Munich – Festival Tip: June 13 & 14, 2026 – 868th City Anniversary
868th Birthday of the City of Munich – LET THE CELEBRATIONS BEGIN! The 2026 Munich City Founding Festival – it all kicks off on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. on Marienplatz
On June 13 and 14, 2026, all of Munich will be celebrating. The large beer garden situated in front of Munich City Hall invites visitors to a *Weißwurst-Frühschoppen* (morning brunch featuring white sausage—priced at just €1.50 per sausage) on Sunday, June 14, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.; at 12:15 p.m., the *Morisken* dancers will take the stage (ENGLISH, ITALIANO, FRANÇAIS, DEUTSCH)
Munich. On June 13 and 14, 2026, the entire city of Munich will be celebrating. LET THE CELEBRATIONS BEGIN! Throughout the Old Town—at Odeonsplatz, Wittelsbacherplatz, and Marienplatz; along Residenzstraße and in the *Alter Hof*; extending to Max-Joseph-Platz, the Rindermarkt, and Sendlinger Straße—visitors can look forward to live music, a artisan market, food stalls serving local delicacies, and beer gardens this June. For its 868th birthday, the Old Town will be transformed into a festive mile under the motto "A Celebration of the Neighborhoods." From morning until late into the night, the Old Town will be abuzz with festivities, featuring an "Experience Mile," live music, and dance performances across multiple stages. In addition, the event offers special activities, beer gardens, a Ferris wheel, traditional fairground amusements, an artisan village and arts-and-crafts market, a family-friendly program, free guided city tours, and much more. Numerous bands, a host of events, and exciting special attractions have been announced. It all begins on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. on Marienplatz, as the brass band music of the *Münchner Oktoberfestmusikanten* rings out across the square. At 11:00 a.m., the world-famous Munich Glockenspiel on the Town Hall Tower will take place, followed at 11:15 a.m. by Munich Lord Mayor Dominik Krause opening the celebrations for the city's 868th birthday.
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| Stage on Marienplatz in front of the Town Hall, Munich City Founding Festival, Press Photo Archive Image Helga Waess |
The city's name was first mentioned in a charter issued "apud munichen" by Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa.
June 14, 1158, went down in history as the day on which coinage, customs, and market rights for a settlement "apud munichen" were confirmed by Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa. That was 867 years ago. As it does every year, the City Founding Festival is once again being celebrated in Munich's Old Town this year. But—what exactly happened 868 years ago? For the full story of Munich's founding, see our blog post: 867th Birthday: On June 14, 1158, Henry the Lion claimed coinage, customs, and market rights for Munich... = 867. Geburtstag: Am 14. Juni 1158 forderte Heinrich der Löwe die Münz-, Zoll- und Marktrechte für München ein ...
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| Knights at the Marienhof, behind Munich City Hall — Press Archive Photo: Helga Waess |
An Irish-Bavarian Program at the Rindermarkt
"Irish-Bavarian" means music and dance. It offers good beer and good company. Musically, the spectrum ranges from folk music to rock, while visitors can enjoy Irish and Bavarian culinary specialties.
The Arts and Crafts Market — Featuring Around 100 Artists and Artisans
Here, you will find authentic handmade goods, with opportunities to discover jewelry, sculptures made of stone, metal, or wood, ceramics, felted items, sewn creations, and leatherwork. Additionally, on Sendlinger Straße, a designated "Chill-Area" invites visitors to relax in deckchairs while listening to music.
Fairground Fun at Odeonsplatz
On Saturday, June 13, 2026 (from 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.), and Sunday, June 14, 2026 (from 11:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.), bands and solo artists will take the stage here to perform.
Knights at the Marienhof, behind Munich City Hall — Press Archive Photo:
An Irish-Bavarian Program at the Rindermarkt
"Irish-Bavarian" means music and dance. It offers good beer and good company. Musically, the spectrum ranges from folk music to rock, while visitors can enjoy Irish and Bavarian culinary specialties.
The Arts and Crafts Market — Featuring Around 100 Artists and Artisans
Here, you will find authentic handmade goods, with opportunities to discover jewelry, sculptures made of stone, metal, or wood, ceramics, felted items, sewn creations, and leatherwork. Additionally, on Sendlinger Straße, a designated "Chill-Area" invites visitors to relax in deckchairs while listening to music.
Fairground Fun at Odeonsplatz
On Saturday, June 13, 2026 (from 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.), and Sunday, June 14, 2026 (from 11:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.), bands and solo artists will take the stage here to perform.
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| Stage in front of the Feldherrnhalle on Odeonsplatz, Munich City Founding Festival, Press Photo Archive Image: Helga Waess |
See you at the 868th Munich City Founding Festival in 2026
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| Knight's armor and weapons at the knight's tent (in front of the major construction site) on the Marienhof, Press Archive Image: Helga Waess |











