The first Christmas Market held in Munich was in 1310, one of the oldest in history. These markets are a tradition that began among German-speaking countries and spread around the World. Today they are famous and adored even by people who don’t celebrate Christmas, after all, who doesn’t love that amazing smell of Glühwein, cinnamon and almonds in the air, and the beautiful decorations? Feels like you are in a little fairy-tale.
Also called Christkindlmarkt and Weihnachtsmarkt, nowadays there are over 15 Christmas Markets in the Bavarian capital. As I am passionate about them, in December 2014 (when this post was first published) I decided to take a few days to pay a visit to the most popular Christmas Markets in the Munich, and have planned a beautiful and delicious post to introduce you my top 10! Maybe you can already feel the smell of Christmas in the air…
*All dates and opening times are currently updated to 2017.
Christkindlmarkt at Marienplatz
Probably the most popular among tourists, since it is located right in front of the City Hall, at Marienplatz, and in nearby streets. Anyone shopping around here or passing by will have to resist the temptation to have a Glühwein and eat some sweet Gebrannte Mandeln, what makes Christmas shopping even more fun!
The Christmas Market isn’t limited only to the Marienplatz, nearby places like the Rindermarkt – just behind it – there is another part of it, and it’s even prettier!
Highlight
It’s where the biggest Christmas tree of the city is!
Location
Marienplatz, Kaufingerstr. and Rindermarkt
Opening times
From November 27th to December 24th
Monday to Saturday: 10:00 – 21:00
Sunday: 10:00 – 20:00
On December 24th: 10:00 – 14:00
Check the official website
Residenz
This small and cosy Christmas Market is located at the Munich Residenz – the former royal palace of the Bavarian monarchs – not far from the Marienplatz and just in front of the Odeonsplatz. As the market is in the inner courtyard it makes it even more charming and special.
Highlights
– There is a part of the market dedicated to children with speaking animals and even Santa Claus’ carriage.
– Here you can find hot Caipirinha and hot eggnog.
– The atmosphere here is magical, making adults feel like they’re children again! Even the trash can is magical…
Location
Kaiserhof Residenz München
Residenzstr.
Opening times
From November 23rd to December 22nd
Daily from 11:00 – 21:00
On November 23rd from 14:00
On December 22nd until 20:00
Check the official website
Mittelaltermarkt
Not far from the Residenz you will find this very peculiar Christmas Market from the middle ages! Every building is inspired by the medieval era, there is bonfire and torches, stores selling medieval clothes, vendors dressed accordingly… and even the Glühwein cups are special.
Highlights
– The atmosphere of the middle ages is already a highlight itself.
– Is it too cold? There is even fire like in the middle ages to warm you up.
– My favorite Glühwein is here!
Location
Wittelsbacherplatz
Briennerstr. 6-10
Opening times
From November 27th (17:00) to December 23rd (20:00)
Daily from 11:00 – 20:00
Check the official website
Haidhausener Weihnachtsmarkt
A small Christmas Market, but very special and unique as it is more frequented by local families and by the neighborhood. Here you find a cosy and intimate atmosphere, with small tents to enjoy your time keeping yourself warm and a carrousel to keep the children busy.
Highlights
– Here you can find Cherry Glühwein! And it is delicious!
– A little Santa Claus calls everyone’s attention!
Location
Weißenburger Platz
Opening times
From November 28th (11:00) until December 24th (14:00)
Sunday – Wednesday: 11:00 – 20:30
Thursday – Saturday: 11:00 – 21:00
On December 24th: 10:00 – 14:00
Check the official website
Schwabinger Weihnachtsmarkt
A very surprising Weihnachtsmarkt inspired by art at the neighborhood of the art galleries, Schwabing. It seems small at first, but has narrow passages with many kinds of art being sold. A perfect place to enjoy a Glühwein admiring the work of the artists, or listening to a band playing at their small stage.
Highlights:
– One of the cheapest Glühwein in town.
– A very colorful and friendly atmosphere.
– There are some very good pieces of art, from drawings to sculptures, being sold.
Location
Münchener Freiheit
Opening times
From December 1st (18:00 – 20:30) until December 24th (11:00 – 14:00)
Monday to Friday: 12:00 – 20:30
Saturday and Sunday: 11:00 – 20:30
Check the official website
Christkindlmarkt at Sendlinger Tor
A small Christmas Market at the beautiful Sendlinger Tor at the end of a nice shopping street, the Sendlingerstr. Nice for an after work or after shopping stop!
Highlight
Great location!
