We leave you a list with the 12 best Christmas markets in Munich, and we ask you to leave us in comments what you thought of them and if there is anything you would add. And if you want to visit more markets, check out our guide to the best Christmas markets in Germany not to be missed.
Christmas in Munich starts a little earlier than in the rest of the world, you can buy Christmas cakes in the middle of autumn, before the concerts and Christmas markets start.
Christmas markets in Munich
Marienplatz Christmas Market (Christkindlmarkt Marienplatz)
- Location: Marienplatz square (Our Lady’s Square)
- Opening times and dates
Open from 27 November to 24 December from Monday to Saturday from 10am to 9pm, and Sundays from 10am to 8pm. On December 24th only open from 10:00 to 14:00 hours.
Every year, locals and their guests from near and far are enchanted by the charm of this atmospheric traditional market in the good parlour of the Bavarian capital. It is said to be the most original and the most authentic, full of stalls with Christmas decorations, as well as typical local food and drink.
When it gets dark and the snow on the roofs of the market stalls shines in the bright glow of countless lights, that’s when Munich’s Christkindlmarkt on Marienplatz is at its best. The approximately 2,500 lights of the large Christmas tree, which is the market’s landmark, glitter against the romantic backdrop of the neo-Gothic town hall. This classic Christmas market is considered Munich’s oldest.
Viktualienmarkt Christmas market (Winterzauber Viktualienmarkt)
- Location: Viktualienmarkt 15, 80331 München
- Opening times and dates
Christmas space open from 20 November to 6 January (Monday to Saturday), Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 18:00, and Saturday from 10:00 to 15:00. Closed on Sundays.
This market is open all year round, but is even more charming at Christmas. We include it among Munich’s Christmas markets because it has a Nativity scene where Christmas carols are sung with all the magic of Christmas. A place that is part of the city’s everyday life.
The Viktualienmarkt stands for fresh variety and a close-up experience of the Munich way of life. The popular market exudes special charm – many treats invite you to nibble. Christmas lights and Advent magic with mulled wine also await guests.
Christmas market inside Residenz palace
- Location: Munich Residenz, entrance Residenzstraße, Odeonsplatz
- Opening hours and dates
Open from 23 November to 22 December, from 11am to 9pm (last day open until 8pm). Closed on 25 November for Totensonntag.
Sheltered from the cold wind and driving snow, the Christmas village is located in the largest courtyard of the Munich City Palace, the Residenz. Hansel and Gretel in the fairytale forest and Punch and Judy shows will not only make children’s eyes light up.
And as befits a Bavarian village, the craft workshops are not to be missed: Goldsmiths, fur tanners and glassblowers let you look over their shoulders as they work.
Wittelsbacherplatz – Medieval Christmas Market
- Location: Wittelsbacherpl., 80333 München
- Opening times and dates
Open from 27 November to 23 December from 11am to 9pm. On the opening day the market opens at 17.00.
Wittelsbacherplatz – A not very big medieval market where you can find from period costumes and natural furs to keep you warm during the winter as it was done centuries ago to fairy stalls.
As in all the Christmas markets in Munich, you can eat and enjoy performances, so we leave you their website to see if the days you are going to be in Munich there is one that interests you: mittelaltermarkt-muenchen.de
Christmas Market at Sendlinger Tor
- Location: Sendlinger-Tor-Platz
- Opening times and dates
Date: 27 November – 22 December, daily from 10.30 am – 21.30 pm
A Christmas market is said to have taken place in the grounds in front of Sendlinger Tor as early as 1886. More than a hundred years later, this tradition is being continued with a small and fine Christmas market. The Sendlinger Tor, one of the three remaining gates of Munich’s former city fortifications, shines with lights and invites you to take a leisurely stroll.
You can buy and admire goods from all over the world such as nativity scenes from Tyrol and Peru, extravagant Christmas tree baubles, hand-drawn candles, scented oils, ceramics, jewellery, Indian handicrafts, wooden toys and much more. There will also be plenty to eat and drink. To warm up, there will be spicy mulled wine and fire tongs punch and, of course, non-alcoholic hot drinks. A daily changing programme with Christmas music gets big and small Christmas fans in the mood for the Advent season.
Pink Christmas market
- Location: Stephansplatz (near Sendlinger Tor)
- Date: 27 November – 23 December
During Advent, the small Stephansplatz in the middle of Munich’s Glockenbach district glows pink. The Christkindlmarkt of the LGBTQ community has been taking place since 2005. Mulled wine and gifts, tasty treats and glowing things await the colourful crowd at the Pink Christmas. On the small show stage you can see travesty artists, up-and-coming singers or even big names like Grand Prix legend Johnny Logan or pop star Patrick Lindner.
Munich Feuerzangenbowle in Isartor
- Location: Isartor gate, Tal 50, 80331 München
- Opening times and dates
Open from 27 November 2023 to 6 January 2024 from 10am to 10pm, except on 24 December from 11am to 2pm and 31 December from 11am to 3pm.
Munich Christmas market dedicated to Feuerzangenbowle, a drink made from red wine, rum and spices. It is located in the small Isartor courtyard at one of the old medieval city gates.
Haidhausen Christmas market (Haidhauser Weihnachtsmarkt)
- Location: Weißenburger Platz, 81667 München
- Opening times and dates
Christmas market open from 27 November to 24 December. Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 11am to 8:30pm, and Thursdays to Sundays from 11am to 9pm. On December 24th only open from 10am to 2pm.
