Highlights of the year Munich

January

Munich Philharmonic Orchestra – New Year's Concert
Dates: January 2 & 3, 2026
Location: Gasteig Munich
Description: The traditional New Year's Concert of the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra, which kicks off the new year with festive classical music.

Circus Krone
December 25, 2025-April 12, 2026
It's that time of year again. From December 25, 2025, to April 12, 2026, the Circus Krone building in Munich will once again be filled with the spirit of the circus. The traditional premiere is on Christmas Day with two performances at 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Until the beginning of April, a completely new circus show with world-class attractions will be presented. Look forward to lots of laughter, amazement, and pure thrills. In short, Krone is offering a truly spectacular circus program. A successful blend of traditional and modern circus arts, true to the Krone motto “Your favor – our endeavor.” Live entertainment for the whole family.
Location: Zirkus-Krone-Straße/Marsstrasse 43, D-80335 Munich

Munich Film Week
Dates: January 20–23, 2026
Location: Various cinemas and cultural centers 
Description: A festival focusing on German cinema and documentaries, often with a special retrospective on well-known filmmakers.

February

February 6, 2026
Super Bowl Party at Werksviertel Mitte
For many years now, the Super Bowl broadcast at Werksviertel-Mitte at Munich's Ostbahnhof has enjoyed cult status. This year, fans can once again look forward to a fantastic supporting program, juicy BBQ, and freshly tapped beer. Thanks to a large video cube, all guests are guaranteed the best view. The Munich Ravens, Munich's own football team, will be there, along with their cheerleaders, who will keep the party going. There will also be exciting competitions and plenty of entertainment. And if the night turns out to be a long one, coffee will of course be available to give you the energy boost you need.

December 13, 2025 to March 8, 2026
butterfly exhibition
In the small aquatic plant house of the Botanical Garden, over 400 tropical butterflies are once again floating freely through the air. Thanks to the warm, tropical atmosphere in the greenhouse, they feel particularly at home here. Visitors can marvel at the colorful diversity – a foretaste of spring, which will soon begin outside.
Location: Munich-Nymphenburg Botanical Garden, Menzinger Str. 65, 80638 Munich

March

February 27 to March 22, 2026
Strong Beer Festival at Nockherberg
In Bavaria, drinking strong beer during Lent between Ash Wednesday and Easter is a long-standing tradition. Every year, March begins in a particularly convivial, cheerful, and typically Munich way—with the legendary Strong Beer Festival at the Paulaner Brewery. This festival is an expression of the Munich way of life and is as much a part of the city as Oktoberfest.
Location: Am Nockherberg, 81541 Munich-Au-Haidhausen

March 20 to March 21, 2026
Disney on Ice
A reunion with Anna, Elsa, and Olaf the snowman from Frozen, with Mirabel from Encanto, Moana, Rapunzel, and the little mermaid Ariel – and of course Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, and Goofy will be there too. With its new program “Heroic Adventures,” Disney on Ice returns to Munich's Olympiahalle in March 2026 for six shows as an enchanting family experience.
Location: Olympiahalle, Olympiapark Munich, Spiridon-Louis-Ring 21, 80809 Munich

March 29, 2026
Sarah Connor
With over ten million records sold, countless gold and platinum awards, and millions of enthusiastic fans at her concerts, Sarah Connor has been one of the outstanding voices of German pop and soul for more than two decades. After a long break from the studio, the exceptional artist is finally going on a major tour again in 2026 with a new album in tow.
Location: Olympiahalle, Olympiapark Munich, Spiridon-Louis-Ring 21, 80809 Munich

April

April 17 to May 10, 2026
Spring Festival
The Theresienwiese, where Oktoberfest is celebrated in the fall, also invites visitors to enjoy a cozy get-together in the spring during the Spring Festival. From nostalgic shooting galleries and ship swings to spectacular rides such as the “XXL Racer.” In the beer tents and beer gardens, brass band music, freshly tapped beer, crispy roast chicken, and the smell of roasted almonds create a real Oktoberfest atmosphere.
Location: Theresienwiese, Munich

April 25 to May 3, 2026
Auer Dult – Maidult
It doesn't get much more Munich than this: on Mariahilfplatz, with its beautiful church and magnificent view over the city, people meet in traditional costume or casual attire for the Auer Dult – or more precisely, the Maidult, which begins in April (just as Oktoberfest begins in September...). It owes its name to the start date on the Saturday before May 1.
Location: Auer Dult, Mariahilfpl., 81541 Munich

