Visiting the Munich Christmas markets has been on my bucket list for years. Admittedly, Munich is probably my favorite city in Germany, but I’ve never visited during the holidays. Fortunately, that changed in 2023.
For more on Munich, please check out my previous post on the city here .
When: The Munich’s 2023 Christmas markets vary a bit by location but in general run from November 27th through January 7, 2024
Quick History
The German Christmas markets are a historic part of the German culture. Dating back to the Middle Ages, Christmas markets have provided access to everything the family would need for the Christmas celebration, whether that be gifts, decorations, or sweets and treats. Munich’s Advent markets date back to the 14th Century. I’ve looked up a few sources and there are conflicts as to when the first occurred. One listed the Nikolaimarkt in 1310, and another cited city council notes from 1320. Either way, it appears to be safe to say that Munich has hosted the Christmas Markets for over 700 years.
I caught a Deutsche Welle program that said there are over 3000 markets across Germany. Munich hosts about a dozen of various sizes across the city. While some are very historic, newer markets have popped up in recent years.
There are more detailed blogs on the Munich markets, but this take is from the perspective of a quick trip traveler, and I hope that it helps those on similar journeys.
As I want to get the most of a couple of days in the city, I focused on the center of Munich on this trip to make the most of my time and not make it a dash between markets. There are several within a very easy walk of each other or by public transportation.
Munich Christmas markets in the city center
Christkindlmarkt
Located in the heart of the Altstadt, this sprawling market is obviously the most visited, and crowded. While the main stretch of the market is along Kaufingerstrasse, there are several off-shoots on the side streets, including at the Viktualien Markt and the Markt am St. Peters. Some may list these as separate markets, but there really isn’t much separation.
Karlstor
The Karlstor (Stachus) has a fun two-level stand that sells food, glühwein and other goodies. The upstairs serves as a seating area that looks out over a good-sized ice-skating rink in the square.
Isartor
Built in 1337, and renovated in the 1970’s, the Isartor is the well-maintained city gate on the east of the Altstadt located near the Isar river. Nestled in the center of the gate structure is a large bar/stand that offers the holiday drink fuerzangenbowle, as well as a few food stands. The center of the bar is a large copper vat, with a ring of fire around the top. The location has a great vibe and attracts a crowd!
Sendlinger Tor
The Sendlinger Tor is the southern gate to the Altstadt. The market is small but has a long history, having been held on this site since the 1880’s.
If you do visit this market, don’t forget to visit the remarkably ornate Asamkirche, located a couple hundred meters from the gate.
Pink Christmas
Held on Stephans Platz, a short walk of a couple blocks from the Sendlinger Tor, The Pink Christmas is the market of Munich’s LGBTQ+ community. First held in 2005, this market offers a different and seriously dynamic take on the holiday. Stalls offering kitschy, and fun ornaments, tasty treats, and a prosecco bar. Truly a different experience from the traditional markets and opens later in the day.
Christmas village in the Kaiserhof of the Residenz
This quaint Christmas village is a nice market for families with small children. The enchanted forest entertains children with its animatronic displays playing music or telling holiday stories, mesmerizing children.
If you do visit this market, and want to take a break from the weather, a tour of the Residenz is well worth it.
Wittelsbacher Platz
The market on Wittelsbacher Platz is a portal to medieval times with vendors and performers dressed in period garb. It’s a great place to pick up traditional ornaments, wood carvings, as well as your Christmas broadsword.
For a cool presentation of the Feuerzangenbowle, one of the stands presents a goblet of Glühwein with a sugar cube on a ledge of the cup and pours the rum over the sugar cube and wine. The sugar cube bubbles as it melts into the wine. Warning, let the fire go out before drinking…not a friend to those of us with beards and moustaches.
Munich Christmas markets in AU- Heidhausen
Werksviertel München
This newer market is in the revitalized industrial area just beyond the München-Ost Train station. The renaissance of the Werksviertel kicked off in 1999 but has accelerated since 2017 when the resolution for the development plan was fully approved.
