Munich Christkindlmarkt | Munich Christmas Market

THE MUNICH CHRISTKINDLMARKT IS THE OLDEST IN THE BAVARIAN CAPITAL:

Munich Christkindlmarkt on Marienplatz

When it comes to Christmas markets, Munich has plenty of choices for visitors – there are over twenty Christmas markets in the Bavarian capital. The main Munich Christkindlmarkt and the oldest in the city is the one at the historical Marienplatz.

Marienplatz Christkindlmarkt

Marienplatz is a charming square at any time of the year, but at Christmas the atmosphere here is magical. The Christmas market is located in front of the elegant Gothic Neue Rathaus (New Town Hall) and extends eastwards to the Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall). The biggest attraction of the Munich Christkindlmarkt, and literally so, is the 26-meter high Christmas tree. Standing in front of the Rathaus, this giant Christmas tree with its 2,500 candles adds to the Christmas atmosphere of the Christkindlmarkt on the square. There are over 150 stalls, packed with all kinds of Christmas decorations, handicraft and Christmas gifts. Chocolate Rudolfs, Kletzenbrot and gingerbread houses are just some of the Christmas treats you’ll find at the market stalls.

Glühwein from grandma’s recipe

And then of course there’s plenty of glühwein stalls about. A mug of this favourite Christmas brew helps fend off the winter chill and put you into the Christmas spirit. Glühwein from grandma’s recipe sounds good and so we try some. Even the Santa Clauses and Santarinas enjoy a mug of glühwein before they set off on their evening’s work.

Santas enjoying glühwein

Christmas Post Office – Impress your family and friends anywhere in the world with a Christmas card franked with the word “Christkindl” on it. You’ll find this special Christmas Post Office as you walk through the interior courtyard of the Rathaus (Prunkhof – Court of Ceremonies).

Christkindl Post

This charming Christmas Post Office operates from November 24 to December 10, 2018 (Open daily from 12:00 – 18:00) and any mail sent from this post office is guaranteed to arrive at its destination for Christmas.

Santa visits the Munich Christkindlmarkt every afternoon from 16:00 to 18:00 and chats with grown-ups and children alike. If you’d like to capture this Santa-moment, he loves having his picture taken as a reminder of this memorable Christmas market visit.

The Glockenspiel in the tower balcony of the New Town Hall has delighted Munich visitors since 1908. During the Christmas season, there is more than the Glockenspiel to enjoy at the Rathaus. Live Christmas carols fill the air from the Rathaus balcony every evening from 17:30 – 18:00.

Glockenspiel on Rathaus tower balcony

If you see some mythological characters running through the Christmas market, you’ll know that the 500 year-old traditional Krampus Run is on. Actually, you can’t miss this procession as they do make quite a racket and the characters are quite scary looking.

Munich Krampus Run

Other Christkindlmarkt Activities

ChristkindlTram: Every year the Munich Transport Association runs a ChristkindlTram ride through the city centre. Get on board the tram and in addition to your sightseeing highlights, you will be served with hot mulled wine, gingerbread and other surprises. There is a program for children and kids of course get served a children’s punch. The ChristkindlTram runs daily from Nov. 28 – Dec 23, 2018. (Mon-Friday 15:30 – 19:00 | Sat-Sun 11:00 – 19:30.). You’ll find the Tram station at Sendlinger Tor.

Tony heading for the Krippelmarkt

Nativity scenes: For Nativity scenes, head to the Krippelmarkt on Neuhauserstrasse, which is a few steps from Marienplatz. Here you’ll find one of the largest manger markets in all of Germany. It has everything that you’ll need to create your own Christmas manger.

Food and Drinks – Just off the Marienplatz is the Christkindlmarkt on Rindermarkt, with its eye-catching Christmas pyramid. There are plenty of food and drink stalls at this small and less touristy Christmas market and it seems to be a popular meeting place for locals. The Viktualienmarkt is also around the corner from here and you’ll find more places to eat at this food market and beer garden.

Christmas Market on Rindermarkt

Christmas Market tours: With more than 20 Christmas markets in Munich, let a local guide take you to the best on a Christmas Market Tour. The itinerary for this tour covers Sendlinger Tor, Marienplatz, the Nativity Scene at the Old City Hall, Christmas Village in the Royal Palace Courtyard and the Medieval Market near Odeonsplatz.

Children’s Activities: Kids can play games or enjoy themselves doing handicrafts or baking cookies at the “Heavenly Workshop”. The workshops run daily between Nov 25 – Dec 16, 2018 at 14:30 and 16:30.

Christmas Concerts: There’s nothing like some of your favourite Christmas music to put you into the spirit of Christmas. You can enjoy Christmas concerts at some amazing Munich venues. See the list of Christmas concerts HERE.

How to get to Munich Christmas Market by public transport:

There are no parking facilities in the vicinity of Marienplatz so travel by public transport is the best way to get to the Christmas Market. The S-Bahn and U-Bahn train stations are right on the Marienplatz.