Munich Christmas Markets

When is Munich Christmas Markets 2026?

Munich Christmas Markets 2026 runs November 20 to December 24, 2026.

How the dates are set: The Marienplatz market opens in the second half of November and closes on December 24; it is closed on the Sunday that falls on Totensonntag.

See every event in November 2026

Source: munich.travel

Munich Christmas Markets schedule

• November 20 to December 24, 2026: The Christkindlmarkt at Marienplatz is open. It is closed on November 22.
• Sunday to Thursday, 5:15 pm: Live Bavarian folk music, wind ensembles, singers and choirs play from the Town Hall balcony.
• Wednesdays, November 25, December 2, 9 and 16, 2026: A free Advent carol sing-along starts at 4:30 pm and lasts about 30 minutes.
• Sunday, December 13, 2026: The Krampus run goes from 3 to 5 pm. It starts on Augustinerstraße, goes through the pedestrian zone and ends at the Altes Rathaus.
• December 24, noon: The Grünwalder Turmbläser traditionally play at the end of the market.
• November 24 to December 23, 2026: The Tollwood Winter Festival runs on the Theresienwiese.

Sources: munich.travel, christkindlmarkt-muenchen.de, munich.travel

Getting to Munich Christmas Markets

• Munich Airport has its own Christmas market around a large ice rink, with live music.
• Germany's largest nativity market, the Kripperlmarkt, is on St. Peter's, only a few steps from Marienplatz.
• The festive Christkindltram, with mulled wine and gingerbread on board, starts at a special stop at Sendlinger Tor and runs about 30 minutes via Isartor, Maxmonument, Maximilianstraße and Lenbachplatz.

Sources: munich.travel, christkindlmarkt-muenchen.de, munich.travel

History of Munich Christmas Markets

The Marienplatz market is considered the oldest in Munich and has had a permanent place in the city since 1972. The first Kripperlmarkt, the nativity scene market, was held in 1757. The market has used a new lighting concept since 2023.

Source: munich.travel

Munich Christmas Markets: questions people ask

Sources: munich.travel, christkindlmarkt-muenchen.de, munich.travel

About Munich Christmas Markets

The Christkindlmarkt on Marienplatz, a nativity market, a Krampus run and a dozen neighborhood markets across Munich.

Munich's classic Christkindlmarkt fills Marienplatz and Rindermarkt under a 25-meter tree, with brass music from the town hall balcony. Germany's largest nativity market is steps away at St. Peter's. Neighborhood markets such as Pink Christmas, Haidhausen and the Tollwood winter festival add variety. The Marienplatz market is closed one Sunday, November 22, in 2026.

Know before you go

• The Marienplatz Christkindlmarkt is closed on November 22, 2026.
• The Krampus run on December 13, 2026 draws up to 50,000 onlookers, so expect crowds along the route.
• Munich Airport (MUC) is the main airport and hosts its own Christmas market around an ice rink.

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