Munich’s festive season returns in 2025 with an impressive selection of Christmas markets that stretch from the historic heart of the city to its quiet neighbourhoods. Whether visitors seek traditional wooden stalls, medieval flair, family entertainment or cosy district celebrations, Munich offers one of the most diverse holiday programmes in Germany. The official city markets, neighbourhood initiatives and special cultural events create a winter landscape full of lights, crafts, food and seasonal traditions.
A record-setting start: Marienplatz and Munich Airport
The Christmas market at Munich Airport opens the season early, transforming the central plaza into a winter village complete with classic food stalls, a large ice rink – one of the biggest covered ice surfaces in Europe – and curling lanes. Activities include an ice disco every Wednesday evening, while the market remains open daily until 28 December.
In the heart of the city, the historic Christkindlmarkt at Marienplatz runs from 24 November to 24 December. Rooted in medieval tradition, this is Munich’s signature market, drawing huge crowds each year. Visitors can browse stands from morning until night, enjoy the evening lighting displays and take part in seasonal highlights such as the traditional Krampus run in mid-December.
Bavarian tradition under the chestnut trees: the Christmas Market at the Chinese Tower
The English Garden provides a romantic backdrop for one of Munich’s most atmospheric markets. The Christmas Market at the Chinese Tower blends Bavarian customs with a family-friendly setting featuring curling tracks, rides for children, carriage tours and live tower music. It opens from 20 November to 23 December, with extended weekend hours for families and groups.
Viktualienmarkt: Winter magic among Munich’s famous food stalls
At the Viktualienmarkt, regular market vendors add seasonal specialities to their usual selection. The “Winterzauber” begins on 21 November and includes a visit from St Nicholas on 5 December. The market retains its authentic Munich charm while offering a festive twist for the season.
Eastern Munich: festive highlights in Berg am Laim, the Werksviertel and local cultural centres
The “Weihnachtsmacherei” in Berg am Laim brings a colourful mix of live music, culinary delights, children’s activities, illuminated winter scenery and a visit from St Nicholas. Open from 27 November to 21 December, it is one of the area’s most vibrant community markets.
Nearby, the Werksviertel hosts the “WinterWunderWerk” on Knödelplatz, offering curling, ice skating and a wide range of seasonal dishes. The market opens daily until 21 December with extended weekend hours.
Trudering’s cultural centre transforms for the first Advent weekend into a large artisan market with around 70 stalls, followed by a family visit from St Nicholas on Sunday afternoon.
The Gustav-Adolf parish community in Ramersdorf organises a peaceful Advent market on 29 and 30 November, offering handmade items and traditional refreshments in a calm garden setting. Perlach hosts its own community market, organised by local scouts, with proceeds directed to charitable causes.
More Christmas magic in Haidhausen, Bogenhausen and Untergiesing
Haidhausen’s market on Weißenburger Platz opens on 25 November and continues until 23 December with full-day schedules and shorter hours on Christmas Eve.
In Bogenhausen, the “Weihnachtszauberwald” near the Cosimabad runs unusually long, extending into January 2026. The site is known for its large selection of mulled wine and picturesque woodland atmosphere.
Untergiesing’s cultural venue “Ganswoanders” stays open until 23 December and offers concerts, workshops, food stands and a daily evening market atmosphere. Visitors can also enjoy extended winter opening hours on holidays.
Medieval Christmas and iconic traditions in Munich’s city centre
The medieval market on Wittelsbacherplatz returns from 24 November to 23 December, with costumed performers, traditional handicrafts and daily stage entertainment. Its unique atmosphere makes it one of the city’s most distinctive festive attractions.
The Feuerzangenbowle – a Munich institution – is hosted this year in the Blumenstraße, providing improved visitor facilities including a heated indoor area. It remains open from late November until 6 January.
Meanwhile, the popular Christmas Village inside the Residenz operates until 22 December and introduces a new feature: free children’s face painting every Tuesday afternoon in the fairy-tale forest.
Markets and cultural programmes in Neuhausen and Laim
Neuhausen hosts two major events: the classic Christmas market on Rotkreuzplatz and a separate creative fair organised by the district’s cultural association. Both offer artisan stalls, food, workshops and a wide programme of music and performance for families.
In Laim, the international cultural centre “laim-up” opens multiple weekend bazaars featuring handicrafts from different communities. Local Advent concerts in early December add a musical touch to the neighbourhood’s festive calendar.
Märchenbazar and Olympic Park festivities
The “Märchenbazar” in the southern part of the Olympic Park is a long-running favourite thanks to its nostalgic fairground atmosphere, creative stalls and extensive programme for children. Open from 27 November to 28 December, it remains closed only on Christmas Eve.
Northern Munich: Freimann, Moosach, Feldmoching and more
Freimann’s “Winterworld” at the Motorworld site draws visitors with a winter village, ice rink, carousel, Christmas workshop and themed food stands. Open until 28 December, it offers extended hours on weekends and holidays.
The Schwabinger Christmas Market, starting on 28 November, combines art, crafts and live performances near Münchner Freiheit.
Moosach hosts two festive events: the Christkindlmarkt at Pelkovenschlössl on 6 and 7 December, and the romantic “Hüttenzauber” running until 22 December.
Feldmoching welcomes guests on 13 and 14 December for a community-run art and food market, while the Mehrgenerationenhaus in the Harthof neighbourhood organises its own Advent afternoon on 29 November. Freimann’s parish and local clubs host another large Christmas event at St-Nikolaus-Platz during the final November weekend.
Western Munich: Pasing, Aubing, Allach and Freiham
Pasing’s Christmas market in front of Maria Schutz Church opens every Advent weekend and includes storytelling sessions, children’s choirs and a historic carousel. The nearby Christmas village at the Pasing Arcaden offers daily entertainment, live music and festive activities for families.
In Aubing, the “Adventsglühen” at the Metzgerhof provides drinks, food and special appearances by St Nicholas and a Krampus group. Allach’s Oertelplatz hosts a multi-day Christmas event from 18 to 21 December with community food stalls and evening gatherings.
Freiham invites visitors to enjoy mulled wine and snacks in the courtyard of the local shopping centre from 29 November to 20 December.
Southern Munich: from Sendlinger Tor to the Isar valley
The traditional market at Sendlinger Tor operates from 24 November to 22 December, offering international handicrafts and seasonal cuisine.
Pink Christmas, Munich’s well-known queer Christmas market, returns to Stephansplatz and celebrates its 20th edition with performances, themed decorations and community events.
The Sendlinger Bergweihnacht opens at the Harras with Munich’s largest Advent wreath, while the Mondscheinexpress at Bahnwärter Thiel welcomes visitors with nightly entertainment.
The Alte Utting, anchored on its iconic railway bridge, turns into a winter fleet until 30 December with open-air stages and cosy heated areas.
On Luise-Kiesselbach-Platz, the “Christkindlmarkt unterm Maibaum” continues after Christmas as a “Winter Village” until 5 January. In Westpark, the lakeside venue “Gans am Wasser” transforms into a winter retreat with a full programme until New Year’s Day.
Hadern and Solln round off the southern district celebrations with their own community Christmas markets on the first weekend of December.
A festive season full of choice
With hundreds of stalls, multiple themed markets and a rich programme of cultural events, Munich’s 2025 Christmas season is shaping up to be one of the most extensive in recent years. Visitors can immerse themselves in everything from medieval performances to modern ice discos, from quiet parish gatherings to bustling city-centre celebrations. No matter the neighbourhood, the city offers a winter experience for every taste.
