Christmas in Munich 2023: A Bavarian Winter Wonderland -

The most wonderful time of the year is quite spectacular in the beautiful city of Munich. It transforms into a winter wonderland that is breathtaking to behold during the holiday season. Amid this festive charm, you’ll find lots of enchanting events to attend and exciting experiences that will make your Christmas in Munich truly memorable.

Whether your ideal yuletide celebration is walking around a market picking out gifts for your loved ones, letting loose at a concert, or getting merry in the famed Munich beer gardens, this Bavarian winter wonderland has something for everyone. In this article, we will explore some of the current and upcoming events and festivities in Munich during Christmas.

Munich Christmas Market at Marienplatz

A great way to get into the festive spirit is by taking a stroll through Munich’s world-renowned Christmas markets. The most famous and largest market is the Christkindlmarkt in Marienplatz (main image). The iconic town hall, Neues Rathaus, forms the gorgeous backdrop for the festivities with a huge, brightly-lit Christmas tree as the centrepiece. This year the market runs from November 27th to December 24th, giving you plenty of time to enjoy everything on offer. The market is an enticing hub of holiday cheer, with Christmas music playing in the background. Beautifully decorated stalls offer traditional crafts, mouthwatering treats, and mulled wine. And the best part of this is that admission to the Christmas market is free!

Night of the Proms

If your idea of a wonderful Christmas in Munich is a night filled with music and song, you’ll love the Night of the Proms. Running from December 15th to 17th 2023 at the Olympic Park, the iconic concert offers an unforgettable experience where Classic meets Pop, featuring big stars and their big hits. You can elevate your experience by upgrading to a VIP ticket that gives you access to the VIP area and an after-show party. Tickets are available for purchase from official partners listed on the website from €34.90 and VIP packages from €121.50.

Munich Symphony Orchestra Christmas Concerts

Immerse yourself in the enchanting sounds of the season through a Christmas concert by the Munich Symphony Orchestra. With their melodic performances and soul-stirring renditions of classical holiday music, these concerts are an absolute treat. Through this shared experience of sound and exploration of musical traditions, the performers and listeners form a connection that celebrates the love of music. The orchestra, made up of 60 players comprising 17 nationalities, performs at various stunning venues, such as the Philharmonie im Gasteig or the Prinzregententheater. Dates, times, and ticket prices for the Munich Symphony Orchestra Christmas season concerts can be found on their official website.

Tollwood Winter Festival

The Tollwood Winter Festival (pictured above) is another celebrated event that captures the essence of Christmas in Munich. This unique multicultural festival offers a diverse programme of live music performances, theatre, and art exhibitions. At this iconic festival, you can savour international cuisine at food stalls and find awesome gifts for your loved ones as you explore the vibrant winter market. The 2023 dates for the Tollwood Winter Festival are from November 23rd to December 31st. Admission prices vary based on the events and exhibitions, ranging from free entry to some ticketed performances.

Lumagica Munich

A fairytale experience awaits at Lumagica, a forest of lights located in Cavalluna Park. Tickets are available for select dates between October 26th 2023 and January 28th 2024, typically from 17:30 to 21:30. This world of lights is made up of hundreds of handmade luminous objects set along a circular path spanning 1.5km in length. Strolling along the path is sure to be a delight as you take in the breathtaking spectacle. A day ticket to the light park costs €8.

Pink Christmas

Pink Christmas in Munich is Christmas with a difference, giving you all of the joy of the festive season with a twist on the traditional. The ‘queer Christmas market’ embraces the spirit of the festive holiday with lots of gift ideas on offer. There’s also delectable food, tasty mulled wine, a prosecco bar and an amazing atmosphere to top it all off. This year there’ll be feel-good music played by DJ James Munich starting at 18:00 every day from November 27th to December 23rd. Other shows include famous drag star Gene Pascale’s Sunday performance, and a World Aids Day commemoration on December 1st.

Cavalluna WinterWünscheLand

The Cavalluna WinterWünscheLand, the winter show, is an enchanting production promising lots of fun for the whole family. Show dates are from December 26, 2023 to January 6, 2024 at the Showpalast, Munich. Both the young and the young at heart can marvel at the heartwarming story that’s the highlight of the show. The show revolves around the story of Robert, a young boy on a journey to win back his imagination. There are ponies and stunt riders galore! The location of the show, the beautiful Showpalast, adds an extra element of flair to the whole experience. With festive decorations, twinkling lights, and dramatic special effects, the show is a visual experience very much worth seeing. Show times are 12:00 and 16:30 daily, and tickets start from €29.90.

Christmas Caroling

What’s Christmas without some hearty Christmas carols? In Munich, you get the chance to sing your heart out along with some famous names including Hans Sigl, Claudia Koreck & Band, and Hannes Ringlstetter. The two-hour concert is set for December 22nd, 2023 at the Olympic Hall, with a wide selection of songs for the festive season in its lineup. This ‘We Sing the Most Beautiful Christmas Carols Together’ join-in show really gets you in the Christmas spirit through beautiful Bavarian, German, and international classics. Ticket prices vary by category, starting from €24.25.

Christmas Shows and Performances

Munich’s theatres and performance venues offer the perfect backdrop for exceptional Christmas shows and performances. Depending on the venue or theatre you go to, you’ll see a variety of performances, from captivating ballets like The Nutcracker to heartwarming Christmas plays. Some examples of places you can go for great Christmas showings are the National Theatre or the Prinzregententheater where ticket prices will vary according to the production and seats you choose.

Final Word

A visit to Munich during the festive season is a great time to experience the magic of Christmas. The combination of centuries-old traditions and modern festivities draws people in to enjoy the many memorable experiences on offer.

There’s pure joy in the simplicity of wandering through Christmas markets, enjoying captivating concerts and singing along to beloved carols, so whichever activity you choose, you’re sure to have a truly special Christmas in Munich!