Chinesischer Turm e.V.Advent in the English Garden
The Christmas market at the Chinese Tower
When the beer garden closes, the market opens. From mid-November to 23 December the same square where 7,000 people sit in summer turns into a market village of wooden huts around a lit pagoda.
Beer garden culture
The dates
- Season 2026
- The organiser announces the exact dates in November. Following the pattern of previous years, expect a start around 19 or 20 November 2026 and the end on 23 December 2026. As soon as the date is official, it will be here.
- Season 2025, for comparison
- 20 November to 23 December 2025
- Open days
- Wednesday to Sunday. Unlike most city-centre markets, this one is not open daily.
- Hours 2025
- Wednesday to Friday 11.30 am to 8.30 pm, Saturday and Sunday 11 am to 8.30 pm
- Admission
- free
- Place
- Chinesischer Turm, Englischer Garten 3, 80538 Munich
We deliberately write expected as long as the organiser has not confirmed the date. A wrong date in a search engine annoys more people than an honest estimate helps.
What makes this market different
It stands in a park, not on a square
All the big Munich markets stand on paved city ground. This one stands among trees. You arrive not from a shopping street but along a dark park path, and the landmark is the lit pagoda. That changes the arrival and the volume.
Bavarian curling
On the grounds lie lanes for Eisstockschiessen, hired by the group. It is the Bavarian cousin of curling, without brooms and with more beer. If you want a lane, see to it early; allocation is decided by the organiser, not the association.
Tower brass
The same first-floor gallery from which the brass band plays in summer is used in Advent by brass players. Christmas pieces from five metres above the huts, again without amplification. It is the acoustic twin of summer.
St Nicholas
Around 6 December St Nicholas walks the market. In Bavarian tradition he is accompanied by the Krampus, a rough figure with fur, horns and chain.
No roof
There are no closed tents. You stand at high tables in the open, with gloves and a hot drink. That is the price of the setting and the reason the market is emptier in drizzle than others.
Getting there in winter
- Bus
- 54 or 154 to the stop Chinesischer Turm, the shortest way
- Underground
- U3 or U6 to Giselastrasse, then about 15 minutes through the park
- Tram
- line 18 to Tivolistrasse, about 5 minutes
- Footwear
- The park paths are not cleared like pavements in snow and slush. Soles with grip help.
- Car
- not advised. Parking around the park is regularly exhausted in Advent.
All routes in detail on the directions page.
Who runs the market
The Christmas market is run by the beer garden operation, not by the association. The Chinesischer Turm e.V. is a heritage association: we document what happens at this place and look after the culture around it. Enquiries about stalls, curling lanes or reservations go to the organiser.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Christmas market at the Chinese Tower in 2026?
The organiser announces the exact dates in November. Following previous years, expect a start around 19 or 20 November 2026 and the end on 23 December 2026. In 2025 the market ran from 20 November to 23 December.
On which days is the Christmas market at the Chinese Tower open?
Wednesday to Sunday. Unlike the city-centre markets it is not open daily. In 2025 hours were Wednesday to Friday 11.30 am to 8.30 pm and Saturday and Sunday 11 am to 8.30 pm.
Does the Christmas market at the Chinese Tower charge admission?
No. Access is free, as everywhere in the English Garden.
Is there Bavarian curling at the Chinese Tower?
Yes. Lanes on the market grounds are hired by the group. Allocation runs through the organiser.
How do I get to the Christmas market at the Chinese Tower in winter?
Shortest by bus 54 or 154 to the stop Chinesischer Turm. Alternatively U3 or U6 to Giselastrasse and about 15 minutes on foot through the park, or tram 18 to Tivolistrasse.
Does the Chinesischer Turm e.V. run the Christmas market?
No. The market is run by the beer garden operation. The association looks after the traditions at the tower and documents the market but does not organise it.