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All You Need To Know About Visiting The Munich Christmas Markets

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A guide to visit the Munich Christmas Markets and what to expect from this iconic German Christmas tradition. Here you will find everything you need to know, including what markets to visit, what to eat and buy and where to stay.

Lit up gothic building with a tower and a lit up christmas tree next to it

German Christmas Markets date back to the Middle Ages and are a tradition that everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime. 

The scent of spices and glühwein, the twinkling fairy lights, and the joyful mood draw people in to start celebrating the festive season. And what better place to experience this now-adopted-worldwide tradition than at one of the oldest Christmas Markets in Germany.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Munich Christmas Markets. 

Munich Christmas Market 2024 Dates

The scheduled opening date for most Munich Christmas Markets, including the main market in Marienplatz is 25th November this year.

However, if you are in Munich a few days earlier, the Christmas Village in the Kaiserhof of the Residenz and the Christmas Market on the Alte Utting are scheduled to open on 18th November.

Most Christmas Markets in Munich close on 24th December, but some of them reopen again after Christmas Day as ‘New Year’s Markets’.

Munich Christmas Markets FAQs

Is Munich good for Christmas markets?

Munich Christmas Markets are one of the oldest Christmas Markets in Germany, and is without a doubt, one of the best places to experience the Christmas season in Europe. 

Are the Munich Christmas Markets open on Sundays?

Yes, the Christmas Markets in Munich are open every day of the week including Sundays.

Where to stay for the Christmas Markets in Munich

The Christmas Markets season gets incredibly busy in Munich, so if you would like to stay fairly central and close to the main Marienplatz Christmas Market, I would recommend booking as soon as possible.

Also, the closer to your travel dates you book, the more expensive it is, particularly at this time of the year.

Here are some top recommended hotels in Munich near the Christmas Markets.

Aldstadt (Old Town)

Maxvorstadt

Ludwigsvorstadt

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Top Munich Christmas Markets to Visit in 2024

Munich doesn’t just have one Christmas Market. There are lots of different markets peppered across the city, and every market is different. 

So it’s essential to plan your time in Munich and know where to find them. And if you have at least 2 days in Munich, you can also visit the city highlights.

Munich Christmas Market (Christkindlmarkt) at Marienplatz 

Location: Marientplatz
Opening dates: 25th Nov – 24th Dec 2024

Dating back to the 14th century, this is the main Christmas Market in Munich and it’s considered the most authentic. Although, with it being in Munich’s main square it can get a bit crowded and even touristy.

Having said that, its location in front of the impressive neo-Gothic Neues Rathouse (New Town Hall)  is full of charm and tradition. 

Get lost among the countless stalls of handmade crafts and delicious German snacks. And for a bird’s eye view of the market, climb the 300 steps to the top of St Peter’s Church tower after dark. The best view in Munich!

Nativity Market (Kripperlmarkt)

Location: Neuhauser Strasse
Opening dates: 25th Nov – 24th Dec 2024

Located just a few steps from the Christmas Market in Marienplatz, the Kripperlmarkt is the largest Nativity Market in Germany. 

Dating back to the 18th century, here you can find everything you need to recreate your own nativity scene at home – from stables to mangers and all kinds of wooden figurines. 

Winter Magic on Viktualienmarkt (Winterzauber auf dem Viktualienmarkt)

Location: Viktualienmarkt

This open-air food market is open throughout the year, but for Christmas it’s transformed into a Winter Wonderland. 

Viktualienmarkt is the place to go if you are a foodie any time of the year, but especially over the festive period. The Christmas decorations and the smell of glühwein and roasted almonds are a real delight.

Make a stop at the beer garden for some refreshments and to visit the famous nativity scene.

Sternplatzl at Rindermarkt

Location: Rindermarkt

With its distinctive giant pyramid, this is one of my favourite Munich Christmas Markets. Located a few minutes’ walk from Marienplatz, this little market really packs a punch.

It has a lovely cosy atmosphere and with its star-shaped lights on the surrounding trees it feels truly magical.

Make sure you try the wurst from the giant pyramid stall and the glühbier from the bar.

Sendliger Tor Christmas Market

Location: Sendliger Tor Platz
Opening dates: 25th Nov – 22nd Dec 2024 

This little Christmas Market is located next to one of three remaining city gates in Munich, and it has a great atmosphere.

The gate was originally built in the 1300s and it almost feels like the market has been there since that time too. This is a great market for goods from all over the world.

Chinese Tower Christmas Market (Chinesischer Turm Weihnachtsmarkt) 

Location: Chinese Tower, English Garden
Opening dates: 27th Nov – 23rd Dec 2024

Located at the feet of the Chinese Pagoda in Munich’s famous English Garden, it’s not a very well known Christmas Market with international visitors. It is, however, very popular with locals, and it’s well worth a visit.

Try your hand at curling here, and enjoy the cheerful atmosphere with the traditional band playing in the Chinese Tower.

