Munich Advent Spectacle — Medieval Christmas Market

Munich's Advent Market Worlds

Munich has not just one, but a whole series of different Christmas markets during Advent. The large Munich Christkindlmarkt at Marienplatz is the tourist flagship, alongside specialized markets: the Tollwood Winter Festival on Theresienwiese (street food, world culture), the Christkindlmarkt at Sendlinger Tor (alternative-romantic), the district market at Schwabinger Weihnachtsmarkt — and the Munich Advent Spectacle with its medieval concept.

Wittelsbacherplatz — Baroque Setting for Medieval Bustle

The venue is Wittelsbacherplatz in Munich's Maxvorstadt, about 500 meters north of Marienplatz. The square is framed by Brienner Straße 6–10 — one of Munich's most elegant streets with neoclassical palaces. In the center: the equestrian statue of Elector Maximilian I, created by Bertel Thorvaldsen in 1839. This representative backdrop of neoclassical architecture and symbols of the Bavarian Royal House provides a charming contrast to the medieval market.

Medieval Concept Since 2005

The Munich Advent Spectacle was launched in 2005. The organizing community thus created an alternative to classic Advent markets — with a consistent medieval aesthetic: jugglers, knights, jesters, merchants in medieval attire, stalls made of raw wood with tarpaulins, open fire pits, medieval music (bagpipes, hurdy-gurdy, shawm), medieval crafts (leatherwork, blacksmithing, glassblowing, pottery, coin minting, calligraphy).

Feuerzangenbowle and Medieval Food

Instead of classic mulled wine mugs, clay cups and wooden tankards are served at the medieval spectacle. On the menu: Met (mead), Glühmet (mulled mead), Feuerzangenbowle, along with classic mulled wine and punch. Food accordingly: suckling pig from the spit, dough on a stick (over an open fire), Stockbrot (stick bread), wild boar sausage, medieval breads and cheeses, dried fruits and nuts served from burlap sacks.

Cultural Program on All Advent Weekends

On each Advent weekend, a cultural program takes place on a medieval-rustic stage: medieval bands (Corvus Corax, Faun, Schandmaul style), jester performances, evening fire shows, storytellers for children, craft tours. The program makes the market a spectacle in the true sense of the word — not just a range of goods, but an experience.