When peonies bloom and warm days fade away into mild evenings, the Pentecostal season is just around the corner. Here are the top tips for planning your holiday in Munich in 2024.
Classical concerts, interesting exhibitions, summer excursions and exciting activities for children – there is something for everyone during the Pentecost holidays (21 May to 1 June 2024), or on the public holidays in Munich.
- Holiday activities for children during the 2024 holidays
- Events on Pentecost weekend and Pentecost Sunday 2024
- Events on Pentecost Monday 2024
- Open during Pentecost: Exhibitions in Munich’s museums
- What else can you do in Munich during the Pentecostal season?
- Hiking, walking and sunbathing in the city
This exhibition is a must-see for Harry Potter fans and has finally arrived in Munich! Visitors of all ages can explore over 20 rooms filled with film props and costumes worn by the actors or embark on an interactive journey of discovery and relive unforgettable film scenes through sounds, touch and even smells. Ever dreamt of rummaging through Hagrid's hut or hiding in the cupboard under the stairs of Dursley House? Here's your chance!
Where: Spiridon-Louis-Ring 21 (Small Olympiahalle)
When: 9 May until 8 September 2024
Information: Harry Potter Exhibition
The city's youth culture department is once again organising the popular festival, offering children, young people and accompanying adults a free entertainment programme during the holidays. The festival is known for its colourful mix of newcomers and subculture artists. The theatron, shaped like an ancient Greek theatre, is located directly on the lake in Olympiapark (Olympic Park) – the perfect place for a dance into the sunset.
Where: Theatron at Olympiapark
When: 18 May until 20 May 2024
Information: www.olympiapark.de
The song of birds has long fascinated musicians and this natural phenomenon has found a permanent place in many compositions of classical music – especially those featuring flutes and strings. At this year's festive concert in the impressive Cuvilliés Theatre, Michael Kofler will perform a solo flute piece, accompanied by the Residenz soloists. Before the concert, guests can enjoy a champagne reception as a splendid prelude to the cultural evening.
Where: Cuvilliés-Theater
When: 18 May 2024, 8 pm
Information: www.bavaria-klassik.de
The cello quartet “Cello Nation“ consists of four internationally renowned classical musicians who constantly reinvent themselves in their joint performances and present a versatile sound with stylistic confidence. In the musical hybrid “Classic meets Pop“, works by Bach or Piazzolla are paired with modern classics from film history, such as “Moon River“. The quartet also pays tribute to pop history by demonstrating that hard rock can be interpreted in classical music style with their rendition of Metallica's “Nothing Else Matters“.
Where: Schloss Nymphenburg
When: 18 May 2024, 7.30 pm
Information: www.schloss-nymphenburg.de
Traditionally, at Pentecost, you can embark on a special journey with the vintage E69 05 train model from 1930. The train starts at Ostbahnhof station (Munich East) and travels through the Giesing district, passing Munich's most beautiful Isar river bridges, where it stops briefly so that passengers can enjoy the scenic views. Book your ticket in advance to reserve a seat. Drinks and snacks are also available.
Where: München Ost
When: 19 May 2024, 10 am, 12 pm and 2 pm
Information & tickets: www.blv-online.de
What do technical visions reveal about our image of humanity? And can human problems be solved by technical developments? Gesine Schmidt investigated these compelling questions and spoke to ethicists, technicians and nursing staff about the healthcare crisis in Germany and possible solutions. The outcome of this research is “Who Cares“ – a play focusing on human vulnerability. In this highly topical production, the interviewees' statements are presented by an ensemble of actors under the direction of Christoph Frick.
Where: Kammerspiele München
When: 19 May 2024, 8 pm
Information & tickets: www.muenchner-kammerspiele.de
Traditionally, at Pentecost, you can embark on a special journey with the vintage E69 05 train model from 1930. The train starts at Ostbahnhof station (Munich East) and travels through the Giesing district, passing Munich's most beautiful Isar river bridges, where it stops briefly so that passengers can enjoy the scenic views. Book your ticket in advance to reserve a seat. Drinks and snacks are also available.
Where: München Ost
When: 20 May 2024, 10 am, 12 pm and 2 pm
Information & tickets: www.blv-online.de
On Pentecost, Puccini's masterpiece “Tosca“ will celebrate its première at the Nationaltheater. This brilliant, tension-filled opera tells a triangle story, staged by Eleonora Buratto, Charles Castronovo, and Ludovic Tézier, under the musical direction of Andrea Battistoni. First performed in 1900, this opera in three acts is one of the best-known operas in the world and therefore an excellent evening programme for anyone who wants to experience the power of classical music for the first time.
