In July the best way to spend the day in Munich is outdoors: very early in the morning at the traditional Kocherlball, at the open-air classical music concert on Odeonsplatz and at the popular Sommernachtstraum fireworks in the Olympiapark (Olympic Park).
The Tollwood festival in the Olympiapark stands for summery lightness – and this year, from 16 June to 16 July 2023, serious topics will again be on the agenda: Tolerance, diversity of cultures, fair animal husbandry and a sustainable approach to nature, which is also lived out at the festival. People from all over the world chat at wooden tables and green hills over beer and international organic food. Famous musicians play jazz, rock or pop in the circus tents. There are also unusual theatre productions and fascinating performances by artists and acrobats. All this is surrounded by the stands of the "Market of Ideas", where all kinds of handicrafts are offered for sale.
Tollwood, 16 June to 16 July 2023, Olympiapark
At the Kunstareal Festival, which takes place every two years in Munich, admission to all museums in the Kunstareal is free. Around 300 individual events are planned at 40 locations throughout the grounds – indoors and outdoors. Most of the programme will take place on Saturday and Sunday.
6th Kunstareal Festival, 13 to 16 July 2023, Kunstareal in Maxvorstadt
Every summer visitors can marvel at an overwhelming sea of lights in the Olympiapark. Then the open-air event “Sommernachtstraum“ dips the sky and the green hills in bright colours. The highlight is a spectacular fireworks display. There is the right sound to go with it: bands and artists perform on several stages.
Sommernachtstraum, 15 July 2023, Olympiapark
In the middle of the Englischer Garten (park), the dirndls turn here at around six in the morning: during the traditional Kocherlball at the Chinesischer Turm, the sun and the heart rise simultaneously. In the 19th century, cooks, errand boys, nannies and domestic servants met here to dance before work. Since 1989, thousands of people have been gathering to twirl around with each other during waltzes, polkas, doubles and Munich Française – often in old uniforms and bourgeois clothes from the 19th century. People also party around it in the beer garden and picnic on the meadows.
Kocherlball, 16 July 2023 from 6 to 10 am, Chinesischer Turm in the Englischer Garten
It doesn't get much more Munich than this: on Mariahilfplatz in the Au district, people like to get together in traditional costume for the Auer Dult – or to be more precise, the Jakobidult. From 29 July to 6 August 2023, around 100,000 guests celebrate summer here – each to their own liking: children love the nostalgic chain carousel, handmade dolls' clothes, small furniture for their playhouses at home and the candy floss. Adults browse pottery, knitted jackets or practical household goods – and treat themselves to a beer or a fresh steamed dumpling in between. Dult is cult!
Auer Dult, 29 July to 6 August 2023, Mariahilfplatz
The Kulturstrand is a place of encounter and relaxation with a cultural programme for all Munich residents and their guests. For three months until 11 August, it offers an open cultural platform and meeting place - everyone is cordially invited to join in thinking, talking and shaping.
All dates for the music, children's and sports programme or other events can be found throughout the summer in the Kulturstrand programme calendar and on the official Facebook page! On the Facebook page, the organisers also provide information about rain, highlights and life at Kulturstrand. All activities are free of charge!
Kulturstrand, until 11 August 2023, Corneliusbrücke
The Tannengarten beer garden is the perfect place to unwind in the open air to jazz, blues, swing and the sounds of home. If, contrary to expectations, it should rain, the concerts are held indoors in the Tannengarten salettl. All concerts take place on a Thursday. All information about the bands and the dates can be found here. Admission is free, donations are welcome.
Concerts in the Tannengarten beer garden in Sendling, various dates in Juli, Tannengarten beer garden in Munich-Sendling
The Munich district of Pasing has a long folk festival tradition. After a two-year break due to Corona, the people of Pasing and their guests can once again look forward to five days of funfair hustle and bustle with a fairground, beer garden and beer tent, where the Stadtmüller family takes care of the visitors' thirst. Many people know the family as the hosts of the Fischer-Vroni at the Oktoberfest. In Pasing they serve fish specialities and Bavarian classics as well as vegetarian and vegan dishes. And the best part: every evening a different band plays, from Bavarian brass band music to casual rock, pop and indie covers.
Pasinger Vorwiesn, 26 to 30 July 2023, Munich-Pasing, fairground at the corner of Silberdistelstrasse and Weinbergerstrasse.
At the “Chef's Kitchen“ event, well-known gourmet chefs come to Munich every few months to cook for an exclusive group. They meet at a location in Sendling, sit together at the bar and, thanks to the open kitchen, can watch the chef prepare the food. On 18 July 2023, guests can spend an exclusive evening with two-star chef Peter Girtler from South Tyrol - and the menu reads accordingly: Speckknödel (dumplings filled with bacon) with brown butter foam, chive oil and flowers or smoked eel with South Tyrolean apple and cucumber. To match the menu, a sommelier on site will take care of the wine accompaniment. And for those who can't make it in July: The next date is 15 September 2023!
