July 19: "Kocherlball" – Dancing in Munich at the Chinese Tower

Event Tip: July 19, 2026, from 6:00 to 10:00 a.m. – "Kocherlball," a tradition in Munich's English Garden

Munich dances on Sunday, July 19, 2026, from 6:00 to 10:00 a.m. at the Chinese Tower in the English Garden during the traditional "Kocherlball"

Head to the Chinese Tower at sunrise—turn left, hop, turn right—it’s all about the joy of movement at the Kocherlball! Bavarian dancing made easy here! Live music plays at the Chinese Tower beer garden ... (ENGLISH, DEUTSCH, ITALIANO, FRANÇAIS)

Munich. Sunday in Munich: It all kicks off early on Sunday morning at 6:00 a.m. The "Kocherlball" dance festival is traditionally celebrated by participants wearing *Dirndls*, *Lederhosen*, and historical costumes from the 19th century. Live music plays at the Chinese Tower beer garden—the stage was set up yesterday—and the dancing continues until 10:00 a.m. Until 10:00 a.m., there is music, dance instruction, candlelight, hearty snacks (*Brotzeit*), and breakfast under the open sky... The beer garden tables are decorated, and all around, people dance the *Landler*, *Zwiefacher*, polka, waltz, and—very importantly—the legendary Munich *Française*. Dance experts Katharina Mayer and Magnus Kaindl will set the rhythm from the stage; on the large stage, they will demonstrate step-by-step how to master the *Boarischer*, *Landler*, *Zwiefacher*, and polka in a relaxed atmosphere full of good cheer—so come join in! This applies even to those who have never danced Bavarian-style before. Afterward, you can enjoy a Bavarian snack—such as an ox-meat roll, a mug of coffee, and the popular *Schmalznudeln* or *Ausgezogene* (traditional fried pastries)—while the band plays at the Chinese Tower. You might want to dip your feet in the Eisbach stream for a moment before heading to the exciting annual Japan Festival (located behind the Haus der Kunst) in the English Garden at noon (read our article about it here: Japanfest (hinter dem Haus der Kunst) im Englischen Garten).

Chinese Tower and beer garden in the English Garden; photo: A. Waess (press photo archive)

In the 21st century, the Kocherlball is one of Munich’s most popular events

– attracting up to 12,000 guests with Bavarian folk music and the pure joy of dancing under the open sky. And all this at one of Munich’s most beautiful beer gardens in the English Garden!

Stage setup for the Kocherlball at the Chinese Tower in the English Garden; photo: A. Waess (press photo archive)

Where does the Kocherlball tradition come from?

The history of the Kocherlball in the English Garden was revived in 1989.

In the past, domestic staff—the household employees of Munich’s upper class—would meet for Sunday dances. While their employers were at church, kitchen maids, cooks, nannies, and gardeners could relax and dance on their day off. However, this dancing event was banned in 1904 due to a perceived "lack of propriety" and was not revived until 1989.

Setting up the Kocherlball stage at the Chinese Tower, right next to the beer garden in Munich’s English Garden; photo: Helga Waess (press photo)

Live music has been part of the Kocherlball since as early as 1880

Domestic staff would meet early in the morning before starting work to dance. Estimates suggest that upwards of 8,000 servants, soldiers, cooks, and maids would flood the English Garden, getting to know one another while dancing.


At the time, someone decided that this fostered a "lack of propriety"...


...and so, the traditional servants' ball was banned in 1904.


The ball was revived in 1989 during the English Garden's 200th-anniversary celebrations and has taken place annually on a Sunday in July ever since.

