Chinesischer Turm e.V.Munich wakes up · Sunday, 19 July 2026
Kocherlball 2026: Munich's Servants' Ball at the Chinese Tower
One Sunday every July, something happens in Munich that surprises even locals: at 6 o'clock in the morning, thousands of people in traditional Bavarian dress dance waltzes and polkas under the Chinese Tower in the English Garden, as the sun comes up over the chestnut trees. This is the Kocherlball, one of the oldest and most beautiful balls in the city. In 2026 it falls on Sunday, 19 July, from 6 am.
- Date
- Sunday, 19 July 2026, 6 am to about 10 am
- Place
- Beer garden at the Chinese Tower, Englischer Garten 3, 80538 Munich
- Admission
- Free
- Dress
- Traditional dress encouraged: Dirndl, Lederhosen, historical costume
- Getting there
- Bus 54 or 154 to "Chinesischer Turm"; U3/U6 to Giselastrasse, 15-minute walk
What is the Kocherlball?
Kocherl is the old Munich dialect word for a cook, and by extension for domestic servants in general. In the late 19th century, the cooks, maids, coachmen and errand boys of Munich's wealthy households had almost no free time. Their one chance to celebrate was early Sunday morning, before their employers returned from church and the working day began. So they met at the Chinese Tower at dawn, in simple dress, and danced.
The name has nothing to do with cooking, and everything to do with who was dancing: this was the ball of the people who worked below stairs, held at an hour the upper classes never saw.
The history: from dawn dances to a city institution
1794: an early forerunner
As early as July 1794, Sir Benjamin Thompson (Count Rumford), the driving force behind the English Garden, held a ball in the park for the personnel of his military workhouse, an early ancestor of the tradition.
Around 1880: the golden age
By the 1880s, up to several thousand servants gathered at the Chinese Tower every fine summer Sunday between five and eight in the morning to dance before work.
1904: banned for "lack of morality"
The authorities grew suspicious of what the Kocherl and their sweethearts got up to at dawn. In 1904 the ball was banned, officially for a "lack of morality", and the tradition disappeared for most of a century.
1989: the revival
For the 200th anniversary of the English Garden in 1989, the Kocherlball was revived. It has been held every year since (with a pandemic pause in 2020), traditionally on the third Sunday of July, and has grown into one of Munich's most loved traditions, drawing up to 15,000 visitors in good weather.
What happens at the Kocherlball 2026
From 6 am, Bavarian folk dances follow one another around the tower: Landler, Zwiefacher, Boarischer, polka and waltz, crowned by the famous Münchner Française. Dance masters explain and demonstrate the steps, so complete beginners can join in; in 2026 the dancing is led by Katharina Mayer, supported by Magnus Kaindl. Folk music groups play live, in 2026 among others the Niederbayerischer Musikantenstammtisch and the Schreinergeiger. There are no barriers between musicians, dancers and audience; the dance floor runs right in between the beer tables.
The reservable table section for 2026 is already fully booked, but the open area around the Chinese Tower is freely accessible, no reservation needed.
Practical tips for 2026
Arrive early
The first dances at sunrise are the signature moment of the Kocherlball. If you want a seat, arrive by 5:30 am or earlier; the keenest guests appear before 4 am with candle lanterns for the tables.
What to wear
Traditional dress is encouraged and makes the morning: Lederhosen with a Janker for men, Dirndl for women, and some guests come in faithful 19th-century servants' costume. There is no official dress code; normal clothes are welcome too.
Food and drink
In classic Munich beer garden tradition, you may bring your own breakfast or Brotzeit. Drinks must be bought on site, and open flames are not permitted directly under or next to the wooden tower. The beer garden serves breakfast, Brezn, Weisswurst and beer throughout the morning.
Weather
The Kocherlball takes place in light rain. Only severe storms lead to cancellation, announced at short notice by the organisers.
Getting there
The English Garden is car-free and parking nearby is scarce, especially on Kocherlball morning. Take the U3 or U6 to Giselastrasse and walk 15 minutes through the waking park, or bus 54/154 directly to the tower. By bike is often fastest; racks are at the beer garden. Full directions are on our page visiting the Chinese Tower.
Who organises the Kocherlball?
The Kocherlball is organised by the City of Munich (Kulturreferat) together with the Haberl family, who run the beer garden. The Chinesischer Turm e.V., the association behind this website, takes part every year and helps keep the surrounding traditions alive; who we are is explained on our page about Bavarian traditions at the tower.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Kocherlball 2026?
Sunday, 19 July 2026, from 6 am to about 10 am at the Chinese Tower beer garden.
Does it cost anything?
No, admission is free. Food and drinks at normal beer garden prices.
Do I need a Dirndl or Lederhosen?
No, but most guests wear them, and traditional dress is part of the experience.
Can beginners dance?
Yes. Every dance is explained and demonstrated on stage before it starts.
What if the weather is bad?
The ball goes ahead in light rain and is only cancelled in severe storms.
Explore further
Official event information is published by the city on muenchen.de; the beer garden itself is at chinaturm.de.