Munich Christmas Market 2026: dates, opening hours, tips

Munich starts Advent earlier in 2026: for the first time, the city's Christkindlmarkt on Marienplatz opens on the Friday before Totensonntag – 20 November 2026 – and runs until Christmas Eve. In front of the New Town Hall you'll find 137 stalls, live Advent music from the town hall balcony and the wild Krampus parade. On top of that there's a nativity market, a medieval market, Pink Christmas and the Tollwood winter festival. Here are all official dates, hours, a map and tips for visitors.

Munich Christmas Market 2026 at a glance

Dates 2026	Friday 20 November to Thursday 24 December 2026
Opening hours	Monday–Saturday 10am–9pm, Sunday 10am–8pm, 24 December 10am–2pm
Location	Marienplatz and surrounding streets to Rindermarkt; nativity market in front of Alter Peter church
Entry	free
Getting there	S-Bahn (all central lines) or U3/U6 to Marienplatz – you step out right into the market

All Munich Christmas markets 2026

Market	Location	Dates 2026	Opening hours
Christkindlmarkt	Marienplatz	20 Nov–24 Dec	Mon–Sat 10am–9pm, Sun 10am–8pm, 24 Dec 10am–2pm
Kripperlmarkt (nativity market)	by Alter Peter / Rindermarkt	20 Nov–24 Dec	same as Christkindlmarkt
Medieval market	Wittelsbacherplatz	20 Nov–23 Dec	daily 11am–9pm, closed 22 Nov
Pink Christmas	Stephansplatz	20 Nov–20 Dec	Mon–Fri 4–10pm, Sat–Sun 2–10pm
Tollwood Winter Festival	Theresienwiese	24 Nov–23 Dec	see organiser; NYE party 31 Dec

The Christmas village in the Residenz courtyard (entrance on Odeonsplatz) runs from 16 November to 22 December 2026, daily 11am–9pm; it is closed on 22 November and open until 8pm on 22 December. The market at the Chinese Tower in the English Garden runs from 19 November to 23 December 2026, Wednesday to Sunday (Wed–Fri 11:30am–8:30pm, Sat–Sun 11am–8:30pm), and daily 11am–8:30pm from 21 to 23 December.

Map: Christmas markets in Munich

The Christkindlmarkt, nativity market and medieval market are a few minutes apart in the Old Town; Wittelsbacherplatz is about ten minutes' walk from Marienplatz. Pink Christmas on Stephansplatz is about 15 minutes via Sendlinger Tor, and Tollwood is easiest by U4/U5 to Theresienwiese or U3/U6 to Goetheplatz.

The Christkindlmarkt on Marienplatz

The city-run market is the original, right in the centre, and has been held on Marienplatz since 1972. In 2026 the city counts 137 stalls selling glass pictures, felt slippers, games, jewellery, honey, tree decorations and straw stars. A large Christmas pyramid turns on Rindermarkt.

2026 programme highlights

• Advent music from the town hall balcony: brass ensembles, choirs and folk musicians every day.
• Krampus run on 13 December 2026: hundreds of Krampus, Perchten and Klaus figures – horned, furry and loud – parade through the centre. Spectacular, but possibly too scary for small children.
• Himmelswerkstatt, 29 November–13 December 2026: children aged six to twelve dress up as angels and make decorations in the town hall's Ratstrinkstube.
• Carol singing under the tree: a weekly sing-along of Bavarian Advent songs, with large-print and braille lyrics.

The nativity market by Alter Peter

In front of Alter Peter you'll find stalls with complete nativity scenes, individual figures and every accessory. The city describes it as probably the largest market of its kind in Germany. Don't miss the large oriental and Alpine nativity displays.

The other markets

Medieval market on Wittelsbacherplatz

Between Brienner Straße and Odeonsplatz, a medieval market with a cultural programme every Advent weekend. Official opening on 20 November at 6pm, then daily 11am–9pm; closed on 22 November.

Pink Christmas on Stephansplatz

Munich's queer Christmas market celebrates its 21st edition in 2026 and, following a city council decision, opens earlier: 20 November to 20 December, weekdays from 4pm and weekends from 2pm, always until 10pm. Expect a prosecco bar, a small stage and a very relaxed crowd.

Tollwood Winter Festival

On the Oktoberfest grounds, Tollwood combines a market, food stalls, circus and dance shows and curling. It runs from 24 November to 23 December 2026, followed by a New Year's Eve party. Shows require tickets; according to the organiser, all tickets also count as public transport tickets (MVV).

What to eat and drink

• Glühwein and punch: the city says vegan, gluten-free, lactose-free and diabetic-friendly options are available too.
• Bratwurst roll and Leberkäse: classic Bavarian snacks.
• Schmalznudeln (fried dough) and roasted almonds.
• International food at Tollwood, which puts a strong focus on organic and sustainability.