Chef's Kitchen, Fritz-Endres-Strasse 4
The festival is organised by Hilfe von Mensch zu Mensch e.V. and includes a wide range of cultural events and activities. The festival programme includes concerts, dance performances, theatre performances, panel discussions, film days and much more.
Balkantage (Balkan Days) 2023, until 15 July 2023, various locations in Munich
The open-air festival "Summer in the Courtyard" will take place from 16 June to 6 August 2023 in the courtyard of the Munich City Museum. The series of events aims to remind us that the values and rights fought for 175 years ago in many European cities, which still form the basis of our democracy today, cannot be taken for granted. The spectrum ranges from concerts and theatre productions to classics of film history.
Summer in the Courtyard, 16 June to 6 August 2023, Munich City Museum
As part of the “Year of Science 2023 – Our Universe“, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research and Munich research institutes are presenting current topics in the field of astronomy and astrophysics at a roadshow in a 75 sqm mobile planetarium, which will be set up at the Platz am Bavariapark from 5 to 9 July 2023. In the planetarium tent, visitors will travel to the depths of space during a 360-degree planetarium show. In an exhibition on the topic of “light“, an accompanying tent will show what light reveals about the universe and what role gravitational waves play.
Universe on Tour, 5 to 9 July 2023, Platz am Bavariapark
The Munich Summer Theatre in the amphitheatre in the Englischer Garten has been part of the Munich cultural scene since 1990.
In the summer of 2023, “Bunbury“ by Oscar Wilde will be performed. Audience members are welcome to bring along a picnic to make the theatre evening even more enjoyable. In case of rain, the performances will take place in the summer theatre in the Mohr Villa (Situlistr. 73 in Freimann). The weather hotline can be reached at +49 (0)170 / 447 20 30. Admission is free at both venues.
Munich Summer Theatre, premiere on 6 July 2023, the whole of July Thursday to Saturday at 9pm
A spectacular, interactive drag show including singing, comedy and pole dancing can be experienced at the “Aloft Hotel Munich“. Ruby Tuesday and Vicky Voyage will be in charge of the programme. Guest star is the Ukrainian drag ambassador Samantha Jackson. During the show you can help yourself to a brunch buffet and as a welcome drink there will be a prosecco called “Sparkling Queer“.
Drag Brunch "Sip Sip Huray", 9 July 2023, from 12 to 3 pm, ALOFT Hotel Munich
The “Fashion Freak Show“ celebrated its premiere in Paris in 2019 and now takes the audience through the turbulent and sensational life of Jean Paul Gaultier at the Isarphilharmonie. The “enfant terrible of fashion“ acts as author, director and costume designer in the production - a mixture of revue and fashion show - and shows his life from childhood to the beginnings of his career to his greatest fashion shows as a big, boisterous party. On display are newly designed outfits as well as famous creations by the fashion designer.
Jean Paul Gaultier: Fashion Freak Show, 20 to 27 July 2023, Isarphilharmonie
The Munich Opera Festival will take place from 23 June to 31 July 2023 to close the season. With opera premieres, ballet, concerts and song recitals, the Bayerische Staatsoper (Bavarian State Opera) presents an extensive festival programme, which this year focuses on three major works by Richard Strauss.
Munich Opera Festival, 23 June to 31 July 2023, Nationaltheater
For three days, the Forum of the Future at the Deutsches Museum in Munich will provide insights into the latest technological developments, from artificial intelligence, climate tech and quantum technology to Web3 and Metaverse. More than 150 speakers from start-ups and industry, from science and investors, from art and politics have been invited.
The programme includes top-class keynotes, discussions and workshops, as well as an interactive exhibition, art and performances. The festival starts on 6 July with the “Conference Day“, where thought leaders and experts will bring visitors up to date on the latest technologies of the future. On 7 July is “Next Gen Day“, where you can experience the most exciting young start-ups live, and on “Family Day“ on 8 July, admission is free for everyone to the street party on the entire Museum Island.
Festival of the Future, 6 to 8 July 2023, Forum of the Future at the Deutsches Museum
On the first evening on 6 July, the Oscar-nominated music from the Harry Potter films will be performed by the Magical Film Orchestra and a choir. The concert in the Brunnenhof of the Residenz will be moderated by a star guest from the film series.
The second evening on 7 July is dedicated to the music of Hans Zimmer and other composers of film music. The concert will be performed by a film orchestra, choir and star soloists. Selected film clips as well as a light and laser show will be shown in parallel. Here, too, special guests from the original productions will guide the audience through the evening. You will hear film music from James Bond, Pirates of the Caribbean, The Lion King, Gladiator, The Dark Knight, Inception, Interstellar and from many other productions.
Concerts “The Magical Music of Harry Potter“ and “The Music of Hans Zimmer and Others“ , 6 and 7 July 2023, Brunnenhof of the Residenz
In a wonderful atmosphere between the Hofgarten, Feldherrnhalle and Theatinerkirche, around 16,000 guests experience music of the highest standard at the “Classic at Odeonsplatz“. For more than 20 years now, the classical music concert has been delighting its visitors with the best orchestras and world-famous stars in the open air.
