Munich events calendar
The next confirmed and expected dates in Munich and across Bavaria — always verify with the organizer before you book. For the full story behind the season, read the Events guide.
June 20263
Munich Opera Festival (Opernfestspiele)
The Bavarian State Opera's summer flagship, six weeks of opera, ballet, concerts and recitals at the Nationaltheater and historic Cuvilliés-Theater, including the free open-air 'Oper für alle' broadcast on Max-Joseph-Platz.
Tollwood Summer Festival
A month-long, free-entry cultural festival in Olympiapark blending world music and theatre on multiple stages with an international food market, craft bazaar and a strong eco/fair-trade ethos.
Filmfest München 2026 (Munich Film Festival)
Germany's largest summer film festival, the 43rd Filmfest München screens around 130 films from 56 countries with dozens of world premieres across cinemas throughout the city.
July 20264
Salzburg Festival (Salzburger Festspiele)
One of the world's most prestigious classical performing-arts festivals, six weeks of opera, drama and concerts across Mozart's home city. The 2026 edition runs under the theme 'Panorama of Love' with 208 performances.
Kocherlball 2026
A beloved early-morning Munich tradition since 1790: thousands gather at dawn under the Chinese Tower in the English Garden, many in traditional dress, to dance polka, waltz and Zwiefacher before the city wakes.
Auer Jakobidult 2026
The summer edition of Munich's three traditional Dult fairs, held on Mariahilfplatz in the Au: a folksy mix of market stalls (crockery, antiques, household goods), a small funfair and beer-tent fare.
Bardentreffen Nuremberg 2026
One of Germany's biggest free open-air music festivals, the Bardentreffen ('Meeting of the Bards') fills Nuremberg's old town with world, folk and singer-songwriter music. 2026 marks its 50th anniversary.
September 20262
Oktoberfest
The original Wiesn — sixteen days, fourteen big tents and six Munich breweries on the Theresienwiese, opened by the mayor's cry of "O'zapft is!"
Bits & Pretzels 2026 (Founders Festival)
One of Europe's largest founders and startup festivals, Bits & Pretzels brings thousands of founders, investors and speakers to Munich for two conference days, capped by a networking day at Oktoberfest.
October 20263
German Unity Day (Tag der Deutschen Einheit)
October 3 is Germany's national day, marking the 1990 reunification. The only nationwide secular public holiday, with civic celebrations; in 2026 it falls on a Saturday.
Munich Marathon 2026
Munich's World Athletics-labelled marathon weekend sends runners past Marienplatz, Odeonsplatz, the English Garden and the Isar before finishing in the city, with half-marathon, 10K and kids' races alongside.
Auer Kirchweihdult 2026
The autumn edition of Munich's traditional Auer Dult, closing the Dult season each October on Mariahilfplatz with market stalls, a small funfair and beer-tent fare.
November 20264
All Saints' Day (Allerheiligen)
November 1 is a public holiday in Bavaria and other Catholic German states. Families visit cemeteries to lay flowers and light candles on graves; it is a designated 'silent day' with restrictions on public entertainment.
Marienplatz Christkindlmarkt
Munich's main Christmas market fills Marienplatz with Glühwein, handmade ornaments and a thirty-metre tree from late November to Christmas Eve.
Tollwood Winter Festival
The winter sibling of Tollwood transforms the Theresienwiese into a festive village of theatre tents, world music, an alternative Christmas market and the renowned organic Bavarian feast 'Hofbräu Festzelt'.
Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt
One of the world's oldest and most famous Christmas markets, on Nuremberg's Hauptmarkt. Around 180 red-and-white striped stalls sell Nuremberg gingerbread, grilled sausages and handmade ornaments, opened by the costumed Christkind.
January 20274
Four Hills Tournament — New Year Ski Jumping (Garmisch-Partenkirchen)
The legendary New Year's Day stop of ski jumping's Four Hills Tournament (Vierschanzentournee), held at Garmisch-Partenkirchen's Große Olympiaschanze before tens of thousands of fans. The 2026/27 edition is the first to include a women's competition.
New Year's Day (Neujahr)
January 1 is a nationwide public holiday in Germany. Shops, banks and most businesses close, and Munich tends to be quiet after the previous night's fireworks.
Epiphany (Heilige Drei Könige)
January 6, Three Kings' Day, is a public holiday in Bavaria (and a handful of other German states) but a normal working day elsewhere in Germany. Carol-singing Sternsinger collect for charity door to door.
Salzburg Mozart Week 2027 (Mozartwoche)
The Mozarteum Foundation's flagship classical festival in Mozart's birthplace, Mozart Week 2027 centres on a new staging of 'Così fan tutte' completing Rolando Villazón's Da Ponte cycle, with the Vienna Philharmonic and star soloists.