Munich-Tip: Kulturstrand on the Isar – Summer Vibes in the City – Until Sept. 14, 2026

Kulturstrand Munich 2026 – May 1st to September 14th at the Vater-Rhein-Brunnen by the Ludwigsbrücke

Leisure Tip: Experience a true beach vibe in Munich - right by the Isar River - featuring a program packed with music, children's activities, and sports events, running until September 14th.

Kulturstrand Munich 2026 runs until mid-September at the Vater-Rhein-Brunnen (Father Rhine Fountain), located right next to the Ludwigsbrücke - the bridge spanning the Isar River. Kulturstrand Munich 2026 is open daily (weather permitting) from 12:00 PM to 11:00 PM. Admission is free! All activities and offerings are completely free of charge! (ENGLISH, ITALIANO, FRANÇAIS, DEUTSCH)

Munich. Kulturstrand offers Munich residents the chance to enjoy both relaxation and culture on a sandy beach. Yes—a beach right in the middle of Munich! Until September 14th, you will find a little cultural paradise right here. There is a fantastic calendar of events with something for everyone: music events featuring live bands, numerous activities for children, and plenty of room for sporting highlights as well. Kulturstrand Munich takes place in the area surrounding the Vater-Rhein-Brunnen—directly adjacent to the Ludwigsbrücke on the banks of the Isar. Every day from 12:00 PM to 11:00 PM, visitors can kick back, chill out, and celebrate in a cozy, relaxed atmosphere. All activities are free of charge. Incidentally, you can find a second "Kulturstrand" location this year—known as "Maximiliansstrand"—situated right in Munich's city center at the Wittelsbacher Brunnen (Wittelsbach Fountain), located on Lenbachplatz near Stachus.

The Isar in Munich – View toward the "Deutsches Museum" | Photo: Helga Waess (Mai 2026)

From May to September, *Die Urbanauten* and M-net bring sand, music, art, and more into the city with the *Kulturstrand*.

Feet in the sand, relaxing in deckchairs, listening to music, and sipping cool drinks: that is our idea of ​​a vacation right here in Munich. And things never get boring, thanks to a diverse program featuring live music by local bands, DJ sets, and open-air dance evenings.

For those seeking cultural enrichment, the *Kulturstrand* also offers:

•     Readings and various art events, spoken-word performances, and art installations.

•     Yes—even when school is in session—there is a colorful program for children and families, all set within a relaxed beach atmosphere.
•     Additionally, there is a guided sports program held in the shady "little grove" located next to the *Vater-Rhein-Brunnen* (Father Rhine Fountain). 
• Trainers from MTV München von 1879 e.V. have devised a fantastic program specifically for this area.
•     And: Courtyard concerts at the *Kulturstrand*—with free admission!

KULTURSTRAND MUNICH

LOCATION:

Kulturstrand – on the Isar River

Vater-Rhein-Brunnen

On the island at the Ludwigsbrücke

80538 Munich


How to get there:

•     S-Bahn (stops: "Isartor" or "Rosenheimer Platz")
•     U-Bahn (stop: "Fraunhoferstraße")
•     Tram (stop: "Ludwigsbrücke")
•     Bus (stops: "Ludwigsbrücke" or "Isartor")

TEXT und Fotos: Helga Waess

Munich: ChristkindlTram in December 2024

ChristkindlTram of the Munich Transport Company (MVG)

30th birthday of the Christkindltram in Munich: thanks to Mayor Dieter Reiter, we can now enjoy a leisurely tour of the Bavarian capital in the pre-Christmas atmosphere with mulled wine, children's punch and festive music - Christmas city tour of the old town of Munich

After a 5-year break, the ChristkindlTram will run through Munich city center again until December 22, 2024 - it starts every 45 minutes at the special Sendlinger Tor "Brunnenschleife" stop

Munich. The Munich Christkindl Tram brings warming moments to the cozy state capital until December 22nd. With the Christmas tram through Munich - yes, it's running again!!! Hurray! After five years, a Christmas-decorated blue tram is finally running through Munich's alleys and streets again. Here you can drive through our beautiful old town every Friday and also on Advent weekends from the special Sendlinger Tor "Brunnenschleife" stop and enjoy the atmosphere with mulled wine, children's punch or even gingerbread. Tickets are only available at Sendlinger Tor-Tramplatz directly at the train. 55 tickets are sold for each trip. A tram leaves every 45 minutes and a journey takes around 30 minutes. - Fare: Adults: 4 euros, children over 6 years: 2 euros, children under 6 years: free // see below

Historic Christkindl tram in downtown Munich, here in 2016 in front of the traditional Lodenfrey department store, press photo archive: Helga Waess

 

Mayor Dieter Reiter personally advocated for the resumption of the ChristkindlTram tradition and regretted that the historic tram can no longer run


“It is a shame that the nostalgic vehicle is no longer usable. However, that is no reason for me to say goodbye to the idea altogether. I have therefore commissioned the MVG to revive this beautiful Munich tradition for the 30th birthday of the Christkindltram and to have the Christkindltram make its rounds through the center of Munich in a modern vehicle - but due to staff shortages, only on weekends until further notice. The makeover of the vehicle for its 30th birthday now enables young and old to enjoy this beautiful Advent experience in Munich. At the same time, it is now much easier for people with limited mobility to get in and take strollers with them in the modern vehicle.”

