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.
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 2023
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: 27 November to 24
December 2023, Hours: Monday to Saturday 10am to 9pm. Sunday 10am to 8pm. 24
December 2022: 10am to 2pm. Tickets: Free.
Christmas Market Chinese Tower in the English Garden 2023
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. 24 November to 23 December 2023. Thursday to Sunday until 8.30pm. Tickets:
Free.
Haidhauser Christmas Market on Weissenburger Square 2023
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: 27
November to 23 December 2023, 11am to 9pm. Tickets: Free.
Christmas Village Emperor’s Courtyard at the Residence 2023
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. 23 November to 22 December 2023,
Monday to Sunday 11am to 9pm. Tickets:
Free.
Schwabinger Christmas Market Muenchner Freiheit 2023
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. 1
December to 24 December 2023. Hours: Saturday and Sunday 11am to 8.30pm. Monday to Friday 12pm to 8.30pm. 24 December 2023: 11am to 2pm. 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). Say no to domestic flights. Do not fly within Germany but use the train.
More Christmas Markets in
Europe 2023 - Read it here on The Touristin
Christmas Market Etiquette - How to Have a Merry Visit.
Travel Austria. 2023 Guideto Christmas Markets in Vienna.
2023 Guide to ChristmasMarkets in Hamburg plus one off-the-beaten-path.
Travel Germany - Wonderful Gut Basthorst Christmas Market.
2023 Guide to Christmas Markets in Dresden.
Canaletto Christmas Market 2023 in Saxony’s Pirna.
Travel Germany: 2023 guide to off-the-beaten-path Christmas markets in Berlin.
Travel Germany - 2023 Guide to Christmas Markets in Berlin.
From Berlin with love
The article has been updated in October 2023 for accuracy.