2026 Munich Christmas Market Guide
The Munich Christmas Markets are some of the best German markets to visit for the 2026 Christmas season! Check out our guide and a few key reasons why everyone should visit Munich during Christmas time, experience the iconic German markets, and join in on the fun of Christmas goodness.
Sternenflotte Christmas Market at Alte Utting
When to Visit Munich Christmas Markets
The markets are typically open on Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 9 pm, and on Sunday from 10 am to 8 pm from around the end of November until Christmas Eve. The 2026 dates have not been announced yet, but in 2025, Munich's Christmas markets were open from November 24-December 24, 2025.
If you visiting on a weekday, you will see far fewer crowds than on the weekends, but as this is a very popular Christmas market destination, you will almost always find some level of crowds, particularly at Marienplatz Christkindlmarkt, Munich's main market.
Want to know which markets are the best in Europe? Read our favorite places and hot takes on which markets are most worth your time and money!
What We Loved Most About Munich at Christmas
The multiple markets each have a different feel. From sweeping cathedrals views to medieval markets to fair grounds of epic proportions, Munich Christmas Markets have something for everyone.
Munich is very accessible. It's an accessible city overall. Most of the Munich Christmas Markets are located in central Munich, and many are within walking distance from each other. For markets that are a a bit further of a walk, you can easily market hop by their relatively clean and straightforward metro system. Munich is also a major hub for different train lines, so moving from one city to the next is quick and easy.
If you can think it, you can find it. Munich really has it all when it comes to the offerings and comforts of a major city, as well as many varied markets, each with their own unique mugs, ornaments, and gifts.
Kait at Munich's Medieval Market holding feuerzangenbowle
Our Favorite Christmas Markets in Munich
While Munich technically has over a dozen Christmas markets, there's rarely enough time for the average traveler to visit them all! Because we love a good itinerary, we're only sharing the markets that can easily be visited within one day in and around the center of Munich. All of these markets can be done in one day in Munich. Instead of trying to formulate the perfect plan, steal our step-by-step route through Munich Christmas Markets:
Munich's Medieval Market
Start the day at Munich's Medieval Market can be found at Wittelsbacherplatz. It's just a short walk away from the Odeonsplatz subway station if you wish to take public transit to start off the day with ease. We found that if you go soon after 11am when the Munich Medieval Market opens, you'll have easy shopping, sipping, and snacking without the crowds.
This market is, as it's name suggests, medieval themed with food cooked with ancient methods, booths offering old-school weaponry, and even costumes for sale! We loved seeing staff members all dressed up in Medieval garb as we perused the market.
This market is the perfect time and place to try the amazing feuerzangenbowle (Fire Bowl Punch) in this market's very unique clay chalice. This massive mug would make for a great souvenir if you want to keep it after you finish your drink!
Residenz Christmas Village
Walk about three minutes down the road and you'll find that just around the corner from the Medieval market is the Residenz Christmas Village. This market can be found in the Munich Residenz courtyard. We loved the immersive, charming feel of this market. It felt like the most quaint and charming of all of the Munich Christmas Markets. The palace walls seem to envelope the chalets, making it feel like you found a cozy, christmasy courtyard full of the smells of roasting chestnuts and the tunes of Christmas carols.
There's a beautiful Weihnachtspyramide (Christmas pyramid) here as well as fun and interactive Christmas displays in the back corner. Grab a cup of glühwein and admire the quintessential charm of this German Christmas market before meandering to your next stop.
Munich Christkindlemarkt
Located at Marienplatz, the Munich Christkindlemarkt is a convenient 15 minute walk from the Residenz Christmas Village. This short walk is a great way to see a bit more of the city of Munich along the way! Because this is Munich's main market, prepare yourself for the crowds - this is the iconic one that everyone has come to see.
Here you can peruse the food booths with the epic backdrop of the New Town Hall. We found the shopping here to be a bit more mainstream and mass-produced. The food, on the other hand, did not disappoint!
You can find all of the German Christmas classics here. We love that you can often find carolers and other live entertainment periodically throughout the day at this market. It's what makes the crowds at this market worth it!
Tollwood Winter Festival
After a long yet magical day of Christmas market hopping, finish the day at the very different Tollwood Winter Festival. You can easily get here from the Munich Christkindlemarkt by taking the metro system from Marienplatz station to Goetheplatz station. This short ride will take about 6 minutes, and then the station is a short 6 minute walk from the fairgrounds.
Fairgrounds? I thought we were looking for a Christmas market! Well, each November, the location of Munich's iconic Oktoberfest turns from beertopia to a Christmasy collection of festive lights, merchandise, foods, and drinks. You of course can still get a beer in the massive indoor tent and pretend you're celebrating Oktoberfest just a bit later, but you can also get one last feuerzangenbowle at the massive booth in the back of the fair grounds.
Here, you can find an array of classic Christmas dishes and drinks along with amazing international options from Swiss to Mexican and everything in between. After a long day of brats and heavy German foods, you'll be a-okay with switching up the dining options for dinner. There are plenty of booths outside, but you can also find more international options inside the tents.
Keep your eyes peeled for disco balls, stilt walkers, and Christmas characters lurking around every corner! This market definitely lives up to the festival vibe, and though it might not be a traditional Christmas market, it has all of the quintessential makings on one - and more!
7 Clever Ways to Bring More Souvenirs Home
Planning on doing some major shopping? Check out our tips of ways to bring home more souvenirs and pack smart!