Annual events in Munich

Anyone who knows Munich well will know that the city celebrates all year round. The people of Munich have barely returned from their summer holidays when the Oktoberfest begins and with it the ‘fifth season’ (determined by the strength of the beer at the time). Chaos rules the city for sixteen days. As soon as a ‘Münchner’ has had a brief respite from all the hustle and bustle, they can already look forward to the Kirchweihdult festival in the last week of October. Residents of Munich are in their element.

End October, things get a little more exclusive at the antique exhibition. About sixty art dealers and gallery owners display their works at the Nockherberg (a cellar in the Paulaner Brewery on Hochstrasse) where visitors can expect a curious mix of art and pretentious rubbish. Fans of Biedermeier furniture, watercolour and fine carpets are sure to strike gold (see www.kunst-antiquitaeten.de).

Before the so-called ‘stade’ (calm) period in the city, the Münchner Bücherschau (Munich Book Show) opens its gates at the Gasteig in mid-November. Over eighteen days, around three hundred publishers present over twenty thousand novels, cookbooks, travel books, children’s and young people’s books, art and non-fiction books as well as audio books. Munich isn’t the biggest publishing city in the world for nothing. Also of interest is the free entry and sociable opening hours (8am until 11pm).

The best thing without a doubt is that you can browse the publishers’ extensive catalogues to your heart’s content and listen to the latest audio products in the listening booths. Well-known authors give readings of their current works and are more than willing to sign copies afterwards. The book show is a definite tip for bookworms and also for those who want to become one. Those who think ahead are sure to find an interesting Christmas present perfectly suited to a loved one. A preview of the special agenda can be found at www.muenchner-buecherschau.de.

Those thinking of whiling away the time until the Christmas parties and markets Christmas Eve and New Year’s don’t know the residents of Munich at all. The Tollwood Festival begins shortly before the first Sunday of Advent. Culture and a Christmas Market atmosphere can be found on the Theresienwiese once again this winter. The great thing about this festival is that half the events are free or cost less than usual - a Christmas blessing for the concerned Munich culture fan.

One of the main attractions is the grand en-suite event with opera, variety and musicals, theatre and readings, accompanied by a multi-faceted organic menu.
Fittingly for last year’s motto, the cult Bavarian play ‘Der verkaufte Großvater’ was performed. Star chef Sarah Wiener surprised even the most discriminating taste buds with a superb organic menu. Organic food isn’t the norm at big events, but it has been a fixture at Tollwood for four years. Of course there’s an exciting programme in place for the little ones too in the children’s theatre.

While the Christmas market lasts until 23rd December, the cultural events run up to and including New Year’s Eve, and are crowned by a New Year party at the ‘Tief im Wald-Bar’.


by Karin Nagl