Viktualienmarkt: Dance of the Market Women

Viktualienmarkt: The Dance of the Market Women

The Dance of the Market Women, which takes place every year on Shrove Tuesday at the famous Viktualienmarkt, is the highlight of Munich’s carnival season: on this day, the historic market becomes an open-air stage. Where fruit, sausages, and flowers are usually sold, now party music, vibrant colors, and a joyful atmosphere are taking over.

The music selection might have come as a surprise to some of us – but of course, party hits like “Atemlos” by Helene Fischer, “Wackelkontakt,” or “Gute Laune” soon get the audience moving as well.

For weeks, choreographies are rehearsed until the market women present their dances to the public in their elaborately designed costumes. Each market woman is responsible for designing her own outfit (we actually checked with one of the participating vendors, and the German term “Marktweib” is perfectly acceptable in this context). Yellow wedges of cheese decorate the cheese vendor’s costume from headpiece to shoes; preserving jar rings recall fermented foods in glass jars; the flower seller is covered in colorful blossoms; and the lady from the honey stand is surrounded by cheerful bees.

More than 100 years ago, some market women were already dancing between their stalls during carnival season simply for the joy of it. Some say that they wanted to add a bit of cheerfulness to their somewhat “grumpy” image. Since 1987, the dancing has officially taken place on a stage set up between the maypole and the beer garden.

This year, it was time to say goodbye as five dancers—some of whom had been part of the ensemble for 40 years—as well as dance instructor Christian Langer, ended their active time with the dancing market women with one final waltz. Fortunately, five “newcomers” are already ready to step in, ensuring that next year the tradition will continue at its usual scale.

Would you like a little glimpse of the Dance of the Market Women 2026, the “Tanz der Marktweiber”? Then watch our video—and come to the Viktualienmarkt yourself next Shrove Tuesday!