Munich Events and Festivals

(Munich, Bavaria, Germany)

Munich is a city full of life and energy, where there are always plenty of things to do whatever the time of year. Festivals and events in Munich vary greatly, ranging from huge outdoor events held within central parks, particularly at the acclaimed Olympic Park (Olympiapark), such as the Sommerfest Olympiapark (Summer Festival) each August.

Not to be missed is one of the city's most famous festivals, the Munich Beer Festival, otherwise known as the Oktoberfest, when literally millions of visitors descend on the city.

Also look out for the regular concerts at the Philharmonie concert hall, where the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra often perform to huge audiences, and also the city's many trade fairs, which are regularly held at both the MOC (Munich Order Centre) and the New Munich Trade Fair Centre.

Munich National Public Holidays

• 1st January (New Year's Day)
• Late March or early April - Good Friday / Easter Sunday / Easter Monday
• 1st May (Labour Day)
• Early May - Ascension Day, 40 days after Easter
• May / June - Whit / Pentecost Sunday and Monday
• 3rd October (Day of German Unity)
• 25th December (Christmas Day)
• 26th December (Boxing Day / St. Stephen's Day)

Munich Calendar of Festivals and Events 2014 / 2015

January

• Carnival (Fasching) - throughout January and February, the Munich carnival season is not to be missed and lasts around two months, featuring colourful parades, floats, music, dancing and parties galore, particularly around Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday
• Holiday On Ice - late January to early February, a famous ice-skating show which takes place each year at the Olympia Hall and always attracts large audiences, which are wowed by the fast skating and impressive lifts

February

• Valentine's Day (Valentinstag) - 14th February, traditionally the day when loved ones express their feelings to one another, with romantic gestures, such as gifts and cards

March

• Munich Strong Beer Weeks (Starkbierzeit) - March / April, held during Lent, breweries most potent beers are featured at celebrations, together with tasty food and lively entertainment

April

• Münchner Frühlinsfest (Munich Spring Festival) - late April to early May, a popular funfair with fast rides, side stalls and market traders, held on the Theresienwiese
• Maidult - late April / early May, with lots of booths, a flea market, fairground rides including roundabouts and a huge Ferris wheel, there is something for everyone at this funfair

May

• Biennale Opera - early to mid-May, lasting around two weeks, this major opera festival is held every other year and encourages local German composers and musicians

June

• Comic Festival (Comicfestival) - mid-June, based in the Marienplatz, with local stores offering a range of vintage comics and associated cartoon memorabilia, and plenty of opportunity for swapping and purchasing something rather unusual
• Summer Tollwood Festival (Tollwood Sommmerfestival) - mid-June / early July, three-week event at Olympia Park, featuring a wealth of music, entertainment and handicrafts together with plenty of tasty dishes
• Munich Film Festival (Filmfest München) - late June, taking place within the Altstadt district (Old Town), this established event dates back around 25 years and is one of the biggest of its kind within the whole of Germany and attracts many movie stars
• City Race (München Stadtlauf) - late June, including a central half-marathon passing many major sights along the way
• Munich Opera Festival (Münchner Opernfestspiele) - end June / July, a impressive, month-long operatic festival attracting visitors from all around the world

July

• Stadtgründungs Fest - weekend event, including live music, street entertainment, a funfair and plenty of food stalls
• The ISPO Summer Games - early July, held at the Munich Trade Fair Centre, an extreme sports competition with many challenging events, including motocross, skateboarding, BMX bikers and much more. This exciting event also incorporates a sports trade show
• Magdalenenfest - mid-July, a truly historic event dating back almost 300 years, featuring a range of local traders, who gather at the Hirschgarten
• Munich Summer Theatre - throughout July, outdoor entertainment attracting thousands, held within the English Garden (Englischer Garten)
• Jakobidult - end July / August, a nine-day traditional street fair held on Mariahiulsplatz featuring a fairground and arts and crafts

August

• Sommerfest Olympiapark (Summer Festival) - early August, two-week long event, including a range of open-air celebrations within the park and around the Olympic Lake
• Gay Pride Munich (Christopher Street Day) - mid-August, in excess of 200,000 people take part in this gay pride extravaganza. There will be extensive partying going on and features include a gay pride parade and rally

September

• ARD International Music Competition - mid-September, with many of the country's leading young musicians, held at various central venues and also featuring the acclaimed Bavarian Radio Orchestra
• Nokia Night of the Proms - mid-September, one of the largest musical festivals in the whole of Germany, first held in 1984
• Oktoberfest - late September / early October, this world-famous beer festival, held at the Theresienwiese, attracts over six million visitors and features a wealth of attractions and entertainment and many beer tents

October

• Munich Marathon - mid-October, at Olympic Park, thousands of runners are cheered on by vast crowds of spectators, as they run through the city of Munich
• Lange Nacht der Museen (Long Night at the Museum) - late October, special evenings are held at museums in Munich that stay open until late. A late-night party is also included on this ticket event

November

• Sechs-Tage-Rennen - mid-November, indoor bicycle race, lasting around six days and held within the Olympiahalle
• Christkindlmarkt (Munich Christmas Market) - November / December, traditional Christmas markets held around Munich including the popular market at Marienplatz

December

• Winter Tollwood Festival - mid-December / late December, a popular festive event at Olympia Park, and ideal for Christmas shopping with lots of handicrafts, entertainment and many food and drink outlets