Quick answer
The Münchner Kathreintanz is Munich's official season-ending Bavarian folk-dance ball, held Saturday, November 21, 2026, 19:00–23:30, across three rooms of the Hofbräuhaus. Organized by the City of Munich's own folk-culture office, it marks the traditional close of the dance season before Advent — no partner or prior Bavarian-dance experience is required.
- Best for
- Visitors interested in Bavarian folk-dance tradition rather than a typical Christmas-market stop — this is a ticketed social dance evening, not a browsing event.
- Booking urgency
- Tickets go on presale November 2, 2026 via München Ticket. 2026 pricing wasn't published as of this research pass; the 2025 edition (€25/€15 reduced) sold out, so early booking is worth planning for once sales open.
Traditional Bavarian dancers close out the year's dance season with a costumed ball at the Hofbräuhaus.
"Kathrein stellt den Tanz ein" - the Munich Kathreintanz marks the traditional end of the folk-dance season with an evening of Bavarian couple dances, Tracht, and live music inside the Hofbräuhaus. Preparatory dance workshops run in the weeks before for visitors who want to join in rather than just watch.
The full story
History
Named for St. Catherine's feast day (November 25), which traditionally closed the folk-dance season before Advent.
Eat & Drink Nearby
- Local specialty
- Kathreintanz is a dance tradition marking the last dance before Advent's quiet season — no documented festival food menu, so treat it as an evening out rather than a food stop.
- Pair it with
- A Munich Wirtshaus dinner before or after the dance for a full evening out.
- Itinerary fit
- An evening event inside the Hofbräuhaus best paired with dinner beforehand, since the draw here is the Bavarian couple-dance tradition, not festival food.
Practical tips
The English-language details German fest pages usually skip.
- What to wear
- Tracht, Dirndl, or Lederhosen are culturally typical but not stated as mandatory on any official page — comfortable shoes for an evening of dancing matter more than the dress code.
Frequently asked questions
- What is Kathreintanz?
- A Bavarian folk-dance tradition tied to St. Catherine's feast day (November 25), which historically marked the last night of dancing before Advent's quiet season.
- Do I need a dance partner?
- No — solo attendees are explicitly welcomed and pair up with fellow attendees on the floor.
- Is this the only Kathreintanz in Munich?
- No — several Munich Trachtenvereine (traditional-costume clubs) run their own, smaller Kathreintanz events on different dates at different venues. This page covers the city-run event at the Hofbräuhaus, organized by Munich's own Kulturreferat.
- Can I learn the dances beforehand?
- Yes — free preparatory workshops with no registration required run in the weeks before the main event.
More in Munich
Other festivals and markets in Munich — or see the full Munich guide.