Christmas (Heiligabend, Christmas Day & St Stephen's Day)
About
Germany's central winter holiday. Christmas Day (Dec 25) and St Stephen's / Second Christmas Day (Dec 26) are nationwide public holidays; Christmas Eve (Dec 24) is a normal but half-day in practice, when families exchange gifts in the evening.
Highlights
- Both Christmas Days (Dec 25 & 26) are nationwide public holidays
- Christmas markets close on Dec 24 (Christkindlmarkt ends Christmas Eve)
- Churches hold Christmas Eve services
Practical tips
- Everything closes from Christmas Eve afternoon through Dec 26 — buy food in advance
- Public transport runs reduced holiday timetables
- Restaurants need booking; many close for the family days
Sources
Other upcoming events
Schäfflertanz (Coopers' Dance)
The barrel-makers' hoop dance, first performed in 1517 and held only once every seven years — danced in full through the old town in 2026.
Munich Opera Festival (Opernfestspiele)
The Bavarian State Opera's summer flagship, six weeks of opera, ballet, concerts and recitals at the Nationaltheater and historic Cuvilliés-Theater, including the free open-air 'Oper für alle' broadcast on Max-Joseph-Platz.
Tollwood Summer Festival
A month-long, free-entry cultural festival in Olympiapark blending world music and theatre on multiple stages with an international food market, craft bazaar and a strong eco/fair-trade ethos.