Christmas Village at the Residenz (Weihnachtsdorf im Kaiserhof dem Residenz)

Location: Residenzstrasse, 1
Opening dates: 18th Nov – 22nd Dec 2024

Enter the courtyard of the Residenz, the largest city palace in Germany, and you will enter a magical Christmas Market.

This market is small and cosy, surrounded by the palace walls, but it truly feels like you’re in a mini-village. Try the kartoffelpuffer, delicious German potato pancakes that come with a sweet and moreish apple sauce.

Try to get here early, as it gets pretty busy.

Medieval Christmas Market (Mittelaltermarkt)

Location: Wittelsbacherplatz
Opening dates: 25th Nov – 23rd Dec 2024

The Medieval Christmas Market in Munich tries to recreate the atmosphere of the Middle Ages. All vendors are dressed in medieval costumes, and the stalls are modelled like a medieval village.

Travel back in time by drinking glühwein from a handmade clay goblet and feast on food roasted over an open fire.

Pink Christmas Market

Location: Stephansplatz (near Sedlinger Tor)
Opening dates: 25th Nov – 23rd Dec 2024

Located in Glockenbachviertel, the LGBTQ+ district in Munich, the Pink Christmas Market is absolutely fabulous. It’s the place to go for the LGBTQ+ community, but everyone is welcome here.

From Drag Queens to pink fairy lights, this market is not your traditional Christmas market, but you are guaranteed to have a wonderful time.

Feuerzangenbowle Market

Location: Blumenstrasse 22 (behind the Schrannenhalle)
Opening dates: 25th Nov 2024 – 6th Jan 2025

You cannot visit the Munich Christmas Markets and not try a glass of feuerzangenbowle, a potent but fragrant blend of red wine, rum and spices. And the place to do it is the Feuerzangenbowle Market by the Isartor Gate.

If you love the drink as much as I did, you can buy a bottle to take home here.

Haidhausen Christmas Market ​​(Haidhauser Weihnachtsmarkt)

Location: Weissenburger Platz
Opening dates: 26th Nov – 24th Dec 2024

Located in Munich’s French quarter, this small market feels cosy and intimate. The hundreds of fairy lights hanging from the trees give the square a magical touch.

Look out for the hand carved figurines in the South Tyrolean nativity scene.

Schwabing Christmas Market (Schwabinger Weihnachtsmarkt) 

Location: Münchner Freiheit (square)
Opening dates: 29th Nov – 24th Dec 2024

The Schwabing Christmas Market is known as the artisan market and it features artists from all over Germany. It’s possibly the least touristy market of those I visited, and it feels very local.

The stalls sell handmade products like ceramics, jewellery and sculptures, so it’s perfect for art lovers.

The Märchenbazar

Location: Summer Tollwood area, Spiridon-Louis-Ring 100 – Olympiapark
Opening dates: 28th Nov – 29th Dec 2024

The Märchenbazar is a truly local Christmas Market in Munich. It’s aimed at families, but I’d recommend a visit whether you’re travelling with children or not. 

This market is a little bit different from the rest, with food stalls offering dishes from all over the world and performances for children. The feuerzangenbowle is under a tent that looks like a circus, and it’s one of the family-friendly things to do in Munich during the Christmas Market season.

Sternenflotte Christmas Market on the Alte Utting

Location: Lagerhausstrasse 15
Opening dates: 5th – 30th Dec 2024

This is a Christmas Market with a difference. Located in the Sendling district, it is hosted on board the Alte Utting boat. The Alte Utting is a disused pleasure boat with music, mulled wine, food and gifts.

The boat is located on a railway bridge between the Grossmarkt and the Viehhof.

Tollwood Winter Festival

Location: Theresienwiese
Opening dates: 26th Nov – 31st Dec 2024 (market only until 23rd Dec 2024)

Located on the ground of Oktoberfest, Tollwood Winter Festival has a mixture of delicious organically-grown foods and all sorts of original crafts.

There are always events that include theatrical and musical offerings, performances, and even activities involving the environment. Many of them are free of charge, so it’s a no brainer.

Munich Airport Christmas Market

Location: Munich Airport
Opening dates: 15th Nov – 29th Dec 2024

If you’re flying into Munich, you will be able to start enjoying the Munich Christmas Markets as soon as you arrive. 

From mid-November, Munich Airport’s MAC Forum is transformed into a winter wonderland where you can start enjoying the Christmas festivities as soon as you land, and as a last visit before you leave.

Food and drinks not to miss in the Munich Christmas Markets 

Exploring the Christmas Markets is hungry and thirsty work, and the aroma of bratwurst, glühwein and roasted chestnuts, among other delights, is sure to open your appetite.

So here are a few things that you must not miss in Munich Christmas Markets. Let’s start with the drinks.

Glühwein – Glühwein is THE drink of the Christmas Markets. Not only is it delicious, but when it’s cold it will warm you up like a magical blanket. The most popular glühwein is red, but make sure you also try the white and rosé (my favourite) versions too.

