Munich Residenzwoche

Bavaria's Royal Palaces Become a Concert Stage

Since its inception in 2002, the Münchner Residenzwoche has been the most important in-house event of the Bavarian Palace Department. Every October, it seizes the unique opportunity to open three of the most significant Wittelsbach palaces – the Munich Residenz in the heart of the old town, the baroque Nymphenburg Palace in the west, and the magnificent New Palace Schleißheim north of the city – as concert venues. Rooms that are normally just museum and state rooms throughout the year transform into spaces of sound for ten days.

2026 Programme Under the Motto »Pomp and Pose«

The 25th edition of the Residenzwoche will take place from October 16 to 25, 2026, under the motto »Pomp und Pose« (Pomp and Pose). The programme will thus illuminate the self-perception and staging of the Wittelsbach rulers between the Renaissance, Baroque, and Classicism periods. A new themed room will be dedicated to Elector Max Emanuel, the 'Blue Elector', whose representative art significantly shaped Schleißheim Palace.

Concerts in Historic Rooms

Highlights include concerts in the Schwarzer Saal and the Antiquarium of the Residenz (the latter, at 69 m long, is the largest surviving Renaissance festival hall in Northern Europe), in the Allerheiligen-Hofkirche, in the Herkulessaal, and in the New Palace Schleißheim with the »Lust.Wandel« series specifically developed for the Residenzwoche. Artistic programmes from recent editions have ranged from Bach passions to the Augsburg Cathedral Choirboys with homages to Palestrina, and contemporary early music.

Themed Tours, Exhibitions, and Family Programme

In addition to the concerts, the Residenzwoche offers a broad daytime programme: themed tours through normally closed rooms, special exhibitions such as the one in 2025 on King Max I Joseph and Ludwig I, workshop discussions with restorers, 'Hands-On' stations for children and families, and art education activities for school classes. The Residenzwoche thus consciously positions itself as a bridge between top-class classical music and accessible cultural engagement.

Munich as a European Cultural City

The Münchner Residenzwoche underscores Munich's claim to be a global cultural capital – complementing the Bavarian State Opera, the Munich Philharmonic, and the Munich Opera Festival. It is supported by the Bavarian State Ministry of Finance and Heimat (patronage) and is considered a showcase for the Bavarian Palace Department, one of the largest state palace administrations in Europe with 45 palaces, castles, and residences throughout Bavaria.