ANSBACH, Germany (Aug. 25, 2017) – “Was ist los in Franken?” details off-post community events and activities occurring throughout the Franconian region.
Medieval Market Lichtenau
Lichtenau is hosting a medieval market with music, games, crafts and more Aug. 25 through 27 in the Lichtenau castle. Opening hours are Saturday 1 – 10 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. To learn more, visit www.mittelalterfest.net
Kirchweih – Bad Windsheim
The Bad Windsheim Kirchweih takes place at the Festplatz on Schiesswasen through Aug. 29; a large fireworks display closes out the fest on Tuesday at about 10 p.m.
Herbstvolksfest – Nürnberg
The Nürnberg Fall Fest is one of the largest and nicest fests in Bavaria; visitors will find plenty of fun rides, beer tents and food stands, as well as an entertainment program for everybody. The fest, happening from Aug. 25 to Sept. 10, is located on the Dutzendteich (Bayernstrasse). Details are available at Volksfest
Altmühlsee Festival
The annual Altmühlsee festival Aug. 26 features seven live bands spread around the lake; locations are Seezentrum Schlungenhof, Surfzentrum Schlungenhof, Seezentrum Muhr am See, Seezentrum Wald, ZanZiBar at the adventure playground and in Mörsach und Gern. A free shuttle takes visitors around; the MS Altmühlsee serves as a shuttle boat that night. To learn more, visit Altmühlsee Festival
“Dinkelsbühl leuchtet“ – Dinkelsbühl alight
All of downtown Dinkelsbühl is open for shopping until 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 26. Live bands play on several stages in the evening, after 6:30 p.m. To learn more, visit www.dinkelsbuehl.de
Reichsstadt-Festtage – Rothenburg
The Reichsstadt-Festtage or Imperial Days in Rothenburg ob der Tauber Sept. 1 through 3 celebrate the history of the old Imperial city. Every century is represented with its unique clothing and stories. The festival includes many different events and performances; highlights are the Meistertrunk, the historical Shepherd’s Dance, a torch parade of participants and fireworks. To learn more, go to Reichsstadt-Festtage
Open House at the Exotic Animal Sanctuary in Ansbach
The mini zoo for rescued tigers and other exotic animals in Ansbach-Wallersdorf is hosting their monthly open house Sunday, Sept. 3 from 1 to 5 p.m. Guided tours take place every full hour. Visitors will be well taken care of with beverages and food. Admission is free, but donations are always welcome. To learn more, visit Raubtier- und Exotenasyl
“Onion Stomper“ fest in Bamberg
The annual Zwiebeltreterfest on the Böhmerwiese (Heiliggrabstraße 57) takes place Sept. 7 through 9; music and culinary specialties entertain the adults, while the kids can spend time with arts and crafts or enjoy the bouncy castle. In case of inclement weather the fest is moved to a tent. Admission is free; to learn more go to Zwiebeltreterfest .
Flea Market in Nürnberg
Germany’s largest flea market, the Trempelmarkt in Nürnberg takes place twice a year; this fall it will take place on Sept. 8 and 9; more than 4000 vendors are offering their junk and treasures on and around the Hauptmarkt on Friday afternoon and all day Saturday. Taking public transportation is recommended, since parking will be very limited. To learn more, go to Trempelmarkt
Burggrabenfest zu Nürnberg
The Burggrabenfest in Nürnberg is a medieval fest for the whole family, taking place Sept. 8 through 10 in the city moat below the castle (Hallertor). Show fights, medieval camp life and fire spectacles bring the middle ages back to life. Young knights can spend their energy on a knight’s playground, try their talent with balancing on a rope or compete with bow and arrow.
Opening hours are Friday 2 – 11 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Admission is free under three years of age, 3 euros at age 4 – 12 and 6 euros for 13 years and above; family tickets for two adults and two children are 6 euros. For more information go to Burggrabenfest
Day of the Open Monument
Once a year visitors can enter sites that are normally not open to the public; Germany-wide communities host the “Tag des offenen Denkmals” as part of the European Heritage Days on the second Sunday in September every year. Ansbach lets people get a glimpse of the inside of Herrieden Tor, the church towers of St. Ludwig and St. Johannis or the Synagogue, just to mention a few. This year the event takes place Sept. 10; to learn more, visit https://www.tag-des-offenen-denkmals.de/
Volksmarch Hiking Days
Volksmarches or “Internationale Wandertage” are a form of non-competitive physical fitness training, which takes the participants through some of the most beautiful landscapes in Germany. The walking distance varies from 5 to 10 or 20 kilometer routes on scenic trails through forests, along rivers and lakes or around historic sites. There is no set start time, but a window of time for hikers to start the route, and finish it at their own pace. Trails are typically marked well along the way. Many trails are stroller-friendly and provide great opportunity to explore the countryside. After the walk the local hiking clubs usually offer food and drink in a hall or tent, sometimes even at a half-way point. Avid hikers can get a hiking passport stamped each place they participate, and many clubs reward their visitors with a small token.
Wandertag in Creglingen
Hiking days are scheduled for Aug. 26 and 27 in Creglingen with special focus on children. Walk distances of 5, 10 or 20 kilometers, starting at Stadthalle (Kieselallee 15, 97993 Creglingen). Start times are 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. (5, 10 km) and 6 a.m. to noon (20 km).
Wandertag in Kitzingen
A hiking day takes place in Kitzingen Sept. 9 and 10 with distances of 6, 10 and 20 kilometers to choose from. Start times are 7 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Sportzentrum Sickergrund (Sickerhäuser Straße 7, 97318 Kitzingen)
Wandertag in Oberasbach near Nürnberg
The Oberasbach hiking days Sept. 16 and 17 take hikers over 6, 10, 20 or 42 km distances. Start times are Saturday 6:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. (6, 10, 20 km) and 6:30 – 9 a.m. (42 km), and Sunday 6:30 a.m. to noon (6, 10, 20 km) und 6:30 – 9 a.m. (42 km), with start and finish at DJK Halle (St. Johannes Straße 6, 90522 Oberasbach)
The information on local host nation events is provided through the auspices of the USAG Ansbach Public Affairs Office (PAO). All details provided are for informational purposes only and are a representation of typical events conducted in the local community. The PAO grants no element of exclusivity to any outside agency or business and any reference to commercial or retail activities implies no endorsement or recommendation by the U. S. Army or its agencies. Participation in any event or activity described herein is strictly voluntary and should be done so only after careful advisement and consideration of the safety and security environment at each specific location.