New Year's Day in Munich: Which shops are open today!

New Year's Day in Munich: Which shops are open today!

On New Year's Day, January 1st, 2026, the majority of shops in Munich will remain closed. This public holiday means that most retailers will not be able to open their doors. The Bavarian Shop Closing Act regulates opening hours on public holidays and ensures that these days are protected. But there are also exceptions that are of particular interest to latecomers and travelers. Loud tz.de Among other things, gas stations that offer supplies and travel supplies, as well as shops in train stations and at the airport, are open. The Edeka in the main station is also part of this and ensures that travelers are provided with the essentials. In addition, emergency pharmacies offer the most important medicines around the clock.

Bakeries also play a role during holidays. On New Year's Day you are allowed to open temporarily, for a maximum of three hours, to offer fresh baked goods. These regulations are in line with the current Bavarian shop closing law, which has been in force since August 1, 2025 stadt.muenchen.de reported. This new law brings with it some changes. Although the familiar opening hours on working days remain, new regulations allow sellers more flexibility. Retailers are allowed to hold up to four shopping evenings per year, on which they can open until midnight, without having to obtain special permission.

New momentum for retailers

What does the everyday situation look like for Munich retailers? The new law gives shops more leeway to extend their opening hours after 8 p.m. The only requirement for such evening openings is timely registration via the city's online service “Display of evening openings”. These innovations are intended not only to improve the shopping experience for citizens, but also to help business owners increase their sales.

The Shop Closing Act also regulates that shops generally remain closed all day on Sundays and statutory holidays. An interesting exception to this are staff-operated micro-supermarkets, which are allowed to be open around the clock under certain conditions. These small shops with a sales area of ​​less than 150 m² can, depending on the regulations in the municipality, organize their opening hours flexibly on Sundays and public holidays.

Tradition meets innovation

For Munich's citizens and visitors, New Year's Day remains a challenge when it comes to shopping. While major department stores remain closed, there are some options for getting essentials. Whether it's fresh rolls from the bakery or the last pack of medicine from the pharmacy - the city tries to maintain a certain level of service even on public holidays. Against this background, the new regulations show how tradition and modern needs can be reconciled.