Servus an Alle!

Welcome back to the Munich Post! The purpose of this newsletter is to share: 3 bits of news, 2 upcoming events, and 1 amazing restaurant/café for expats living in and around Munich. This way, you have a pulse on what’s going on without scrolling through thousands of pages.

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Here’s what we’ve got for you this week:

Another week, another data breach. Over 1.3 billion passwords just landed in the “Have I Been Pwned” database and unfortunately, that might include yours. If it’s been a while since your last digital hygiene check, now’s the time. Head to haveibeenpwned.com, plug in your email, and see if your details were leaked in any recent hacks.

If you spot trouble, swap out those old “Munich123” passwords for stronger ones (bonus points if you finally download a password manager or turn on two-factor authentication). It’s like locking your front door but with a digital deadbolt.

Find more information here (in German).

Aazar here — Personally, I have downloaded ControlPlus premium to protect myself. It has erased most of my personal data from the internet.

Bavaria Cancels Kinderstartgeld: What Parents Need to Know

Bavaria has canceled the planned €3,000 Kinderstartgeld for children born after January 1st, 2025, redirecting the budget to childcare and daycare infrastructure instead. This shift from direct financial aid to facility improvements creates immediate financial pressure for families who had relied on the payment for baby essentials or maternity leave gaps.

3 bits of news

Christmas Market season is finally here

It’s that time again when the city smells like roasted almonds and your gloves stick to a mug of Glühwein. Munich’s Christmas market season officially begins this month, bringing back over 20 festive markets that turn the city into a winter postcard.

The big one, of course, is the Christkindlmarkt at Marienplatz (Nov 24–Dec 24) complete with its towering Christmas tree, brass bands, and all the handmade ornaments you can think of. But this year, the real fun is in the mix of classics and newcomers:

• Tollwood Winter Festival (Theresienwiese, Nov 25–Dec 23): international street food, cool handmade gifts, live music and kids’ tent

• Pink Christmas (Stephansplatz, Nov 24–Dec 22): a vibrant LGBTQ+ market with DJs, drag shows, and the city’s best light display

• Christmas Village at the Residenz (Nov 17–Dec 22): tucked into royal courtyards for that extra fairy-tale feeling

• Schwabing’s Art Market (Münchner Freiheit, Nov 28–Dec 24): local artists, mulled wine, and handmade everything

• Moonlight Express at Bahnwärter Thiel (Nov 20–Dec 23): vintage train cars, DJs, and late-night Glühwein under fairy lights
  

Pro tip: Many markets now accept card payments (finally!), but it’s still smart to carry a few euros for the smaller stalls. And if you’re planning a full-on market crawl, download the Munich Christmas Market Map 2025 – it shows every stop plus the easiest U-Bahn routes between them.

Find more information here, here (in German) and here (in English).

Here’s how to give back to your communities

If you want to join in on sprinkling a little kindness around Munich this year, here are two simple and heartwarming ways to do it with no Santa costume required.

1. The Wishing Tree Campaign (Malteser & Munich City Libraries)

From Nov 15–Dec 9, Munich’s city libraries will once again turn into little hubs of Christmas magic. Each tree is hung with stars, each one carrying a wish from someone in need: children, seniors, or women in shelters.

Here’s how it works:

• Pick a star from any participating library (there are 19 locations across Munich).

• Buy the gift (around €25), wrap it, and return it with the star attached.

• Bonus points if you include a handwritten card to make it more personal and heartfelt.

The gifts go to local organizations like Die Arche, Tabaluga Foundation, and Münchenstift senior homes, reaching over 4,000 Munich residents who could use a little extra joy.

2. KulturRaum München’s “Culture Wish Tree”

Not all wishes fit under a tree, some children wish for experiences like a trip to the cinema or the zoo. KulturRaum München collects wishes from kids in social institutions and turns them into reality.

How it works:

• From Nov 20–Dec 19, pick a heart on their online Culture Wish Tree.

• Donate via PayPal, credit card, or bank transfer.

• KulturRaum handles the rest: wrapping, delivering, and making sure each child experiences a little cultural magic.

If you prefer a more hands on approach, culture wish trees are available at various locations in Munich which can be seen here. 

Find more information here and here (in German).

The Poison Mobile you need to know about

Got old paint, suspicious liquids, or mystery jars from your child's chemistry phase? Good news: you don’t need to keep them forever. The mobile hazardous waste collection unit is going to various neighbourhoods across Munich and helps you safely get rid of household toxins, for FREE.

Toxins like pesticides, solvents, leftover paint, cleaning agents, or wood preservatives and basically anything that makes you second guess its position in your bin is included.

