2024 Guide to the Christmas Markets in Munich: Food, What to Wear, and More!
Looking for information about the Christmas markets in Munich, including what to wear so you stay comfortable and stylish? You’ve found it!
Nothing is more magical than exploring a brightly lit European Christmas market with a mug of mulled wine and snow softly falling! Munich is a great spot to kick off a festive tour through Europe (and as a bonus, it’s a direct flight from many airports in the US). After all, Germany is where the wonderful Christmas market tradition began hundreds of years ago!
For info on some other charming European Christmas markets and traveling to Europe in the winter time, check out the following posts. Otherwise, on to Munich!
Ranking the Best Christmas Markets in Vienna
Three Days in Beautiful Budapest
Munich Markets
If you are heading to Europe during US Thanksgiving break, be sure to check the Christmas market opening dates! That goes for any markets you are visiting but double for Germany – they open later than most of the rest of Europe. In the same vein, they also primarily closed for the season on Christmas Eve – don’t head to Europe for the markets during the last half of US Christmas break, you will be disappointed! Also note that most, if not all, markets are closed on the last Sunday in November for a holiday called Remembrance Sunday.
You can’t match the German markets for old world charm. We will go through all the markets around the city center. You should have no problem visiting all in one day if you choose!
Münchner Christkindlmarkt (Marienplatz Christmas Market)
Be sure to check the website for the most up to date information on opening dates and times. This year, it’s open from November 25 – December 24, 2024. This is the OG Munich Christmas market, and you cannot miss it if you are in Munich!
Location/Ambiance
This market shines when it comes to location. Marienplatz is the central square of Munich’s Old Town. You can go during the day for the shopping while crowds are smaller, but don’t miss it at night for the gorgeous lights, grand Christmas tree, and views of the iconic Marienplatz. There are some offshoot markets as well, spilling into the surrounding streets, Viktualienmarkt (Munich’s large outdoor market) and Rindermarkt square.
*TIP*: Make the trek to the top of St. Peter across from the New Town Hall (Neue Rathaus, the most recognizable building in Munich) for a birds eye view!
Food/Drink
One of my favorite market treats was flammlach, an amazing salmon sandwich in the Rindermarkt section. The salmon is roasted over open flames and is absolutely delicious! The Rindermarkt area is a good place to grab some food away from the busy main market.
Christkindlmarkt is also known for sweets such as stollen (bread with fruit and nuts) and lebkuchen (spiced decorated cookies). I found the lebkuchen better to admire than eat – they make for cute decorations! Some of the more standard market fare is there as well – a spiral kartoffeln (spiral cut potato on a stick) is always a hit!
There are many gluhwein stands as well (traditional warm mulled wine). Many offer an extra shot of brandy or other alcohol to enhance your wine. The mugs are one of my favorite parts of going to Christmas markets – in 2023, this market had 2 options, an adorable boot and a traditional mug. You may notice you pay a few euros extra when you order a drink- that is the “pfand” and it is basically a deposit for the mug. You have the choice of returning the mug and collecting your pfand, or keeping the mug as the cutest souvenir!
*TIP*: when it’s busy, don’t stand in line to return your mug and collect the pfand, many stands have a door or window around the side where they can take care of the pfand reimbursement away from the crowds.
Goods For Purchase/Other Activities
This is a huge Christmas market that takes up the entire square, and there are over 130 stalls of goods to purchase from. It’s like a Christmas wonderland, with plenty of handmade toys and ornaments. There is advent singing from the balcony of New Town Hall starting at 5:30pm from Thursday through Sunday each week the market is open.
Christmas Village at the Residenz
One of the best things about visiting Christmas markets in a new city is that they are typically nearby attractions you would be visiting anyway! The Christmas Village at the Residenz is no exception – do your tour of the Residenz (the regal home of Bavarian monarchs for over 400 years) and then head over to visit this charming market! This year, the market opens November 18 (fairly early!) and closes on December 22, 2024. Check the website for daily hours!
Location/Ambiance
This is a mid-sized market – plenty of options, but still calm and manageable. It’s located in a courtyard of the Residenz, so it feels a bit set apart from the city. The walls keep the cold air out as well – a huge plus in Germany in the winter!
Food/Drink
Our favorite snacks at this market were the currywurst (sausage with ketchup and powdered curry) and eierpunsch (like a warm eggnog). Of course, they have gluhwein, kartofellpuffers (potato pancakes) and the other usual suspects at the Christmas market food stands. This is a good day market, and the food lines won’t be long!
