die Feste

Last night I asked Steve to list some of his favorite things about Munich. He immediately admitted his love for German bakeries. I could not agree more! However, I realized that I had forgotten to add bakeries to the list of my Top 10 Reasons to Visit Munich. At that moment, I was heartbroken. "How could I forget to add bakeries to my list?" I wondered sadly. But, then I realized that there are so many wonderful reasons to visit Munich. Although I am making a top ten countdown, everyone must visit Munich and determine what they love best about this big Bavarian village for themselves. With that said, below is Nummer sieben:

#7: Parties, Festivals, and Celebrations...Oh My!

From Oktoberfest to Fasching, it seems that no matter what time of year you choose to visit Munich, there is always something to celebrate. Big log cabin style booths fill the streets and the aroma of sugar-roasted almonds waft sweetly through the air. People roam the city with one hand occupied by a delicious drink of mulled wine, spiked tea, or fresh, local beer and everyone is happy.

Just as dreariness begins to wash over the city from the end of the two-week-long Oktoberfest-high, the Auer Dult opens. A spectacular celebration of Fall and a wonderful opportunity to finish holiday shopping early, the Auer Dult is an extremely scaled down version of Oktoberfest filled with wurst, beer, and rides in the huge parking lot of the Mariahilfplatz church:

Poster Advertising the 2009 Auer Dult

Swing Ride at the Auer Dult

Next come the Weinachtsmarkte. Vendors flood the streets and squares all over the city, setting up shop for a month, enticing you to buy cute trinkets and yummy treats. In the glum, gray of Munich's winter, Weinachtsmarkte keep everyone's spirits high:

Delicious Lebkuchen Stand at a Local Weinachtsmarkt

In January and February, as winter drags along, Fasching is crazily celebrated like the dance that is Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Costumed party-goers and parades file through town as people party like there is no tomorrow, because "tomorrow" they will start their fast for Lent.

In March is Starkbierzeit, the time for strong beer. I am told to expect three weeks of dance and lederhose, a similar atmosphere to Oktoberfest, but with stronger beer and less tourists. What can be better than that?!

Other Munich festivals and celebrations include: Frühlingsfest, Maidult, Stustaculum, Filmfest Munich, Tollwood, Christopher Street Day, Opernfestspiele, Tanzwerkstatt, and the Munich Marathon (to name a few).

If that does not convince you to visit Munich, then, I don't know what will. But! I will keep trying. Reason number six will be revealed tomorrow. Bis dann!