Was ist los in Franken? Jan. 5, 2018

ANSBACH, Germany (Jan. 5, 2018) – “Was ist los in Franken?” details off-post community events and activities occurring throughout the Franconian region.

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 80s & 90s

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

Three Kings Day Charity Run
Gunzenhausen is hosting a fun run for everybody Jan. 6, starting at 1:30 p.m. at Sportheim Unterwurmbach. The event is open to all ages, running or walking. There are no registration costs, but donations, which are going to several charity causes, are welcome. Learn more by visiting Dreikönigslauf.

Theater Flea Market
The ActCenter in Nürnberg (Dieselstr. 77) is hosting a flea market with costumes, stage props and vintage clothing on the G  erman holiday, Jan. 6, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is free; to learn more, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/1296827710430674

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, Jan. 7 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 https://www.facebook.com/Raubtier-und-Exotenasyl-AnsbachWallersdorf-eV-281469090873

Traditional horse market in Niederstetten
The Rossmarkt in Niederstetten Jan. 11 is a horse market with a 172-year-old tradition. Horses of all breeds, carriages and teams are shown and awarded in Niederstetten. After the awards ceremony (9 – 11 a.m.) a show program starts at 11:15 a.m. at Frickentalplatz. A parade with riders and horses begins at Festplatz at 13:30 p.m. To learn more, visit https://www.niederstetten.de/index.php/rossmarkt

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.