Not only the people of Haidhausen, but also guests from near and far appreciate the informal, tranquil character of the Christmas market around the fountain on Weißenburger Platz. The Haidhaus Christmas market has been held for forty years – for some it is the most beautiful Christmas market in Munich. Almost every day there is live Christmas music and a children’s programme. The hand-carved figures in the South Tyrolean Christmas cot are also wonderful to look at.
Fairytale Christmas Bazaar in the Olympic Park
- Location: Spiridon-Louis-Ring 100, 80809 München
- Date: 23 November to 29 December
Nostalgic circus tents radiate warmth and cosiness, a film set in the middle of the grounds in Munich’s Olympic Park functions as a cosy bar, and there are delicacies from Bavaria and the rest of the world. Clothing, leather goods, original jewellery and wooden artworks tempt visitors to buy.
The Fairytale Bazaar also offers a varied supporting programme of art, culture and music for the “grown-ups” and action and surprises for children – including candle-drawing, a funny Punch and Judy show and even fairytale lessons with a moon goddess.
Schwabinger Christmas Market
- Location: Münchner Freiheit, 80802 München
- Opening times and dates
Open from 1 to 24 December 2023 from Monday to Friday from 12 noon to 8:30 pm, and on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 am to 8:30 pm. On the first market day (opening) the opening is at 18:00, and on the last day from 11am to 2pm.
This artists’ market is held in a large fairground where artisans and restaurateurs founded it 40 years ago. Apart from eating at this Christmas market, there are free concerts, guided tours and activities for children.
Mulled Wine Festival in the Bogenhausen Christmas Market
- Location: directly in front of Cosimabad
- Dates: 16.11 – 30.12
From the end of November, the festival grounds in front of the Cosimabad will be transformed into a fairytale Christmas world: in two large tents with modern lounge areas or cosy seating areas with mountain hut flair, over 30 varieties of mulled wine, punch and Feuerzangenbowle await guests.
In the open-air area, you can marvel at and buy handicrafts in a festively illuminated fir landscape. In addition to delicacies such as roasted almonds, gingerbread or marzipan, dishes from all over the world will be freshly prepared (also vegetarian and vegan). There is also plenty for children to discover: a nostalgic children’s railway and a carousel with beautifully painted historic vehicles, a Punch and Judy show and much more. Non-alcoholic mulled wines are also on offer.
Tollywood Christmas market – Winter Festival
- Location: Theresienwiese, 80336 München
- Opening: from 23 November to 23 December
More than a Christmas market, Tollywood is a Christmas festival packed with circus, street theatre and music performances, many of them free.
Typical of the alternative Christmas market is the mix of delicious organic food and lots of original arts and crafts at the “Market of Ideas”. The Christmas markets at Tollwood close on 23 December. The entire festival then ends with the traditional New Year’s Eve party.
Munich Airport Christmas Market
- Location: Nordallee 25, 85356 München-Flughafen
- Dates: From 18 November to 31 December
- Open: from 11am to 9pm
A Christmas market in an airport? Yes, this is possible at Munich airport and we assure you it is beautiful, really beautiful. Every year we scour the web to find the most beautiful Christmas markets in Germany and when we discovered here, we didn’t hesitate for a second to include it in our route through Bavaria at Christmas.
The market is located in a square between the two terminals. It is surprising to find such a festive Christmas atmosphere under the glass roof and dome overlooking the modern airport buildings.
The main attraction is the ice rink in the centre and the large, perfectly lit and decorated Christmas tree, which is 15 metres high. MAC Forum at Munich Airport is transformed into a winter wonderland. A large ice rink surrounded by pine trees and live music.
Tips for visiting Munich Christmas markets
Where to stay?
Good, nice and cheap options for accommodation in the centre of Munich:
- Hotel Elder. “Centrally located, next to Munich station, connected by metro and tram. Spacious and comfortable rooms”.
- City Aparthotel München “With washing machine, hairdryer, refrigerator and everything you need. Flat with very comfortable beds”
- Gambino Hotel Cincinnati. “With free public parking and the S Bahn station next door. Perfect if you come with a car.
Where to eat in Munich at Christmas?
As in all big cities, in Munich you have 1000 places to eat, but here are three options that we tried and that you’re sure to like.
Eating at Christmas markets
All the Christmas markets in Munich have stalls where you can eat, and it’s great to try what catches your eye. It’s also a great way to eat typical Bavarian dishes and Christmas specialities.
Eating in a famous brewery
Hofbräuhaus am Platz is Munich’s most famous beer hall, and one of those places that, no matter what time of year you go, you can’t miss.
The crispy knuckle is spectacular, and we also tried some sausages that were sold in the salad section and that were not accompanied by green anywhere, but they were delicious. An obligatory stop in Munich.
Nordsee sandwich chain
This is actually a fast food chain that you can find all over Germany. The funny thing is that we are not talking about hot dogs or hamburgers, but healthy fast food. They are fish sandwiches and sandwiches.
A sandwich costs between three and five euros, and they’re all spectacular. Another place to note.
And that’s it for all the information about the Christmas markets in Munich. But if you haven’t had enough, we’ll leave you with other posts that will surely come in handy for your trip:
- The great Christmas market in Berlin
- Most beautiful Christmas markets in Alsace, France
- The best Christmas markets in Poland
Merry Christmas! I wish you have a wonderful Christmas day with all the warmest things and full of love. ❤️❤️❤️