Review: Winter Festival 2024

Appeal for democracy on rooftops, applause for artistry

“We need you!”: of value benches and glowing canvases – magical and fascinating things and an emotional journey

Radiant motto: When it got dark over Munich in winter 24, the tent roofs at the Tollwood Winter Festival 2024 were transformed into canvases. With the motto “We need you!”, Tollwood wanted to inspire people: Democracy needs commitment and cohesion – and us, each and every one of you. With a colorful, impressive tent roof production, images and messages for tolerance and community shone into the night. And a glowing love story of democracy captivated the audience. Our shared values such as freedom, happiness, love, tolerance, hope and others now adorn 36 benches. The visitors creatively designed them with personal messages about democracy and community, turning them into value benches. Sometimes it was buttons that now adorn the values bench, sometimes decorated CDs, sometimes figures à la Keith Haring. The values benches will be presented in a campaign on Marienplatz on January 14, after which patrons will take over the art values. In this way, they carry our shared democratic values into the city and beyond.

Three companies, three continents, three shows: artists from Italy, France, Australia and Canada thrilled audiences at the Festival du Cirque. The audience thanked them for their impressive and enchanting shows with standing ovations. The media praised the productions as “a celebration of humanity” and “magical”. Circo Zoé with “Deserance”, Circa with “Humans 2.0” and The 7 Fingers with “Duel Reality” took the audience on an emotional journey.

Es funkelt und funkt: Auf dem Freigelände gab es Magisches, Faszinierendes und Humorvolles zu sehen: So ließen fünf verschiedene Feuershows aus vier Ländern die Funken fliegen. Sieben Performances wie das charmante ymedioteatro, Sirus, der Kunstpfeifer oder Mr. Lo mit seiner Papershow verzauberten ihr Publikum auf der Bühne inmitten des Winterfestivals. Und sieben Walk-Acts wie die Barn Owl mit ihrer Flügelspannweite von fünf Metern oder die leuchtenden Elipsion spazierten über die Theresienwiese. Zu Live-Musik im Hexenkessel kamen die Musikfans immer wieder – und die Bands lobten die gute Stimmung. Auf der Eisstockbahn testeten Sportbegeisterte ihre Zielgenauigkeit – hier drehte sich alles um die Daubn. Und sogar eine der Perchten, die am 7. Januar die Wintergeister auf Tollwood vertrieben haben, nahm den Eisstock in die Hand – mit Erfolg und viel Spaß. Die Rückkehr der beiden Zelte, EssZimmer und Mercato-Zelt, begeisterte die Menschen.

Into the New Year with the midnight waltz: live music from Lina Bó, Falschgeld, Jamaram meets Jahcoustix and the Keller Steff Big Band met electronic beats from legendary club Harry Klein on New Year’s Eve. The Lovers Lipsync with the best drag* artists was colorful and diverse. And at midnight, everyone danced together into the year 2025 with the traditional waltz.