Munich festivals

A guide to noteworthy Munich festivals and events throughout the year

Few folks need a flimsier excuse to celebrate than the Bavarians.
This page is your portal for learning about the festivals and events that take place in Munich and around Bavaria throughout the year.
Most of the big events we usually cover on this portal have been called off for 2020 due to you-know what, so we'llbe updating it with the 2021 dates when they become available.

St Patrick's Day in Munich

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March 14, 2021
The tradition of toasting Ireland's patron saint has made it to Munich a while back - there's a colourful parade, live music and lots of beer.
Read: St Patrick's Day in Munich

Munich Strong Beer Festival

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March/April 2021
Munich's Paulaner monks perfected the art of strong beer brewing over 350 years ago. It's only gotten better since then. Claim your own stein of tastiest libation around at the Munich Starkbierfest (Strong Beer Festival). It's one of the best Munich festivals.
Read: Munich Strong Beer Festival

Augsburg Plärrer

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April 2021
The first of two annual big beer festivals in Munich's neighbouring city of Augsburg.  Two big beer tents, lots of rides, fish on a stick, well worth a day trip.
Read: Augsburg Plärrer
See also Augsburg Plärrer photos

Munich Auer Dult - a treasure hunter's dream

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April 25 to May 3, 2020
Munich's oldest fair turns a usually quiet part of Munich into a bustling of trade, food and family fun. Pick up a bargain or just browse the stands at the Auer Dult.
Read: Munich Auer Dult

Munchener Fruhlingsfest (Munich Spring Festival)

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April/May 2021 (cancelled for 2020)
Think Oktoberfest, then shrink it. The Munich Spring Festival counts as the quieter counterpart to the world’s most famous beerfest, and that suits many people just fine.
Read: Munchener Fruhlingsfest (Munich Spring Festival)

Streetlife

Usually end of May, and early September - May event has been called off for 2020, Sept probably will be too.
Munich's main street transforms into one of Europe's biggest outdoor party during the city's Streetlife Festival.

Read: Munich Streetlife Festival

Jakobidult

July 25 to August 2, 2020 Second annual outdoor market. see Munich Auer Dult

Kaltenberg Knights' Festival - party like it's 999

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Called off for 2020, will return in July 2021
There are knights, jesters, jugglers, damsels, freaks and fools. The Kaltenberg Knights' Festival brings the Middle-Ages to life.
Read: Kaltenberg Knights' Festival Tournament (Kaltenberger Ritterturnier)

Tollwood - the world is a village

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July 2021 (cancelled for 2020)
Munich's biggest summer festival proves that the world really can be a small place. The summer Tollwood is 25 days of world cuisine, markets of ideas, music, outdoor theatre and environmental friendliness.
All in the wonderfully relaxed setting of the Olympic Park.
Read: Tollwood

Kocherlball - an early-morning old-style dance

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July 18, 2021 (
The Kocherlball is a Munich tradition going back over a century. Servants of the aristocracy would meet at the crack of dawn to dance their way into day. It’s recreated in the Englisher Garten.
Read: Kocherball

Munich Christopher Street Day

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July 11-12, 2020
The city centre comes alive with drag queens, leather pants and feather boas for a long weekend of gay and lesbian revellry. There are concerts, a parade and a high-heels race.
Read: Munich Christopher Street Day
See also: Munich Gay Pride Parade pics
There is another gay street festival in mid-August

Augsburg Plärrer

August 28 - September 13, 2020
Augsburg's second big annual Plärrer beer festival. Think of it as a warm-up to the Oktoberfest!
Read: Augsburg Plärrer

Second Streetlife

September 2020 - Dates TBC. The city's second annual Streetlife Festival turns the city's main street into the ideal spot to stroll, eat, drink, party, people watch, whatever you like!
Read: Munich Streetlife Festival

Munich Oktoberfest - the biggest show on Earth

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September 18 to October 3, 2021
The world's biggest festival needs no introduction. Oktoberfest draws millions visitors of visitors to Munich every year for 16 days of unbridled "Party machen".
Read: Oktoberfest Munich

Kirchweihdult

October 17 to 25, 2020
Third annual outdoor market. see Munich Auer Dult

Munich Marathon - run till you're red in the face

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October 11, 2020,
Those brave enough to attempt Munich’s annual 42km (26mi.) marathon will puff through the Old Town and loop through the Englischer Garten before high-tailing it to the Olympic Stadium for the grand finale.
(Read: Munich Marathon)

Munich Christmas Markets - oh come, all ye faithful...

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Late November to late December
For many people, December in Munich means just one thing: Christmas markets.
Drink a hot, spicy Glühwein while chewing back on a half-metre hot dog and searching stands for the perfect presents for the folks back home.
Read: Munich Christmas Markets
See also: • Christmas Markets Photos
German Christmas Traditions

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