The center is quirky, with several shipping containers repurposed into bars. There is a stage set up for musical entertainment, plenty of food options between the clubs and restaurants in the area and some food trucks. A skating rink is set up and there is a giant Ferris-wheel.
Note: I didn’t take any pictures as there is a sign on the premises prohibiting video, photographs, or drone usage over the Viertel…I want to share the experience but don’t want to be the old man in litigation. 😊
Weissenberger Platz
This is a smaller market set up around a fountain in the center of the square. It is a nice smaller market in a quiet suburb near the München-Ost Train station. It can get very crowded in the evening!
Munich Christmas Markets in Schwabing
Münchner Freiheit
Located in a little park across from the Münchner Freiheit station, the Schwabing Christmas market features stands that reflect the artistic nature of this section of Munich. The market features hand-crafted ornaments and gifts, as well as an art exhibition where more valuable art pieces can be purchased.
Englischer Garten
The Market in the Englischer Garten is in the southern part of the park, surrounding the Chinese Tower. This is a nice family market with some quaint stands. There is also an ice lane for curling.
I’ve always enjoyed the beer garden at the Chinese tower. The park’s setting is lovely and just makes a relaxing venue.
Munich Christmas markets in Ludwig-Vorstadt
Tollwood
If your desire is to have a more modern experience, Tollwood is the place for you. The Tollwood festival is held on the Theresienweise, which is famous for being the home of the Oktoberfest. This festival features modern lights, shows and an internationally diverse culinary experience. In addition to a wide variety of stands selling food, drink, and gifts, there are several tents that provide venues for an international food court, a bazar tent housing rows of vendor stalls, a tent for a burlesque like dinner show, a bar tent with live music.
The Tollwood festival is impressive. The diversity of the stands, entertainment and food options is excellent. If you go, bring your holiday spirit and your patience. The festival is very crowded at peak times.
Munich Christmas Market at the Munich International Airport
Now it’s usual to see holiday decorations in the airport at this time of year. But Munich International appears to go all in. MUC gets into the holiday season with its own Weihnachtsmarkt in the open area between Terminals one and two.
My flights didn’t coincide with visiting while it was open, but you can see the scale of the market from the pictures below, to include an ice-skating rink and curling lanes. The market is held in protected courtyard with overhead cover, protecting the festivities from inclement weather.
What to eat and drink at the Munich Christmas Market
There’s plenty of food stands throughout the markets, as well as Munich’s variety of restaurants. Here a few specialites to look out for.
Glühwein (warm mulled wine)
Glühwein can be red, or white, wine based. This warm spiced wine drink is a great way to warm up while you are meandering the market stalls. While, a great warming concoction, the Old Man is not a big fan. As I can’t personally recommend it on my preference, I can recommend you try it, you may like it.
Feuerzangebowle (Translated, its “fire-tong punch”)
Also known as krambamboli, futures a wine base. Historically, a rum-soaked sugar block was held in heated fire tongs over the wine allowed to melt into it. Today, there are some modern vat solutions that dose the sugar and rum mxture. The sugar-rum caramelizes a bit as it melts, adding a sweeter complexity to the flavor. Ona personal basis, I kind of liked it.
Sausages
C’mon, this is Germany. There are plenty of wurst stands in the markets ranging from three Nüremburg bratwurst in Semmel to the meter long bratwurst,
Stollen
This holiday cake produced during Christmas/advent time in Germany. Admittedly, it’s not really for eating as you walk around, but there are stands where you can pick up a fresh one to eat in your hotel.
Candied nuts
Pick a nut and you can probably find one roasted and coated in cinnamon and sugar glazing at one of the many stands. I’m a sucker for candied cashews.
With 3000 markets across Germany, this is a small sample. That said, Munich is such a great city. Adding the festivities of the holiday season to the mix just makes it a more attractive destination.
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I hope this post helps in you planning if you are entertaining a Christmas market visit to Munich. Until next time!
Travel Well! Pursue Experiences.
O.M.I.A.H.