You won’t have to wait much longer before you can finally visit the first folk festivals in Munich and the surrounding area again this spring. The strong beer festivals during Lent offered a small taste of what’s to come, but didn’t fully ease the withdrawal symptoms. This year, however, the wait will be doubly rewarded, as the Spring Festival in April is celebrating its anniversary and will be extended for the occasion. A full three weeks of festival fun await you at the Theresienwiese, with all kinds of activities and events.
60 Years of the Spring Festival
The Spring Festival has been held every year after Easter on the Theresienwiese since 1965. Despite being held at the same venue, the event is traditionally smaller than Oktoberfest and is therefore nicknamed the “Little Wiesn.” This year, it runs from Friday, April 17, to Sunday, May 10— a week longer than usual to mark its 60th anniversary. In addition to the usual program, there are a few extra treats this time around to celebrate in style.
As always, two festival tents await you at the Spring Festival: the Hippodrom and the Bayernland. In addition, there’s the beer garden, complete with a beer carousel, where you can soak up the sun when the weather is nice. The numerous rides, such as the Wilde Maus, the Ferris wheel, and Break Dance, provide the perfect adrenaline rush. Try your luck at one of the game booths and take home your winnings. Last but not least, you can treat yourself to sweet and savory delicacies at the food stands. Around 100 carnival vendors will be on hand for the anniversary, transforming the Theresienwiese into an amusement paradise for three weeks.
📍 Location: Theresienwiese
📅 Dates: April 17 to May 10
💶 Price information: Free admission
New and old program
Just like Oktoberfest, the Spring Festival begins with the arrival of the breweries and carnival operators. On April 17 at 3 p.m., they will parade from Theresienhöhe to Theresienwiese in horse-drawn carriages accompanied by a brass band . At 4 p.m., the first keg is tapped in the Augustiner Bayernland tent. This officially opens the “little Wiesn.” Once again this year, you can look forward to the classic car meet, the Day of Traditions, and the Family Days, as well as Bavaria’s largest flea market on the first Saturday of the festival. As always, you can celebrate with music and dancing in the tents.
Since the Spring Festival lasts a week longer this year, there’s also an extra family afternoon. That means you can save on rides and treats on all three weekdays. Additionally, this year on the first Sunday, there’s the “60 Minutes – 60 Cents” offer, where you pay just 60 cents for all rides for an hour. Furthermore, on May 1 and 8, fireworks will light up the sky over Theresienwiese, which you can admire after sunset. Another highlight is Mickie Krause’s visit on May 4 , when he’ll perform in Bayernland alongside the band Dingl Dangl and get the crowd going.
All dates for the Spring Festival at a glance
- April 17: Parade and Beer Tapping
- April 18: Giant Flea Market
- April 19: 60 Minutes – 60 Cents
- April 26: Classic Car Meet
- May 1: Brilliant Fireworks
- May 3: Day of Traditions
- May 4: Mickie Krause
- May 8: Musical Fireworks
- May 10: Craftsmen’s Spring
- April 21, April 28, and May 5: Family Afternoons
- April 27 and May 4: Bring on the D-Mark