Goods for Purchase/Other Activities
There aren’t a ton of repetitive stands, just 1-2 booths with the same types of wares. Among other things, you will find scarves/hats, paper stars (my favorites), and ornaments. There are glassed in windows with some (maybe slightly creepy) entertainment in the form of animatronic animals and children (Hansel and Gretel) singing Christmas carols. Kids love it (I did too)! You can also find a photo op with Santa’s sleigh.
Mittelaltermarkt – The Medieval Market
Just a short walk from the Christmas Village at the Residenz, you will find Munich’s Medieval Market, located at Wittelsbacherplatz. The market opens this year November 25-December 23 from 11am-9pm daily.
Location/Ambiance
This market is full of historical references – they take their medieval theme very seriously. Check out their website before you go and see how many you can spot!
Food/Drink
You will find some unique food at this market. The gluhwein is made even more special by drinking it out of the huge clay mugs – they definitely feel medieval! This is a good spot to try fuerzangenbowle (mulled wine with a rum soaked sugar cube set on fire and placed on top to melt into the drink). Much of the food is cooked over an open fire – including sausages of all kinds and flammkuchen (flatbread roasted over open coals with toppings – we tried ham and cheese)
Goods for Purchase/Other Activities
The Medieval Market is the spot to grab your loved one goods from a blacksmith or authentic medieval clothing. The nature of the available wares means that this market is a bit pricier than others, but you are getting special, handmade items in many cases.
Tollwood Winter Festival
This festival, held on the Oktoberfest grounds, is open from November 26 through December 23rd. If you don’t like crowds, check it out during the week! You can find the daily hours here.
Location/Ambiance
The festival grounds at Theresenweisse (home of Oktoberfest several months before) are a metro ride away from Old Town (where most of your activities will be centered). This one definitely has more of a party atmosphere than a traditional style Christmas market. Theresenwiesse is a large open space with more than enough room for many booths, an international bazaar, and food/drink stands.
Food/Drink
The first think you see when you walk in is a giant, packed fuerzangenbowle stand. That’s a good place to start! The mugs aren’t of the cute kitschy Christmas variety, so you’ll want to return them – head to the door around the side for that part to avoid the crowds! Every other kind of food you could want is there – plenty of international fare, red and white gluhwein, and market favorites like kasespatzle (cheesy dumplings with french fried onions on top).
Goods for Purchase/Other Activities
This is a great spot to do some serious shopping. There is an enclosed area with many markets from all over Europe. That makes this one a good market for rain or snow (it was a snowy day when we went!). There is a theater tent with various performers – music, dance, and circus. The schedule of events will be published mid-October here! They even have the occasional “big name” star, like Sting or Bob Dylan.
Sendlinger Tor Market
An easy walk from the Marienplatz/Rindermarkt area, this small market has a long history at one of the remaining old city gates from the Middle Ages. The market runs from November 25 through December 22 from 10:30am to 9pm – check the website for more information!
Location/Ambiance
The gate is aglow during the Christmas season, making for an atmospheric market. Because it is in a neighorhood a little outside of the busiest parts of Old Town, there are a lot of good options to step inside to a bar or restaurant and take a breather.
Food/Drink
You will mainly find the standard fare at the Sendlinger Tor Christmas market, although the bratwursts are extra good!
Goods for Purchase/Other Activities
In years past, there has been a Christmas Tram that ran from Sendlinger Tor to the other markets in Munich’s Old Town – that was cancelled during the Covid pandemic, but many hope it will be reinstated this year! The stalls include items from artisans around the world – it’s a little more elevated than the standard arts and crafts!
Pink Christmas
Munich’s first LGBTQ+ market, Pink Christmas is not your standard Christmas fare. It is a good one to pair with Sendlinger Tor – you can’t miss the pink lights! Located at Stephensplatz, Pink Christmas is open from November 25 through December 23. You can check out out the schedule of events here.
Location/Ambiance
You go to Pink Christmas for the effervescent vibe and fun music! Stephensplatz is a relatively small square, so it tends to get a little crowded. It’s perfect for meeting up with friends, rather than doing any serious shopping.
Food/Drink
Besides gluhwein, Pink Christmas is home to a Prosecco bar. There are also plenty of snacks to be found!
