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Dancers garbed in Renaissance attire. Vendors role-playing medieval characters. Blacksmiths crafting medieval weapons. These were the descriptions I’d read of the Medieval Christmas market in Munich’s Wittlesbacherplatz square. I wasn’t sure what to make of the Medieval market– it sounded like it could either be a really cool experience or like a Renaissance fair gone very bad. So I decided to check it out for myself.

Why a Christmas market dedicated to the Middle Ages?

Munich’s medieval Christmas market isn’t just a theme chosen at random to distinguish itself from the 20 or so other markets in Munich. There is a historical precedent– Christmas markets in Munich date all the way back to Medieval times. A St. Nicholas fair was actually mentioned in writings as early as 1410.

The Medieval Christmas market (in German, known as the Mittelaltermarkt Munchen) was designed to reflect those early markets, to show what a market may have actually been like in the middle ages– complete with period dress, drink and crafts. While some modern items are mixed in, surprisingly the market manages to retain a feeling of authenticity.

Renaissance period dancers and musicians perform throughout the fair at Munich’s Medieval Christmas Market.

The market has frequent performances from Renaissance dancers as well as musicians playing period instruments. Even if you don’t catch an official performance, watching the stall merchants playing their roles in period costumes can be just as entertaining.

The medieval Christmas market is especially atmospheric at night.

Munich’s Medieval Christmas market at night– busy and festive.

Confined to Wittlesbacherplatz square, the market itself is compact, lending an intimate feel, but is still large enough and with enough variety to create a buzzy and festive atmosphere. You’ll find unique drink options with a medieval twist, like traditional mead (a fermented honey wine). While I almost always bring my Christmas market drinking mug home with me, I skipped the medieval market’s red clay version– it was just too fragile, its thin handles just begging to be snapped off.

It’s easy to tell the best German food stalls by the crowds lining up. Munich’s Medieval Christmas Market.

This pig on a spit made for tasty sammies. Munich’s Medieval Christmas Market.

The Medieval Christmas market had the best–and biggest variety– of German food of all the markets I went to in Munich.  Standouts included tasty pork sandwiches and to-die-for apple fritters. After a little too much gluwein or mead, ordering food at the stalls can be tricky. The posted menus list multiple options, usually long German words like kartoffelpuffer or reibekuchen. Fortunately, the pointing method worked fine too.

Souvenir Shopping Munich’s Medieval Christmas market

A blacksmith at work at Munich’s medieval Christmas Market.

The medieval Christmas market not only had demonstrations of traditional medieval crafts, but also sold the items the craftsmen produced.

Try getting these on the plane. Munich’s Medieval Christmas Market.

Medieval weapons on offer included these bow and arrow sets. Not sure what the customs rules are for bringing these back.

Would you wear medieval style shoes?

Not every item was straight out of the middle ages, though.  I doubt anyone would want to wear authentic medieval shoes, but modern shoes made from traditional methods could be a fun souvenir.