"Kocherlball" – 
Traditional folk dance event in the English Garden

•     Sunday, June 19, 2025
•     6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
•     Beer garden at the Chinese Tower, Englischer Garten 3, 80538 Munich

Music: Niederbayerischer Musikantenstammtisch and Schreinergeiger

•         Dance instruction: Katharina Mayer, assisted by Magnus Kaindl
•         Participation: The reservable area is already fully booked. Open seating is available around the Chinese Tower.
•         Good to know: Please do not bring your own drinks. Open flames are not permitted under the Chinese Tower or directly next to the wooden pagoda.
•         Getting there: Buses 54, 58, 68, and 154 to Chinesischer Turm; Trams 16 and 36 to Tivolistraße; U-Bahn lines U3/U6 to Giselastraße

Location: Chinesischer Turm Beer Garden

Englischer Garten 2

80538 Munich

 

Our Sunday tip: July 19 at 12:00 PM

After the Kocherlball, head straight to the 

"Japan Festival Munich 2026 in the English Garden" 

 

„Japanfest München im Englischen Garten“ 

Tea House in the English Garden – the all-day Japan Festival kicks off here on July 19 at 12:00 PM; photo: Helga Waess (press photo)

 

Japan Festival behind the Haus der Kunst in the English Garden  (read our article about it at this link - "Japanfest hinter dem Haus der Kunst im Englischen Garten").

Munich tip: in the July 2025 issue of "Condé Nast Traveller"

Munich - Isar, Beer Gardens, and Lifestyle

Max Scharnigg describes a summery declaration of love for the beautiful, large village on the Isar River in "Condé Nast Traveller"

Our summer article recommendation about what we feel is the most beautiful city in the world: Munich.

Munich. Editorial recommendation: a great article in "Condé Nast Traveller": "Inspiration. Why Munich is a really good city, especially in summer. In summer, there is no more beautiful city in all of Germany than the Bavarian metropolis. That is Munich Freedom!" (= "Inspiration. Warum München gerade im Sommer eine richtig gute Stadt ist. Im Sommer gibt es in ganz Deutschland keine schönere Stadt als die bayerische Metropole. Das ist die Münchner Freiheit!" ) By Max Scharnigg, July 2, 2025. In the online edition of "Traveller," Max Scharnigg writes "Why Munich is a really good city, especially in summer." Every Munich resident will immediately agree with this article, and we therefore recommend reading the article linked above. It's about the lifestyle that truly defines "Munich Freedom." Below, we show photos from our blog archive. 

 A giant pretzel belongs around Munich beer, and the author agrees! Here's a pretzel in the Wiesn tent, photo: Helga Waess (press photo archive)

It's about the feeling in the beer gardens, a cool "open-air beer" liter, and the giant pretzel.

He goes on to say: "So green, so bright, so laid-back - Munich is the most beautiful summer metropolis in Germany." The art and culture blog can only underline this! Here, author Max Scharnigg speaks from the heart of every resident of the Isar metropolis and every Munich vacationer.

Munich's beer gardens are a dream – and everyone can find a cool spot under the tall trees. Here: Beer garden at the Chinese Tower, photo: Helga Waess (press photo archive)

We immediately hop on our yellow Pakka bikes and cycle to the Isar,

... the "mountain stream" of the large "village" of Munich. The bicycle, as Scharnigg writes, is "... the only true means of transportation in this small city of millions during the warmer months" with its "... incredibly high recreational value."

My husband and I can only confirm that... 

Dam on the Isar River near Bogenhausen, Photo: Helga Waess (press photo archive)

Those who live in Munich feel like they're on vacation... and many appreciate that!

A city guide is attached to this article:

"Learn more about Munich - our city guide"

- Munich hotels
- Airbnbs
- the best restaurants
- Munich bars
- the most popular activities in Munich

Here is the link to the Munich article in Traveller:

"Condé Nast Traveller": "Inspiration. Why Munich is a really good city, especially in summer. In summer, there is no more beautiful city in all of Germany than the Bavarian metropolis. That's Munich freedom!" = "Inspiration. Warum München gerade im Sommer eine richtig gute Stadt ist. Im Sommer gibt es in ganz Deutschland keine schönere Stadt als die bayerische Metropole. Das ist die Münchner Freiheit!", By Max Scharnigg, July 2, 2025. 

