As the days grow shorter, Munich begins to glow — not just with Christmas lights, but with the gentle shimmer of thousands of children’s lanterns. Every November, the city celebrates St. Martin’s Day, a cherished tradition that combines light, community and generosity.
Across the Bavarian capital, parishes, schools, and kindergartens host lantern parades (Laternenumzüge) where children walk through the streets carrying homemade lights, singing songs about St. Martin, the Roman soldier who famously shared his cloak with a beggar.
According to Pastor Christine Drini of the Himmelfahrtskirche parish, the tradition continues to unite people from all backgrounds:
“Sharing is deeply human — it makes society more compassionate and connected.”
Western Munich: Pasing, Aubing and beyond
In the city’s west, the celebrations begin early. The Himmelfahrtskirche in Pasing will hold a service on Wednesday, November 12, at 4:00 p.m., followed by a lantern walk and festive gathering in the parish garden — complete with traditional sweet bread geese.
Nearby, the Blutenburg Music Forum in Obermenzing hosts the Martinimarkt on November 8–9, featuring local crafts, food stalls, and a lantern parade with a horse each evening at 5:00 p.m.
Other parishes — including St. Hildegard, Maria Schutz, St. Quirin, and St. Michael — will hold services and processions between November 11–13, each ending with punch, Glühwein, and bonfires.
In Freiham and Neuaubing, families can join an open-air St. Martin gathering at Freiham Folly on Friday, November 14, at 5:00 p.m., followed by a parade and fire show.
Eastern Munich: Haidhausen, Giesing and Riem
In the east, the Parish of St. Franziskus invites children to a St. Martin experience trail on Sunday, November 9, from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m., followed by a lantern walk.
Throughout November 9–11, the Haidhausen parish network will celebrate in St. Wolfgang and St. Johann Baptist, each day starting at 5:30 p.m., with snacks and drinks for families.
Tollwood-style creativity meets tradition at Heilig Blut in Giesing, where participants can even craft their own lanterns before the evening procession.
The Pfarrverband Obergiesing offers twin parades on November 11, both at 5:00 p.m., starting from Heilig Kreuz and St. Helena.
Further east, St. Florian in Riem will hold an ecumenical celebration and parade at Platz der Menschenrechte on November 11, while Gustav-Adolf Church in Ramersdorf welcomes visitors to its Martinimarkt on November 15–16, featuring a Martin play, charity stalls, and lantern walk.
Central Munich: Altstadt, Neuhausen and Maxvorstadt
In the heart of the city, the Munich Cathedral (Frauenkirche) will stage a St. Martin play on November 11, starting at 4:30 p.m. on Frauenplatz, with children’s choirs and brass musicians. The parade will then move toward St. Michael’s Church on Neuhauser Straße for songs and prayer.
The St. Anna Parish in Lehel will also hold its traditional walk at 5:00 p.m., beginning inside the church.
In Neuhausen, the “Himmel über Neuhausen” parish network will celebrate St. Martin across four churches, starting November 9–11, each featuring children’s services, music, and lanterns.
Meanwhile, in Maxvorstadt, St. Joseph Parish hosts a family lantern walk on November 12, beginning at 5:00 p.m..
Northern Munich: Moosach, Feldmoching and Milbertshofen
The Parish of St. Martin in Moosach will, of course, hold one of the city’s most symbolic celebrations — on Sunday, November 9, at 5:00 p.m. with music, procession, and bonfire.
The same evening, St. Peter and Paul in Feldmoching and St. Georg in Milbertshofen will host their own lantern parades, followed by warm punch and treats.
Southern Munich: Hadern, Forstenried and Sendling
In the south, Hadern begins its festivities with a St. Martin service on November 9, at 4:30 p.m. in St. Canisius, followed by a procession with lanterns and hot drinks.
The Forstenried parish celebrates the same evening at Holy Cross, with a Martin play and walk to the local nursing home, ending with gingerbread and punch.
Sendling-Westpark hosts one of the city’s most atmospheric processions: on November 11, starting at 5:00 p.m. in St. Heinrich Church, followed by a horse-led lantern parade through the park.
Similar celebrations take place in St. Achaz, Obersendling, and Isarvorstadt, where the festivities will culminate on November 16 with a family service and parade in St. Antonius Church.
A tradition that lights up the city
Every November, Munich’s neighborhoods come together to celebrate St. Martin’s message of sharing and compassion. The lantern parades — glowing through streets, courtyards, and parks — unite children and adults, Christians and non-Christians alike.
In Pastor Drini’s words: “This story belongs to everyone. It’s about light in the darkness — something we all need.”
