Tollwood Festival

About

Tollwood Festival transforms Munich's iconic Olympiapark into a vibrant summer wonderland of culture, music, and world cuisine that captivates families from around the globe. This beloved Bavarian festival combines colorful circus performances, hands-on workshops, international food stalls, and live entertainment in an atmosphere that celebrates diversity and creativity. With its unique blend of arts, crafts, and kid-friendly activities set against the backdrop of Munich's Olympic facilities, Tollwood offers an authentic cultural experience that goes far beyond typical tourist attractions.

What to Expect

Families will discover a sprawling festival ground filled with artistic installations, theatrical performances, world music concerts, and an impressive market featuring handcrafted goods from around the world. The atmosphere is relaxed and inclusive, with outdoor seating areas, grassy spaces where kids can play, and a constant stream of street performers and entertainment. Children can participate in creative workshops, watch circus acts and puppet shows, explore interactive art installations, and sample foods from dozens of international cuisines. The festival has a distinctly bohemian, eco-conscious vibe with an emphasis on sustainability and cultural exchange that even young visitors will appreciate.

Highlights for Kids

• Spectacular circus and acrobatic shows performed in colorful big-top tents with world-class entertainers
• Hands-on creative workshops where kids can make crafts, learn circus skills, or participate in art projects
• The International Food Market with authentic cuisine from 20+ countries, letting kids taste their way around the world
• Street performers, musicians, and living statues scattered throughout the grounds providing spontaneous entertainment
• The artistic decorations, installations, and whimsical lighting that create a fairytale-like atmosphere, especially at evening

Pro Tips for Families

1. Download the Tollwood app or grab a festival map at the entrance—the grounds are extensive and activities are spread throughout, so planning your route helps you catch scheduled performances and workshops.
2. Many performances and workshops are free, but some require tickets that can sell out; check the program online before your visit and book popular shows in advance, especially circus acts and children's theater.
3. Bring cash in euros—while many larger food stalls accept cards, smaller vendors and craft booths may be cash-only, and it speeds up transactions in the busy food courts.
4. Visit on a weekday afternoon if possible to avoid weekend crowds, and arrive before 5 PM to enjoy the festival in daylight before experiencing the magical transformation when the decorative lighting comes on at dusk.

Best Time to Visit

Late afternoon arrivals (around 4-5 PM) offer the best of both worlds—you can explore in daylight, let kids participate in workshops, and stay to experience the enchanting evening atmosphere when the festival lights up and live music performances begin. Weekdays are significantly less crowded than weekends. If your children are early risers, arriving right when the festival opens around noon gives you access to workshops before they fill up and a more relaxed dining experience.

Food & Drinks

Tollwood's food scene is extraordinary, featuring authentic cuisine from around the world including Indian curries, Thai noodles, Mexican tacos, Middle Eastern mezze, Italian pasta, and Bavarian specialties—all prepared by vendors committed to organic and sustainable ingredients. Most stalls offer vegetarian options, and many have kid-friendly portions or simple dishes like noodles, rice bowls, and fresh-baked bread. Prices are moderate for festival food (€8-15 per dish), and you'll find juice bars, fresh fruit stands, and sweet treats like crepes and churros. Communal seating areas make it easy for families to share different dishes, and disposable tableware is compostable, fitting the festival's eco-friendly mission.

Parking & Access

The Olympiapark is easily accessible via Munich's U-Bahn subway system—take U3 to Olympiazentrum station, which brings you directly to the festival entrance (a 2-minute walk). Parking is available in Olympiapark's parking garages (P1-P3) but can be expensive and fill up on busy days; public transport is strongly recommended. The festival grounds are largely stroller-accessible with paved pathways, though the grass areas and some vendor sections can be bumpy. If traveling from abroad, purchase a Munich City Day Pass (Tageskarte) that covers unlimited public transport for your family—it's economical and stress-free. The journey from Munich's central train station (Hauptbahnhof) takes just 15 minutes by U-Bahn.