Things to Do in Munich in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
December Weather in Munich
Is December Right for You?
Advantages
- Christmas market season is absolutely peak - from late November through December 24th, Munich transforms into one of Europe's most atmospheric winter destinations. The Christkindlmarkt at Marienplatz alone draws crowds, but you'll find smaller, genuinely local markets in neighborhoods like Haidhausen and Schwabing where prices drop and the glühwein tastes better.
- Museum and indoor attraction season means shorter lines and better experiences - while summer tourists queue for 90 minutes at the Residenz, December visitors typically wait 15-20 minutes max. The Deutsches Museum, Pinakotheken art galleries, and BMW Museum are all significantly more pleasant when you're not fighting crowds.
- Bavarian winter cuisine hits differently in actual cold weather - schweinshaxe, käsespätzle, and warming stews make sense when it's genuinely freezing outside. Beer halls like Hofbräuhaus and Augustiner feel properly cozy rather than touristy, and locals actually show up for the seasonal dunkles and bockbier releases.
- Day trip access to Alps skiing opens up - by December, resorts like Garmisch-Partenkirchen (90 km/56 miles south) are typically operational. You can realistically do Munich culture in the morning and be on slopes by early afternoon, which summer visitors obviously can't match.
Considerations
- Daylight is brutally short - sunrise around 8:00 AM, sunset by 4:30 PM means you're working with maybe 8 hours of usable daylight. If you're trying to pack in outdoor sightseeing, you'll feel rushed and might find yourself doing evening activities in full darkness.
- Christmas markets shut down December 24th, leaving the city oddly quiet through New Year - if you're visiting December 25-31, you'll miss the main event entirely. Most restaurants close Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and the city feels somewhat empty as locals travel to family gatherings.
- Weather is genuinely cold and damp - that 70% humidity at near-freezing temperatures creates a bone-chilling cold that catches travelers from milder climates off guard. It's not the crisp, dry cold of the Alps but rather a penetrating dampness that requires proper layering.
Best Activities in December
Christmas Market Circuit Tours
December is literally the only month this matters - Munich's Christmas markets run from late November through December 24th, and visiting multiple markets in one evening is the quintessential December experience. The weather actually enhances this, as the cold makes the glühwein and feuerzangenbowle genuinely warming rather than just thematic. Markets range from the massive tourist-focused Marienplatz Christkindlmarkt to neighborhood markets in Sendling and Giesing where you'll hear more Bavarian dialect than English. Each market has its own character - some focus on traditional handicrafts, others on food, some on medieval themes. The key is visiting multiple to understand the variation.
Neuschwanstein Castle Winter Day Trips
The famous fairy-tale castle sits 120 km (75 miles) southwest of Munich, and December offers a specific advantage - potential snow coverage makes it look exactly like the Disney castle it inspired, but with significantly fewer tourists than summer months. The drive through Bavarian countryside in winter is genuinely scenic, and you'll avoid the shoulder-to-shoulder crowds that plague the castle April through October. That said, weather can complicate access - icy conditions occasionally close the uphill path to the castle, requiring a bus shuttle. The cold also means you won't want to linger outside, so time your visit for midday when temperatures peak.
Dachau Memorial Site Visits
The concentration camp memorial sits 20 km (12 miles) northwest of Munich, and December's somber weather actually suits the gravity of the visit. Winter means fewer tour groups, allowing for more reflective experiences. The site is entirely outdoors except for the museum building, so you'll be walking in cold conditions for 2-3 hours - but this is one of those experiences where physical discomfort feels appropriate to the subject matter. Guided tours provide essential historical context that self-guided visits often miss.
Beer Hall and Brewery Experiences
December is actually ideal for Munich's beer culture - halls like Hofbräuhaus, Augustiner-Bräu, and Löwenbräukeller are warm refuges from the cold, and locals show up in higher numbers than summer when everyone's in beer gardens. Winter seasonal beers like dunkles and bockbier are released, and the food makes more sense when you're genuinely cold. Tours of breweries like Paulaner and Augustiner explain the brewing process and typically include tastings. The key is going beyond Hofbräuhaus to neighborhood halls where tourists are minority rather than majority.
Garmisch-Partenkirchen Ski Day Trips
Germany's premier ski resort sits 90 km (56 miles) south of Munich at the base of the Zugspitze, Germany's highest peak at 2,962 m (9,718 ft). December typically has enough snow coverage for skiing by mid-month, though conditions vary year to year. The advantage over dedicated ski destinations is you can combine Munich's urban culture with actual Alpine skiing in one trip. Day trips are realistic - leave Munich by 7:30 AM, ski from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM, back in Munich by 6:00 PM. Equipment rental is available at the resort.
Nymphenburg Palace and Grounds Winter Visits
The sprawling Baroque palace complex sits 6 km (3.7 miles) northwest of city center, and December offers a specific advantage - the palace interiors are heated and uncrowded, while the formal gardens take on a stark beauty under potential snow coverage. Summer visitors fight crowds through the ornate rooms, while December visitors often have galleries nearly to themselves. The Marstallmuseum with its royal carriages and sleighs makes particular sense in winter. Budget 3-4 hours for palace and grounds combined.
December Events & Festivals
Christkindlmarkt Christmas Markets
Munich's Christmas markets are the main cultural event of December, running from late November through December 24th. The Marienplatz market is the flagship with 140+ stalls, but neighborhood markets in Haidhausen, Schwabing, Sendling, and around Chinesischer Turm in the English Garden offer more local experiences. Markets typically open around 10:00 AM and run until 8:00-9:00 PM daily. Expect glühwein at 3-5 EUR per mug, food stalls with bratwurst and raclette, and handicraft vendors selling ornaments and decorations. The medieval market at Wittelsbacherplatz and the gay Christmas market at Stephansplatz offer alternative atmospheres.
Tollwood Winter Festival
Alternative cultural festival running at Theresienwiese (the Oktoberfest grounds) from late November through December 31st, making it one of the few major events continuing after Christmas markets close. Combines market stalls with live music venues, theater performances, and international food stands. More bohemian and less traditional than Christmas markets, attracting younger crowds and locals. Entry to festival grounds is free, individual performances cost 15-40 EUR. Open daily from late morning until late evening.
New Year's Eve at Marienplatz
Munich's main New Year celebration centers on Marienplatz with outdoor festivities, fireworks, and crowds of 10,000-plus people. Unlike Christmas markets which shut down, New Year's Eve is when the city comes back to life after the quiet December 25-30 period. Most bars and restaurants in the Altstadt stay open late with special menus. Public transportation runs all night December 31st to January 1st. Expect cold conditions - temperatures typically around -2 to 2°C (28-36°F) - but festive atmosphere.