Hot Days and Long Nights: Things to Do in Munich in August

The Auer Dult is a true Munich classic and a must-see for anyone who loves the charm of traditional folk festivals. At the Jakobidult, the summer edition of the Auer Dult, a lively atmosphere awaits you with over 300 booths offering everything from antiques and household goods to culinary delights. It’s the perfect place to stroll through the alleys, hunt for treasures, and sample a Bavarian specialty or two. The rides are sure to make children’s eyes light up.

Comedy stage meets wine glass! “An Idiot’s Guide to Wine” serves up the perfect blend of brilliant stand-up comedy and relaxed wine tasting. Throughout the show, comedian Merrick Watts will not only serve up spot-on jokes but also a total of six fine wines, which he’ll present in his uniquely humorous style. Get ready for an extraordinary experience —an evening packed with hearty laughter and the finest indulgences!

30 Years of Free & Easy – That calls for a celebration! For 17 days, the Backstage will once again transform into a top-notch festival—and admission is free! Over 200 bands spanning all genres will perform for you both indoors and outdoors. You can also look forward to open-air movies, a flea market, and cabaret. You can keep the party going after 11 p.m. at the daily parties, where DJs will be spinning tracks for you. And of course, there’ll be plenty of great food and drinks to enjoy.

The Olympic Park also has a festival atmosphere in August. The Summer Festival offers plenty of rides and food stands. With free admission, it’s the perfect place to spend your summer days and nights. Enjoy the view from the Ferris wheel and look forward to the changing themed programs on the weekends. It’s a great way to spend your summer vacation in Munich!

We’re staying in the Olympic Park: Experience the most magical night of the summer when hundreds of lanterns light up the Olympic Lake. Over two days , the Water Lantern Festival transforms the Olympic Lake into a glittering sea of lights. You can design your own lanterns and enjoy street food with live music. As a grand finale, you’ll finally release your glowing lantern onto the water and watch it drift across the lake.

The Theatron Musik-Sommer offers even more festival vibes in the Olympiapark. Here you can enjoy concerts on the lake stage —completely free of charge. Every day starting at 7 p.m., there’s a lineup featuring established bands as well as up-and-coming artists. Whether it’s jazz, pop, rock, hip-hop, or classical—there really is something for everyone here.

Music isn’t just happening at the Olympiapark—it’s also taking place on Prater Island. At the Latin Open-Air by the Isar , you can look forward to sizzling Latin rhythms that’ll get your hips moving. In addition to four South American DJs, you’ll enjoy summery drinks and a lively atmosphere. From 3 p.m. to 10 p.m., you can dance the day away to salsa, reggaeton, and Latin house—all while enjoying a beautiful view of the Isar.

Things get down-to-earth in Pasing, too. This western district has a long tradition of hosting such events. Every year, you can look forward to five days of fairground fun and beer gardens. The venue can accommodate up to 2,100 visitors. Enjoy Bavarian delicacies and live music from the region —after all, it won’t be too long until Oktoberfest… and we’re already in the right mood!

The Munich Open Air Summer in the Brunnenhof of the Residenz is a true hidden gem for music lovers. Set against the historic backdrop of the Residenz, a diverse program featuring classical, jazz, and world music awaits you . The acoustics in this special setting are simply fantastic, and the concerts are a real highlight. Whether you’re a fan of rock, pop, swinging jazz, or South American rhythms—there’s something for everyone here.

There are a total of eight fountains at the Viktualienmarkt, six of which feature different Munich personalities such as Karl Valentin or Liesl Karlstadt. In their honor, the city traditionally celebrates the Brunnenfest every first Friday in August. For the occasion, the fountains are festively decorated, and there’s a diverse program of events on several stages. Food and drink are, of course, readily available, so you can look forward to a wonderful festival.

August brings not only cultural but also astronomical events. The Perseids, which will be visible through the end of the month, will be joined by a solar eclipse on August 12. In Munich, we can expect approximately 89% coverage, which corresponds to a significant darkening of the sun by the moon. The Munich Public Observatory is hosting a special program starting at 6:00 p.m. at Absolutely Upside East , featuring talks and solar telescopes. Under no circumstances should you look directly at the sun without proper protection! That night, you can also experience the peak of the Perseids.

If you’re in the mood for an indoor cultural program in the evening in August—away from all the open-air events—then check out the Filmkunstwochen. Through August 12, twelve alternative cinemas in Munich will be screening films with substance. The lineup includes not only indie hits, arthouse gems, and documentaries, but also classics like “The Matrix” and “The Truman Show.” The Filmkunstwochen are complemented by accompanying events such as concerts, exhibitions, and city tours.

Is Bavaria all about beer? Not at all! Franconia is known as a wine region and brings its fine wines to Munich as part of the Franconian Wine Festival. For three weeks, you can sample a selection of wines from different winemakers and wineries at the Alter Hof. There are also Franconian specialties to taste and live music on select days.

In the mood for a romantic summer atmosphere? Whether with your date, your family, or your friends, the Candlelight Concerts simply enchant everyone. By the light of hundreds of candles, you’ll experience your favorite music reimagined as classical arrangements against a stunning backdrop. Whether featuring well-known artists or movie soundtracks, the Candlelight artists never fail to delight.

If you’re in the mood for an open-air movie on warm August evenings, the open-air cinema is waiting for you again! Throughout August, five different movies will be shown each week, including classics like “Mrs. Doubtfire” and musical spectacles like “The Greatest Showman.” Admission is free, and you’ll even get free popcorn before the movie starts. To attend, send Hofstatt a direct message via Facebook or Instagram requesting your preferred showing, and with a little luck, you’ll be there.

Even more open-air movies await you in Westpark. Before the curtain falls in early September, the Mond & Sterne cinema is going all out for you one last time in August. Under the open sky, you can enjoy the latest blockbusters, timeless classics, and animated films by the lake in Westpark. Absolute highlights this month: Kids’ Afternoon on August 7 and The Rocky Horror Picture Show on August 15—cult cinema where you can join in the fun! There will also be snacks and delicious food from around the world on site , but you’re also welcome to bring your own food, just like at a beer garden.

What could be better than admiring the starry sky on a balmy summer night—while watching a sparkling sea of lights created by drones illuminate the night sky in time with nostalgic film music ? At the end of August, you’ll have the unique opportunity to be enchanted by the breathtaking DroneArt Show above the horse racing track in Munich-Riem. While a string quartet plays pieces from the Harry Potter™ soundtrack by candlelight, over 1,200 drones create fantastic images in the sky in time with the music.

A summery weekend in the great outdoors awaits you at the Westparkfest. Here, you’ll find three days of music, art, food trucks, and family activities. Westpark transforms into a vibrant event venue with live music, guided tours, salsa classes, and a fire show. Kids can look forward to art stations, face painting, and a visit from the fire department. Almost the entire program is free; only the Mond & Sterne cinema and summer curling cost money.

At the end of the month, we’ll head back to the Olympiapark. Even though the Olympic Stadium is currently closed for renovations, the Superbloom Festival is still happening. This time, you can look forward not only to two days of the festival with three stages but also to the Superbloom Concerts that follow. At Hans-Jochen-Vogel-Platz, acts like Lewis Capaldi and Lorde will perform cool open-air shows for you, providing the perfect finale to the festival.