Classic at Odeonsplatz, 8 and 9 July 2023, Odeonsplatz
As part of the annual exhibition, the students of the Faculty of Design at the Munich University of Applied Sciences will show from 20 to 23 July 2023 how design shapes our present and future – and why it takes a lot of (playful) courage to create an environment worth living in. The exhibition shows final and semester projects from the bachelor's degree programme “Design“ with the fields of study photo design, industrial design and communication design, the bachelor's degree programme “Computer Science and Design“ as well as from the master's degree programme “Applied Design Research“.
Play: Annual Exhibition of the Faculty of Design, 20 to 23 July 2023, Faculty of Design Munich University of Applied Sciences
The open-air show “Cavalluna Kids – Eine Show steht Kopf“ offers a mixture of drama, dance and horses for the whole family and tells the story of Nina and her friends Sponti and Ben. The three of them get lost in the Cavalluna Horse Academy's summer show and unexpectedly have to take over the roles of the main performers who have fallen ill. Without experience and clumsily, the three friends manoeuvre their way through the scenes and Nina also falls in love with the prince of the story.
Cavalluna Kids - eine Show steht Kopf, 28 July to 13 August 2023, Cavalluna Park München Fröttmaning
After the successful start last summer, new folk music will once again set the tone at the Gasteig HP8 on 29 July. Archaic tones and multimedia sounds resound on five stages at the Alpenrausch Festival. Yodelling meets percussion and an alphorn plays techno beats. In addition, workshops invite you to participate and try things out. Films whet your appetite for alpine culture and nature. And if you want to start climbing right away, you can do so on a climbing wall. In addition to the Austrian duo “Attwenger“, the brass group “Federspiel“ and the Swiss duo “Albin Brun & Kristina Brunner“ will be on stage.
Alpenrausch, 29 July 2023, Gasteig HP8
People love summer in Munich – no wonder when you think of the many bathing lakes, beer gardens and mountain trips just waiting to be experienced here. Twelve things you should be sure to try during the hot season!
Enjoying the most beautiful summer weather outside and a film at the same time – that seems to be contradictory. Unless the screening takes place outside. There are several open-air cinemas in Munich: including the Frischluftkino of the Eine-Welt-Haus or the Kino, Mond und Sterne (Cinema, Moon and Stars) in the Westpark. But the city's best known and most popular open-air cinema makes a guest appearance in the Olympiapark: the Kino am Olympiasee is also the only one with 3D films in its programme. Instead of cinema chairs, deck chairs are waiting; couples make themselves comfortable in Love Seats, an extremely wide beach lounger version. From here, one comfortably has a view to the 4K-screen and the lake. Those who turn around can additionally have a look at the impressive arquitecture of the Olympiahalle, stadium and swimming pool. The program changes daily, tickets and information are available online. Reserved tickets must be picked up at the box office by 8 pm, which is recommended anyway: those who arrive before 8 pm can get two drinks for the price of one at the cinema bar. For the case of rain there is even an umbrella rental available. Roll the film!
In southern Bavaria there are several summer toboggan runs, one of the most famous is the one on the Blomberg, the local mountain of Bad Tölz. The ascent to the summit takes about one hour and leads along well constructed paths. At the top, the Blomberghaus lures with snacks and a panoramic view over the northern limestone Alps. Alternatively, part of the ascent can be bridged with the chairlift – the last few metres to the summit must still be covered on foot. The fastest way down to the valley is on the toboggan run, which starts a little way below the middle station. Over 1300 metres, 41 chicanes and 17 steep curves it winds its way down the mountain. If necessary, braking is done with a lever in the middle of the sledge. The Blomberg can be reached either by car (Am Blomberg 2, 83646 Wackersberg) or by bus lines 9612 and 9591 from Bad Tölz.
Munich is often glorified as the northernmost city in Italy. The many Italian ice cream parlors with their homemade gelato also contribute to this flair. Opinions differ as to which of these is the best. The Ballabeni at Theresienstrasse 46 is definitely among the top three. On hot summer days people queue up around the block. In Maxvorstadt and in the Schlachthofviertel, the Del Fiore is causing a sensation; there are even people who claim that the ice cream there is better than in Italy. For those who can't make up their mind, Chef Stefano might hand them a spoon to try. The Sarcletti on Rotkreuzplatz (square) is cult – and old: Peter Paul Sarcletti sold his first ice cream here 130 years ago. Today there are more than 60 varieties to choose from. No Italian, but in a class of his own is the Verrückter Eismacher (“Crazy Ice Cream Maker“). Matthias Münz basically only appears with a top hat and sometimes creates interesting flavours like gyros or wheat beer ice cream. His restaurant behind the university reminds of “Alice in Wonderland“, the branch in the Glockenbachviertel (Holzstrasse 24) of “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs“.
You can find a detailed calendar of events here.
Curious? You can book a guided bicycle tour through the city and the English Garden with us. The experienced guide will show you Munich's most important sights – rental bike and city map are included!