Goods For Purchase/Other Activities
Every evening, the DJ spins tunes and keeps the spirit festive. There is also a drag performance every Sunday. The shops are sparse, but they have some adorable merman ornaments if you’re interested!
Other Munich Markets
It seems like every year, additional markets pop up! This is not meant to be an exhaustive list, but just a place to get started celebrating the advent season in Munich.
We didn’t make it out to Olympiapark for Marchenbazaar (Fairytale Bazaar) because it’s on the outskirts of the city. If you have the time, this is a unique market to visit! You can get more information on their website here.
Another one to check out has a cool setting at the Chinese Tower in the English Garden (one of the largest city parks in the world). Opening days and times are here!
What to Wear
I’m not going to get into the detail of a full packing list – my post What to Pack for the European Christmas Markets in 2024 provides tons of practical information! This is strictly the fun part, assembling a wardrobe that makes you excited to take pictures and preserve your memories. If you are planning on carry-on only (recommended, especially if you will be moving around a lot or have layovers), the following should work for a 7-10 day winter trip to visit the markets.
You will want to settle on a color palette. It’s easiest to stick with neutrals and one or two offsetting colors to spice things up. That way you can mix and match to extend your wardrobe! On my last Christmas market trip, I went with black, brown, red, rust, and olive green. I’m already planning on black, brown, camel, cream, and burgandy for my next trip. You get the idea!
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Packing List
- Coat(s): This is absolutely the most important item you are bringing. Not only is it a winter necessity to keep you warm, it will be featured in 90% of your photos. Honestly, I would prioritize a 2nd coat over additional pants/shirts – I loved having a festive red coat last year to wear to the markets! Compression packing cubes are your friend. 🙂 For a basic black coat that is ultralight and packable, Land’s End has this sleek, longer length puffer.
- Thermal Underwear: Layers are a given if you plan to spend any significant amount of time outside in Europe in the wintertime. I suggest 2 sets total. Take one extra thermal layer (like this one) for really cold days, and one to provide just a little extra protection from the cold, like this bamboo set. You can barely tell it is on under your clothes, and it makes for great pajamas as well. Merino wool is also a great choice, since it can be reused several times without washing.
- Jeans/Pants: I take 1 pair of jeans (that work well with boots), 1 pair of other casual pants (like ponte pants (a dressier option than yoga pants), warm leggings (your thermal layer can double for this, or other fleece lined options), or corduroy), and a pair of dressier pants, like this faux leather version! If you are a skirt or dress girl, you could skip the dress up pants!
- Tops: Focus on options good for layering – 2-3 base layers and 2-3 outer layers, like cardigans (I’m loving this one and have multiple colors), button ups (I love how lightweight this one is), warm vests, etc.
- Lighter weight fleece coat – this can be used as a layer OR as a stand alone jacket on a day that’s a bit warmer. It gives a lot of flexibility! Most of us probably already have at least one in our closet, but if you are looking to add to your collection, the Amazon Basics version is a great budget pick.
- Warm hats – bring several, to change up your look! These are a cute slouchy version and I love a beanie with a pom pom like these!
- Scarves – these are another great way to change things up – bring several! I like a mix of plaids, other patterns, and solids.
- Gloves – they should be warm, and bonus points if they allow you to text while wearing them, like these! I typically go with one pair that goes with everything, like black, gray, camel, or ivory.
- Shoes/boots – this one is so difficult for me! I aim for 2 pairs but usually end up with 3 – black boots, brown boots, and a dressier option for dinner. The ones I linked to are the actual boots I have and use – for the day boots, I look for waterproof, durable, non slip, and comfortable. My #1 packing goal for my next trip is wear one, pack one! I just find it so helpful to be able to switch out my shoes when I’m walking a lot.
- Jewelry – I love this flat travel case for transporting my jewelry and keeping necklaces untangled.
- merino wool socks – I take some thicker socks, as well as thinner wool socks – they still keep you warm, but I find them more comfortable.
- bras and underwear – I usually go with 2 bras and underwear for each day plus one. If you will be gone for more than a week, just bring enough for that and wash as needed – it’s super easy! These laundry sheets take up no space, and you can really reduce the load you are carrying.
Conclusion
Munich is well worth a stop on your European Christmas market itinerary! The city boasts a variety of uniquely themed markets and has plenty of Bavarian charm. If your interest is piqued, don’t forget to bookmark this blog and start planning a very merry trip!