Official 2026 prices aren't out yet.

A day in Munich: our suggestion

1. 10am – Marienplatz: quiet at opening time; stroll through to the pyramid on Rindermarkt.
2. 11.30am – nativity market and Viktualienmarkt: after the cribs, lunch at the Viktualienmarkt next door.
3. 1pm – Alter Peter tower: climb up for views over the stall roofs to the Frauenkirche.
4. 3pm – Residenz: warm up in the state rooms of the Munich Residenz.
5. 5pm – Wittelsbacherplatz: the medieval market is at its best after dark.
6. 7pm – Tollwood or Pink Christmas if you still have energy.

Souvenirs and shopping tips

Typical buys at the Christkindlmarkt, according to the city, are glass pictures, felt slippers, wooden toys, honey and straw or light stars. At the nativity market you'll find single figures, stables, moss and lanterns – perfect for adding to a crib at home. A few tips:

• Buy fragile items last so nothing breaks in the crowds.
• Larger figures: ask whether the trader ships – many crib makers do.
• Crafts with character: the medieval market has hand-forged items, leather and felt goods you won't find in the shopping streets.
• The market mug: if you collect them, simply keep the mug and forgo the deposit.

Practical tips for international visitors

Cash, cards and Pfand

Cash still matters at Munich's stalls, as not all of them take cards. Mugs for hot drinks come with a deposit (Pfand) – return the mug for a refund, or keep it as a souvenir.

When to go

• Weekday mornings are the most pleasant.
• Evenings and Saturdays get very crowded, as Marienplatz is also the main shopping street.
• 13 December: the Krampus run draws huge crowds – go on purpose or avoid it.
• Sundays: the Christkindlmarkt closes at 8pm.

Getting there

Marienplatz is the hub of Munich's public transport: all central S-Bahn lines and U3/U6 stop here. From the main station it's two S-Bahn stops or a 20-minute walk through the pedestrian zone. From the airport, take the S1 or S8 directly to Marienplatz. City-centre car parks are expensive and fill up quickly.

With kids

The Himmelswerkstatt (29 Nov–13 Dec, ages 6–12) is the classic; watch the Krampus run from a safe distance with little ones.

Accessibility

Marienplatz is flat and reachable by lift from the U- and S-Bahn. The weekly sing-along has step-free access, according to the city.

Where to stay

There are many hotels around the main station and Old Town; prices rise at Advent weekends. The S-Bahn makes outer districts a quick alternative.

Gift idea: take Munich home as a personalised poster.

Nearby: our tips

• Marienplatz with the New Town Hall and Glockenspiel.
• Frauenkirche: Munich's landmark with its onion domes, five minutes away.
• Alter Peter: viewing tower right by the nativity market.
• Viktualienmarkt: Munich's famous food market.
• Munich Residenz: the royal palace, ideal on a cold day.
• Hofbräuhaus: to round off the day.

Our audio guide “Munich: Monks, Kings and Beer Gardens” starts on Marienplatz, right at the Christkindlmarkt – 14 stops over 4.9 km to the Chinese Tower, in English or German, with the first two free.

More ideas: Munich.

FAQ

When does the Munich Christmas market open in 2026?

On Friday 20 November 2026 – from this year on, already on the Friday before Totensonntag.

What are the opening hours?

Monday–Saturday 10am–9pm, Sundays 10am–8pm, Christmas Eve 10am–2pm.

Is entry free?

Yes, the Christkindlmarkt, nativity market, medieval market and Pink Christmas are free to enter.

When is the Krampus run 2026?

On 13 December 2026 in the city centre around the Christkindlmarkt.

How much does mulled wine cost?

2026 prices haven't been published. Add the mug deposit.

Is anything open after Christmas?

The big city-centre markets end on 23 or 24 December, Pink Christmas on 20 December. Tollwood holds a New Year's Eve party on 31 December. Between the holidays, museums such as the Deutsches Museum or the Residenz are the better plan.

Can I bring my dog?

We didn't find an explicit dog ban on the official pages, but the crowds around the town hall are stressful for dogs, and the Krampus run is not suitable for animals.

Read more

Nuremberg is just over an hour away by ICE; its Christkindlesmarkt opens on 27 November. For a full Bavaria route and all major markets, see Christmas markets in Germany 2026.

Turn your Bavarian Advent trip into a route poster.

Last checked: 13 October 2026. We will go through everything again before the new opening date of 20 November.

Sources

• https://www.muenchen.de/veranstaltungen/muenchner-christkindlmarkt-marienplatz
• https://www.christkindlmarkt-muenchen.de/
• https://www.mittelaltermarkt-muenchen.de/
• https://www.pink-christmas.de/
• https://www.tollwood.de/winterfestival/

Image credits

• Photo: Guido Radig, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0 (cover)
• Photo: Martin Falbisoner, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0