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,
ginger bread, cheese fondue, felt shoes, wooden
pendants, wooden toys, bookends, ceramic cups, bowls, plates, cards, paper,
spices, tea. 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 forecast-ed for Munich. It is December, 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
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: 27th November to 24th
December 2018, Hours: Monday to Saturday 10am to 9pm. Sunday 10am to 8pm. 24th
December 2018: 10am to 2pm. Tickets: Free.
Christmas Market Chinese Tower in the English Garden
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. Info: 29th
November to 23rd December 2018, Monday to Thursday 12pm to 8.30pm. Saturday and Sunday 11am to 8.30pm. Tickets:
Free.
Haidhauser Christmas Market on Weissenburger Square
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: till 24th
December 2018, Sunday to Wednesday 11am to 8.30pm. Thursday, Friday, Saturday
11am to 9pm. 24th December 2018: 11am to 2pm. Tickets: Free.
Christmas Village Emperor’s Courtyard at the Residence
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 glass blowers 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. Open till 23rd December 2018,
Monday to Sunday 11am to 9pm. Tickets:
Free.
Schwabinger Christmas Market Muenchner Freiheit
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. 30th
November to 24th December 2018. Hours: 30th November 2018: 6pm to 8.30pm.
Saturday and Sunday 11am to 8.30pm. Monday to Friday 12pm to 8.30pm. Tickets:
Free.
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).
More Munich? Read
More Christmas Markets? Read
From
Berlin with love
Updated
for accuracy in November 2018.