Location
Sendlinger Tor
Opening times
From November 27th until December 23rd
Daily from 10:30 – 21:00
Check the official website
Pink Christmas
This one is very popular and special! The name Pink Christmas is not a coincidence; there you will find pink Christmas trees, decorations and even a small pink stage! Why is that? It is a gay Christmas Market, at the gay neighborhood of Munich, the Glockenbachviertel. But don’t worry, everyone is very welcome, and having fun here is almost mandatory!
Highlights
– Apart from being a gay Christmas Market?! 🙂
– Very nice decorations being sold!
– At certain times, there are bands playing at the small pink stage.
Location
Stephansplatz, Glockenbachviertel
Opening times
From November 27th until December 23rd
Monday to Friday: 16:00 – 22:00
Saturday and Sunday: 12:00 – 22:00
Showtime daily at 19:00
Check the official website
Weihnachtsmarkt am Chinesischen Turm
Located in the middle of the beautiful Englisher Garten. This Christmas market is a very cosy and yet spacious place that will make you feel like you are in a cabin in the woods. With a huge Christmas tree, sweet decorations and plenty of places to sit, here is a market adored by families and their dogs. Every year I take Enzzo, and it’s the best Christmas Market in town for pets.
Highlights
– The cabin in the woods feeling in a low light atmosphere.
– Great for pets and kids.
Location
Weihnachtsmarkt am Chinesischen Turm
Englischer Garten 3
Opening times
From November 27th until December 23rd
Monday to Friday: 12:00 – 20:30
Saturday and Sunday: 11:00 – 20:30
Check the official website
Winter Tollwood
This is the biggest Christmas Market in Munich, and it is located where the Oktoberfest takes place every year. The Tollwood is basically a festival, which also happens during summer. During winter it is transformed into a Christmas Market filled with colorful tents and endless varieties of drinks and food that will make it hard for you to decide among so many. Most of the time it is crowded, but it is not hard to understand why!
Highlights
– There is a warm tent where you can eat far from the cold.
– Once in a while you will see a gigantic camel walking around, don’t be scared! He isn’t real, but surely something that calls everyone’s attention!
– Have you ever heard of Döner/Kebab? Here you can find SchokoDöner… yes, a Döner made with chocolate! And I tell you what… it is amazing and worth every calorie!
– All products are organic.
Location
Theresienwiese
Opening times
From November 23rd until December 31st (closed on December 26th)
Market until December 23rd
Monday to Friday: 14:00 – 01:00
Saturday and Sunday: 11:00 – 01:00
Markt der Ideen: until 23:30
Gastronomy: until 24:00
Tief-im-Wald-Bar: until 01:00
Check the official website
Wintermarkt am Flughafen
It is the only Christmas Market covered, so no risk of rain or snow. It is located at Munich’s Airport, so when arriving in town you can go there straight and have a Glühwein. There is an ice rink and a beautiful gigantic Christmas tree!
Highlights
– It’s open until after Christmas!
– It’s covered.
– It has an ice rink.
Location
Munich’s International Airport
Between Terminals 1 and 2
Opening times
From November 18th until December 30th
Daily from 11:00 – 21:00
On Fridays and Saturdays food stalls are open until 22:00
On December 24th until 17:00
Check the official website
BONUS
ChristkindlTram
What about a moving Christmas Market?! The MVG, the public transportation company of Munich organizes every year a Christmas Market in a Tram. It costs only 2 Euros for an adult, 1 Euro for children between 6 and 14, and free for kids under 6.
As all Christmas Market, there is Glühwein and sweets on board, and the ride around the city takes 25 minutes. To catch the Tram you need to go to the metro station Sendlinger Tor. Try to arrive early so you can guarantee your place. I tried 2 times and it was already sold out! More information you can find here.
Location
Sendlinger-Tor-Platz 1
Opening times
From December 2nd to December 23rd
Monday to Friday: 15:30 – 19:00*
Saturday and Sunday: 11:00 – 19:30*
*Last train
Check the official website
Can you smell Christmas already?
I have to say it was a hard work for me to visit all these markets, since I had to control myself not to drink and eat everything I wanted in each place… it really smells so good that from afar you can tell that you are approaching one more Weihnachtsmarkt. It wasn’t easy, I tell you…
In total I have visited 12 Christmas Markets, and to enjoy the most of these markets and capture their best for you, some of them I visited 2 or 3 times, during the day and night, and sometimes more than 2 per day. Of course that at the end of each day I treated myself with a little something, after all, I deserved it!
For those of you planning to visit some of them this year or in the future, here is a map from Muenchen.de that will guide you around the city with the Christmas Markets’ locations and their respective metro stations: