500 Years of the Coopers' Dance - Customs and Traditions in Munich
January 2026 - The coopers will perform seven times this week in Munich - here are some dates and the history of the coopers' dance during Carnival season
Performance of the dancing coopers: From January 6th to February 17th, 2026, the coopers' dance can once again be seen in public squares in Munich (Deutsch, English, Français, Italiano)
The coopers in Munich perform every seven years during Carnival season; this year, after 2019, would be 2026. But exceptions prove the rule: the coopers' dance tradition celebrated its 500th anniversary in 2017, and so the custom was also celebrated during Carnival season that year. The coopers' guild has been proud of its profession since the Middle Ages, and its traditional costume has become a uniform-like trademark.
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| Schäffler dance relief above the plague dragon – the Lindwurm at the Wurmeck of Munich's City Hall, Copyright: Helga Waess |
To prevent the plague from returning – because once every seven years, plague waves swept through Munich.
At the head of the dance is either the jester, a kind of Punch and Judy character, followed by the lead dancer, the barrel swingers, and the hoop swingers with their wooden hoops. All information is available directly from the Schäffler dancers: schaefflertanzmuenchen.de
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| Dancing Schäffler figures at the Schäffler Corner on Marienhof, Photo: Helga Waess |
Schäffler Dance Dates in the Coming Days
Here we present selected dates in Munich where you can see the Schäffler dancers in the coming days:
- January 10, 12 noon, Marienplatz
- January 10, 1 p.m., Wittelsbacherplatz
- January 10, 2 p.m., Heimperthstraße 1 (Harthof)
- January 10, 3:30 p.m., Oertelplatz (Allach)
- January 11, 11:30 a.m., Bennigsenstraße (Bogenhausen)
- January 11, 4:30 p.m., Alter Messeplatz
- January 12, 6 p.m., Bavariaring
- January 14, 5 p.m., Münchner Freiheit
- January 15, 5 p.m., Willy-Brandt-Platz
- January 16, 2 p.m., Weißenburger Platz
- January 17, 9 a.m., Schweizer Platz
- January 17, 11 a.m., Alter Messeplatz
- January 17, 12 noon, Marienplatz
- January 17, 3 p.m., Terofalstraße 66
The coopers say: Subject to change!
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| Dancing cooper figure at the Schäffler Corner at Marienhof, Photo: Helga Waess |
The dancing coopers
Wine glasses can be balanced in the wooden hoops. Many dance figures are reminiscent of the plague.
The 20 coopers currently parading through Munich dance four small circles, a snake, then the arbor with the wreaths, the cross, and the hoop swing in a sliding step. And then one cooper gives a speech.
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| Dancing cooper figures at the Schäffler Corner in Munich, Photo: Helga Waess |
The Schäffler Corner (Schäffler/Wein/Theatiner Street)
Here on Schäffler Street in Munich's Old Town, the coopers once had their workshops. In 1388, this street was also called Sporergasse. On the corner of the facade, two individual cooper figures in traditional dancing attire serve as house signs. Both figures were made in 1950 by the "Court Coppersmiths Ragaller."
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| Dancing cooper figures at the Schäffler Corner in Munich, Photo: Helga Waess |
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| Dancing cooper figure at the Schäffler Corner in Munich, Photo: Helga Waess |
The typical cooper's attire
It consists of black breeches, white knee-high stockings, and black shoes. Over the breeches, they wear a leather apron. Over a white shirt, they wear a red jacket with white trim and gold buttons. White gloves are optional. But the green cap with the white and blue feather plume is an absolute must.
Participating in the Schäffler dance was traditionally a great honor, reserved for guild members—mostly unmarried journeymen. Membership in the coopers' guild required an impeccable reputation. Master coopers and their sons did not participate.
From 1960 onward, dancers from other trades became important, simply to ensure the Schäffler dance tradition could continue.
The History of the Schäffler Dance
The coopers' dance has a long history in Munich and Old Bavaria. According to numerous accounts, the first appearance of the coopers in their breeches and red jackets was after the great plague epidemic of 1517. They encouraged the citizens to resume urban life and venture out again.
However, it has not been proven that the plague existed in Munich around 1517 (city records show no increased death rates during this period).
The Schäffler dance in Munich is only historically documented in written sources from 1702 onwards.
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| Dancing cooper figure with a jug at the Schäffler Corner in Munich, Photo: Helga Waess |
The coopers in the Munich Glockenspiel
In the Munich Town Hall tower, at roof level, is the famous Glockenspiel, which depicts the wedding of Duke Wilhelm V and Renate of Lorraine in 1568. The historical jousting tournament, which actually took place on Marienplatz to celebrate the wedding, is depicted in the 16-figure chime, as is the coopers' dance.
According to legend, the coopers were the first to parade through the streets of Munich after the great plague epidemic of the Middle Ages, announcing the end of the hardship.
Knights, the court marshal, the princely couple, and the coopers dance to the Munich Glockenspiel every day.
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| Dancing cooper figure at Schäffler-Eck in Munich, Photo: Helga Waess |
Cooper dance in Munich every seven years
The Duke himself is said to have established the seven-yearly performance, as he considered seven a lucky number.
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| Dancing cooper figure at Schäffler-Eck in Munich, Photo: Helga Waess |
Text and photos: Helga Waess
