Things to Do in Munich in December

December Weather in Munich

4°C (39°F) High Temp

-3°C (27°F) Low Temp

58 mm (2.3 inches) Rainfall

85% Humidity

Is December Right for You?

Advantages

Christkindlmärkte (Christmas markets) at peak atmosphere from November 26 - December 24, with Marienplatz market drawing 3 million visitors annually for Glühwein and handcrafted ornaments
Indoor cultural season peaks with Bavarian State Opera, Residenz Theater, and Philharmonic offering premium winter programming at 30-40% lower tourist crowds than summer
Authentic Alpine winter experience just 90 km (56 miles) from Munich - Garmisch-Partenkirchen ski season begins mid-December with reliable snow coverage above 800m (2,625 ft)
Traditional Bavarian winter foods reach seasonal perfection: Lebkuchen (gingerbread), Stollen, wild game dishes, and warming Feuerzangenbowle at traditional Wirtshäuser

Considerations

Daylight lasts only 8 hours and 15 minutes (sunrise 8:00 AM, sunset 4:15 PM), severely limiting outdoor sightseeing time and creating persistent gray gloom
Weather is genuinely miserable - constant drizzle, temperatures hovering at freezing, 85% humidity creates bone-deep cold that penetrates even quality winter gear
Christmas markets close December 24, leaving the city notably quiet and many restaurants closed December 25-26, creating a post-Christmas cultural dead zone

Best Activities in December

Christmas Market Cultural Tours

December is THE month for Munich's six major Christkindlmärkte. Marienplatz Christmas Market (oldest, most atmospheric), Schwabing Art Christmas Market (local artisans), and Residenz Christmas Market (medieval setting) operate at peak atmosphere. Glühwein costs €3-4, handcrafted ornaments €8-25. Best experienced 4-7 PM when lights create magical ambiance despite early darkness.

Booking Tip: Most markets are free to enter - no booking needed. For guided Christmas market tours including Glühwein tastings, book 5-7 days ahead through licensed local operators. Tours typically cost €25-45 per person. Reference booking widget below for current Christmas market tour options.

Bavarian State Opera and Classical Concerts

December showcases Munich's world-class indoor cultural scene during its peak season. Bavarian State Opera presents special Christmas programming, Munich Philharmonic offers winter concert series, and smaller venues host intimate classical performances. Tourist crowds are 40% lower than summer, making premium tickets more accessible at €35-150.

Booking Tip: Book cultural performances 3-4 weeks ahead for best seat selection. Many venues offer same-day tickets at box office for 20-30% discount. Student discounts available with ID. See current performance options in booking section below.

Alpine Day Trips to Garmisch-Partenkirchen

December marks the beginning of reliable ski season in the Bavarian Alps. Garmisch-Partenkirchen (90 km/56 miles from Munich) offers snow-covered Alpine scenery, traditional Christmas markets with mountain backdrop, and early-season skiing on Zugspitze. Train journey takes 1.5 hours through snow-dusted countryside - perfect escape from Munich's gray weather.

Booking Tip: Book Alpine day tours 7-10 days ahead, typically €65-85 including transport. Train tickets (Bayern-Ticket) cost €25 for unlimited regional travel. Weather above 800m (2,625 ft) is significantly better than Munich valley fog. See current Alpine tour options below.

Traditional Brewery and Wirtshäuser Experiences

December brings peak season for traditional Bavarian winter cuisine and warm indoor brewery atmosphere. Historic beer halls like Hofbräuhaus, Augustiner-Bräu, and neighborhood Wirtshäuser serve seasonal specialties: wild boar, venison, Sauerbraten, and warming Feuerzangenbowle. Indoor seating is coveted during cold months, creating authentic local community atmosphere.

Booking Tip: Traditional beer halls don't take reservations for main halls - arrive by 6 PM for guaranteed seating. Private brewery tours with traditional food pairings cost €45-65, book 5-7 days ahead through certified guides. See current brewery experience options in booking section.

