Known as Oktoberfest’s little sister, Munich Springfest (Frühlingsfest) is a spectacular celebration packed with exciting rides, bustling stalls, beautiful fireworks, and, of course, plenty of drinking. It’s an epic spring festival suitable for all ages with so much to see and go. Ready to dive in? Check out my guide for everything you need to know!
From Ferris wheels and fireworks to car meets and a giant flea market there’s plenty to enjoy at the Munich Spring Festival—even if you’re not planning on drinking. Here’s all you need to know about Munich Frühlingsfest 2025!
Munich Springfest 2025: Your ULTIMATE Guide!
What you need to know
- What is the difference between Oktoberfest and Springfest? Two of the main differences are the size and abundance of alcohol. There are 16 beer tents at Oktoberfest but only 2 at Springfest. While Springfest is busy it’s substantially less touristy.
- What is the Munich Springfest? It’s an epic German Spring Festival full of food, games, fairground rides and drinking.
- Where is Munich Springfest? The festival takes place at a site called Theresienwiese.
- When is Munich Springfest? It takes place over the end of April/beginning of May each year, I’ve listed the exact dates below.
What is Munich Springfest?
So, what exactly is Munich’s Springfest? Think Oktoberfest—just on a smaller scale! Over two weeks, Theresienwiese (Theresa’s Meadow) transforms into a buzzing festival ground, packed with fairground rides, food stalls, two beer halls, and plenty of live entertainment. Best of all, it’s completely free to visit!
Since it’s not as well known as Oktoberfest, it tends to attract fewer tourists but still draws a great crowd. Running since 1965, it’s become a much-loved staple of the Munich beer festivals calendar.
How to get there
Munich Springfest is held on Theresienwiese (Theresa’s Meadow). It’s super easy to get there, here’s how:
- By public transport:
- U Bahn: You can take a trip on the U4 or U5 to Theresienwiese station. Alternatively, hop on the U3 or U6 and get off at Goetheplatz.
- S-Bahn: Take any S-Bahn train to Hackerbrücke. From there it’s around a 10-minute walk which is signposted. There’s bound to be plenty of people heading to the festival so just follow the crowd if you’re unsure!
- Tram: Take the 18 or 19 line to Hermann-Lingg-Straße, the festival is in sight and only a short walk away.
- Bus:
- On foot: If you’re coming from Munich City Center (around Marienplatz) it’s a pretty straight forward 30-minute walk.
- By car: While there is parking available around the site it will be extremely busy. I recommend taking public transport or walking.
Opening times
The Springfest Munich dates for 2025 are 25 April to 11 May 2025 with the following opening hours:
- Monday to Friday: 11 am – 11 pm
- Saturday to Sunday: 10 am – 11 pm
Entry fee
There’s no entry fee or Munich Springfest tickets to buy, you’re free to wander in and out as you please. You do have to pay for the fairground rides and of course any food and drink.
What to do at Munich Springfest
There’s plenty to see and do across the festival grounds, here are the highlights:
Munich Springfest Beer tents
Though it isn’t exclusively a beer festival, Oktoberfest’s little sister wouldn’t be complete without a stein of beer! There are two large beer tents at Munich Springfest, The Hippodrom which serves Spaten Brewery beer and Festhalle Bayernland which serves Augustiner Brewery beer.
Both tents offer a delicious selection of traditional Bavarian dishes, complemented by lively music and entertainment—perfect for enjoying alongside your food and drink!
Beer tent reservations are available to book for both venues through their respective websites, but I wouldn’t say they’re essential unless you’re in a large group. With people constantly coming and going, finding a spot to sit or stand if you’re only with a few people should be easy.
If you do find that both tents are full, or you’re just looking for somewhere different, there are several small beer gardens dotted through the festival.
Munich Springfest Food
If you’ve ever been to a German festival, you’ll know there’s no shortage of food! While you’ll find plenty of traditional German and Bavarian fare (with no shortage of wurst, of course!), you’ll also find lots of international food stalls.
Food inside the beer tents
Both beer tents offer a great selection of traditional German dishes, including Schweinshaxe (pork knuckle), Käsespätzle (a German relative of macaroni and cheese), pretzels, Hendl (roast chicken), and more.
While the Hippodrom is often considered a bit more upscale (in the loosest sense), at their heart, both tents remain casual, laid-back dining spots.
Fairground Rides
With over 70 rides of all shapes and sizes, you’re sure to find something to enjoy at Munich Springfest—whether you’re a thrill-seeker or not!
From ghost trains and rapids to dodgems and roller coasters, there’s no shortage of excitement. Just make sure to leave a bit of time between eating, drinking, and riding to avoid any unpleasant consequences!
One of Bavaria’s Largest Flea Markets
On the first Saturday of Munich Springfest (26 April), the BRK (Bavarian Red Cross) flea market is held. They’re pretty serious about the title of ‘One of Bavaria’s Largest Flea Markets’. Covering 80,000 square meters and hosting over 2000 vendors you’ll see literally anything and everything on sale here.
Opening at 7 am and drawing thousands of visitors, with great reviews it’s a must-see if you’re on the hunt for a great bargain!
Family day
Tuesdays are family days at Munich Springfest with reduced ride tickets and great deals for families during the afternoons.
Day of Bavarian customs
A celebration of all things traditional Bavaria, the day of customs takes place on the second Sunday of Munich Springfest. Expect lively folk music, traditional dancing, and a colourful parade showcasing authentic Bavarian costumes in celebration of the region’s culture.
Vintage Car Meetup
On the first Sunday of Munich Springfest you’ll find the Vintage Car Meetup being held. Presented by the Automobil Club München (ACM), it’s pretty much what it says on the tin. Owners of vintage and classic cars bring them out on display for you to see.
Firework Shows
On both Fridays during Munich Springfest, there will be a fireworks show at around 10 pm. They don’t scrimp on the fireworks here so it’s well worth sticking around for!
What to wear at Munich Springfest
Just like at Oktoberfest, you’ll see plenty of people—both locals and tourists—dressed in traditional Bavarian outfits. But don’t worry, it’s absolutely not a requirement! Many people simply come in regular clothes and have just as much fun.
If you do fancy dressing up, men typically wear lederhosen, while women opt for dirndl dresses. Both are widely available to buy in and around Munich, but as I said, there’s no pressure—just come as you are and enjoy the festivities!
Munich Springfest tours
If you’re looking to truly immerse yourself in the festivities I recommend checking out these Munich Springfest tours. They provide highly rated Springfest packages that include hotel accommodation as well as beer tent reservations.
Summary
An epic outdoor two-week party celebration as the weather begins to warm up? Sign me up any day of the week. There’s so much to enjoy at Springfest Munich 2025, whether you’re a foodie, a thrillseeker or just looking to embrace the atmosphere of a German beer tent, it’s impossible not to have a great time here! If you’re planning to travel to Munich in April or May this is a must-visit.
