Munich Christmas Markets
There are over 20 Christmas markets in Munich. Here are our recommendations:
- Christkindlmarkt at Marienplatz
- Haidhausen Christmas Market at Weissenburger Platz
- Christmas Market at Sendlinger Tor
- Christmas Market at Winter Tollwood Festival
- Nostalgic Christmas Market at the Praterinsel
- Arts and Crafts Market at the Old Botanical Gardens
- Schwabing Christmas Market at Münchner Freiheit
Christkindlmarkt am Marienplatz
The tradition of the Christmas market at Munich’s central square of Marienplatz is said to have begun in the 14th century with the ‘St. Nicholas Markets’. The town annals first mention a St Nicholas market or ‘Nikolaidult’ in 1642 in Kaufinger Strasse at the Beautiful Tower (long demolished). According to the chronicles, stallholders sold goods from Oberammergau and Nuremberg gingerbread, cotton children’s clothes, Christmas crib figurines and traditional dolls made from dried plums and almonds. As the Age of Enlightenment progressed, the Nikolaimarkt was renamed ‘Christmarkt’ in 1806. After numerous relocations, in 1972 it was finally established as ‘Munich Christkindlmarkt’ at the heart of the city.
The traditional Christkindlmarkt is organised by the City of Munich Tourist Board. It’s the perfect place to get in the mood for Christmastime, with around 160 colourful stalls packed with toys and crafts, candles and ceramics, pewter and wooden objects. There’s so much to see at the Christkindlmarkt!
