Munich events & things to do in December 2026
Start with Marienplatz and Neues Rathaus, Englischer Garten and Eisbach wave, plus BMW Welt and Olympic Park. December in Munich averages 4°C / 38°F highs, -2°C / 28°F nights, and about 12 rainy days.
Expect 4°C/38°F days and about 12 rainy ones in December. Start with these:
- Marienplatz and Neues Rathaus★ 4.7 · 2.1k reviewsMarienplatz has been Munich's central square since the medieval market period, with the 19th-century New Town Hall and its Glockenspiel facing the…
- Englischer Garten and Eisbach wave★ 4.7 · 21.9k reviewsThe English Garden is one of Europe's largest urban parks, stretching north from the Residenz area with meadows, streams, beer gardens, and the…
- MÜNCHEN | Old but Gold Ü30 Hip Hop Party on 3 Floors w/ Shai (USA) & DenyoDec 12Source: Ticketmaster
30% off a Going membership when you plan your trip.
By TripSapien Research · Updated June 3, 2026
Munich in December 2026
Weather
TempTemperature
38°F / 28°F
3.6°C / -2.2°C
RainPrecipitation
12d
2.4in · 60mm
LightDaylight
8.2h
December is cold with Christmas markets at Marienplatz and Residenz courtyards driving central crowds.
Events & festivals
Event calendar- Dec 1 – Dec 24
Munich Christmas Market (Christkindlmarkt) at Marienplatz
Traditional Christmas market held in the heart of Munich at Marienplatz featuring festive stalls, crafts, food, and seasonal entertainment.
Planning lead · dates set closer in · Source: festival research
- Dec 1 – Dec 23
Christmas Concerts at Munich Residenz
Series of classical and choral Christmas concerts held in the historic Munich Residenz palace.
Planning lead · dates set closer in · Source: festival research
- Dec 1 – Dec 24
Advent Singing at Frauenkirche
Daily Advent singing sessions and choir performances in the iconic Frauenkirche cathedral.
Planning lead · dates set closer in · Source: festival research
Show all 5 events for December
- Dec 5
Krampuslauf Munich 2026
Traditional Krampus parade featuring costumed figures roaming the streets of Munich to celebrate Alpine folklore.
Planning lead · dates set closer in · Source: festival research
- Dec 16 – Dec 31
Tollwood Winter Festival
A cultural festival on the Theresienwiese featuring international music, theater, organic food markets, and art installations during the winter season.
Planning lead · dates set closer in · Source: festival research
Holidays, observances & long weekends
Holiday and observance schedules can affect services and venue hours; confirm each place directly.
- Dec 24Christmas EveBank holiday
- Dec 25Christmas DayPublic holiday
- Dec 26Boxing DayPublic holiday
- Dec 31New Year's EveBank holiday
- Dec 24-Dec 27Long weekend with bridge day
- Dec 25-Dec 27Long weekend
- Dec 31-Jan 3Long weekend with bridge day
About Munich
City overview
Munich sits on the Isar in southern Bavaria, where Altstadt, Maxvorstadt, Schwabing, Ludwigsvorstadt-Isarvorstadt, Haidhausen, and Nymphenburg link royal squares, art museums, beer halls, science museums, parks, football, and Alpine rail days. The city is polished and orderly, but Oktoberfest tents, river surfing, student galleries, and beer gardens keep it from feeling like a museum piece.
Food & drink
Munich food is Bavarian and beer-hall specific: Weisswurst is a poached veal sausage eaten with sweet mustard and a pretzel, Schweinshaxe is crisp pork knuckle, Obatzda is a paprika-seasoned cheese spread, and Leberkaese is sliced warm from a loaf. Viktualienmarkt, Hofbräuhaus, Augustiner-Keller, Gaertnerplatz, Elisabethmarkt, and beer gardens in the English Garden and Hirschgarten add roast pork, spaetzle, radishes, Apfelstrudel, and Helles lager.
Top sights
Ranked for December suitability using weather, setting, ratings, and review volume.
