Christmas markets are one of my favourite parts of a Munich winter with kids: twinkly lights, carousels, a Santa or two and something warm to hold. This is my list of all the markets I'd consider, the ones in Munich first and then a few worth a trip out of town.
A note on dates: I checked the organisers' own websites in October 2026 and added the 2026 dates wherever they were published. If a market hadn't announced them yet, I say so and tell you what I know from earlier years. Programmes change, so check the website before you go. New to German Christmas markets? Read what to expect. Looking for Santa? See where to meet Santa and St Nicholas in Munich.
2026 dates at a glance
Bars show when each market is open, 7 Nov to 3 Jan. Pasing is weekends only. *Motorworld's site gives two end dates, and Tollwood and Haidhausen come from listings, so check them.
The classic, right in the city centre and probably the busiest of them all. If you want to avoid the rush, go in the afternoon or early evening.
📆 2026: 20 Nov – 24 Dec. Mon–Sat 10:00–21:00, Sun 10:00–20:00 (24 Dec 10:00–14:00).
📍 Marienplatz, 80331 München
🎅 For kids in 2026: Himmelswerkstatt crafts for ages 6 to 12 in the Town Hall tower (29 Nov – 13 Dec). Krampuslauf on Sunday 13 Dec, which can be scary for little ones.
What else has been on for kids
The Himmelswerkstatt was free in earlier years. There was also a Christmas tram with mulled wine and kinder punch (under 6s free in 2024), nativity scenes to visit and an advent tour for 5 to 12 year olds. I couldn't find 2026 dates for these, so check the website.
Local crafts, good food and music in Munich's own English Garden. It doesn't get much more idyllic.
📆 2026: 19 Nov – 23 Dec, Wed–Sun. Wed–Fri 11:30–20:30, Sat and Sun 11:00–20:30.
📍 Englischer Garten 3, 80538 München
🎅 For kids in 2026: Nikolaus on Sat 5 and Sun 6 Dec, 16:00–19:00 (exact times to be confirmed in November). Carriage rides Thu–Sun from 13:00. Eisstockschießen on two lanes, booked online.
What else has been on for kids
A children's carousel in earlier years. I couldn't confirm it for 2026.
Often called the alternative Christmas market, because it offers a lot more than the traditional version, and it's known for food from all over the world. I wrote more in my Tollwood guide for families.
📆 2026: 24 Nov – 23 Dec, according to the city's event listing. I couldn't open tollwood.de, so please confirm. Free to enter, and shows in the big tent need tickets.
📍 Theresienwiese, 80336 München
What else has been on for kids
In earlier years: Eisstockschießen (curling), arts and crafts for 4 to 12 year olds, a bedtime story for all kids, performances by artists and clowns, and art-themed games.
Small shops and food stalls at Motorworld, with Santa's house for the little ones in earlier years.
📆 2026: from 7 Nov. The website gives the end as both 20 and 18 Dec, so check. Tue–Thu 15:00–22:00, Fri 15:00–23:00, Sat 11:00–23:00, Sun and holidays 11:00–22:00. Closed Mondays and on 15, 18 and 22 Nov.
📍 Lilienthalallee 35, 80939 München
🎅 For kids in 2026: The website lists four ice stock lanes for groups.
What else has been on for kids
In 2024 Wednesday was children's day with discounts, and there was a Ferris wheel, an ice rink and ice curling, a Christmas workshop and a Santa visit on 6 December at 17:00. For 2026 the website doesn't mention children's day, a rink or a Santa visit, so check before you go.
All the qualities of a Christmas market and a bit more, with a fairytale winter forest, plenty of Glühwein and activities for kids.
📆 2026: 12 Nov – 23 Dec, daily 12:00–20:00 (closed Sun 15 and 22 Nov).
📍 Rosenkavalierplatz, Bogenhausen, according to the festival's website. In earlier years I listed Englschalkinger Straße, corner Cosimastraße, so check before you go.
🎅 For kids in 2026: An old-school carousel, a children's railway and a Christmas wheel of fortune.
Live music, treats, shows and family programmes by the lake in the Westpark.
📆 2026 dates not announced when I checked. Last year: 28 Nov – 23 Dec.
📍 Siegenburger Str. 41, 81373 München
What else has been on for kids
In earlier years: arts and crafts, concerts and theatre for kids, Stockbrot (bread on a stick) over the campfire, and a Nikolaus concert on 6 December in 2023.
A romantic market with a children's programme that changes every day.
📆 I couldn't find 2026 dates. In 2024 it ran 18 Nov – 24 Dec (my older notes also say 16 Nov – 23 Dec), so please confirm.
📍 Moosacher Straße-Martins-Platz 2 3, 80992 München
What else has been on for kids
In earlier years: children's theatre, a 3 metre tall Santa on stilts who does magic and makes balloon animals on Fridays at 17:00, and a children's carousel.
If you've done the Munich markets and fancy a day out, these are the ones I'd look at.
Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt
2026 dates confirmed
A train ride away and often called one of the most picturesque Christmas markets in Germany. It opens with a prologue from the Christkind on the balcony of the Church of Our Lady.
📆 2026: 27 Nov – 24 Dec, daily 10:00–21:00. Opening day 10:00–22:00, prologue at 17:30 (24 Dec 10:00–14:00).
📍 Hans-Sachs-Platz 1, 90403 Nürnberg
🎅 For kids in 2026: A dedicated children's Christmas area (Kinderweihnacht). I couldn't find its 2026 dates.
What else has been on for kids
A nostalgic carousel, a steam train, a giant Ferris wheel and children's crafts in earlier years.
A Christmas market in an idyllic setting, with the royal palace as a backdrop.
📆 2026: 20 Nov – 3 Jan 2027, per the market's website. I couldn't find opening hours.
📍 Maximilianstraße 2, 83471 Berchtesgaden
What else has been on for kids
In earlier years: a Christmas tree maze, a children's carousel and bakery, a living crib (a stable with animals), horse-drawn carriages and historical market tours.
A short drive from Munich, with a cosy, traditional atmosphere.
📆 2026: 20 Nov – 23 Dec. Mon–Fri 15:00–20:30, Sat and Sun 12:00–20:30.
📍 Old town, in front of the town hall (Rathausplatz), near Dachau Palace. My earlier notes gave a Röhrmoos address, which doesn't match the market's website.
What else has been on for kids
In earlier years: the Weihnachtswald (Christmas forest) with fairytale characters and puppet shows, a Santa visit on 6 December and a Christmas reading on 10 December (2023 dates), and a giant advent calendar at the town hall with a daily raffle at 19:00 from 1 to 23 December. At 300 square metres it was the biggest in Bavaria.
At Christmas the Fraueninsel in Chiemsee becomes a romantic winter fairy tale, with around 90 stalls of handicrafts, jewellery and Christmas snacks. You get there by boat, which makes it feel like an adventure.
📆 No official 2026 dates found. Last year: the first two Advent weekends, Thu–Sun, last boat back around 21:00. My older notes say Fri–Sun on all four Advent weekends, 13:00–20:00, so check before you travel. The market is free, the boat is not.
📍 Fraueninsel, Chiemsee, by boat from Prien/Stock or Gstadt. The address I listed before: Alte Rathausstraße 11, 83209 Prien am Chiemsee.