Where: Nationaltheater
When: 20 May 2024, 6 pm
Information & tickets: www.staatsoper.de
The exhibition at the Pinakothek der Moderne (art gallery) is the first to be dedicated to bicycle design. On display are 70 examples that are among the most unusual and exciting bicycles in design history. The collection features designs by aeroplane and automobile engineers such as Paul Jaray, Hermann Klaue, and Alex Moulton, as well as industrial designers including Luigi Colani, Richard Sapper, Michael Conrad, Giorgetto Giugiaro, Marc Newson, Christian Zanzotti, and Ross Lovegrove. These exhibits make it clear that bicycle design is not just about craftsmanship and frame construction, nor just the work of ingenious inventors, tinkerers, obsessives, and enthusiasts.
Where: Pinakothek der Moderne
When: until 22 September 2024, daily (except mondays) from 10 am until 6 pm, thursdays until 8 pm
Information: www.pinakothek-der-moderne.de
This year, more than 900 young photographers participated in the competition and submitted more than 2,000 photos, highlighting various aspects of nature. The works of the three winners in each of the two categories “Flowers, Blossoms, Pollinators“ and “Forests, Meadows, Wilderness“ will be shown at the Museum Mensch und Natur as part of a special exhibition. The museum also offers permanent exhibitions that are always worth a visit. Guests can experience the earthquake simulator (booking required), or learn fascinating facts about the diets of various animals.
Where: Museum Mensch und Natur
When: until 2 June 2024, daily (except mondays), 9 am until 5 pm, sundays and on holidays 10 am until 6 pm
Information: https://mmn-muenchen.snsb.de
About a month before the UEFA Euro 2024 kicks off, an extensive programme of theatre, readings, concerts, poetry slams and discussion panels on the topic of football will begin. Some 70 events will take place from 10 May to 13 July at the “Stadium der Träume“ (Stadium of Dreams), which will be erected in the outdoor area of the Fat Cat, especially for the festival: The stadium itself is a work of art, and British artist and designer Morag Myerscough wants to “symbolise cheerfulness and optimism“ with the colourful structure. Taking part are, amongst others, Sportfreunde Stiller and Herbert Grönemeyer, the actors Veronika Ferres, Lars Eidinger and Nina Kunzendorf, Grünen Party politician Claudia Roth, Munich's Lord Mayor Dieter Reiter and football experts and former professional players Philip Lahm and Uli Hoeneß.
Where: Fat Cat
When: 10 May until 13 July 2024
Information & tickets: www.muenchenticket.de (mostly free of charge)
If you're curious about the dance style behind the Waacking or eager to shake your hula-hoop hips, “Tanz in den Gasteig“ is the event for you! This year's highlights are a break-dance battle, as well as a silent disco – and if you get hungry from all the dancing, you can feast on delicious food from the food truck.
Where: Gasteig HP8
When: 25 May 2024, tba
Information & tickets: www.gasteig.de
The Kulturstrand (cultural beach) is a meeting hub with a cultural programme for everyone and a great place to relax. Throughout the summer, it offers an open cultural platform and gathering spot for people to share ideas and help shape the programme. The schedule for the music, children's and sports programme and other events is available on the Kulturstrand Programme Calendar and on the official Facebook page! This is where the organisers provide information about the rules, highlights and activities at the Kulturstrand. All offers are free of charge!
Where: Corneliusbrücke
When: 1 May until 9 September 2024
Information: www.kulturstrand.de
A detailed overview of all concerts in the city can be found here.
If you are already in the mood for a short break in Munich during the holidays, you can book our “Short Break in Munich“ with two nights' accommodation and a 3-day Munich City Pass with free admission to 45 Munich sights. We look forward to your stay!
As the temperatures rise, so does the desire to explore Munich's parks, gardens and neighbourhoods on foot or by bicycle. Here are eleven great ideas for exploring the city, from its finest ice-cream parlours to excursions into Munich's surrounding countryside. For hot days, we offer the best tips for cooling off. Another excellent option is to explore the city and its surroundings by bicycle and end the day in one of the rooftop bars or with a picnic at one of the many viewpoints.
In case Pentecost is spoilt by rain, here are some tips that will still turn your stay into an unforgettable one – or you can visit the city's great independent cinemas whose charm will instantly brighten up a rainy day.
Our calendar of events provides a detailed overview of the month of May.
