Brunnenfest am Viktualienmarkt

Brunnenfest on the first Friday in August

The Brunnenfest am Viktualienmarkt is one of Munich's most distinctive city festivals. It takes place annually on the first Friday in August and celebrates Munich's folk art – folk singers, folk actors, cabaret artists – with free performances right in the heart of the Old Town. In 2026, the date is Friday, August 7, 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM.

Three Stages, Three Fountain Figures

The program unfolds at three performance points in the Viktualienmarkt – each at one of the fountain figures dedicated to the great personalities of Munich's popular theatre:

• Karl Valentin Fountain near Café Nymphenburg – main stage with opening by the Mayor
• Liesl Karlstadt Fountain near the beer garden – folk theatre and cabaret program
• Elise Aulinger Fountain near the Heilig-Geist-Kirche – folk singers and traditional costume groups

The fountains are decorated with colorful flowers for the festival – a visual hallmark of the day.

Over 70 Artists in the Program

A total of more than 70 artists will perform – folk singers, folk actors, cabaret artists, and traditional costume groups. All performances are free; the audience moves between the three stages, listens, applauds, and enjoys the typical Munich atmosphere amidst market stalls and beer tents.

Opening by Mayor Verena Dietl

The Brunnenfest traditionally begins at 12:00 PM with an official opening by the Mayor of Munich at the Karl Valentin Fountain. In 2026, as in previous years, Verena Dietl will open the event.

Karl Valentin, Liesl Karlstadt, Elise Aulinger

The three fountains commemorate the great personalities of Munich's popular theatre:

• Karl Valentin (1882–1948) – legendary Munich comedian and cabaret artist
• Liesl Karlstadt (1892–1960) – his brilliant stage partner
• Elise Aulinger (1881–1965) – Munich folk actress and voice of the radio play character »Liesl Karlstadt« successor

The Brunnenfest keeps their legacy alive – a civic and folk-art commitment to Munich's urban culture.

Viktualienmarkt – The Heart of Munich

The Viktualienmarkt in Munich's Old Town has been the city's most important food market since 1807 – with stalls selling fruit, vegetables, cheese, meat, and flowers, a beer garden under the traditional maypole, and the three fountain figures. During the Brunnenfest, it transforms into a relaxed open-air stage for six hours, where locals and tourists mingle.

In Good Weather

The Brunnenfest is purely a fair-weather event. In case of heavy rain, it may be cancelled at short notice – as in 2025, when the edition planned for August 1st was cancelled due to poor weather forecasts. For current information, check muenchen.de or Märkte München.