Munich Christopher Street Day

Next on: July 7 and 8, 2012 MUNICH CHRISTOPHER STREET DAY: The gay and lesbian community energise Munich during the city’s annual Christopher Street Day celebrations.

For one weekend in July the city centre explodes with drag queens, high heels and feather boas in the name of gay and lesbian equality and issues confronting the gay community.

munich-christopher-street-day FABULOUS:Drag queens fill the city during Munich's Christopher Street Day.
Official pic: © Erwin Harbeck

Jubilee party

Celebrations start at 11.30am on Saturday with a welcoming ceremony at Marienplatz. There are political speeches and comedy and DJ acts continue into the evening.

There’s also parade around Munich’s Old Town starting from Marienplatz at 12pm.
The parade includes over 40 floats and stretches over 1km. It’s great fun to watch and there’s a hugely festive atmosphere.

On Saturday night there’s clubbing inside Munich’s Neues Rathaus, the City Hall on Marienplatz.
On Sunday at 5pm there’s a ridiculous “high-heels race” where 10 participants attempt to outrun each other along with handbag throwing and ladder climbing competitions.

Another focal point is Rindmarkt, a square 5min walk south of Marienplatz. Munich and international DJs mix it up on an outdoor stage on both Saturday and Sunday from midday to midnight.

How it started

Christopher Street Day began in 1969 when New York’s gay community demonstrated, sometimes violently, against police against discrimination.

Known as the Stonewall riots, the protests sparked a new gay rights movement and it's remembered at Christopher Street Day celebrations around the world.
Munich Lord Mayor Christian Ude is the event’s patron.
See here to find out more about Lesbian and Gay Munich.

The details of the Munich Christopher Street Day

Next on: July 7 and 8, 2011

Location: Around central Munich, particularly Marienplatz and Rindmarkt squares.

Website: www.csd-munich.de

Contact: Organisers CSD München GmbH Email: info@csd-munich.de
Fax: 089 54 33 32 12 Phone: 089 54 33 32 11