If you think that the legendary Münchner Wiesn, where the Oktoberfest is celebrated every year in autumn, lies fallow during the rest of the year, you are mistaken. Even in spring, numerous party-goers gather here to get in the mood for the warm season. Among travelers, the spring festival in Munich is still more of an insider tip. The event on the Theresienwiese has been around since 1965.

Spring Festival in Munich: How it all began

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Winter is traditionally a time when business is at a standstill for showmen and market traders. In the 1960s, a kind of little sister to the Oktoberfest was started to revive business after the barren months. Two weeks were chosen as the date. The celebrations usually started in mid-April. This year, the kick-off is on April 19. The last beers are then served on May 5.

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Beer, just like at the Oktoberfest, is one of the fixtures at the spring festival in Munich. A parade to mark the entry of the breweries and fairground attractions on the Theresienwiese and the tapping of the beer are the highlights of the first day at the Frühlingswiesn. Guests can enjoy themselves in two beer tents and an amusement park. This is of course equipped with traditional and modern rides.

Fixed points in the program

In addition to the parade of horse-drawn carriages and the beer tapping on Friday (including free beer!), there are other program items that have become a kind of obligation over the last 50 years. Young and old alike look forward to the fireworks on Friday. On the first Saturday, there's a huge flea market, a vintage car parade on the first Sunday and the so called Day of Customs on the second Sunday. Then you can listen to authentic music and watch Bavarian dances.

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On Tuesdays, the focus is on families. They can look forward to reduced prices in the afternoon. Of course, there'll be plenty to eat and drink in the two festival tents. Live bands, brass bands and schlagerstars (german pop singers) provide the background music. And because there's far too little opportunity to do so anyway, locals and guests alike go to the festival in traditional costume. Lederhosen and dirndls are almost obligatory.

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There's no entrance fee for the tents, but you should definitely book in advance. The White Beer Garden is also extremely popular when the weather is nice. The festivities start at 11 a.m. from Monday to Friday, with Saturday and Sunday starting an hour earlier. Compared to the Oktoberfest, the spring festival is smaller, more intimate and less stressful.

The best hotels for the spring festival in Munich

Unconventional: 25hours The Royal Bavarian

Steve Herud

Located directly at Munich Central Station, the 25hours The Royal Bavarian welcomes its guests in the usual manner. In other words: with a wink. The 165 rooms and suites are located in a building steeped in history. Because here used to be the Oberpostamt and the royal telegraph station. The hotel's own restaurant NENI, the Boilerman Bar on the second floor and the Aperitivo Bar leave nothing to be desired. The city center is not far away; if you want, you can hop on one of the hotel's Schindelhauer bikes.

25hours The Royal Bavarian
Bahnhofpl. 1, 80335 Munich, Germany
Tel: +49 89 9040010
Web: 25hours-hotels.com
Price: Doubles from € 135

Luxurious: Rosewood Munich

Rosewood

Just a few steps away from Marienplatz, guests of Rosewood Munich are surrounded by luxury and elegance. Here, you are surrounded by history too. Today's hotel was once the headquarters of the Bayerische Staatsbank. The adjacent Palais Neuhaus-Preysing is also part of the listed ensemble. 73 spacious rooms and 59 suites, the Brasserie Cuvilliés, the Bar Montez and the Asaya Spa guarantee that even discerning guests will feel completely at home.

Rosewood Munich
Kardinal-Faulhaber-Straße 1, 80333 Munich, Germany
Tel: +49 89 8000 190
Web: rosewoodhotels.com
Price: Doubles from € 1,000