Munich Christmas Market 2024: Marienplatz & Medieval Stalls

Munich Christmas Market is easily one of the best in Germany. Marienplatz is the main location, but several others are around the historic city centre.

This guide provides confirmed 2024 dates, all location details, opening times and a list of local specialties.

Munich Christmas Market 2024

Dates – Confirmed

Munich Christmas Market dates: 25th November to 24th December 2024 (confirmed).

Update: Dates were announced in February. Sign up for our newsletter for future updates.

Source: Dates are obtained directly from the tourist office, available here.

Note: The following details are for Marienplatz. Scroll down for details on the other locations.

Plan Your Visit

Location and Times

Location: Marienplatz and Rindermarkt.
Opening times:
Monday to Saturday: 10am to 9pm.
Sunday: 10am to 8pm.
Christmas Eve: 10am to 2pm.
Christmas Day: Closed.

Travel and Accommodation

Recommended tour: If this is your first time in Munich, take a guided city tour to get an overview of the city, including a visit to the famous Viktualienmarkt food market.
Public transport: Metro: Marienplatz. Tram: Nationaltheater.
Parking: Please take public transport to help limit congestion. City-Parkhaus has accessible parking.
Where to stay: Beyond by Geisel is located directly on Marienplatz.

Amenities and Attractions

Admission: Free.
Santa: No.
Ice skating: Yes, at Karlsplatz-Stachus.
Neuschwanstein Castle: Munich is the gateway to Germany’s fairytale castle. This is the most popular day trip to Neuschwanstein and Linderhof Castle. Highly recommended if you have time.
Reason to visit: The largest Nativity scene in Germany, the 30-metre Christmas tree and the diversity of events.

Dietary Options

Vegetarian: Yes, plenty of options.
Vegan: Yes, plenty of options.
Gluten-free: Limited. Ask individual vendors, but beware of cross-contamination. Isabella Glutenfreie Pâtisserie is a dedicated, 100% gluten-free bakery worth visiting.
Specialities: Delicious pommes, Bavarian bratwurst, hot doughnuts, cake, beer and of course, mulled wine.

Accessibility

Accessible: Yes.
Pet-friendly: Yes, but not recommended during busy periods.

Convenient Hotels

I’ve been fortunate to have visited Munich on several occasions. I often stayed near the main train station, which has many hotels.

However, it’s a bit of a walk to the Old Town from there. In winter, I think it’s better to stay somewhere more central if you can.

I recommend Beyond by Geisel, which is located directly on Marienplatz. If you’re lucky, you’ll have a view of the New Town Hall from your room. It’s a great choice.

If that’s not right for you, read my guide to hotels in Munich, listing several other convenient choices.

Plan your holiday with my German Christmas Markets List. Discover where to go, what to do, and the best ways to experience German food, history, and culture.

Event Location

From twinkling lights to festive foods, we love seeing your holiday adventures. Use #UltimateChristmasMarkets to share your moments with us!

List of All Events

1. Marienplatz

Marienplatz is the festive heart of the city. Expect traditional Bavarian goods, food stalls, and a beautifully decorated tree in front of the historic town hall.

Dates: 25th November to 24th December 2024 (confirmed).
Location: Marienplatz and Rindermarkt.
Opening times:
Monday to Saturday: 10am to 9pm.
Sunday: 10am to 8pm.
Christmas Eve: 10am to 2pm.
Christmas Day: Closed

2. Residenz

The Residenz Christmas Village is held annually in the grand courtyard of Munich’s city palace. Known for its architecture and historical significance, the Residenz transforms during the holidays into a Bavarian village-style market, showcasing regional traditions in the city’s heart.

Residenz dates: 25th November to 23rd December 2024 (confirmed).
Location: Munich Residenz. Access via Odeonsplatz.
Opening times: 11am to 9pm.

3. Medieval Wittelsbacherplatz

Wittelsbacherplatz is a unique destination with its medieval-style half-timbered stalls. Tucked away near Odeonplatz and the peaceful Hofgarten, it provides the perfect backdrop for this special market.

You can find culinary traditions of the past, like tarte flambée, a thin-crust Alsatian pizza with various toppings, and wild drachenglut, a hot drink that offers something different from the usual fare.

Medieval dates: 25th November to 23rd December 2024 (confirmed).
Location: Wittelsbacherplatz.
Opening times: 11am to 9pm.

4. Tollwood Winter Festival

Tollwood is an alternative winter festival at the Theresienwiese fairground, bringing a unique spin on festive celebrations in Munich.

A series of creatively curated tents showcases an eclectic mix of music, theatre and alternative culture.

Food at Tollwood focuses on organic and vegan options, giving you a chance to explore sustainable and ethical cuisine

Tollwood dates: 26th November to 23rd December 2024 (confirmed).
Winter Festival: 26th November to 31st December (confirmed) including a New Year’s Eve party.
Location: Theresienwiese.
Opening times: 11am to 9pm.
Admission: Free.
How to get there: Underground U4 or U5 to Theresienwiese.
Tollwood Events: Find out more.

5. Winter Magic at Viktualienmarkt

Winter Magic transforms the Viktualienmarkt fresh food market into a festive spot full of seasonal specialties. A highlight is the Nativity scene in the beer garden, cleverly depicting the market’s bustling activities

Winter Magic dates: 25th November to 24th December 2024 (unconfirmed).
Location: Viktualienmarkt.
Opening times: 11am to 9pm.

