Glockenspiel in Munich at Marienplatz: All you need to know

When does the Glockenspiel play at Marienplatz?

The Glockenspiel performance takes place daily at 11 am and 12 noon. From March to October, there is an additional performance at 5 pm.

There is also a nightly performance at 9 pm: night watchmen and angels make an appearance, and the ‘Münchner Kindl’ is accompanied by music into the evening. On Good Friday, the Glockenspiel remains silent all day.

Marienplatz gets crowded very quickly, especially during the peak tourist season – it’s best to arrive a few minutes early if you want a good view of the Town Hall tower. The night show at 9 pm is often quieter and less well-known than the midday performances.

What the figures show

The Glockenspiel in the New Town Hall tower shows two events from Munich's city history:

First, the wedding of Duke Wilhelm V and Renate of Lorraine, celebrated in February 1568. In honor of the bride and groom, a jousting tournament took place on Marienplatz. The Bavarian knight triumphed over his opponent from Lorraine.

The lower floor shows the Schäffler dance. After a severe plague epidemic, the barrel makers are said to have been the first to venture out into the streets again, dancing to amuse the plague-stricken population.

More facts about the Glockenspiel on Marienplatz

• The Glockenspiel in the New City Hall consists of a total of 43 bells.
• It is powered by solar electricity.
• In 2007, it was refurbished, cleaned and retuned for the first time in almost 100 years.

The Glockenspiel (a Carillon) has a program all year round which is enticing to tourists and residents. See details as follows:

January / June / November (roller 1)

• Herzload
• Hohenfriedberger Marsch
• Schäfflertanz 1. Teil (aber heit is kalt)
• Muss I denn zum Städtele hinaus

February / July (roller 2)

• Ännchen von Tharau (folk song)
• Finnish horse march
• Schäfflertanz 2nd part
• In der Heimat ist es schön

March / August (roller 3)

• Loreley
• Preisend mit viel schönen Reden
• Schäfflertanz 1st part
• Wendelstein song

April / September (roller 4)

• Jetzt gang i an's Brünnele
• Wohlauf Kameraden auf's Pferd, auf's Pferd
• Schäfflertanz 2nd part
• Die letzte Rose

May / October (roller 5)

• Sah ein Knab ein Röslein steh'n
• Prinz Eugen, der edle Ritter
• Beer waltz
• Morgen muss ich fort von hier

December / Advent (roller 6)

• In einem kühlen Grunde
• Thorgauer Marsch
• Münchner Kind'l
• Oh Tannenbaum

Daily at 9:00 p.m

Night watchman call from Richard Wagner's Meistersinger von Nürnberg
Lullaby by Johannes Brahms

Glockenspiel in Munich: When and where you can see it

• Daily at 11am and 12 noon, the Glockenspiel starts in the tower of the New City Hall (Neues Rathaus) at Marienplatz, Munich
• From March to October, it can be seen at 11 am, 12 pm and at 5 pm
• Four different pieces or songs can be heard. The program changes monthly

What music does the Glockenspiel play?

Different melodies can be heard depending on the month. The programme runs across several cylinders and changes throughout the year.

January, June and November:

• Herzload
• Hohenfriedberg March
• Schäfflertanz, Part 1
• Muss i denn zum Städtele hinaus

February and July:

• Ännchen von Tharau
• Finnish Cavalry March
• Schäfflertanz, Part 2
• In der Heimat ist es schön

March and August:

• Loreley
• Preisend mit viel schönen Reden
• Schäfflertanz, Part 1
• Wendelstein-Lied

April and September:

• Jetzt gang i an’s Brünnele
• Wohlauf Kameraden auf’s Pferd
• Schäfflertanz, Part 2
• Die letzte Rose

May and October:

• Sah ein Knab ein Röslein steh’n
• Prinz Eugen, der edle Ritter
• Bierwalzer
• Morgen muss ich fort von hier

December and Advent:

• In einem kühlen Grunde
• Thorgauer Marsch
• Münchner Kind’l
• Oh Tannenbaum

During the evening performance at 9 pm, the night watchman’s call from Richard Wagner’s *The Mastersingers of Nuremberg* and Johannes Brahms’s lullaby will be performed.

Tips for your visit to Marienplatz

You’ll get the best view from Marienplatz, standing a little way back from the town hall façade. If you want to take photos, don’t stand directly beneath the tower, but rather in the centre of the square or slightly towards the Mariensäule.

It gets particularly busy around performance times, especially in the mornings and during the school holidays. If you prefer a quieter atmosphere, the 9 pm evening performance is a good alternative. In summer, the 5 pm performance is also well worth a visit, as it can be easily combined with a stroll through the city or a detour to the Viktualienmarkt.

Other central Munich landmarks are nearby: the Alte Peter, the Frauenkirche, the Viktualienmarkt, the Old Town Hall and Kaufingerstraße.

Directions to the Glockenspiel

The New Town Hall, with its Glockespiel, is situated right on Marienplatz in the heart of the Old Town. The easiest way to get there is by public transport.

• S-Bahn: all main lines to Marienplatz
• U-Bahn: U3 and U6 to Marienplatz
• Bus: route 132 to Marienplatz

From the main railway station, you can reach Marienplatz in just a few minutes by S-Bahn or U-Bahn. On foot, the walk through the city centre takes about 15 to 20 minutes.

Frequently asked questions about the Glockenspiel in Munich

When does the Glockenspiel at Marienplatz start?

The Glockenspiel takes place daily at 11 am and 12 noon. From March to October, there is an additional performance at 5 pm.

Is there a Glockenspiel in the evening as well?

Yes. At 9 pm, there is the evening performance featuring the night watchman, the angel and the Münchner Kindl. It is less well known than the midday performances.

Is there an admission charge for the Glockenspiel?

No. You can watch the Glockenspiel for free from Marienplatz.

Where exactly is the Glockenspiel?

The Glockenspiel is located in the tower of the New Town Hall on Marienplatz, address: Marienplatz 8, 80331 Munich.

What does the Glockenspiel depict?

At the top, it depicts the wedding of Duke Wilhelm V to Renate of Lorraine and a jousting tournament from the year 1568. At the bottom, you can see the Schäfflertanz.

How many bells does the Glockenspiel have?

The Glockenspiel in the New Town Hall has 43 bells.

When is the best time to visit?

If you’d like to see the classic Glockenspiel performance, come at 11 am or 12 noon. From March to October, 5 pm is also a good time. The evening performance at 9 pm is often quieter.

Is the Glockenspiel cancelled on public holidays?

On Good Friday, the Glockenspiel remains silent all day. Changes may be possible due to maintenance, technical work or events on Marienplatz.