Museum District Indoor Cultural Immersion

December weather makes Munich's Museum District (Kunstareal) ideal for extended indoor exploration. Alte Pinakothek, BMW Museum, Deutsches Museum, and Residenz Museum offer world-class collections with minimal tourist crowds. Day tickets (€29) provide access to multiple venues, perfect for 6-8 hour cultural deep-dives during short daylight hours.

Booking Tip: Purchase Munich Museum District day passes online for 15% discount. Many museums offer free entry first Sunday of month for residents - expect larger crowds December 1. Book guided museum tours 3-5 days ahead, typically €35-50. Current museum tour options available below.

Thermal Spa and Wellness Retreats

December's harsh weather makes thermal spas essential for maintaining sanity. Therme Erding (30 km/19 miles from Munich) offers 185,000 sq ft of thermal pools, saunas, and wellness treatments. Müller'sches Volksbad (historic Art Nouveau pool in city center) provides authentic local thermal experience. Perfect antidote to cold, wet, dark Munich December days.

Booking Tip: Thermal spa day passes cost €35-65 depending on facilities and duration. Book spa treatments 7-14 days ahead during December. Many spas offer evening packages (5-10 PM) at 25% discount - ideal given early sunset. See current spa and wellness options below.

December Events & Festivals

November 26 - December 24

Christkindlmärkte (Munich Christmas Markets)

Six major Christmas markets operate across Munich, with Marienplatz Christmas Market as the centerpiece featuring 140 stalls, traditional crafts, and the famous Christkind opening ceremony. Each market has distinct character - Schwabing for arts, Residenz for medieval atmosphere, Frauenkirche for traditional foods.

November 26

Münchner Christkindlmarkt Opening Ceremony

Official opening of Munich's Christmas market season at Marienplatz featuring the Christkind (Christmas Angel) proclamation from Rathaus balcony. Traditional ceremony draws 15,000+ spectators and marks the beginning of Munich's Christmas season with choir performances and ceremonial lighting.

December 31

New Year's Eve at Marienplatz

Munich's largest New Year's celebration transforms Marienplatz into outdoor party venue with live music, food stalls, and midnight fireworks display. Free public event draws 50,000+ revelers despite freezing temperatures. Traditional accompaniment of Glühwein and Leberwurst keeps crowds warm.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Waterproof insulated boots rated to -10°C (14°F) - Munich's slushy sidewalks and 10 rainy days make regular shoes miserable

Heavy wool coat or down parka - temperatures feel colder than actual due to 85% humidity and constant dampness

Waterproof gloves and warm hat - essential for outdoor Christmas market browsing in sub-freezing temperatures

Moisture-wicking base layers - humidity creates clammy conditions even in heated indoor spaces

Compact umbrella - 10 rainy days with frequent drizzle requires constant protection

Wool socks (multiple pairs) - wet feet are inevitable, wool maintains warmth when damp

Power bank and phone protection - cold weather drains batteries 40% faster than normal temperatures

Hand/foot warmers - chemical heat packs essential for extended outdoor Christmas market visits

Lip balm and moisturizer - indoor heating and outdoor cold create severe skin dryness

Layered clothing system - indoor venues are heavily heated (22°C/72°F) while outdoors hovers at freezing

Insider Knowledge

Visit Christmas markets 11 AM - 2 PM for photos with best natural light, return 5-7 PM for atmospheric evening lighting when vendors light lanterns and crowds create energy

Purchase reusable Glühwein mugs (Tasse) at Christmas markets for €2-3 deposit - collect different designs from each market as authentic souvenirs, return for deposit refund

Use MVG day tickets (€8.80) for unlimited public transport - essential during December when walking outdoors becomes unpleasant due to weather conditions

Book restaurant reservations for December 23 and 27-30 - many traditional Bavarian restaurants close December 24-26, creating booking pressure for remaining days

Avoid These Mistakes

Underestimating how cold and wet December actually feels - the combination of humidity, wind, and temperatures near freezing creates miserable conditions that penetrate inadequate clothing

Planning too many outdoor activities - with only 8 hours 15 minutes of daylight and frequent drizzle, outdoor sightseeing becomes genuinely unpleasant after 2-3 hours

Assuming Christmas markets stay open through New Year - most close December 24, leaving visitors with limited traditional Christmas atmosphere for remainder of December