 

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TIP from the ART-CULTURE BLOG

... the best part is still to come at the end of the summer:

The festival of the state capital Munich

the big

190th Munich Oktoberfest 2025

on the Theresienwiese

 ... here are some photo impressions: 

(from our press photo archive)

Hofbräu Festzelt bei Nacht, Foto: Helga Waess  (Pressefotoarchiv)

Eine Maß, das ist 1 Liter Bier und die Wiesnbedienung trägt davon reichlich, Foto: Helga Waess (Pressefotoarchiv)

Bavaria während einer Oktoberfest-Nacht, Foto: Helga Waess (Pressefotoarchiv)

Riesenrad auf dem Münchner Oktoberfest, Foto: Helga Waess (Pressefotoarchiv)

Festlich geschmückte Pferdekutschen bringen das neue Oktoberfestbier der Brauereien auf die Wiesn - hier: Spaten-Bier, Foto: Helga Waess (Pressefotoarchiv)

Nach Feierabend füllt sich am Ende des Tages die Oktoberfestwiese - hier ein Blick von der Bavaria auf ihre Theresienwiese und ihre Münchner und Gäste, Foto: Helga Waess (Pressefotoarchiv)

Das Armbrustschützen Festzelt beim Aufbau, Theresienwiese - Blick von den Stufen zur Bavaria, Foto: Helga Waess (Pressefotoarchiv)

Wenn dann alles aufgebaut ist - geht es rund auf der Wiesen - , Foto: Helga Waess (Pressefotoarchiv)

 

Hier und da maschiert bei einem Fest die Musi auf - , Foto: Helga Waess (Pressefotoarchiv)

Munich: Kocherlball at the Chinese Tower

Kocherlball at the Chinese Tower in the English Garden in Munich

 

Sunday in Munich: The beer garden tables are decorated and all around you are dancing to Landler, Zwiefacher, Polka, Waltz and, most importantly, the legendary Munich Francaise

 

Munich danced on Sunday, July 21, 2024 from 6 a.m. in the English Garden at the traditional “Kocherlball”

Munich. It started today at 6 a.m.: the “Kocherlball” dance festival is traditionally celebrated in dirndls and lederhosen as well as in historical costumes from the 19th century. The music played at the Chinese Tower in the beer garden and then we danced until 10 a.m. Afterwards, the Bavarian snack with ox sandwiches, oan Hafferl coffee and the popular lard noodles or pulled-out noodles probably tasted good.

 

Bavarian delicacies in the beer garden, photo archive: Helga Waess

 

The history of the Kocherlball in the English Garden was resumed in 1989

In the past, the servants, i.e. the household staff of the fine Munich people, met for their Sunday balls, because while the gentlemen were in church, kitchen maids, cooks, nannies and gardeners could relax with the dance on Sunday. However, due to a "lack of morality", this dance activity was banned in 1904 and only started again in 1989.

Once a year - in July - people meet for the legendary Kocherlball at the Chinese Tower in the English Garden and start dancing Bavarian folk dances from 6 a.m. - with free admission, of course. The beer garden tables are decorated and all around you can dance to Landler, Zwiefacher, Polka, Waltz and, most importantly, the legendary Munich Francaise. A dance master is there and makes sure everyone can take part.

Live music at the Kocherlball existed as early as 1880

In the morning, before work started, the servants met and danced. It is said that there were about 8,000 servants, soldiers, cooks and maids who flooded the English Garden and got to know each other while dancing.

 It's fun to dance in traditional costume, prese photo archive: Helga Waess

 

Someone thought there was a “lack of morality” here

... and so the traditional servants' ball was banned in 1904.

The ball was only resumed in 1989 at the 200th anniversary of the English Garden and has since taken place annually on a Sunday in July.

Tip “Japanfest Munich in the English Garden”. The same day

#Chinese Tower, #Chinese Tower beer garden