mandeln (roasted almonds) and Maroni (roasted chestnuts).
- Schneeballen (snowballs), a pastry of fried dough strips covered in sugar or chocolate.
- Feuerzangenbowle, a rum-soaked sugar loaf set alight over mulled wine — a spectacle as much as a drink.
The Viktualienmarkt stalls and the market at the Chinesischen Turm are particularly good for food, with some vendors offering regional specialities from Bavaria and beyond. The Tollwood market is known for its international street food and organic options.
Beyond the Markets: Winter Walks and Neighbourhoods
Between market visits, Munich's winter pleasures extend beyond the stalls. The Englischer Garten is quieter in December but still walkable, and the path to the Chinesischer Turm market makes for a pleasant winter stroll. The Nymphenburg Palace grounds are open year-round, and the palace itself offers a respite from the cold with its ornate interiors. In the Altstadt, the Residenz and its treasury provide a warm, cultural counterpoint to the outdoor markets.
The Glockenbachviertel and Schwabing are worth exploring for their independent shops, cafés and bars, many of which stay open through Advent. The Bahnhofsviertel, near the main station, has a concentration of markets and events, including the Krampuslauf. For a day trip, the Andechs Abbey — about an hour by S-Bahn and bus from Munich — offers a brewery and church in a rural setting, with views over the Ammersee. The Dachau memorial site is also accessible by S-Bahn, though it is a sombre destination rather than a festive one.
If you have time, the Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt — one of Germany's most famous — is about an hour by train from Munich and can be done as a day trip. But Munich's own markets, spread across the city and each with a distinct personality, are enough to fill a weekend.
When to Go and How to Plan
Munich's Christmas markets generally open in the last week of November and run until Christmas Eve, with some closing a day or two earlier. The Second Advent Sunday falls in early December, a peak time when markets are busiest in the evenings and on weekends. Expect cold weather — temperatures often hover around freezing — so dress in layers and wear sturdy shoes for cobblestones. Most markets are easily reached by U-Bahn and S-Bahn; the Marienplatz station is the main hub for the Altstadt markets, while Münchner Freiheit serves Schwabing and Sendlinger Tor serves the southern markets. Check local listings for exact concert dates and Krampuslauf schedules, as these vary each year. With a little planning, the Second Advent in Munich offers a deep, warm and thoroughly Bavarian start to the Christmas season.