Special Events throughout the Year

January

New Year's Springen Ski Jump Competition (Neujahrsspringen)

Professional Ski Jumping Competition in Garmisch at the Olympic Stadium. Takes place on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Must purchase tickets.

Giant Horn Sled Race

Normally on January 6, people race down a snow-covered trail on giant wooden sleds.

January/February

FIS Ski World Cup Races

Professional alpine ski racing events held either at Gudiberg or the Kandahar. Tickets must be purchased. Very fun atmosphere! Men's races are held one weekend and the women's races are held a separate weekend.

February

Fasching (Carnival/Fat Tuesday)

Check for local parades in Garmisch, Farchant, and Munich. On the weekend leading up to Fat Tuesday, everyone will wear costumes while skiing and Fat Tuesday is a big party on the mountain.

March

Starkbierfest-Munich

"Strong beer Fest" is held at Paulaner, Lowenbrau, and Augustiner breweries in Munich. Think a smaller Oktoberfest with stronger beer. Be careful out there, but have fun!

March/April

Easter Markets-Bad Tölz, Innsbruck

Smaller, spring themed versions of Christmas Markets. You can buy Easter decor, plus specialty goods from local vendors.

April

Frühlingsfest-Munich

Typically the last two weeks of April, held at Theresienwiese (same location as Oktoberfest). This is a smaller version of Oktoberfest with all the same food, beer, rides, and games. There are 2 beer tents at Frühlingsfest vs. 17 at Oktoberfest. It's a more local, more manageable fest experience.

May

May-Pole Celebrations

Around Bavaria on May 1, different towns will have a small fest and ceremony to raise their May Poles. I expected this to be a quick thing to watch, but I was wrong. It took quite a while! Usually there is food and beer to go along with the fest.

June

Bergfeuer-Lermoos, Innsbruck

Normally the third Saturday of June (close to the summer solstice). Volunteers from the towns hike up into the mountains to set out small torches in different designs. When it gets dark, they light them on fire and you can see all the designs glowing on the mountains. It's pretty impressive. Make sure to get a spot a few hours before it gets dark! Watch this to see more about how it is!

July/August

Festwoche-Garmisch-Partenkirchen

Festwoche is a week-long summer fest in each small town. Garmisch goes first and then the following week Partenkirchen has their fest. It's basically a beer tent with food and a few rides/games, and you can expect traditional music and dancing.

August/September

Almabtreib-Lermoos, Krun, Mittenwald, Hall in Tirol

Almabtreib is the end of the summer celebration for the cows. The cows are literally paraded down the mountains (where they spent all summer) down to the valley below. If the season has been successful, the cows are decorated with flower crowns and adornments. If one of the herd has died, then they won't be decorated. The parade is usually also accompanied by a fest.

September/October

Oktoberfest-Munich

The biggest and most famous fest in the whole world! Oktoberfest is a big celebration and Munich will be buzzing during this time. You can bring kids, in fact school groups come here on field trips and Tuesdays are family days. Bring the kids early and leave by 4 when the crowd starts to get a bit more rowdy. Bring lots of cash, the food and beers are pricey and they don't take cards in the beer tents.

November

Christmas Markets-Innsbruck, Munich, Bad Tölz, Garmisch, Mittenwald, Füssen, Schloss Kaltenberg

Christmas markets normally begin in late November. The ones in Germany will end by Christmas Eve. The ones in Innsbruck normally go until January 6. The best one with kids is Schloss Kaltenberg. Munich is fun because it has many different markets throughout the city. Innsbruck is charming and also has Lumagica lights display in the Hofgarten.

December

Krampus run-Innsbruck, Ehrwald, Lermoos, Munich

Google Krampus if you've never heard of it before you decide to go. I never quite understood this terrifying holiday tradition but it is a cultural phenomenon in this area. Picture several hairy, scary monsters parading through the streets with torches and sticks. They will whack you with the sticks!