In June, Munich is a big stage: The Filmfest München and the open-air cinema “Kino, Mond & Sterne“ attract with creative cinematic art. The Tollwood Festival takes care of nature conservation – and concerts that last.
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
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!
Every year a very special festival takes place on the grounds of Kaltenberg Castle: The young radio station PULS from the Bavarian Radio invites the best musicians of the hour in front of a great backdrop. This year's programme features many German-speaking artists – including OK KID, Von Wegen Lisbeth and Die Orsons. There will also be live podcasts and workshops.
PULS Open Air 2022, 8 June to 10 June 2023, Schloss Kaltenberg Geltendorf
It's not only the people of Munich who love it: The Midnightbazar is a regularly flea market that always opens its doors in the afternoon or in the evening. So that visitors feel well entertained while searching for treasures, live music and street food is also provided. This time, the night flea market in the Olympiastadion is pitching its tents – and is attracting visitors with over 500 exhibitors and public viewing.
Midnightbazar, date not fixed yet, Olympiastadion
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 June, Tannengarten beer garden in Munich-Sendling
Munich-based designer and artist Ayzit Bostan creates an installation especially conceived for the Rathausgalerie. The former ticket hall is a space full of quotations from past eras: The impressive light dome, the marble fountain basin, the columns adorned with capitals under the large round arches and the striking tile ornaments. These special features become the starting point for Ayzit Bostan's artistic intervention. In her unmistakable style, she creates the “Ayzit Bostan Palace“.
Ayzit Bostan Palace, 29 April to 7 July 2023 , Rathausgalerie at Marienplatz
Whether hip hop or tango, samba or gaga, disco or salsa – once a year dance fans can take over the entire area of the Gasteig HP8 at “Tanz den Gasteig“. Hall E, Hall X, the rehearsal hall, rooms of the MVHS in House K and the stage of the Isarphilharmonie will be transformed into a dance floor from 3 pm in the afternoon until late at night. Whether professional or beginner, single, couple or in groups, child or senior – everyone is invited to try out different dance styles in workshops, experience inclusive dances with a sign language interpreter, listen to live music or simply let yourself drift.
Dance Festival - Tanz den Gasteig, 3 June 2023, Gasteig HP8
For the second time, graphic novels with artistic pretensions, independent publishers and everything to do with narrative drawing will be presented at the HP8 and the Köşk in Munich parallel to the Comicfestival München. In addition to a reading programme by established comic artists and workshops with Aisha Franz, Marijpol, Nygel Panasco, Jul Gordon and many more, and a market for collectives and universities, there will be an evening programme at Köşk for the first time, exploring connections between graphic narrative and music. Admission to all events is free of charge.
“ArtZi“ Independent Comic Festival, 9 to 11 June 2023, Gasteig HP8 and Köşk
On 16 June 2023 Hubert von Goisern will give a concert at Königsplatz. This will be followed by Kiss on 17 June and Slipknot on 24 June.
Concerts on Königsplatz, 16, 17 and 24 June 2023, Königsplatz
As part of CSD Munich 2023, there will be the second edition of the drag show Drag Royalty with Drag Kings, Quings & Queens on 16 and 17 June: Munich's "majesties" Ruby Tuesday and Vicky Voyage invite you to an audience at the Drehleier Theatre, where they will celebrate drag as a diverse art form with a revue that has something for every taste:
Multitalented Alexander Cameltoe from Berlin is a theatrical synthesis of the arts, the drag demon "13" comes all the way from Vienna to open the gate to the underworld for us, the international gender performance legend Bridge Markland moves effortlessly between the sexes, Ukrainian drag ambassador Samantha Jackson wraps us around her finger with her insane voice, the dramatically sympathetic Emily Voyage shows us Brazilian joie de vivre and Earl Grey dances his way glamorously into our hearts.
Drag Royalty, 16 to 17. June 2023, Theatre Drehleier
For many Munich residents, the film festival is one of the highlights of the year. International stars come to the city and discuss current topics, the film business and themselves at world premieres. From 23 June to 1 July 2023, cineastes will go to the city's cinemas day and night to experience original versions of independent and Hollywood films from numerous countries.
Munich Film Festival, 23 June to 1 July 2023, different locations
If you like it extreme, come to the action sports event “Munich Mash“ in the Olympiapark. Tens of thousands of visitors will experience top-class sporting competitions when BMX bikes whizz over the ramps in front of the Olympiasee (lake) – and do loops in the air against the backdrop of the stadium and the Olympic tower.
Munich Mash, 30 June to 2 July, Olympiapark
If you are more interested in golf, the “BMW International Open“ from 21 to 25 June 2023 at the Eichenried Golf Club is the place to be. Those who appear here in traditional costume on 25 June 2020 will even get free admission!
BMW International Open Golf, 21 to 25 June 2023, Eichenried Golf Club
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 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
Every June the Glockenbachviertel is particularly colourful. Here and at Marienplatz, heterosexuals, gays and lesbians celebrate “Christopher Street Day“ with a parade and big street party.
