Chinesischer Turm e.V.Advent in the English Garden
The Christmas market at the Chinese Tower
In Advent the beer garden becomes a market. Where some 7,000 people sit under the chestnuts in summer, wooden huts then stand around the lit pagoda. In 2026 that is from 19 November to 23 December.
Beer garden culture
The dates
- Season 2026
- 19 November to 23 December 2026, confirmed by the organiser. The market opens on a Thursday, ten days before the first Sunday of Advent.
- Season 2025, for comparison
- 20 November to 23 December 2025
- Open days
- Wednesday to Sunday, plus Monday 21 and Tuesday 22 December. So the market is not open every day, unlike most of the markets in the city centre.
- Hours 2026
- Wednesday to Friday 11.30 am to 8.30 pm, Saturday and Sunday 11.00 am to 8.30 pm, 21 to 23 December 11.00 am to 8.30 pm
- St Nicholas
- The organiser announces the 2026 dates in November.
- Admission
- free
- Place
- Chinesischer Turm, Englischer Garten 3, 80538 Munich
Source: the organiser's website, as of 8 October 2026. For orientation: the Christkindlmarkt on Marienplatz, the medieval market on Wittelsbacherplatz and Pink Christmas on Stephansplatz open one day later, on 20 November 2026, and the first Sunday of Advent falls on 29 November 2026.
What sets this market apart
It stands in a park, not on a square
The city-centre markets stand on paving. This one stands among trees. You arrive not from a shopping street but along a dark park path, and the lit pagoda shows the way. That changes the arrival, and it changes the volume.
Bavarian curling
The grounds have lanes for Eisstockschießen; there are two, each for groups of up to ten. It is the Bavarian relative of curling, without brooms and with more mulled wine. If you want a lane, see to it early; lanes are allocated by the organiser, not by the association.
Tower brass
From the tower where the brass band plays in summer, the tower brass players sound in Advent. In 2025 they played from Thursday to Sunday, from 4 pm until about 7 pm, Christmas pieces above the roofs of the huts. Winter answers summer from the same spot.
St Nicholas
Around 6 December St Nicholas comes to the market, several times according to the organiser. In Bavarian tradition he is accompanied by the Krampus, a rough figure with fur, horns and chain.
Under the open sky
You stand in the open between the huts, with gloves on and a hot drink in your hand. That is the price of the setting, and the reason the market stays emptier than others in drizzle.
Getting there in winter
- Bus
- 54 to the Chinesischer Turm stop, the shortest way
- Underground
- U3 or U6 to Giselastraße, then about 15 minutes on foot through the park
- Tram
- line 16 to Tivolistraße, then a short walk through the park
- Footwear
- Park paths are not pavements. In snow and slush, soles with a good tread help.
- Car
- better not. The English Garden is closed to cars, and there is no parking at the tower.
All routes in detail on the directions page.
Who organises the market
The Christmas market is organised by Haberl Gastronomie, which also runs the beer garden, not by the association. The Chinesischer Turm e.V. is a heritage association: we describe what happens at this place and look after the culture around it. Please send enquiries about stalls, curling lanes or reservations to the organiser.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Christmas market at the Chinese Tower in 2026?
From 19 November to 23 December 2026, as announced by the organiser. It is open Wednesday to Sunday, and in Christmas week also on 21 and 22 December. For comparison: 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, so not daily, unlike most city-centre markets: Wednesday to Friday 11.30 am to 8.30 pm, Saturday and Sunday 11.00 am to 8.30 pm. From 21 to 23 December it is open daily from 11.00 am to 8.30 pm.
Does the Christmas market at the Chinese Tower charge admission?
No. Entry is free, as everywhere in the English Garden.
Is there Bavarian curling at the Chinese Tower?
Yes. During the Christmas market there are two lanes for up to 10 people each. Booking and allocation go through the organiser.
How do I get to the Christmas market at the Chinese Tower in winter?
The shortest way is bus 54 to the Chinesischer Turm stop. Alternatively take the U3 or U6 to Giselastraße and walk about 15 minutes through the park, or take tram 16 to Tivolistraße.
Does the Chinesischer Turm e.V. run the Christmas market?
No. The market is organised by Haberl Gastronomie, which runs the beer garden. The association looks after the customs at the tower and describes the market, but does not organise it.