As early as the beginning of November, Munich residents can look forward to festive cheer – long before the major traditional markets like the Christkindlmarkt at Marienplatz open their doors. Five special Christmas markets are heralding the start of the festive season, offering wintry atmosphere with mulled wine, crafts, and festive decorations as early as November.
Christmas Season Begins: These are the First Christmas Markets to Open in Munich
The starting signal is given by Winterworld Motorworld in Freimann, which opens its gates for the third time on November 7th. Under the motto “Driving Home for Christmas,” the market attracts visitors with a romantic Ferris wheel, musical performances, and bookable chalets. Just a few days later, on November 13th, two more markets follow: The “Winterwunderwerk” in Werksviertel-Mitte transforms the area near Ostbahnhof into a small winter village with ice rinks, curling, and live music, while simultaneously the “Weihnachtszauberwald” (Christmas Magic Forest) in Bogenhausen starts its mulled wine festival.
Munich – As the leaves fall and November arrives, Munich is already launching into the 2025 Christmas market season.
On November 17th, the “Weihnachtsdorf im Kaiserhof der Residenz” (Christmas Village in the Residenz’s Kaiserhof) opens its doors and is considered one of the most atmospheric markets in the city center. The historic setting in the courtyard of the Munich Residenz, with artistically carved wooden figures, hand-blown glass baubles, and a small fairytale forest for children, offers a family-friendly atmosphere – a deliberate contrast to the later hustle and bustle at Marienplatz. Taking the fifth spot in the opening sequence is the Christmas Market at the Chinese Tower in the English Garden, which begins its season on November 20th.
These early markets offer Munich residents and visitors the perfect opportunity to ease into the Christmas season before the peak period begins with the traditional Christkindlmarkt at Marienplatz (November 24th) and the creative Tollwood Festival (November 25th). Anyone wanting to enjoy the pre-Christmas spirit without the large crowds should take the chance and visit one of the early markets – the Christmas season in Munich definitely starts earlier than you might think.
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