April 17, 2026
Flea market on the Theresienwiese
Locals and visitors alike love it – the legendary flea market on the Theresienwiese. It's worth getting up early, really early! If you want to browse at your leisure and grab some real bargains, this is your best chance. By mid-morning at the latest, it gets really busy among the endless rows of beer and wallpaper tables full of little treasures and curiosities.
Location: Theresienwiese, Munich

May

April 29 to May 18, 2026
Cocktail X Festival
The Cocktail X Festival has established itself as Munich's biggest bar culture event. This year, over 40 bars across the city will be presenting their very own signature drinks. The festival ticket also serves as a recipe book listing all participating bars. If you want to get the cocktail recipe, just pick up the corresponding sticker at the bar.
Info: cocktail-x.com

May 9, 2026
Long Night of Music
One of the most important events in May is the Long Night of Music. Thousands of people listen to musicians and bands who are at home in every conceivable musical style – in the most unusual venues, such as churches, savings banks, bookstores, cinemas, museums, cafés, Bavarian taverns, and even the city's clubs.
Info: www.muenchner.de/musiknacht/

May 16, 2026
Sportfreunde Stiller at the Olympic Hall
On May 16, 2026, Sportfreunde Stiller will give a concert at the Olympic Hall in Munich that is sure to be unforgettable. The band, known for their rousing lyrics and catchy melodies, will thrill their audience with a mix of popular classics and brand-new songs.
Location: Olympiahalle, Olympiapark Munich, Spiridon-Louis-Ring 21, 80809 Munich

June

June 22 to July 13, 2026
Tollwood Summer Festival 2026
From June 22 to July 13, 2026, the Tollwood Festival in the Olympic Park will offer a mix of lighthearted entertainment and serious topics such as tolerance, cultural diversity, fair animal husbandry, and sustainability. Visitors can expect a festival with international organic food, live music from jazz to pop, extraordinary theater, acrobatics, and a “market of ideas” with arts and crafts.
Location: Olympic Park Munich, Spiridon-Louis-Ring 21, 80809 Munich

June 26, 2025 to July 5, 2026
Munich Film Festival 2026
For many locals, the film festival is one of the highlights of the year. World-famous stars travel to the city and debate current topics, the film business, and themselves at world premieres. From June 26 to July 5, 2026, film enthusiasts will flock to the city's cinemas around the clock to experience the original versions of independent and Hollywood films from various countries.
Info: www.filmfest-muenchen.de

June 28 to June 28, 2026
Christopher Street Day CSD street festival
In June, the Glockenbach district is ablaze with color: on June 27 and 28, 2026, Christopher Street Day will be celebrated here and at Marienplatz with a parade and a large street festival, to which everyone from the LGBTIQ* community and their allies are invited. All kinds of events will be offered as part of PrideWeeks, which will take place from June 13 to 28, 2026. 
Location: Munich city center

July

July 3 to July 9, 2026
Neuhausen-Nymphenburg District Week
From July 3 to July 9, 2025, District Week will offer many exciting events between Nymphenburg Palace and the creative quarter at Leonrodplatz. There will also be a food tent with a beer garden and adjoining music stage at the Hirschgarten fairground.
Location: Neuhausen-Nymphenburg

July 10 to July 11, 2026
Valentin Karlstadt Musäum Summer Festival
This year, due to construction work at the Isartor, the Valentin Karlstadt Musäum is celebrating its summer festival at the Rindermarkt. On July 10 and 11, 2025, visitors can enjoy music and cabaret from 7 p.m. onwards, accompanied by cold drinks served by Bernadette Obergrußberger, the landlady of the Turmstüberl. Admission is free.
Location: Rindermarkt, Munich

July 19, 2026
A Midsummer Night's Dream: Open Air with Fireworks
Every summer, visitors can marvel at an overwhelming sea of lights in the Olympic Park. The open-air event “Summer Night's Dream Munich” bathes the sky and green hills in colorful lights. The highlight is a spectacular fireworks display. There is also music to match on several stages.
Location: Olympic Park Munich, Spiridon-Louis-Ring 21, 80809 Munich

