Sunday shopping in Altomünster: fun at the Magdalenenmarkt!

Sunday shopping in Altomünster: fun at the Magdalenenmarkt!

On July 20, 2025 there will be a special trading Sunday in Altomünster in the Dachau district. On the occasion of the traditional Magdalenenmarkt, the shops are allowed to open their doors from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. This is one of the few occasions during the year when customers can experience the benefits of Sunday sales. This day is firmly anchored in the Bavarian calendar and not only ensures colorful shopping fun, but also social interaction in the community, reports News.de.

Another Sunday open for shopping after July 20th is planned for October 19th, 2025. This time the occasion will be the church fair. But it's not just the dates that are important, the general conditions for when and where opening is allowed are also clearly regulated. According to the Shop Closing Act, sales outlets in Germany must be closed on Sundays and public holidays, unless there are special occasions such as markets or trade fairs. This law, which has been in force since 1956, aims to preserve the peace and quiet on Sundays and public holidays and to ensure fair competition ( Law Forum ).

Discussion about Sunday openings

In the current discussion about Sunday openings, Alexander von Preen, President of the German Trade Association (HDE), is calling for more flexibility for retailers. He advocates that municipalities should decide for themselves on which Sundays shops can open. The concern is understandable: Many companies would like more legal certainty and fewer bureaucratic hurdles when planning their opening hours. The existing nationwide shop closing law sets clear requirements here, although these can be interpreted differently depending on the federal state. In some regions, up to twelve shopping Sundays per year are permitted, as long as they are tied to a special occasion ( Time ).

Another interesting aspect is the example of other European countries, where the regulations on Sunday opening vary greatly. In countries like Estonia or Latvia there are hardly any restrictions, while in Italy Sunday is often considered a closing day, with only a few exceptions ( News.de ). These differences raise questions about what the German regulation should look like in the future.

Conclusion and outlook

One thing is certain: the Sunday shopping in Altomünster on July 20th will not only be a shopping experience for citizens, but also an opportunity to exchange ideas and strengthen the local community. It remains to be seen whether there will be more freedom for retail in the future. Shops must continue to adhere to the strict requirements of the Shop Closing Hours Act, while the discussion about flexible opening hours continues. In the best case scenario, this could lead to further positive changes in the retail landscape.