Munich Christkindlmarkt

Munich’s Christkindlmarkt fills Marienplatz, the city’s central square, beneath the neo-Gothic façade of the New Town Hall. The city of Munich says the tradition goes back to the 14th century, and the market has been held on Marienplatz itself since 1972. For 2026 there are 137 stalls of gifts, decorations and food and drink spread across the square and the streets running off it.

What’s new in 2026

This is the first year the market opens on the Friday before Totensonntag — the Protestant day of remembrance for the dead — rather than after it. That puts the opening on Friday 20 November 2026, a few days earlier than visitors may be used to. It runs until Thursday 24 December, closing at 2pm on Christmas Eve.

A note on Sunday 22 November

Totensonntag falls on Sunday 22 November, inside the market’s run. Several reports say the stalls will stay shut that day, but the city’s own pages don’t say either way. To be safe, our date finder treats the market as closed on 22 November. If that is your only day in Munich, check the official site before you go.

Opening hours

Monday to Saturday 10am–9pm, Sundays 10am–8pm, and 10am–2pm on 24 December. These are the hours published on the market’s official site.

Don’t miss

A few steps away on the square in front of St Peter’s church is the Kripperlmarkt, a small market of ten stalls selling only things to do with the Nativity: figures, stables and everything needed to build a crib. The New Town Hall’s Glockenspiel, set into the tower overlooking the market, is one of Munich’s best-known sights.

Getting there

Marienplatz station, served by most S-Bahn and several U-Bahn lines, is directly underneath the square. The S-Bahn runs straight from Munich Airport to Marienplatz in around 40 minutes.

Make a day of it

The Viktualienmarkt food market is just south of Marienplatz, the twin onion domes of the Frauenkirche are a five-minute walk away, and the tower of St Peter’s — “Alter Peter” — gives a view straight down onto the stalls if you’re happy to climb the stairs.

Whatever the forecast, you will be standing still outdoors in the cold for longer than you expect — see our guide to what to wear, and use What’s open? to see which markets are trading on the days you travel.