August

August 1, 2026
Fountain Festival at the Viktualienmarkt
On Friday, August 1, folk singers, folk actors, cabaret artists, and costume groups will showcase traditional entertainment from Munich. Performances will take place at three stage locations: at the Karl Valentin Fountain near Café Nymphenburg, at the Liesl Karlstadt Fountain near the beer garden, and at the Elise Aulinger Fountain near the Heilig-Geist-Kirche.
Location: Viktualienmarkt

Throughout August
Open-air cinema at the Olympic Lake
In August, the open-air cinema at the Olympic Lake in the Olympic Park is a great option for mild evenings. Visitors can watch films with 3D and LED technology under the open sky on the open space of the Olympic swimming hall while enjoying drinks and snacks in deck chairs. The show starts when it gets dark. Depending on the selection, good arthouse films and current blockbusters are shown – in all weathers!

August 7 to August 23, 2026
Munich Open Air Summer in the Brunnenhof of the Residenz
Rock, pop, jazz, folk music, opera, and classical music are just some of the genres presented at the Munich Open Air Summer over a period of two weeks. Among other things, Vivaldi's “The Four Seasons” will be performed at the open-air concert on August 7, 2025. On August 16, the audience can look forward to a summer night of film music.

September

September 19 to October 4, 2026
Oktoberfest 2026
There's no mistaking it: the city is dominated by Oktoberfest. It begins on September 19, 2026, when Munich's mayor will tap the first beer barrel in the Schottenhamel festival tent with a few strokes of his hammer. For two weeks, the beer tents and fairground rides at Theresienwiese will be bustling with activity. Originally, the world's largest and most popular folk festival was a horse race celebrating the wedding of the future King Ludwig I and his Therese, after whom the venue is named.
Location: Theresienwiese, Munich

Wiesn Special Night Shopping
Wiesn is approaching – and the Night Owl Wiesn Special will be held for the first time on Friday, in downtown Munich. For those looking for an outfit or inspiration, shopping is also possible after 8 p.m. The event website features a clear map and list of stores that are open after 8 p.m.
Location: City center, pedestrian zone

September 4 to September 6, 2026
Isar Island Festival
The popular Isar Island Festival is held annually on a weekend in September. Various bands play and there is a cultural and sports program. The little ones are also well taken care of with workshops and demonstrations. And best of all, the Isar Island Festival is completely free!
Location: Steinsdorfstraße, Munich

October

October 17, 2026
The Long Night of Munich Museums
On October 17, 2026, over 100 Munich museums and collections, galleries, churches, and architectural gems invite visitors to take a nighttime stroll. During the “Long Night of Munich Museums,” visitors can experience the regular exhibitions—plus live music, performances, guided tours, films, discussions about art, and all kinds of hands-on activities. 

November

14.11.2025-01.12.2025
Munich Book Show

The Münchner Bücherschau is the largest regional book exhibition. Here you can browse through all genres for 15 hours a day and meet the authors.
Location: Gasteig

December

24.11.2025-24.12.2025
Munich Christmas market on the Marienplatz
The classic among Munich's Christmas markets is the Christmas market around Marienplatz - the largest and most traditional in the city. Until Christmas Eve, you can enjoy Christmas music, high-quality arts and crafts, mulled wine, sausages and roasted almonds in front of the illuminated backdrop of the town hall, Frauenkirche and Alter Peter church. And the giant Munich Christmas tree towers between the stalls.
Location: Marienplatz and parts of the pedestrian zone in the old town

December 2025 - dates to follow
Tollwood Winter Festival
From the end of November to the end of December 2025, the Tollwood Winter Festival enchants with its colorful illuminated tent tops on the Theresienwiese. What makes this alternative Christmas market so special is its street theater, artistic masterpieces, concerts, a children's program, organic gastronomy and colorful 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.
Location:Theresienwiese

December 2025 - Dates to follow
Fairytale bazaar "Märchenbazaar" – Christmas market
Step into a nostalgic world from times gone by. In the middle of the city, nostalgic circus tents and fairground buildings rise out of the mist of the fairytale world. Once again this year, artistic performances in our colorful circus tents create a magical atmosphere that invites you to dance, feast, stroll and linger. Live music on our stages every day. Listen to the sounds of our city, but also those from all over the world. Daily free children's program with fairy tale lessons, candle drawing, Punch and Judy show, handicrafts, crafts and much more.
Location: Olympiapark South