- 1BMW Welt and Olympic Park
- 2Frauenkirche
- 3Munich Residenz
- 4Nymphenburg Palace
- 5Allianz Arena
- 6Deutsches Museum
- 7Hofbräuhaus
- 8Pinakotheken and Kunstareal
1BMW Welt and Olympic Park
4.7★ · 39,283indoorOpen dailyBMW Welt, the BMW Museum, and the 1972 Olympic Park cluster in northern Munich beside the tent-roof stadiums and tower. The U3 line links the area to the center.
2Frauenkirche
4.6★ · 14,874indoorThe twin-towered late Gothic cathedral was built in the 15th century and remains Munich's most recognizable church silhouette. It stands a short walk from Marienplatz and Kaufingerstrasse.
3Munich Residenz
4.6★ · 22,303indoorThe Wittelsbach palace complex grew from the 14th century into a large royal residence with courtyards, treasury, Antiquarium, apartments, and court church. It sits beside Odeonsplatz and the Hofgarten.
WikipediaThe palace, treasury, and Cuvilliés Theatre use separate ticket options; allow several hours.
Show 3 more sights
- 4Nymphenburg Palace
- 5Allianz Arena
- 6Deutsches Museum
Neighborhoods
1Altstadt and Lehel
Altstadt and Lehel are central and ceremonial, with Marienplatz, Frauenkirche, Viktualienmarkt, Residenz, Hofgarten, and Isar access.
2Maxvorstadt
Maxvorstadt is museum-and-student focused, with Kunstareal, Pinakotheken, Koenigsplatz, universities, bookshops, cafes, and small bars.
3Schwabing and English Garden
Schwabing has cafe history, Art Nouveau facades, Leopoldstrasse, university life, and quick access to the English Garden and Eisbach.
Day trips
20km / 25min by S-Bahn from Munich Hauptbahnhof to Dachau, then bus 726
Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial
The memorial site includes prisoner barracks reconstructions, gate, crematorium area, museum, archival exhibits, and guided historical context.
120km / about 2h by train to Fuessen plus bus to Hohenschwangau
Neuschwanstein and Fuessen
The royal castles, Alpine foothills, lakes, and village setting make Munich's best-known long day trip.
145km / 1.5-2h by train from Munich Hauptbahnhof
Salzburg
The old town, fortress, Mozart sites, Mirabell gardens, and mountain backdrop work as an international rail day.
Getting around
MVV covers U-Bahn, S-Bahn, trams, buses, and regional trains with zone-based tickets and airport lines S1 and S8. Walk the Altstadt, use U-Bahn for Olympic Park and Allianz Arena, trams for Nymphenburg, and regional trains for Alpine or Salzburg days.
Planning a Munich trip?
Add your dates and we'll check every place for closures, limited hours, and booking needs in December.
Common questions about Munich in December
- Best rainy-day things to do in Munich in December
December averages 12 rainy days in Munich, so keep these indoor stops as realistic backups.
- BMW Welt and Olympic Park — BMW Welt, the BMW Museum, and the 1972 Olympic Park cluster in northern Munich beside the tent-roof stadiums and tower. The U3 line links the area to the center.
- Frauenkirche — The twin-towered late Gothic cathedral was built in the 15th century and remains Munich's most recognizable church silhouette. It stands a short walk from Marienplatz and Kaufingerstrasse.
- Munich Residenz — The Wittelsbach palace complex grew from the 14th century into a large royal residence with courtyards, treasury, Antiquarium, apartments, and court church. It sits beside Odeonsplatz and the Hofgarten.
- Nymphenburg Palace — The baroque summer palace began in the 1660s for the Bavarian court and grew with pavilions, canals, stables, porcelain, and parkland. Trams connect it with the center.
- Deutsches Museum — The science and technology museum opened on Museum Island in the Isar and covers aviation, shipping, energy, physics, mining, music, computers, and engineering. It is closest to Isartor and Fraunhoferstrasse transit.
- What to pack for Munich in December
Pack for December's weather, not a generic Munich checklist.
- A warm coat and insulating layers for average highs around 4°C / 38°F.
- A heavier evening layer because nights average -2°C / 28°F.
- Compact rain gear and shoes that handle wet pavement across about 12 rainy days.
- How many days do you need in Munich
- 4 days covers the main Munich highlights at a realistic pace. Add 3 extra days if you want the listed day trips.
Ready to plan Munich?
You've seen what's on — now get a day-by-day Munich plan for December 2026, every place checked for your exact dates.