Start of the year in the Bavarian metropolis: these are the 10 highlights in January

If you can’t experience the legendary New Year’s Concert in Vienna live, but the ZDF broadcast isn’t quite right for you either, then you should pay a visit to the string quintet of the Munich Chamber Philharmonic dacapo. Their interpretation of the Austrian classic will give you a lively start to the new year. The festive and cheerful program focuses on the immortal masterpieces of the Viennese Strauss dynasty and their contemporaries: From Eduard Strauss’ lively dances to Josef Lanner’s charming polka and the great classics of Johann Strauss, you can expect wonderful moments full of esprit and elegance. A perfect musical start to the new year!

Can’t get enough of classical concerts? Then visit one of the many candlelight concerts that let you relive your favorite artists and hits. Whether you’re a fan of Adele, the 90s or hip hop, there’s something for everyone. Surrounded by hundreds of candles, let yourself be carried away by the classic reinterpretations of your favorite songs and experience an unforgettable start to the new year.

Just because Christmas is over doesn’t mean you can no longer drink mulled wine or children’s punch. The mulled wine festival in Bogenhausen attracts visitors with 35 varieties of mulled wine and other hot drinks such as Hot Spicy Orange or Hot Caipi. Of course, there are also non-alcoholic varieties and delicious delicacies from all over the world. Meanwhile, the children can take a spin on the carousel or ride the little train. If it’s too uncomfortable outside, you can simply retreat to the spacious heated tents.

You can also enjoy mulled wine and stroll through the winter market at Nockherberg at the beginning of the year. At the Paulaner winter festival on Nockherberg, you can still experience fun winter fun well into February. Prove yourself at curling and take part in a friendly tournament, optionally with a referee. Or you can book a table on the Alm, where you can spend a cozy evening with cheese fondue. If you have something to celebrate, you can host it here.

Clear the ring for round six! There’s still some Christmas magic in Munich at the beginning of the year. The Christmas Circus will be performing in the city until January 11 and once again invites you and your whole family to dream. Experience a two-hour spectacle in a class of its own: while world-class acrobats and illusionists whisk you away into a magical world, our clowns will make sure that there’s not a dry eye in the house. An unforgettable party for young and old!

If you can’t wait until September and are already longing for the Oktoberfest again, you shouldn’t miss the Bürgerball at the Deutsches Theater. Dress up in dirndls and lederhosen, adorn yourselves with charivari and edelweiss and dance to the music of the Oktoberfest musicians. The Cagey Strings, Isar 2 and Rottauer Tanzlmusi will ensure a great atmosphere so that you can start the 2026 ball season with a hearty party. Culinary delights from the Stiftl include schnitzel, snacks and pumpkin ravioli. For those with a sweet tooth, there will be Kaiserschmarrn and chocolate mousse. A welcome drink is already included in your admission.

Experience a cosmic highlight in the middle of Munich in January when the Zurich-based artist collective PROJEKTIL transforms the historic vaults of St. Mark’s Church into a fascinating 360-degree light installation. In this immersive experience, which takes you into a world beyond time and space for 30 minutes, spectacular projection mapping and surround sound merge with the classical works of Johann Sebastian Bach and modern beats to create an audiovisual synthesis of the arts. This barrier-free journey into infinity is suitable for all age groups and offers you and your loved ones the perfect opportunity to escape the winter routine and be amazed together.

On Sundays, the Prinze becomes a ballroom! Come along and experience ballroom dancing in a different way: every Sunday during the season, waltzes and tangos are danced directly on the ice. It starts at 09:30 with a warm-up, after which you learn the steps and then perform them on your own. A real highlight is the traditional “Munich Dipferl”, where you glide across the ice as a long chain. Lessons take place in almost any weather and are free of charge. The only requirement is that you should be able to move safely forwards and backwards on skates .

This tradition is only celebrated every seven years and in 2026 it will finally happen again: from January 6, you can watch the Schäffler dance in public places. Originally, the 500-year-old dance served to cheer people up during the plague; now it brings some good cheer to the gloomy winter instead. In their red jackets, the Schäffler are easy to spot as they begin their dance in the city’s public squares with the traditional Defilier March before performing their creative figures.