Twice a year is Tollwood time in Munich: The cultural festival takes place in the summer for about 26 days in June and July at Olympic Park South; in winter, it begins just before the first Advent Sunday at Theresienwiese – the Christmas market runs until December 23, festivals and cultural events go on until the New Year's Eve.

The first Tollwood Festival took place in the summer of 1988 at Olympic Park South. In 1992, the first Winter Festival took place. Tollwood aims to present a multicultural society. Therefore, tolerance, cosmopolitanism and openness are key elements of the festival. This is evident in all parts of the festival, such as the programs and structure of the “Market of Ideas”, or the culinary diversity at the food stalls.

During the summer, the festival is home to international art productions, from theater and drama, to concerts from international music stars along with local artists. For show and theater performances, Tollwood is best known for its Action Theatre, Physical Theater and Nouveau Cirque.

In the winter, Tollwood hosts a "most beautiful Christmas market in Munich" (according to the Abendzeitung newspaper) and showcases international theater companies showing circuses and vaudeville. Since 2007, “Weltsalon” has been a venue for social and ecological topics with culturally, politically and economically well-known guests.

Culture for all – it's an important part of the festival's philosophy. As a result, more than 80 percent of the events at each Tollwood festival are free for visitors and locals. Admission to the festival is also free.