In Munich, carnival season also means ball season. It starts again on January 23, and you can dance the night away on weekends and carnival days until Rosenmontag (Shrove Monday). The ball season offers you numerous varied events, sometimes in evening dress, sometimes in traditional costume, and with different dance styles. Get ready for this year’s ball highlights and dance your way through the beginning of the year.
A diverse tradition
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Munich has a long ball tradition that is still carefully maintained today. Particularly well-known is the Kocherlball in July, when thousands of Munich residents in traditional costume gather at the Chinese Tower at 6 a.m. to dance together. However, you don’t have to wait until summer to glide more or less gracefully across the dance floor together – quite the contrary. The actual Munich ball season falls at the beginning of the year and awaits you with numerous highlights, offering something for every taste and every level.
Once again, the German Theater is the absolute hotspot of the ball season. The Oide Wiesn Bürgerball kicks things off here on January 23, immediately putting you in the Oktoberfest mood. A total of 13 events will take place in the local ballroom up to and including Rose Monday. But there are also several events to look forward to at the Bayerischer Hof, most notably the legendary German Film Ball on January 24, which brings together the who’s who of the film scene and celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.
Munich Ball Season 2026: Here are the dates
Photo: Christian Harb/Unsplash
The following balls will take place at the Deutsches Theater this year, including the big carnival party on Rose Monday. You can expect a variety of music, dance styles, and dress codes.
- January 23: Oide Wiesn Bürgerball
- January 24: Munich Dance Night
- January 25: Pasión de Baile
- January 29: Ball of the Stars
- January 30: Ball Total
- January 31: The Great Narrhalla Soirée
- February 1: Ball Classique
- February 6: Gaudeamus Ball
- February 7: Ball of Nations
- February 8: Children’s Carnival
- February 13: Roses & Love Ball
- February 14: Rock That Swing Ball
- February 15: Jamboree Ball
- February 16: 089 Kult: Carnival party on Rose Monday
Additional dance events will also take place at the Bayerischer Hof:
- January 24: German Film Ball
- January 30: Medical Professionals Ball
- January 31: MSC Ball
- February 1: Pumuckl and the Carnival Prince
- February 6: Monaco Nights: CARNIVAL x DISCO
- February 7: Magnolia Ball