6. Pink Christmas Market 

Pink is a vibrant celebration marked by its iconic pink glow, honouring the LGBTQ+ community. The small stage features drag shows, live music, and performances by both emerging and well-known artists.

Pink dates: 25th November to 23rd December 2024 (confirmed).
Location: Stephansplatz.
Opening times:
Monday to Friday: 4pm to 10pm.
Saturday and Sunday: 2pm to 10pm.

7. Christkindlmarkt at Sendlinger Tor 

Set against the historic Sendlinger Tor gate, this market offers a cosy, more traditional atmosphere. It’s a great spot to enjoy a quieter, more intimate experience.

Sendlinger Tor dates: 18th November to 22nd December 2024 (confirmed).
Location: Sendlinger-Tor-Platz.
Opening times: 11am to 9pm.

8. Eiszauber Ice Rink

Ice Magic is a popular outdoor ice rink that brings family-friendly fun to the city centre.

Ice Rink dates: 22nd November 2024 to 12th January 2025 (unconfirmed).
Location: Karlsplatz/Stachus.
Opening times: 10:30am to 10pm.
Christmas Day: 10:30am to 4pm.
New Year’s Eve: 10:30am to 6pm.
Ice Magic: Full details available here.

What to Expect

As the most traditional, historical and beautiful, Marienplatz is hard to beat. The location is extraordinary, with the stunning neo-Gothic New Town Hall and the rest of the entire square decorated with lights and baubles.

The giant Christmas tree is the centrepiece of Marienplatz, surrounded by Bavarian chalets and decorations.

Other popular events are at Odeonsplatz and the medieval Wittelsbacherplatz. The Tollwood Winter Festival, with themed tents and art performances, is an alternative experience that’s well worthwhile.

Regional Specialties

• Lebkuchen: Traditional gingerbread-like treats originally made by monks in Franconia, now found all over Bavaria. They come decorated with almonds, coated with chocolate, or filled with apricot jam.
• Stollen: A rich, fruit-filled bread that traces to 14th-century Dresden, dusted with icing sugar.
• Brezenknödel: Bread dumplings made from pretzels, offering a hearty vegetarian option.
• Marzipankartoffeln: Marzipan sweets shaped like potatoes and dusted with cocoa, often presented in sacks or buckets.

At the Market Stalls

• Münchner Weißwurst: Munich’s famous white sausage is made from minced veal and pork bacon and is traditionally served with sweet mustard and pretzels.
• Glühbier: A hot beer made with local brews and spices, a unique alternative to mulled wine.
• Reiberdatschi: Fried potato pancakes served with applesauce.
• Feuerzangenbowle: Don’t miss out on the famous feuerzangenbowle, a fiery alcoholic drink in which rum-soaked sugar is set alight and drips into mulled wine. It’s interesting to watch and fun to drink.
• Käsespätzle: Spätzle pasta topped with melted cheese and crispy onions. If not at the stalls, you can find it at Viktualienmarkt.
• Baumkuchen: A “tree cake” with thin layers baked on a spit, resembling tree rings when sliced.
• Nürnberger Bratwurst: Small, regionally protected grilled sausages from Nuremberg served in a roll.
• Gebrannte Mandeln: Sugar-roasted almonds, a sweet treat found at many stalls.

Gifts and Souvenirs

• Beer Steins: In Bavaria, beer is more than just a drink, it’s part of the culture. Traditional Bavarian beer steins, often beautifully hand-painted and made from pewter or stoneware, make fantastic gifts.
• Nutcrackers: Traditional wooden figures from the Erzgebirge region, available in various sizes and styles.
• Ornaments: Unique glass baubles, often hand-painted with Bavarian motifs.
• Lebkuchen: Gingerbread packaged in decorative tins or boxes, including varieties like Nürnberger Lebkuchen and Lebkuchenherz.
• Bavarian Clothing: Traditional items like dirndls and lederhosen and also miniatures for decoration or doll clothing.
• Manger Figures: Hand-carved figures that are often passed down through generations.
• Cookbooks: Featuring both traditional Bavarian recipes and modern takes on classic dishes.

Responsible Travel Tips

• Green Hotels: Munich’s city government is committed to green energy and has various initiatives in place. As a visitor, you can play your part by choosing accommodations that use renewable energy sources.
• Food Waste: To combat food waste, you can make a conscious choice to purchase only what you’ll eat. Munich has a thriving “free fridge” (Fair-Teiler) movement, where you can donate unneeded food rather than throw it away.
• Ethical Consumption: When shopping, preference regional products. Tollwood emphasises ethical consumption and provides a platform for vendors to sell eco-friendly products.
• Sustainable Diets: Visiting Viktualienmarkt allows you to indulge in locally sourced and organic meals and ingredients, supporting local producers. Choosing plant-based options is also beneficial.
• Public Transport: Munich’s public transport system is efficient and extensive. Using it instead of taxis or car rentals reduces your carbon footprint.

Comment below if you want to leave a Xmas review, have any questions or would like to report any inaccuracies.

—

Recommendations are independently chosen based on personal travel experiences and extensive research. While we make every effort to provide accurate information, the dates and details listed here should not be relied upon. Please consult the official website before booking your trip or planning a visit.