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Munich: Annual Festivals
Starkbierfest - March and April, city-wide

Starkbierfest is held for three weeks during Lent, between Carnival and Easter, celebrating Munich’s “strong beer”. Starkbier was created in 1651 by the local Paulaner monks who drank this 'Flüssiges Brot', or ‘liquid bread’ to survive the fasting of Lent. It became a public festival in 1751 and is now the second largest beer festival in Munich. Starkbierfest is also known as the “fifth season”, and is celebrated in beer halls and restaurants around the city.

Frühlingsfest - April and May, Theresienweise

Held for two weeks from the end of April to the beginning of May, Frühlingsfest celebrates spring and the new local spring beers, and is commonly refereed to as the ‘little sister of Oktoberfest’. There are two beer tents, Hippodrom and Festhalle Bayernland, as well as one roofed beer garden, Münchner Weissbiergarten. There are also roller coasters, fun houses, slides, and a Ferris wheel. Other attractions of the festival include a flea market on the festival’s first Saturday, a “Beer Queen” contest, a vintage car show on the first Sunday, fireworks every Friday night, and a “Day of Traditions” on the final day.

Auer Dult - May, August, and October, Mariahilfplatz

This is Europe's largest jumble sale, with fairs of it's kind dating back to the 14th century. The Auer Dult is a traditional market with 300 stalls selling handmade crafts, household goods, and local foods, and offers carnival rides for children. It has taken place over 9 days each, three times a year. since 1905.

Kocherlball - July, English Gardens

Traditionally a ball for Munich’s domestic servants, cooks, nannies, and other household staff, Kocherlball, or ‘cook’s ball’ was a chance for the lower classes to take the morning off and dance together before the families of their households woke up. It now runs  between 6 and 10 am the third Sunday in July at the Chinese Tower in Munich’s English Gardens.

Kaltenberg Knights Tournament - July, Kaltenberg Castle

The Kaltenberg Knights Tournament is the largest knight’s tournament in the world, taking place over the last three weekends in July at the Kaltenberg Castle. The main events include sword fighting, horsemanship, and jousting, as well as other medieval sports. There is also a medieval market, several games, crafts, medieval food, and parades, as well as modern live music and fireworks.

Tollwood - July and December, Olympia Park

For three weeks in July, and then three weeks in December, Tollwood showcases fine and performing arts with live music, circus acts, and several lanes of booths selling handmade crafts, as well as organic international cuisine. According to the festival's website, Tollwood's goal is to promote culture and the environment, with the main themes of "tolerance, internationality, and openness". To promote these ideals, 70% of all Tollwoood events and attractions are free.

Oktoberfest - September and October, Theresienwiese

The largest beer festival in the world, Munich’s Oktoberfest runs for 16 days from the end of September through early October. Oktoberfest is a celebration of the wedding of Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig to Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen which took place on October 12, 1810. In the last 200 years the festival has grown to span 85 acres and now welcomes over 6 million visitors every year. There are 14 beer tents which together can seat 119,000 attendees at a time, and serve beer from the six major breweries of Munich: Augustiner, Hacker-Pschorr, Löwenbräu, Paulaner, Spaten and Staatliches Hofbräuhaus. Over 7 million liters of beer are consumed at each Oktoberfest. There are also over 100 rides ranging from bumper cars to full-sized roller coasters, as well as the more traditional Ferris wheels and swings. Food can be bought in each tent, as well as at various stalls throughout the fairgrounds. Oktoberfest hosts 144 caterers and employees 13,000 people.

Christkindlmarkt - November and December, city-wide

Munich’s Christmas Markets, or Christkindlmarkt, are held throughout the city from late November until Christmas Eve, the largest spanning the Marienplatz and surrounding streets. There are hundreds of stalls selling handmade goods, Christmas ornaments and decorations, and Bavarian Christmas foods including pastries, roasted nuts, and gluwein.