After Christmas and New Year’s Eve, January seems almost dull and empty in some places. The next festivities we can look forward to take place around carnival; until then, there is usually a dry spell. Fortunately, things are different in Munich this year, as an old tradition is returning to the city: the Schäffler dances started on Epiphany and will accompany you for the next few weeks at various locations in the city, making January colorful and fun.
A centuries-old custom
The Schäffler dances are the guild dances of the barrel makers or coopers. The Bavarian and Palatine term “Schäffler” for this professional group comes from the Upper German term “Schaff” for a vat. The dances originated in Munich, where they have been performed since at least 1702. Legend has it that the first Schäffler dance took place as early as 1517 during the plague epidemic in order to revive public life in the city. Whether there was an outbreak of plague at all at this time, however, cannot be proven with certainty. In any case, the plague cemetery at the gates of the town was not established until almost 20 years later.
The Schäfflertänze have been held every seven years since 1760. Why this is the case is not exactly known today, but there are various possible explanations. One of them again refers to the plague, as this broke out approximately every seven years. Another assumes that it is connected to seven being a lucky number and another that Duke William IV only allowed the dance to take place in this cycle so that it would not gain the upper hand.
From 1830, the Schäffler dances spread outside of Munich through traveling Schäffler journeymen. The local gymnastics clubs took up the tradition and staged their own dances. Nevertheless, the custom is still mainly confined to Bavaria today. Initially, only unmarried Schäffler were allowed to perform the dance of their guild. Only since the 1960s have married Schäffler and masters also been allowed, and only because the number of dancers would otherwise be too small.
When you can see the Schäffler dances this year
After being presented for the last time in 2019, the Schäffler dances will take place again in 2026. The first dance kicked off on Marienplatz on January 6, where the carillon of the new town hall also depicts a Schäffler dance. The dances will take place until February 17 this year before the carnival season begins seamlessly. The Schäffler with their eye-catching red jackets and green pants dance around 400 times in various public places in the city and perform their figures for you. They are often accompanied by lead dancers, barrel dancers, jesters and tire swingers. Most of the dances take place at weekends, but there is always at least one dance a day throughout the season.
You can see them on these dates, among others:
- Friday, 09.01.: 16:00, Hohenzollernplatz, 80796 Munich
- Saturday, 10.01.: 13:00, Wittelsbacherplatz, 80333 Munich
- Sunday, 11.01.: 16:30, Alter Messeplatz, 80339 Munich
- Friday, 16.01.: 14:00, Weißenburger Platz, 81677 Munich
- Saturday, 17.01.: 12:00, Marienplatz, 80331 Munich
- Sunday, 18.01.: 11:00 am, Josefsplatz, 80798 Munich
- Friday, 23.01.: 16:00, Platzl, 80331 Munich
- Saturday, 24.01.: 14:00, Heiglhofstraße 25, 81377 Munich
- Sunday, 25.01.: 17:00, Hirschgarten, 80639 Munich
- Friday, 30.01.: 19:00, Neuhauser Straße 27, 80331 Munich (Munich Schäfflerball)
- Saturday, 31.01.: 14:00, Forstenrieder Allee 180, 81476 Munich
- Sunday, 01.02.: 13:00, Nymphenburger Straße 128 – 132, 80636 Munich
- Friday, 06.02.: 17:00, Frauenplatz, 80331 Munich
- Saturday, 07.02.: 11:00 am, Margaretenplatz, 81373 Munich
- Sunday, 08.02.: 17:00, Marktplatz Ismaninger Straße, 85609 Aschheim (Schäfflertreffen)
- Friday, 13.02.: 15:00, Forstenrieder Weg 13, 82065 Baierbrunn
- Saturday, 14.02.: 14:00, Pasinger Bahnhofsplatz, 81241 Munich
- Sunday, 15.02.: 12:00 noon, Wasserburger Landstraße 32, 81825 Munich
- Tuesday, 17.02.: 21:00, Neuhauser Straße 27, 80331 Munich (last dance 2026)
The last Schäffler dance on Neuhauser Straße takes place after dark with torches, which makes for a particularly atmospheric finale before you have to wait another seven years to be able to attend the tradition again.