CSD Munich, 24 June 2023, Marienplatz and Glockenbachviertel
For romantic evenings, the somewhat more contemplative summer open-air "Kino, Mond & Sterne" on the Seebühne in the Westpark has plenty in store. On picnic blankets and the warm stone steps of the semicircular amphitheatre, guests can experience classics such as “Drive“ from June to September in convivial company, laugh together at successful dialogues, hope with their film heroes or sing well-known melodies together in the choir – sometimes even in the summer rain.
Kino, Mond & Sterne, 2 June to 9 September 2023, Seebühne (lake stage) in Westpark
At the wild party on 11.6.2023 thousands of people dance under the open sky to the live music of the best electro DJs. Every hour there is a countdown: 3, 2, 1 and go! Then the participants tear open bags of paint and distribute the colourful powder to the neighbours and themselves. A motley mess!
Holifestival of Colours, 11 June 2023, Festplatz Luitpoldanlage in Freising
Singing, dancing, celebrating and experiencing a real summer gospel feeling together – that's what the Munich gospel choir "Gospels at Heaven" invites you to at its summer concert 2023 in the Alte Kongresshalle Munich.
For more than 20 years, the 80 singers have been making feet bounce, the air crackle and hearts glow at their performances. Since summer 2022, the choir has been led by Moritz Külbs. Together with the young conductor, the choir has put together a new programme. An between many new pieces and popular classics and catchy tunes. The programme ranges from traditional spirituals (“Wade in the Water“) to rousing gospel (“Revelation Song“) and moving film music (“Stand up“ from the film Harriet).
Summer concert of the Munich gospel choir "Gospels at Heaven", 30 June 2023, Alte Kongresshalle
From June 04-06 the international sports and outdoor industry will meet in Munich. The focus will be on health, nature, mobility and urbanity as well as sustainability. OutDoor by ISPO also offers deep insights into socially relevant trends and developments that go beyond the industry itself. Interactive, digital offers will round off the live event.
OutDoor by ISPO, 4 June to 6 June 2023, Messe München
Barbecuing on the Isar reminds you just how great it is to be alive. On warm summer evenings, people flock to the river in their thousands. The banks are jam-packed all the way up and down stream. Since its renaturisation, many locals see the Isar as their second home. It’s a place where they can relax, enjoy the sunshine, meet their friends, grab a beer or bite to eat. And it’s incredibly simple, too. The only things you need to spend the evening at the Isar after a hard day’s work is a picnic basket full of treats, a blanket and a barbecue. You can find a handy single-use version of the latter at petrol stations and supermarkets. It’s important to take care when picking your spot. While picnics are allowed almost anywhere along the Isar, barbecues are not. In the city centre area, the section known as Flaucher, to the south of Brudermühlbrücke bridge, is the only part that allows barbecues. The second BBQ zone stretches around the island near Oberföhring in northern Munich. Security guards keep an eye out and issue fines to anyone in breach of the rules. If you are unsure whether barbecues are allowed, you can check the City of Munich’s free Isar app, which contains a wealth of information. The BBQ areas also have large bins where you can empty your charcoal.
Grainau’s Midsummer Night bonfire is one of the finest in the entire Alpine region. Every year, locals from the village of Grainau light their fires in the mountains on the evening of 23 June. Before the fires are lit, young men from the village ascend the mountain, building fires on peaks, ridges and ledges. As darkness begins to descend, Waxenstein ridge slowly transforms into one long chain of lights. The mountain appears to light up, looking almost as if it’s engulfed in flames. While this is going on, the young men start their descent back down to the valley, using flares and headlamps to light their way in the dark. These bonfires can be traced back to a pagan ritual performed on 23 June for thousands of years. This is the day when the night is at its shortest and the day at its longest. These days, the fires are lit in honour of a saint. On 24 June, Catholics remember John the Baptist, which is why the bonfires are known Johannifeuer (St John’s Fire).
The southern part of Munich is home to lots of trees and water – the ideal destination for a bike tour, particularly in hot weather. Menterschwaige is a popular finishing point for tours. This beer garden and its canopy of chestnut trees is located directly above the Isar river so it is pretty easy to find. Simply follow the Isar southwards out of the city centre, past the Tierpark (zoo), Flaucher park and power station. Menterschwaige is directly opposite the statue of the Isar raftsman on the eastern banks of the Isar. There are several paths leading to the beer garden. If you're not quite ready for a break, cross over Menterschwaigstrasse and Schmorellplatz to Geiselgaststeigstrasse. This road leads you past Perlacher Forest, which is also a nice place for a detour. The smaller forest paths have been gravelled and there are a few larger tarmacked paths. If you decide to stick to Geiselgaststeigstrasse and go north instead, you can either stop at Harlachinger Jagdschlössl (a former castle-turned-restaurant with its own beer fountain) or Harlachinger Einkehr, a restaurant on a hill above the zoo. From here, a path will lead you back down to the Isar. Many underground stations or S-Bahn stations have MVG bikes available to rent (provided by the local transport network). There is also a number of private rental agencies.
A detailed calendar of events can be found here.
Curious? You can book a guided bicycle tour through the city and the Englischer Garten with us. The experienced guide will show you Munich's most important sights – rental bike and city map are included!
