THE TOURISTIN: Travel Germany. 2024 Guide to Christmas Markets in Munich

Munich has it all, it is easy to reach, modern and charming, trendy and traditional, it is a friendly and welcoming town. Munich Christmas markets are the epitome of Christmas market culture. Nutcrackers, incense-makers, angels, snow globes, gnomes, baubles, Christmas trees made from wood, cinnamon stars, gingerbread, cheese fondue, felt shoes, wooden pendants, wooden toys, bookends, ceramic cups, bowls, plates, cards, paper, spices, tea.

Travel Germany. 2024 Guide to Cheerful Christmas Markets in Munich

You will find it all on one of Munich’s Christmas markets. The Christmas season is here. The long wait is over. If you are only going to visit five Christmas markets in Munich, why not make it the following ones? Snow is (usually) forecasted for Munich. It is winter, and if you spent time outside, you regularly need hot drinks to stay warm.

It can get very busy, there are going to be thousands, if not millions, of Christmas market lovers all around you, why not read Christmas Market Etiquette - How to Have a Merry Visit before you go.

Christkindlmarkt on picture-perfect Marienplatz 2024

Stalls are on pretty Marienplatz under the tower of the Old Town Hall, where you can admire a 24 meters high tree decorated with 2,500 candles, as well as along the Kaufinger- and Neuhauser Street all the way to the Richard Strauss fountain and from Weinstrasse to the Sternenplatzl on Rindermarkt. The Christkindlmarkt has been in this location ever since 1972; however, during Christmas time in Munich markets have been around since the 14th century. There are 160 stalls where you can buy everything from traditional Bavarian Christmas delicacies to handmade Christmas tree decoration. It is in the centre of town, and it is the market most people visit. Understandably. The setting is terrific, it couldn’t be more enchanting.

Information: 25 November to 24 December 2024, Hours: Monday to Saturday 10am to 9pm. Sunday 10am to 8pm. 24 December 2024: 10am to 2pm. Tickets: Free.

A giant fir tree decorated with Christmas ornaments next to a heart-shaped sign with the word Glühwein in red letters, in front of a tall stone tower under a bright blue sky.

Christmas Market Chinese Tower in the English Garden 2024

It is a little adventure to get to this market if you visit in the evening. Hang on, this might be the reason that it is so special. If you start your walk on Leopoldstrasse to get here, you’ll have to make your way through the deserted and dark English Garden, and when I say dark, I mean sort of pitch dark.

From afar one can see a light glow in the woods, very fairy tale like, it looks so romantic, and that is the light that guides you towards the market. Your bravery and effort will be rewarded with one of the prettiest of Christmas markets. This cute market offers Christmassy food and drinks but also ice curling rinks. Trumpeters and choirs create a magnificent atmosphere by performing traditional carols. On weekends one can go on horse-drawn carriage rides through the English Garden. Best of all is there is no traffic near and far.

Information: Englischer Garten 3, 80538 Munich, Germany. 27 November to 22 December 2024. Thursday to Sunday until 8.30pm. Tickets: Free.

Three large-sized white wooden heart-shaped ornaments and a wooden woven star hang on the front of a romantically illuminated wooden stall selling Christmas ornaments, angels, and tea lights.

Haidhauser Christmas Market on Weissenburger Square 2024

This quaint little Christmas market that runs around the fountain on Weissenburger square in the Munich borough of Haidhausen is perfect for all the ones who are after a more local experience. The nativity scene in a rustic, original Austrian Ziller valley wooden cottage is a true draw-card too. You will find organic products, local specialities, as well as all things made from honey, think honey soaps, honey candles, honey gummy bears, honey sweets and honey cosmetics and wooden handmade goods.

Information: Weissenburger Platz, 81667 Munich. Hours: 26 November to 23 December 2024, 11am to 9pm. 24 December 2024, 10am to 2pm. Tickets: Free.

Two tea lights on top of two wooden bistro tables stand in front of a romantically illuminated wooden stall selling hot milk with honey and medieval style met, a honey-based drink.

A large wooden market stall decorated with a little traditional wooden sled and a row of fir branches on its grey slated roof packed to the rafters with Christmas biscuits, candied almonds, and gingerbread hearts, under a light blue winter sky.

Christmas Village Emperor’s Courtyard at the Residence 2024

This is the market off Odeonsplatz. You will have to search for it for a moment since it is hidden in the large courtyard of the Residence. The residence, a former palace built for Bavarian royals is directly at Odeonsplatz, a square in the centre of town. There are 130 (impressive number) lavishly gold decorated rooms, packed to the rafters with paintings, miniature paintings, mirrors, tapestries, furniture, cutlery and china. Today one can still see and walk through the sumptuous ruler's residence with its courtyards and gardens. Visit the Renaissance Hall of Antiquities built between 1568 and 1571. It is one of the oldest Renaissance Halls in Europe.

Traditions play a big role in this Christmas village. In the rustic wooden huts, artists show their craftsmanship, think glassblowers and goldsmiths. Listen to the live music while snacking on Christmas goodies and marvel at the architecture that surrounds you.

Information: Emperor’s Courtyard at the Residence. 18 November to 21 December 2024, Monday to Sunday 11am to 9pm. 22 December 2024, 11am to 8pm. Closed 24 November 2024. Tickets: Free.

A large hall decorated with golden ornaments.

People walk on a square between illuminated wooden stalls decorated with Christmas ornaments in front of a large period-style property illuminated in green.

Schwabinger Christmas Market Muenchner Freiheit 2024

At no other Christmas market in the city is drinking mulled wine as big as on this one, you can go so far as to say that visitors go here primarily for the drinking and the fun and festive atmosphere. You can also see and buy art by Munich painters, sculptors and designers.

Information: Schwabinger Christmas Market, Münchner Freiheit. 29 November 2024 to 24 December 20243. Hours: Saturday and Sunday 11am to 8.30pm. Monday to Friday 12pm to 8.30pm. 24 December 2024: 11am to 2pm. Tickets: Free.

A male seller dressed in a white jacket and red apron stands in a romantically illuminated wooden stall decorated with fir branches offering Mulled Wine and Tarte Flambee, the words Glühwein and Flammbrot in red letters on its front.

A large-sized glass ornament modeled on a snowflake in front of a romantically illuminated wooden stall.

How to get to Munich?

Take the train, buy tickets here.

Fly into town; visit the website of the airport (there is a Christmas Market too). Say no to domestic flights. Do not fly within Germany but use the train.