What not to bring:
Batteries, energy-saving bulbs, LEDs, or cooking oil cannot be brought along. Another important tip: if you’ve got fire extinguishers gathering dust, you can drop off up to three at the recycling centers in Markt Indersdorf or Dachau-Webling.

When and where:
The Poison Mobile does regular rounds across Munich from Giesing and Maxvorstadt to Pasing and Moosach all year long. You can find the full schedule of stops (with exact times) here. 

Need help sorting your junk?
Call the city’s waste advisory team at 08131-741469 for guidance.

Find more information here (in German).

Bonus:

• Changes to Minijobs in 2026

• Largest minimum wage increase in German history

• One-day adventures for children and young people

• We ride at Midnight: Surfers secretly ride the Eisbach wave

• U-Bahn and S-Bahn – here's what you should know

We’d like to thank our primary sponsor this week.

Getting your insurance sorted shouldn’t be as hard as pronouncing Eichhörnchen

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2 upcoming events

When Punk talks back

Punk isn’t just music; it’s a form of rebellion, often splashed across posters, and sprayed on walls. From Shakespeare’s “outsiders” to the DIY chaos of the ’70s, punk has always been the art of saying no – loud, colorful, and unapologetic.

A Museum’s COPY + PASTE celebrates that legacy and shows how punk lives on today. The exhibition brings together the original DIY spirit with contemporary interpretations by artists like Shepard Fairey, INVADER, and NoNÅME. Fairey translates punk’s DIY ethos into politically charged imagery, INVADER sprays it into the digital era with his iconic mosaics, and NoNÅME channels a reflective, avant-garde version for a new generation.

You will find posters, collages, mosaics, and all the visual chaos that made punk a global statement and still keeps it alive.

Find more information here (in German). 

General information:

📍 Museum of Contemporary Art, Schellingstraße 3, 80799 München
⏰ Thursday, November 6 - Sunday, June 28, 2026
🎟️ FREE 

General information:

📍 Museum of Contemporary Art, Schellingstraße 3, München
⏰ Thursday, November 6 - Sunday, June 28, 2026
🎟️ FREE

A treasure hunt for English books

Calling all book lovers! Haar is hosting the Autumn version of its English Book Sale this weekend. With over 12,000 English books, 1,000 DVDs and CDs, there’s plenty to shop from. Plus it’s easy on the pocket with prices ranging from between €0.50 and €5. 

From thrillers and sci-fi to children’s favorites and non-fiction, there’s something for every reader and every euro you spend goes to a good cause. Your purchases will support welfare and educational projects in Tanzania.

The sale is run by dedicated volunteers and takes place in the Jugendstil meeting hall of the kbo Isar-Amper-Klinikum. The place is wheelchair accessible and even comes with a nice coffee bar. So you can grab a drink from Café Jedermann and browse away.

Find more information here (in English). 

General information:
📍 kbo-Isar-Amper-Klinikum Community Center, Ringstraße 36, 85540 Haar, München
⏰ Friday, November 14 from 2–7pm
Saturday, November 15 from 10am–3pm
🎟️ FREE

Bonus:

• Ladies Night / Bazaar winter edition - Nov 14

• Clothes swap party - Nov 15

• Christmas workshop for children - Nov 29

• Swifties’ Party – celebrate Taylor's Birthday - Dec 1

We’d like to thank our second sponsor.

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Question:

1 new restaurant/café to try

Lisboa & Nata

Lisbon vibes, straight to Schwabing. At Lisboa & Nata, it’s all about Portugal’s iconic pastéis de nata: crispy, caramelized edges, silky custard inside, and a gentle dusting of cinnamon that keeps you coming back for one more. Pair it with a Galão: half coffee, half milk and suddenly your coffee break feels like a mini holiday.

Through the tiny bakery window, you can watch the tarts rise, golden and perfect, straight out of the oven. Be quick: they sell out fast, so check their Instagram for fresh batches.

The café is modern, bright, and minimal, with beautiful Portuguese tiles on the walls – bringing a piece of Lisbon to the heart of Munich. It’s ideal for a sweet pit stop or a coffee date. Service is self-serve and you can only pay by card. 

General information:

📍 Hohenzollernstraße 15, 80801 München

🥘 Portugese

⏰ Tuesday–Saturday, 10am–6:30pm

     Visit Lisboa & Nata

We’d like thank our third sponsor.

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Thanks for reading and sharing the Munich Post 3-2-1 newsletter.

Aazar, Christina, Heidi and Sana

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