From 28 to 30 August, more than ten flea markets will open simultaneously across different parts of the city – from the familiar early-morning markets at the racecourse to an evening flea-market festival with live music and special sales at the country’s oldest puppet theatre. Each venue has its own format and its own crowd, so vintage hunters will have plenty to choose from over these days.
Night market in the former mail sorting hall
On Friday evening, Midnightbazar will open its doors – an evening flea market on the grounds of Pineapple Park, staged inside the former postal sorting station Alte Paketposthalle. The market will start at 17:00 and combine the familiar flea-market format with a party atmosphere: alongside the rows of vintage clothing and furniture, visitors will find street food stalls and live music.
The Paketposthalle building itself is an architectural landmark 124 metres long, with a span of roughly 148 metres and built without internal supports. Beneath its roof lies a space of around 20,000 square metres. While the city authorities prepare to build a new residential and business district on the site, designed by the Swiss architecture firm Herzog & de Meuron, the building currently serves as a venue for cultural and sporting events under the name Pineapple Park.
A special programme at Germany’s oldest puppet theatre
Sunday’s fair at the Munich Marionette Theatre will be of particular interest to collectors. The theatre was founded in 1858 by Munich resident Joseph Leonhard Schmid, later known as Papa Schmid, with the support of the writer Franz Graf von Pocci, who created the character Kasperl Larifari. In its first 42 years, the troupe changed venues nine times, until the city council built it a dedicated building on Blumenstrasse in 1900. Designed by architect Theodor Fischer, the building was the first stone structure in the world built specifically for a puppet theatre, and it has changed little since.
At Sunday’s market, starting at 15:00, alongside the usual second-hand goods, items from the theatre’s own collection will also be on offer:
- set-design models;
- decommissioned marionettes;
- spotlights and props;
- rare children‘s books and posters;
- toys and vinyl records;
- two signed portraits of Peter Maffay.
For the duration of the market, the theatre kiosk will be open to all visitors, serving drinks and snacks.
Weekend flea market schedule
Friday, 28 August
7:00 – Daglfing flea market, Munich-Daglfing racecourse
7:00 – flea market at the Olympic Park, Parkharfe
17:00 – Midnightbazar, Pineapple Park, Alte Paketposthalle
Saturday, 29 August
6:00 – Munich-Riem flea market, Riem exhibition centre
6:00 – Daglfing flea market, Munich-Daglfing racecourse
7:00 – flea market at the Olympic Park, Parkharfe
10:00 – M-net yard sales in Trudering
13:00 – animal shelter flea market, Bruckentalstrasse 6
Sunday, 30 August
11:00 – M-net yard sales in Waldtrudering
15:00 – flea market at the Munich Marionette Theatre, Blumenstrasse 32
How not to lose out at a flea market
Buyers should first walk through the entire market before making any purchases. Such a survey helps establish what goods are on offer and at what prices across the different stalls. Only then is it worth returning to the most interesting sellers to compare prospective purchases and negotiate in earnest.
Sellers often remember those who come back a second time, and are more willing to lower the price for such buyers.
The same works the other way round: an unusual decorative touch – a striking vintage lamp or an ornate mirror – helps a seller draw attention to their stall. Even if the item itself is not for sale, it catches the eye and generates interest in the rest of the stock on offer.
Anyone hoping to make it to several markets in one day should check the schedule in advance, as opening times at different venues differ by several hours.
