It’s arguably one of the most beautiful traditions in Munich: the Kocherlball in July. When participants gather early in the morning in the otherwise still-empty English Garden and then take their turns on the imaginary dance floor together at daybreak, there’s simply magic in the air. The Chinese Tower provides the perfect backdrop for this cheerful event, which draws thousands of people every year. The tradition dates back to the 19th century and was even banned for a time! But today, fortunately, we can once again take to the dance floor at the Kocherball.
Dance of the Servants
The Kocherlball has its origins in the 1880s. Back then, the city’s domestic staff would meet every Sunday at 5 a.m. at the Chinese Tower to dance together. Only at this early hour did they have time to indulge in this pleasure, as they had to be back at their employers’ homes by the time their employers returned from church. Their employers, however, disapproved of the morning dance and put a stop to the festivities in 1904 on the grounds of “immoral behavior.”
It wasn’t until 1989 that the Kocherlball was revived, at that time to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the English Garden. Since then, Munich’s largest folk dance has taken place every year on the third Sunday in July from 6 to 10 a.m. Many come in traditional costume or even dress in servants’ uniforms to commemorate the custom’s origins. In the past, up to 8,000 “Kocherl” gathered at the Pagoda; today, the number is around 12,000.
A Visit to the Kocherlball
This year, you can come to the Kocherlball at the Chinese Tower on Sunday, July 19. It’s not just about dancing— there’s breakfast, too. If you arrive at the beer garden before sunrise, candles will be lit on the tables, and you can unpack the snacks you’ve brought along. If you don’t want to bring your own food, you can also buy Bavarian delicacies on site, such as Ochsensemmeln, pretzels, and Schmalznudeln. Vegan options are also available. Bringing your own drinks is not permitted.
Once you’ve refueled, you can take to the dance floor with your partner. Lead dancers Magnus Kaindl and Kathtarina Mayer will guide you through the polka, Landler, Zwiefacher, and Boarischer, so you can keep up even without any prior experience. If you’d still like to prepare, you can attend the dance workshop on Thursday, July 16, in the Erkerzimmer at the Hofbräuhaus. No registration is required—just drop by and start dancing. If you don’t have a partner, you’ll find one there. Or bring your date and learn together.
📍 Location: Chinese Tower in the English Garden
📅 Date: Sunday, July 19, from 6 to 10 a.m.
💶 Price Information: Free
