Auer Dult

Auer Dult is a traditional fair held three times a year on Mariahilfplatz in Munich’s Au district. Blending a bustling market with a folk festival, it draws locals for nine days each May, late July/early August, and mid-October.

• Held three times a year on Mariahilfplatz in Munich
• Features around 300 market traders and showmen
• Classic fairground rides include chairoplane and dodgems
• Bavarian specialties like Steckerlfisch are served
• Less touristy, with a calm, local atmosphere

What it is

Auer Dult is a cherished Munich tradition, combining a lively open-air market with the spirit of a German folk festival. Set on Mariahilfplatz, the event is split into two areas: one for hundreds of market stalls and another for fairground rides, divided by the neo-Gothic Mariahilfkirche. Unlike the city’s larger festivals, Auer Dult is known for its relaxed, local atmosphere, drawing families and neighbors rather than crowds of tourists. For many Munich residents, it’s a place to browse antiques, household goods, and crafts, enjoy Bavarian food, and meet friends in a familiar setting.

Where it comes from

The word 'Dult' comes from East Upper German, meaning a traditional fair. Munich’s connection to such fairs dates back to 1310, with the Jakobidult originally held near today’s Sankt-Jakobs Platz. In 1796, the suburb of Au was granted the right to host its own fair, which evolved into the Auer Dult. After Au became part of Munich in 1854, the three fairs—Maidult, Jakobidult, and Kirchweihdult—came together at Mariahilfplatz. Since 1905, except for interruptions during wartime and 2020, Auer Dult has been a regular feature of Munich’s cultural calendar.

How it is celebrated

Each Auer Dult features around three hundred traders and showmen, offering everything from kitchenware and antiques to crafts and curiosities. The market area is a treasure trove for collectors and anyone seeking unique finds. On the fairground side, visitors enjoy classic rides such as the chairoplane, children’s roundabouts, swing boats, and dodgems. Until 2019, the small Ferris wheel known as the Russenrad was a familiar sight. Food stalls and a beer tent serve up Bavarian favorites, with Steckerlfisch (grilled fish on a stick) being a much-loved specialty. The festival’s pace is gentle, making it a welcoming place for families and those seeking a taste of local life.

Joining in

Visitors can join the Auer Dult at Mariahilfplatz in Munich’s Au district, easily reached from the city center. The event is open to all and is especially welcoming to newcomers, with its friendly, neighborhood feel. Expect to spend time browsing market stalls, sampling Bavarian snacks, and enjoying traditional fairground rides. The atmosphere is relaxed and local, offering a different side of Munich from its larger, more crowded festivals.

Sources and attribution

This page is Mela's own summary, written in new words. Its facts are drawn from the Wikipedia article Auer Dult, whose text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Each photo is credited to its author beside it. For the full account, read the originals below.

Read more

• Auer Dult on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Official websiteOfficial site
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data

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