Historical museum train

Since 1994, the Christkindltram has been traveling through Munich's old town in the run-up to Christmas with Christmas decorations and Advent music. The last time was in 2019. Unfortunately, the rustic historic tram (type M vehicle from 1957), which we show in our photos, can no longer go on the rails. It was the most atmospheric tram of the Munich Transport Company (MVG).

For tram fans

The museum train M4/m4 2412/3407 from 1957 can no longer be used due to high maintenance costs and complicated procurement of spare parts. The museum train from our photos can be viewed in the transport center of the German Museum in Munich at Bavariapark 5 (behind the Bavaria at the large snail sculpture - Sweet Brown Snail, 4.50 meters high, fiberglass sculpture - by Rhoades and Paul McCarthy). Here, tram models, racing cars and steam locomotives as well as penny farthings and ICE trains can be viewed daily between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. and some can also be explored in person.

Christmas spirit in the ChristkindlTram

•     There is a selection of drinks and food during the trip!
•     Tickets are only sold for the next trip!
•     The number of places is limited!
•     No group reservations possible!

The new and special Christmas tram runs as follows:

•     Fridays between 3:30 p.m. and 7:15 p.m.,
•     on Advent weekends between 11:00 a.m. and 7:15 p.m
•     every 45 minutes
•     Tickets directly from the tram: special stop Sendlinger Tor " Brunnenschleife "

Christkindl tram in downtown Munich, here at Promenadeplatz, Photo: Helga Waess

The tour with the Christmas train - The Christmas train at a glance

•         When: until December 22, 2024
•         Starting point: Special stop at the Brunnenschleife at Sendlinger-Tor-Platz
•         Journey time: The journey takes around 30 minutes
•         Travel times: Fridays between 3:30 p.m. and 7:15 p.m., on Advent weekends between 11:00 a.m. and 7:15 p.m., every 45 minutes
•         Tickets: Tickets directly at the special “Sendlinger Tor” stop in the Brunnenschleife
•         Fare: Adults: 4 euros, children over 6 years: 2 euros, children under 6 years: free

Christkindl tram in downtown Munich, Photo: Helga Waess

For tram FANS:

Here again is the historic Type M vehicle from 1957.

Christkindl tram in downtown Munich, here in front of the Hotel Bayerischer Hof, press photo archive: Helga Waess

Oktoberfest highlight: traditional costume and rifle parade on September 22nd, 2024

First Sunday of the Oktoberfest - September 22nd, 2024

 

On the first Sunday of the Oktoberfest, you should watch in Munich when the traditional costume and rifle parade moves through downtown Munich to Theresienwiese on September 22, 2024

189th Oktoberfest from September 21st to October 6th, 2024

Munich - city center - traditional costume parade from Maximilianstrasse to Theresienwiese on Sunday, September 22nd, 2024. On Saturday in 6 days at 12 noon there will be "o'zapft" in Munich. The next day is the start of the Oktoberfest for us Munich residents: the first Sunday of the Oktoberfest with the large, traditional, approximately 7 kilometer long costume parade from Maximilianstrasse to Theresienwiese. It starts shortly after 10 a.m. at the Max II monument in the immediate vicinity of the Maximilianeum. Every year around 9,000 people from shooting and traditional costume clubs, the Munich Morisken dancers, marching bands, singing clubs and brass bands take part here; and the most beautiful thing is the traditional costumers and bands come from all over Europe. Let's look forward to historical costumes from Spain to Sweden, dirndls and lederhosen, the fashion of the Biedermeier period and - this much can be revealed - knight's armor. The sequence for the traditional costume parade at the 189th Oktoberfest 2024

The music is coming! Traditional costume of the brass band - press photo archive: Helga Waess

The Tachtler procession is led by Münchner Kindl, the Mayor of Munich and Bavaria's Prime Minister

The procession through Munich city center is led by the current Münchner Kindl, which can be seen everywhere in the town hall on Marienplatz as the city's coat of arms. This year it is 20-year-old Franziska Inselkammer. Also in the carriages at the front of the procession are Munich's Mayor Dieter Reiter and Bavaria's Prime Minister Dr. Markus Söder there. The breweries also send festively decorated, multi-horse floats and offer spectators a beautiful sight on the street or in the windows

Shooters in traditional Bavarian costume in the parade in Munich, press photo archive: Helga Waess

First Oktoberfest Sunday “Live” on TV:

Many Bavarians also sit in front of the television when Bayerischer Rundfunk or München TV broadcast the traditional costume parade live.
Briefly about the history of the traditional costume parade:  

In 1835, the traditional costume parade moved through Munich for the first time on the occasion of the silver wedding anniversary of King Ludwig I and Therese of Bavaria. 25 years earlier, both had married on October 12, 1810, which was celebrated with the first Oktoberfest.

Watch out! Dear Oktoberfest guests, you shouldn't miss this:

 
Traditional costume and rifle parade,

 on Sunday, September 22nd, 2024, 

through Munich city center to Theresienwiese

Und nach dem Trachtenumzug wird auf der Wiesn gefeiert! Foto: Helga Waess (Pressearchiv)