Feuerzangenbowle – If you like your drinks with a bit of a kick, this is for you! It’s glühwein with a sugar cube soaked in rum and then set alight. This drink is sure to fire you up inside!

Eierpunsch – It’s very similar to eggnog, but it’s not eggnog. It’s made with egg yolk, vanilla, white wine, sugar and egg liquor. It’s thick, warm and indulgent, especially if you top it up with whipped cream.

Kinderpunsch – Translated, as kids punch, this is essentially alcohol free glühwein. But it’s not only for kids. If you’re looking to have a break from all the alcoholic drinks, it tastes just as good and it won’t give you a hangover.

And now on to the food…

All the wursts – You will find all kinds of wursts (German sausages) in the Munich Christmas Markets. From half-metre wurst to feuerwurst and currywurst, you will have plenty of choice for this German street food staple. My favourite is the feuerwurst, which has a bit of a spicy kick.

Käsespätzle – This is not exclusively a Christmas Market food, but it’s the perfect dish to fill you and warm you up in cold weather in between browsing the stalls. Some people call it the German ‘mac and cheese’ and it’s the ultimate comfort food.

Rahmschmankerl – This deliciously creamy snack is a thin rye bread covered with thick sour cream and topped with ham and spring onions. The best one can be found just off Marienplatz.

Kartoffelpuffer – This is one of my favourite snacks (together with wurst). It’s literally grated potato made into a pancake and deep fried. It’s served with a bit of apple compote on the side. This is a great option for vegetarians and vegans.

Lebkuchen – All those traditional heart-shaped ‘cookies’ with pretty icing decorations you see all over traditional Christmas Markets are lebkuchen (or gingerbread). It’s a must try!

Souvenirs to buy at Munich Christmas Markets

Nativity figurines – Recreating the Nativity scene at home to celebrate Christmas is very popular in Germany, so if you’d like to take a bit of this tradition home, the Christmas Markets in Munich are the perfect place to buy your figurines.

Wooden ornaments – One of the things German markets are famous for are hand made wooden ornaments such as räuchermännchen (smokers), nutcrackers and Christmas pyramids. Don’t leave without at least one of them.

Christmas decorations – You will find so many beautiful Christmas decorations here that I guarantee you will buy at least one. They come in all shapes and materials such as wood, glass and ceramic.

Paper star lanterns – These are great to decorate your home with a few Christmas stars. They come in all colours and sizes, and they’ll give your home a real festive feel.

Sheepskin slippers – Get yourself a nice pair of fluffy sheepskin slippers or boots in one of the Christmas Markets in Munich. They are so warm and soft that your feet will thank you, and you will feel really cosy when you wear them back home!

Glühwein mugs – This is the ultimate souvenir from any Christmas Market. When you order a mug of glühwein you pay a deposit (pfand) for the mug which you can get back when you return it. But why not keep it as a keepsake? My favourite shape of mug is the little boot.

German Markets Souvenirs Online

If you have forgotten to buy something in the Munich German Markets, there are a few options on Etsy so you can have them shipped directly to your home. Here are a few examples:

Travel tips for the Christmas Markets in Munich

Bring Cash

In Germany cash is still king, and most market stalls don’t take cards. So make sure you bring plenty of cash for food, drink and shopping, as ATMs are not always easy to find.

The Pfand system

When you order a mug of glühwein you pay a hefty deposit (pfand) for the mug which you can get back when you return it.

The good news is that you can keep browsing around the market while you enjoy your drink, as you can return the mug to any stall as long as it’s within the same market.

Alternatively, you can keep the mug as a keepsake, but I’m sure you’ll only want to do that with the first drink you have.

Wrap up warm

Munich gets really cold in winter and as you will be exploring the Christmas Markets, you will be outdoors most of the time. So make sure you wrap up with plenty of layers.

Buy locally produced goods

Traditionally, Christmas Markets had mostly local artisans selling their wares. Now cheap mass-produced items compete with the traditional local handicrafts.

I’d recommend looking out for these and purchasing local products instead, as you will be supporting the local artisans that have made these markets what they are today. And don’t be afraid to ask.

Great markets for local products are Schwabing and Märchenbazar.

Bring your own bag

I’m pretty sure you’ll be doing a bit of shopping here, so remember to bring that canvas bag you have to avoid having to buy a new one.

How to get around Munich

The best way to get around the city is by using the excellent public transport network. But buying a ticket every time you want to travel is a bit of a pain, so I’d recommend buying the Munich CityTourCard.

You can buy the CityTourCard for 1 to 6 days for a single person or for a group of up to 5 people, for the inner city area or the entire MVV network, which includes the airport.

In addition to this, you get discounts on a lot of tours, attractions, restaurants, theaters and more!

Munich Christmas Markets Map

Click map for interactive version

Do you have any questions about the Christmas Markets in Munich?
Let me know in the comments!

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All You Need To Know About Visiting The Munich Christmas Markets
All You Need To Know About Visiting The Munich Christmas Markets

Disclosure: This post has been created as a partnership with Visit Germany. As always, all views are my own.