Five Munich Christmas markets 2026: dates, opening hours and how to choose a venue

Munich's Christmas markets open in mid-November 2026. The main one, Münchner Christkindlmarkt on Marienplatz, runs from November 20 through December 24 (as of 09/2026, official market website).

The city hosts five large markets at the same time, and admission to the city-run venues is free. Some open on November 18, others stay open almost until Christmas Eve. Over one weekend you can cover two or three markets rather than all five at once.

Below we've compiled the dates, opening hours and locations of all five markets, plus practical details: where it's warmer, what to try and how to get there without a car.

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When Munich's Christmas markets are open

💡 In short:

• The markets are open from mid-November through December 24, admission to the city-run venues is free.
• There is one day when everything is closed: Totensonntag, November 22, 2026.
• Dates and opening hours: as of 09/2026, verified on the Münchner Christkindlmarkt website.

The season in Munich is short and very packed: the first stalls go up on November 18, the last ones close on December 24. On December 24, only Marienplatz and Schwabing stay open until 2:00 PM. The other three venues close on December 23, so buy gifts and souvenirs ahead of time.

The most important rule of the season is tied to the calendar: on Totensonntag, the Sunday of remembrance, the markets are closed. In 2026 that falls on November 22, just the third day after Marienplatz opens (as of 09/2026, Munich city events calendar). Plan your trip so this day doesn't land in the middle of your main plans.

Munich's five main markets: dates and hours

The table compares all five venues by dates and opening hours. Check the hours the day before your visit, because the schedule sometimes changes.

Four venues are within walking distance of the subway, while the fifth requires a short ride, so below we go through each one in order with addresses and hours.

1. Münchner Christkindlmarkt on Marienplatz

This is Munich's oldest Christmas market: its origins go back to the 14th-century Nikolausmarkt, which is why it's the first one shown to visitors (as of 09/2026, official market website).

© Burkhard Mücke · CC BY-SAPhoto: Burkhard Mücke, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

In 2026 the market runs from November 20 through December 24, and admission is free. On Christmas Eve the stalls close early, at 2:00 PM. Twice during the season, on November 28 and December 13, some stalls stay open until 10:00 PM for evening sales (as of 09/2026, alle-weihnachtsmaerkte.de catalog).

The market occupies Marienplatz itself, so you step out of the U-Bahn and straight into the crowd. During the day it's easier to browse the goods, and in the evening the lighting on the facades around the square is more visible.

• Location: Marienplatz, right at the exit from the Marienplatz U-Bahn station.
• Dates: November 20-December 24, 2026.
• Closed: November 22, on Totensonntag (Remembrance Sunday), the market is closed.
• Who it's for: you're in Munich for the first time and want to see the city's main market.
• The catch: on Christmas Eve the market closes at 2:00 PM, so the square is empty in the evening.

2. Mittelaltermarkt am Wittelsbacherplatz

The market on Wittelsbacherplatz has a medieval theme. Vendors sell handcrafted goods, and the stage features jugglers, musicians, and fire performers (as of 09/2026, Wittelsbacherplatz market website).

© Rufus46 · CC BY-SAPhoto: Rufus46, CC BY-SA (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/), Wikimedia Commons

In 2026 the market is open from November 20 through December 23, daily from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM. The cultural program runs on Advent weekends (as of 09/2026, Festivals in Deutschland catalog). On Remembrance Sunday, November 22, the market is also closed.

The food here differs from the classic fare: instead of the usual sausages, you'll find dishes based on historical recipes, served with honey and Feuerzangenbowle (as of 09/2026, alle-weihnachtsmaerkte.de catalog).

• Location: Wittelsbacherplatz, near the Odeonsplatz U-Bahn station in the city center.
• Dates: November 20-December 23, 2026.
• Hours: daily from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM, except the closed day on Totensonntag.
• Who it's for: you're interested in the historical atmosphere, not just Christmas ornaments.
• The catch: the cultural program runs only on Advent weekends; on weekdays the stage is empty.

3. Weihnachtsmarkt am Chinesischen Turm

The market at the Chinese Tower is considered one of the first in Munich (as of 09/2026, tower market website). It's located in the English Garden, away from car traffic, and that changes the feel of the stroll.

© Fred Romero from Paris, France · CC BYPhoto: Fred Romero from Paris, France, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

In 2026 the market runs from November 18 through December 23. The program includes a brass band at the tower, ice stock curling, and a visit from Nikolaus (as of 09/2026, tower market website). It's easier here with kids than in the city center, because there's room to walk around and things to do between the stalls.

