Folk Festivals and Markets in Munich

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(27.02.17) In the course of the year there are always periods and special occasions for celebration in Munich. The folk festivals – be they large like the Oktoberfest or small like the Magdalenenfest – exert their typical Munich charm and amiable uniqueness to attract a great number of guests. Folk festivals are often combined with markets or fairs, which provide even more reasons to attend. During the Advent season, numerous Christmas markets of different characters cast their magic spell on visitors.

Spring Festival The season of Munich folk festivals commences with the Spring Festival on Theresienwiese, where Munich sideshow operators present funfair entertainment for 17 days to celebrate the passing of winter. More than 100 showmen offer attractions such as the largest portable go-cart track and the longest mobile slide at the Spring Festival. A beer tent and wheat beer garden complement a variety of snack booths to provide culinary delights. Discounts are offered on two family days, making the folk festival particularly attractive for the whole family. A cascade of fireworks and musical fireworks are regarded as highlights of this folk festival. Traditionally a great flea market takes place on one day during the Spring Festival. Date: April 21 to May 7, 2017, Spring Festival

Information: Veranstaltungsgesellschaft der Münchner Schausteller (VMS), PO Box 701963, 81319 Munich, Germany, phone: +49 89 69759393,

Contact: Department of Labor and Economic Development München Tourismus, Trade & Media Relations Sendlinger Str. 1, 80331 München, Tel.: +49 89 233-30345 Email: [email protected], www.simply-munich.com Page 2

fax: +49 89 69759394, email: [email protected], Internet: www.muenchner-volksfeste.de

The Auer Dulten Fairs Traditional fairs held at Mariahilfplatz square in Munich’s Au district invite visitors for nine days, three times a year to stroll and look, eat and drink, enjoy and shop. The market has the character of a folk festival and looks back on a long tradition. It was already mentioned in writings from medieval times and is organized by the Department of Labor and Economic Development of the City of Munich (RAW). Extending over about 22,000 m2 of fairground, the Dult forms an island in the heart of the city where fun and a cozy atmosphere reign. What is probably Europe’s largest tableware market, the lanes of merchants and specialist dealers, a Russian wheel and chair o’plane rides as well as many other attractions invite visitors. The May Dult is the beginning of the municipal folk festival and market season. It is followed by the Jakobi Dult in July and is finished by the Kirchweih Dult in October.

Dates: May Dult April 29- May 7, 2017 Business hours daily 10am – 8pm Sideshows daily 10:30am – 8pm Jakobi Dult July 29 – August 6, 2017 Business hours daily 10am – 8pm Sideshows daily 10:30am – 8pm Kirchweih Dult October 14 – 22, 2017 Business hours daily 10am – 7pm Sideshows daily 10:30am – 7pm

Information: Department of Labor and Economic Development of the City of Munich, phone: +49 89 233-82805 and -82811 (press), fax: +49 89 233- 82800 Email: [email protected] Internet: www.auerdult.de

City Foundation Festival The City of Munich was first mentioned in a document, the so-called Augsburg Compromise, by Emperor Friedrich Barbarossa on June 14, 1158. Every year the city

celebrates the occasion with a great birthday party. For two days the festival mile between Marienplatz and Odeonsplatz square is turned into a meeting place for locals and visitors alike. The multi-facetted entertainment program offers something for every taste at the Showbühne stage at Marienplatz and in the Handwerkerdorf (artisans’ village), in the Realm of Kids in the Old Courtyard, on Rosenstrasse and in the pedestrian mall, at Rindermarkt and along the boulevards of artists and artisans. Experience Bavarian customs and international folklore, modern VolXmusik and big band sound, sports and games, Munich history and stories. Famous artists and rising stars striving for even more fame congratulate the city along the Isar River by performing. The City Foundation Festival is organized by the Department of Labor and Economic Development of the City of Munich (RAW). Date: June 17/18, 2017: 859th City Foundation Festival

Information: Department of Labor and Economic Development of the City of Munich, phone: +49 89 233-82804 und -82811 (press), fax: +49 89 233- 82800 Email: [email protected] Internet: www.stadtgruendungsfest-muenchen.de

Magdalenenfest The Magdalenenfest, which takes place in Hirschgarten every July, is an insider’s tip among Munich folk festivals. The event takes place in the idyllic park directly adjacent to one of the city’s largest beer gardens. The small folk festival with a fair presents about 35 sideshows for entertainment and approximately 25 merchants offering a select range of goods from pots to wickerwork. Visitors can feast on roast sausages or skewer-grilled fish in the shady beer garden nearby and quench their thirst with cool beer or refreshing lemonade. Coziness and a friendly atmosphere make this traditional folk festival, which was first documented in 1728, especially attractive for families.

Date: July 08 – 23, 2017, Wednesday family day with discount rates

Information: Bayerischer Landesverband der Marktkaufleute und Schausteller,Bezirksstelle München, Siegfried Eder Phone: +49 89 430 65 81, fax: +49 89 439 39 75 Internet: www.muenchner-volksfeste.de

Summer Festival in the Olympic Park: “Impark Sommerfestival” Fun and action await visitors at the summer festival at Coubertinplatz in the Olympic Park. Water jousting on the Olympic Lake, kids’ days and activities for the little ones, live acts of rock bands and jazz musicians from the Munich scene at Theatron as well as sideshows for grown-ups and kids turn the Olympic Park into a meeting place for all those who want to enjoy a summer vacation at home. Date: Aug 3 – 27, 2017

Information: Olympiapark GmbH, phone: +49 89 30672414, fax: +49 89 30672222 Email: [email protected]; Internet: www.olympiapark-muenchen.de

