In December, Munich shimmers and slides in a race: small groups meet on the Nymphenburg Canal for curling. At the somewhat different “Pink Christmas“ Christmas market, it's all about attracting attention and a relaxed get-together.
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The classic among Munich's Christmas markets is the Christkindlmarkt around Marienplatz – the largest and most traditional in the city. Until Christmas Eve, there is Christmas music, high-quality handicrafts, mulled wine, roasted desert and roasted almonds in front of the illuminated backdrop of the town hall, the Frauendom and the church Alter Peter. And between the stalls, the huge Munich Christmas tree towers up.
Christmas market, 24 November to 24 December 2025, Marienplatz
In December, they are out and about in the pedestrian zone again: every year, „wild fellows“ such as Krampus, Perchten and Klause surprise visitors at the big show run of customs, but no one needs to be afraid of them. The run now attracts up to 50,000 onlookers.
Krampus run, date follows, pedestrian zone/inner city
The Tollwood Winter Festival enchants visitors with its colourfully illuminated tent tops on the Theresienwiese. What makes this alternative Christmas market so special is its street theatre, artistic masterpieces, concerts, a children's programme, organic food and colourful arts and crafts from all over the world. Most of the events are free of charge. Politicians, scientists and artists appear in the multimedia tent of the ‘World Salon’ to discuss ecological and social issues with the public.
Tollwood Winter Festival, date follows, Theresienwiese
... there is no way around in the Glockenbachviertel. At the idyllic Stephansplatz the Christmas market “Pink Christmas“ shows that Christmas does not always have to be traditional. Munich residents love the unusual atmosphere of pop music, a prosecco bar, travesty shows with Whitney Houston doubles, kitsch and pink plush. The fact that heterosexuals, gays and lesbians celebrate together here shows the respectful and self-evident living and letting live in the city. The proceeds will go to the AIDS relief organization and social projects in Munich, among others.
Pink Christmas, 24 November to 22 December 2025, Stephansplatz
In 2024, Claudia Koreck and her band invited the audience to join the artists on stage for the second time to sing Christmas songs from „Oh Tannenbaum“ to „Winter Wonderland“ and „Mele Kalikimaka“. Hannes Ringlstetter, a large orchestra and Hans Sigl, who hosted the evening, also took part.
We sing the most beautiful Christmas carols together, date follows, Olympiahalle
Once again this year, the Münchner Advent organised by the Münchner Kreis für Volksmusik, Lied und Tanz e.V. (Munich Circle for Folk Music, Song and Dance) aims to get you in the mood for the coming festive season with its contemplative and impressive performances in the Prinzregententheater. Get in the mood for the Advent season and experience alpine music in words and tunes.
Munich Advent, date follows, Prinzregententheater
The „Munich Children's Advent“ is aimed at children aged 3 and over and families. While singing together, the musical offspring can interactively get to know the customs of Advent with all their senses and experience a journey through the traditional Christmas season.
Munich Children's Advent, date follows, Prinzregententheater
The Gärtnerplatztheater is holding a costume sale on the studio stage, where unique items from past productions, such as handmade fantasy costumes, historical costumes and uniforms, will be on sale. There will also be bags made from old stage banners and merchandise from the 2024/2025 season.
Costume sale, date follows, Gärtnerplatztheater
When he came to the Olympic Hall in 2024, the title of his „One Last Time“ tour alone almost sounded like a farewell. But of course Rod Stewart is far from thinking about quitting. Because now comes another encore of his unique career, when his „One More Time“ tour takes him back to Munich on 7 December 2025 - and fans can look forward to all the great hits of the rock legend from more than half a century.
Rod Stewart Live in Concert - One More Time, 07 Dezember 2025, Olympiahalle Munich
The Night of the Proms will once again offer its fans an extraordinary concert experience in December 2025 for its 30th anniversary in the Olympic Hall. International rock and pop music stars will once again perform under the motto „Classical meets pop“.
Night of the Proms, 12 December to 14 December 2025, Olympiahalle Munich
His 2024 tour was an overwhelming success. More than 300,000 fans wanted to see Apache 207 at his live shows, and now the German rapper from Ludwigshafen is going one better. The biggest tour of his impressive career to date will take him to 13 cities with 34 concerts - including three appearances in the Olympic Hall in Advent 2025. To really let it rip during the slow season.
Apache 207 Arena Tour, 16 December to 19 December 2025, Olympiahalle Munich
You can find a well-curated selection of concerts on Munich - City of Music.
Success depends largely on good connections - whether in sport or in business. When your shoes touch the ground, traction provides propulsion, speed or can determine stability and falls. It's similar in business: valuable contacts allow knowledge, skills and resources to be bundled in a targeted manner in order to realise goals. Every encounter offers an opportunity, every contact can make the difference. ISPO Munich 2024 has proven this impressively and increases the anticipation for the next event. This year, ISPO will take place in Munich from 2 to 4 December.
ISPO Munich, 02 December to 4 December 2025, Munich Trade Fair Centre
The best thing is to shoot straight away! Because too much ambition harms the pleasure, say the curling players on the Nymphenburg Canal. Here at the castle, beginners are just as welcome as advanced shooters when it's cold and the stream is frozen. Friends and family then try in teams on one of the 40 lanes with sticks (available for hire!) to get as close as possible to the stave. Great fun – and an ancient Munich tradition!
You don't even need music to find the ambience impressive. The Herkulessaal in the Residenz is one of the most beautiful halls in Munich: high ceiling, massive stage, lots of stone, tapestries with Greek motifs. The furnishings are quite stately, no wonder, originally the room was used by Ludwig I as a throne room. But when music is added, the whole magic of the Hercules Hall unfolds. The acoustics in the hall are excellent. The Christmas concerts are especially popular, they are aimed at the whole family, newcomers to classical music as well as connoisseurs. The festive finale is the joint singing of Christmas carols. Until the opening of the Gasteig in 1988, the Herkulessaal was the city's most important concert hall for classical music. It offers space for about 1400 people. Because the Residence was badly damaged during the Second World War, the Herkulessaal was rebuilt in 1953 in neo-classical style. Tickets are available at München Ticket, among others.
When Christmas approaches and the nights are dark, they come out of their hiding places again: evil spirits. At least that's what people used to believe – and invented the custom of the rough nights. Every evening they would smoke out their houses and stables in the hope of driving away the ghosts. The belief in smoking out has now evaporated, and the tradition has been preserved. A special highlight of the Rauhnächte nights are the so-called Perchtenläufe, in which people dress up as demons or witches. Under horrible wooden masks and shaggy skins they then make noise through the alleys at night. In Berchtesgaden, the haunted people are known as Buttnmandl and Kramperl. On the first Advent they walk through the district of Loipl during the Buttmandel walk, on the second through Winkl; on St. Nicholas Day they do their mischief after dark in almost all communities. With the Night of the Three Kings on 6 January the time of the rough nights ends.
You can find a detailed calendar of events here.
