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ANSBACH, Germany (Dec. 29, 2017) – “Was ist los in Franken?” details off-post community events and activities occurring throughout the Franconian region.
Celebrating the New Year …
Fire Works and fire crackers at midnight
Many Germans buy fireworks for the turning of the year, in fact this is the only time of the year they are allowed to ignite fireworks without special permission. The fireworks are only sold between Christmas and New Year‘s Eve and should only be used around midnight on the 31st of December. Private fireworks are prohibited in the vicinity of historical buildings (castles, churches, etc.) and on military installations.
Nürnberg Silvesterlauf – Fun Run on New Year’s Eve
The traditional New Year’s Eve Fun Run in Nürnberg with races for all age groups begins at 10:45 with start at Sebastianspital (Veilhofstr. 38,) and takes participants around the Wöhrder See (lake). For details and registration go to www.silvesterlauf-nuernberg.de
New Year’s Eve downtown Nürnberg
Nürnberg is hosting a special cultural event named Silvestival. More than 20 bands and performers play in different locations, which can all be reached by foot. Tickets, which include traveling with public transportation via VGN, can be purchased in advance at www.silvestival.de
Silvester at KKC Bad Windsheim
The Kur & Kongress-zentrum Bad Windsheim (Erkenbrechtallee 2) is hosting a New Year’s Eve party, starting at 6:30 p.m. Visitors start the evening off with a glass of Prosecco, followed by a large buffet. Dance music, a showing of the classic “Dinner for One” one-act production and a fireworks display, as well as a dessert buffet complete the evening. To learn more, visit www.kkc-tagen.de
Torch Hike through Fränkische Schweiz
Pottenstein is hosting a torch hike for the whole family on New Year’s Eve. Starting point is the tourist office in Pottenstein at 2:30 p.m. Participants need to register in advance, the numbers are limited. To learn more, call 09243-70841 or visit www.pottenstein.de
New Year’s Eve party in the CINECITTA Nürnberg
Nürnberg’s largest movie theater, the Cinecitta (Gewerbemuseumsplatz 3), also features several bars and restaurants on more than 50,000 square feet. Their New Year’s party begins at 8:30 p.m. with live bands, DJs, lounge party and more. Midnight is celebrated on the roof of the building, overlooking the city’s fireworks. For details go to www.cinecitta.de
New Year’s Eve party in Roth
The Marktplatz in Roth is site of a party with music and fireworks to celebrate the New Year. Admission is free; private fireworks or pyrotechnics are prohibited for safety reasons.
New Year’s Party at the Airport
Nürnberg’s airport is hosting a party at the “Terminal 90” Dec. 31. Visitors can dine a six-course dinner starting at 7 p.m. A dance party starts at 11 p.m. with a DJ playing music until the wee hours of the morning. To learn more, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/908008932633605
New Year’s Eve in the castle
Burg Rabenstein, a medieval castle in the Fränkische Schweiz region, offers a New Year’s Eve package with an elegant dinner and music in the Renaissance hall or a more rustic wild boar dinner in the knight’s hall. A midnight buffet and baroque fireworks complete the experience. To learn more, visit www.burg-rabenstein.de
Ice swimming in Herrieden
Truly brave souls (or people with neoprene suits) can take a New Year’s dip into the Altmühl in Herrieden on New Year’s Day at 2 p.m. The Eisschwimmen is hosted by the local swim club; to learn more, visit www.herrieder-aquathleten.de
80’s & 90s party – Ansbach
A dance and music party featuring music from the 80s and 90s takes place in the Kammerspiele Ansbach (Maximilianstraße 29) Friday, Jan. 5, starting at 9 p.m. To learn more, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/1513817211987081
Three Kings Holiday
Three Kings Day or Epiphany Jan. 6 is called “Heilig Drei Könige” or “Dreikönigstag” and is a holiday in Bavaria and Austria. Traditionally members of the local church community walk around to collect money for charity projects. The group is called the Sternsinger (star singers) and is usually comprised of four children or teenagers, dressed up as the three kings and a star bearer. They ring the door bell, sing a traditional song or recite a poem or prayer and write the blessing for the year above the front door with chalk. The blessing will always contain the current year and the letters C+M+B, which stand for “Christus mansionem benedicat,” “May Christ Bless this House.”
New Year’s Concert in Herrieden
The traditional Herrieden New Year’s concert takes place Jan. 6 at 7 p.m. in the aula of the Mittelschule Herrieden (Steinweg 8). The orchestra “Erzgebirgische Philharmonie Aue” is playing operetta music by Jaques Offenbach, Johann Strauß, Franz Lehar and others. Tickets can be purchased at the Stadtkasse Herrieden (inside the Rathaus Herrnhof 10) or at the box office on site; prices vary from 8 to 15 euros. To learn more, visit http://www.herrieden.de/page/posts/neujahrskonzert-2018-180.php
Erlangen on Ice
The public ice skating rink on Marktplatz (between Paulibrunnen and Palais Stutterheim) in Erlangen is open daily until Jan. 7. Skates are for rent for 3 euros, admission is free. Opening hours are Monday through Friday 2 – 9 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. – 9 p.m., Dec. 24 and 31 it’s 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Dec. 25 and 26 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Jan. 1 noon to 9 p.m. To learn more about Erlangen Christmas activities, go to www.erlangen-marketing.de
Ice Rink in Gunzenhausen
Gunzenhausen has put up an ice skating rink on the Marktplatz; highlights include an ice disco and “Eisstockschiessen,” Bavarian curling. The ice rink is open until Jan. 7; to learn more, go to http://eisbahn.gunzenhausen.de
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.