The Munich Oktoberfest “The barrel is tapped,” exclaims Munich’s Lord Mayor after broaching the first cask of festival beer and thus officially opening the world-famous Oktoberfest. For sixteen days (or some years more) Munich locals and hundreds of thousands of guests from all over the world flock to the “Wiesn”, the festival area at the feet of the Bavaria statue. The Oktoberfest has its origin in wedding celebrations of 1810 when Crown Prince Ludwig, who later became King Ludwig I of Bavaria, married Princess Therese von Saxony-Hildburghausen. The festive grounds in the midst of town are named after the bride: Theresienwiese, a name that locals have fondly shortened to “Wiesn”. The Oktoberfest is characterized by a distinct mix of high tech and nostalgia. About 80 attractions and sideshows invite visitors to have the time of their lives. In addition to spectacular large rides, there are funfair attractions with a longstanding tradition, such as the Krinoline (old-fashioned merry-go-round), the “Toboggan” and the “Schichtl Variety Show” that represent a living fairground tradition and can only be found at the Oktoberfest. The special Oktoberfest beer brewed by Munich’s six major breweries is served in the fourteen beer tents that provide a total seating capacity for more than 100,000 guests. The draft beer is the perfect beverage to accompany Bavarian treats such as radishes, Obatzda (garnished cream cheese), sausages, roast chicken and skewer-grilled fish. The ox roasted on a spit is another Wiesn specialty. Overall, some 85 small and

medium-sized caterers invite you to have a swell time. Reservations for the beer tents must be made with the respective tent operators; the reservation fee includes a voucher for beer and food. A list of the tent operators including the phone numbers for making reservations is available online at www.oktoberfest.eu. 2017 the “Oide Wiesn” (Vintage Wiesn) in the southern part of Theresienwiese will again offer a glimpse of the festivals of past decades. The additional festive area extending over 7.4 acres below the Bavaria statue comprises two festive tents and funfair rides from the olden days. Here visitors find a cozy atmosphere, tradition and customs, modern folk culture and festival fun. The admission fee is 3 Euros, children 14 years of age and under are free. The “Oide Wiesn” pauses in leap years (like 2016) when the Bavarian Central Agriculture Fair takes place at this area. The colorful parades are the highlights of the Oktoberfest. The festive prelude of Oktoberfest is the Grand Entry of the Oktoberfest Landlords, Showmen and Breweries (for the first time in 1887) in beautifully adorned carriages and splendid horse-drawn carts on the opening Saturday starting at 10:45am. On the next day starting at 10am the Munich Costume and Marksmen Parade (for the first time in 1835) proceeds through downtown to the festival grounds. The festive parades take place regardless of the weather. Information festive parades: Festring München e.V., Oskar-von-Miller-Ring 1, 80333 Munich, phone: +49 89 2608134, fax: +49 89 263065, email: info@ festring.de , Internet: www.festring.de, Oktoberfest date: September 16 – October 3, 2017

Information: Department of Labor and Economic Development of the City of Munich, phone: +49 89 233-82802 und -82811 (press), fax: +49 89 233- 82800 Email: [email protected] Internet: www.oktoberfest.eu

The Munich Christmas Market When the days grow short and the snow on the roofs of the market booths sparkles in the bright shine of infinite numbers of lights, the Munich Christmas Market around Marienplatz square is at its most beautiful. Every year Munich locals and their guests

from near and far are under the pre-Christmas spell of this traditional market whose roots are said to go back to the 14th century. The Munich Christmas Market is officially opened by the Lord Mayor of the Bavarian capital. Then an almost 100-ft. high Christmas tree sparkles for the first time in the glitter of 2,500 lights. The more than 100 market stands present a range of classical goods: gingerbread and plum men, wooden goods from Oberammergau, South Tyrol and the Erzgebirge mountains, modern and nostalgic Christmas tree decoration, candles, presents, in short: everything that belongs to the Advent season. The Munich Manger Market on Neuhauser Strasse near the Richard Strauss fountain is famous. It is regarded as one of the largest manger markets in Germany. Here manger builders and fans will find everything their heart desires from the splendid manger to oxen and donkeys in the stable. The scent of cinnamon and sizzling roast sausages at the snack booths arouse a healthy appetite. Hot mulled wine and freshly roasted almonds, advent specialties such as spicy nut cookies and gingerbread – also made with organically grown ingredients – potato fritters and cheese spätzle are indispensable treats of the Christmas market. The Munich Christmas Market is organized by the Department of Labor and Economic Development of the City of Munich. It presents several service offers, such as the heavenly workshop especially for kids, a daily musical program on the balcony of the town hall (5.30pm daily, Dec. 24 noon), the Christmas post office, cultural, historical and culinary guided tours of the Christmas market, the Krampus Run and the Christkindl tram. Business Hours: Mon-Sat 10am – 9pm Sun 10am – 8pm Dec. 24 10am – 2pm Date: November 27 – December 24, 2017

In addition to the original Christmas market at Marienplatz square, about 20 large and small Christmas markets – each with their own distinct flair – are organized and run by private persons and clubs all over the city.

Background München Tourismus is organizationally assigned to the Department of Labor and Economic Development of the City of Munich. Together with its partners from the private business sector, the Tourismusinitiative München TIM e.V., München Tourismus develops marketing and PR measures as well as tourist products to position the destination Munich as a leader among its international competitors and to promote tourism to Munich. The strategic focus is determined by the Munich Tourism Commission, a joint board of the city council and the local tourism industry.

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