Tip: From November 17th, Christmas Village at the Kaiserhof - Munich Old Town

Munich Residence: Kaiserhof Christmas Village

In the Kaiserhof Christmas Village of the Munich Residence, the elk sings amidst traditional Bavarian music and mulled wine.

Monday, November 17, 2025 to Monday, December 22, 2025, daily from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. (Deutsch, Italiano, English, Français)

Munich. On Monday, November 17, you should enter the Kaiserhof of the Residence and experience the romance of the "Christmas Village" with its fairytale forest. We remember previous years: Through the archway, you can catch a glimpse of the stage from afar, where traditionally dressed musicians and singers perform Upper Bavarian Christmas carols. The Kaiserhof, with its elegant facade, creates a truly festive atmosphere, and the aroma of roasted food and all sorts of sweets evokes memories of bygone days.Memories of bygone eras are awakened, as an elderly lady who was there with her grandchildren confirmed: "I come here every year. It's just like it used to be." This kind of romance is hardly found today. So, if you're looking for that Christmas romance of yesteryear in Munich: Look no further than the Kaiserhof of the Residenz, where the Munich Highlights art fair also takes place every October (when the entire courtyard is covered).

Munich Residence - in the Christmas Village, Photo: Helga Waess

Take the subway and tram to mulled wine, mulled beer, Feuerzangenbowle, and more

At the first corner, the air is filled with the aroma of coffee and crepes with chocolate spread, and at the next, the scent of mulled wine—which this year is also available in white. One stall is even serving mulled beer. Anyone wanting to try Feuerzangenbowle should definitely take the tram or subway, as high-proof alcohol not only warms you up, but a driver's license is also expensive.

Munich Residence - in the Christmas Village, Photo: Helga Waess

All that's missing from the weekend onwards is the snow.

A bag of hot roasted chestnuts also brings back memories for us.

What was it like back then, as a child, when you entered the Christmas market for the first time each year? A feeling of inner joy, indescribable today, would wash over you. The Christmas season was exciting. Here and now, children with wide, shining eyes are drawn to the fairytale forest in the Kaiserhof.

Munich Fairytale Forest in the Kaiserhof, photo: Helga Waess

Munich Fairytale Forest in the Kaiserhof

The little ones can't get enough of the sights and sounds.

Yes, listen too, because the moose moves its head and talks.

And there's so much going on here in the fairytale forest. The wolf and the witch are all there, telling their fairytales. And there:

From out of the woods he comes and wants to tell us: 

"It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!"

Residenz München: Elch im Weihnachtsdorf-Märchenwald, Foto: Helga Waess

There stands Santa Claus in the fir forest:

Residenz München Weihnachtsmann im Märchenwald, Weihnachtsdorf, Foto: Helga Waess

Alphorn players and brass band music

From afar, you can hear an alphorn player and the brass band playing Christmas carols. Yes, this is a lovely, manageable Christmas market where many an office group is celebrating the end of the workday, grandmothers are taking a quick photo with their grandchildren in Santa's sleigh, and the organic mulled wine is warming young and old alike.

Residenz München: Märchen im Weihnachtsdorf, Foto: Helga Waess

Back on Residenzstrasse

In the background, we can still hear the men's choir. Children are dragging their parents toward the puppet theater.

Munich Residence, entrance to the Kaiserhof, Photo: Helga Waess

Christmas Village at the Residence until 

December 22 – open daily from 11 a.m.

The program changes daily, is thoughtfully designed in a traditional Bavarian style, puts young and old in a pre-Christmas mood, and invites visitors to relax away from the hustle and bustle.

Incidentally, it's also a great place to meet up, as three students tell us:

"We always meet at the Elk!"

Only those in the know are aware of where that is!

We highly recommend a visit.

Munich Residence, Christmas Village in the Kaiserhof, Photo: Helga Waess

Text and photos (press photo archive) by Helga Waess

 

August 1, 2025: Fountain Festival at the Viktualienmarkt Munich

Munich Celebrates the 2025 Fountain Festival in the Heart of the City

Fountain Festival in the heart of Munich, the Viktualienmarkt - the living room of the city of Munich: Munich celebrates its folk singers, actors, and cabaret artists with decorated fountains, Bavarian music, and folk dancing at the Viktualienmarkt

Friday, August 1st, from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM - Fountain Festival at the Viktualienmarkt - Cancelled in case of rain! Free admission (Deutsch, Français,  Italiano, English)

Munich - Viktualienmarkt. Traditions count at the Viktualienmarkt: "Munich Fountain Festival at the Viktualienmarkt" - Viktualienmarkt: The celebration on August 1st, 2025, will attract half of Munich to the Old Town from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM. It's just a few steps from Marienplatz to the Bavarian capital's most famous market square. The stalls and market women have long been world-famous and a must-see for locals and tourists from all over the world. There, they'll experience "fun on every corner." Today's Friday traditionally belongs to the "living room of the city," the Viktualienmarkt. It's a festival meant to commemorate a time between 1860 and 1920, the heyday of folk singers and actors in Munich. A few years ago (2010), a new tradition called the "Fountain Festival" was established at the Viktualienmarkt, and it's proving very popular. Traditions homepage: viktualienmarkt-muenchen.de/brunnen/