• Location: English Garden, the area by the Chinese Tower; park entry is free.
• Dates: November 18-December 23, 2026.
• Who it's for: you're out with kids or want a market without the city noise.
• The catch: the market closes on December 23, so it's already gone by Christmas Eve.

4. Schwabinger Weihnachtsmarkt

The Schwabing market takes place right on Münchner Freiheit, at the end of Leopoldstraße (as of 09/2026, Schwabing market website). This is a neighborhood spot with fewer tourists than Marienplatz.

© Bbb · CC BY-SAPhoto: Bbb, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

In 2026, the market is open from November 25 through December 24. Monday through Friday it runs from 12:00 to 20:30, Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 to 20:30. Food stalls stay open until 21:00 (as of 09/2026, market hours).

• Location: Münchner Freiheit, next to the U-Bahn station of the same name in Schwabing.
• Dates: November 25 through December 24, 2026.
• Hours: Mon-Fri 12:00-20:30, Sat-Sun 11:00-20:30, food until 21:00.
• Who it's for: you want a relaxed evening without the crowds in the very center of the city.
• The catch: on December 24 the market closes at 14:00, and everything shuts down after that.

5. Tollwood Winterfestival at Theresienwiese

Tollwood is known as Munich's alternative market. At Theresienwiese, alongside the market of ideas, there are concerts, street theater, and circus performances, and the food is made from organic ingredients (as of 09/2026, official website).

In 2026, the festival runs from November 24 through December 23 (as of 09/2026, city events listing for Tollwood). A separate New Year's Eve party takes place on December 31, starting at 19:00.

This is the largest of the five options and the farthest from the Old Town. If you want handmade crafts and a big stage, set aside an evening for Tollwood and don't try to combine it with Marienplatz on the same day.

• Location: Theresienwiese, with exits from the Theresienwiese U-Bahn station leading to the grounds.
• Dates: November 24 through December 23, 2026, with a separate party on December 31.
• Who it's for: you're interested in music, street theater, and unusual food.
• The catch: the festival ends on December 23, so it's already closed by Christmas Eve.

Where to stay in Munich in winter

All five locations are connected by the metro, so a hotel in the center saves you time. The area around Marienplatz and Hauptbahnhof is convenient for the markets at Wittelsbacherplatz and Marienplatz, while Schwabing is closer to Münchner Freiheit.

If you're going for several days, look for accommodation within walking distance of a metro line, not just a specific square. Prices rise sharply during Advent, so book two to three months ahead: see hotels in central Munich on Trip.com.

Check the weather before you go: in December, Munich is usually around freezing and snowy. Warm shoes matter more than an umbrella, because at the stalls you stand still longer than you walk.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

When do Munich Christmas markets open in 2026?

The market at the Chinese Tower opens first, on November 18. The main market at Marienplatz starts on November 20 and runs until December 24 (as of 09/2026, official Marienplatz market website). The other locations open between November 20 and 25, so you won't catch all of them on the first weekend.

How much does it cost to enter Munich's markets?

Entry to the city locations is free; you only pay for food, drinks, and souvenirs. According to official websites, Marienplatz, Wittelsbacherplatz, the English Garden, and Schwabing do not charge admission (as of 09/2026, Schwabing market website). Separate tickets are only needed for Tollwood concerts.

Which Munich market is the oldest?

The Münchner Christkindlmarkt at Marienplatz is considered the oldest. The official website traces its origins to the 14th-century Nikolausmarkt (as of 09/2026, market website). The market at the Chinese Tower is called one of the first in the city, but historical priority remains with the location in central Munich.

What's open in Munich on December 24?

Marienplatz welcomes visitors until 2:00 PM, and Schwabinger Weihnachtsmarkt also runs until 2:00 PM (as of 09/2026, hours on the Schwabing market website). The markets at the Chinese Tower and Theresienwiese close on December 23, so they're already gone on Christmas Eve. Wittelsbacherplatz runs until December 23.

Which market should I go to with kids?

The market at the Chinese Tower in the English Garden is the most convenient. It has ice stock curling, a visit from Nikolaus, and a brass band (as of 09/2026, Chinese Tower market website). In the center, a stroller is harder to manage because of the dense crowds at Marienplatz.

In short: what's worth booking

The choice depends on your pace. If you have two days: spend the morning of the first day at Marienplatz, and in the evening head to Wittelsbacherplatz for the fire and historic food. If you're with kids: choose the market at the Chinese Tower and don't combine it with Tollwood. If you love music: set aside a separate evening for Theresienwiese.

One weekend trip covers two or three locations without rushing or crowds. Accommodation near a metro line will save you time during Advent, and city tour tickets are worth looking at in advance: find Munich tours on GetYourGuide.