Auerdult/Maidult Market Festival
Mariahilfplatz, Metro Kolumusplatz, www.auerdult.de. Open 10:00 - 20:00. Apr 27 - May 05, 2019.

This historical market festival got its start in 1312 and was originally a handicraft fair. Dult comes from the Latin word indultum, which means indulgence. For the last century locals (and now you can too) flock to the indulgent festival held in Mariahilfplatz, in the part of town called the Au, which means meadow.

Nowadays one can still buy traditional Bavarian handicrafts at this thrice annual festival, but it has of late expanded into a fair for many other industries too, e.g. cooking utensils, antiques, rare books, herbal remedies, clothing and household articles, all from dirt cheap to quite pricey.

The best thing about this festival is that it is little known to tourists, the prices are fair and the wares are appealing to both bargain-hunters and collectors. If shopping isn’t your cup of tea, of course, there is a great beer garden too. Also expect a wine and cheese-tasting booth, in addition to the many food and drink stands that offer old-fashioned specialties like Reiberdatschi (potato pancakes) served with homemade apple sauce. Children are easily entertained by the bumper cars, shooting galleries and pony rides.