 

Brunnenfest auf dem Viktualienmarkt,
Foto: H. Waess (Pressearchiv)

Munich's fountains commemorate so-called Munich Originals, who were given a place in the heart of the city as fountain figures:

Folk singers and comedians such as Karl Valentin, Weiß Ferdl, Liesl Karlstadt, Ida Schumacher, Elise Aulinger, and even Roider Jackl will receive specially decorated fountains this year, on the first Friday in August. Alongside festively colored fountains, musicians, artists, and actors will perform. The audience will experience plays, readings, singing, and dancing.

Munich "Culture and Tradition Discovery"

Those who would like to participate should keep the first Friday in August 2025 free if they would like to take part in a Munich "Culture and Tradition Discovery" event. A day on which the market stalls will also offer delicacies to encourage visitors to discover regional specialties.

The beer garden at the Viktualienmarkt - you can bring your own food – drinks are available from the innkeeper!

When the weather's nice, the Brunnenfest is a great opportunity to visit the most beautiful and centrally located beer garden in Munich's city center. Here, you can sit comfortably under the shady old chestnut trees, enjoy a cool drink, and relax before or after a shopping spree, which is always something special in Munich's city center, from Kaufingerstrasse through the Fünf Höfe to the gallery-lined Prannerstrasse behind the Hotel Bayerischer Hof and up to the upscale Maximilianstrasse.

Australische Wadeln auf dem Brunnenfest, 
Foto: A. Waess (Pressearchiv)

Today we enjoyed the "Holunderstandl," a somewhat hidden gem (right next to "Nordsee")

We tried sea buckthorn, strawberry, and elderberry syrup. All homemade and delicious. Pour a little sea buckthorn syrup into a glass and top it up with mineral water. It tastes like beer and is a delicious thirst quencher.

Singing, celebrating and dancing takes place at the fountain festival, Foto: H. Waess (Pressearchiv)

The Viktualienmarkt features several fountains spread throughout the market 

Most of the fountains are named after singers and famous figures. Throughout the year, the fountains are decorated by market traders, with some figures holding flowers.

Maibaum auf dem Viktualienmarkt
Foto: H. Waess, Pressefotoarchiv

Elise Aulinger Fountain

In 1977, Elise Aulinger also received her own fountain at the Viktualienmarkt. She is believed to have invented the Ratschkathi (a German folk song) and, as market woman Veronika Wurzl, enriched the "Munich Air" operetta.

Die Musik spielt beim Brunnenfest,
Foto: A. Waess - Pressefotoarchiv

Weiß Ferdl Fountain

The Weiß Ferdl fountain stands directly next to the Viktualienmarkt beer garden. His widow, Bertl Weiß, first had it splashed.

Viktualienmarkt - the living room of the city of Munich - Photo: H. Waess - Pressefotoarchiv

Roider Jackl Fountain

Jakob Roider entered Munich history as a folk singer with his Gstanzl (traditional folk songs). A forester by profession, he performed at strong beer festivals such as the Nockherberg for the Salvatoranstich (salvator tapping).

Liesl Karlstadt Fountain

Liesl Karlstadt was the pseudonym for Elisabeth Wellano, an actress and cabaret artist who formed a comedy duo with Karl Valentin.

Viktualienmarkt - dressed in 19th-century costumes, everyone celebrates in the living room of high society in the city center - Photo: H. Waess - Press Photo Archive

Karl Valentin Fountain

The Karl Valentin Fountain has been splashing its waters for the Munich comedian and folk singer (1882-1948) since 1953. Valentin performed many plays with Liesl Karlstadt. The "Musäum" in the Isartor was established for both of them.

Ida Schuhmacher-Brunnen mit historischen Volkssängern,
Pressefotoarchiv: A. Waess 

Ida Schumacher Fountain 

Ida Schumacher came from Lower Bavaria and was a theater actress and comedian. Her role as Ratschkathi (a maiden with a bucket and broom) is well known. We find this fountain very close to the maypole.

19th-century traditional costumes at the fountain festival at Viktualienmarkt -
Press photo archive H. Waess

The Potato Fountain

It's very inconspicuous and provides drinking water year-round.

The sleeping tree between the Schrannenhalle and the City Museum offers enough shade for a rest on hot days. Photo: H. Waess - Press Photo Archive

The Honey Fountain

No, there's no honey bubbling here, but the "Honey Lady" has her "Honey House" stand nearby.

A little dance in traditional costume and the sun is shining! At the Viktualienmarkt beer garden in Munich
Photo: Press photo archive H. Waess

You can see a few impressions from the "city's living room," from the fountain festival at the Viktualienmarkt, on the tradition website:

• viktualienmarkt-muenchen.de/brunnen/