Was ist los in Franken? Oct. 27, 2017

ANSBACH, Germany (Oct. 27, 2017) – “Was ist los in Franken?” details off-post community events and activities occurring throughout the Franconian region.

Lebkuchenmarkt in Nürnberg
The Lebkuchen, a type of gingerbread, is a trade mark of Nürnberg. The city hosts a Lebkuchen market to celebrate the delicacy Oct. 27 through Nov. 5 on the plaza in front of Lorenzkirche. Opening hours are 11 a.m. through 8 p.m. daily.

Night Flea Market in Nürnberg
A night flea market takes place at PARKS Nürnberg (Berliner Platz 9) on Friday, Oct. 27, starting at 6 p.m. To learn more, visit Parks.

Mercato dei Sapori in Nürnberg
An Italian “market of flavors” – Mercato dei Sapori – takes place downtown Nürnberg at the Fleischbrücke (near Hauptmarkt) until Oct. 28, offering Italian food and wine specialties.

Fall Fair in Rothenburg
A “Herbstmesse” (fall fair) with a market and midway takes place on Schrannenplatz Oct. 28 through Nov. 5; Oct. 29 and Nov. 1 (German holiday) are open shop days. To learn more, visit www.rothenburg.de or www.tourismus.rothenburg.de

Consumenta Nürnberg
The Consumenta, a large consumer’s fair, takes place at the Nürnberg Messezentrum Oct. 28 through Nov. 5; visitors can find lots of information about technology, real estate, cooking and baking, pets, horses, creative hobbies, new inventions, and much more. Opening hours are daily 9:30 a.m. through 6 p.m. To learn more, visit Consumenta.

Kite Festival on Altmühlsee
A kite festival takes place on Seezentrum Gunzenhausen-Schlungenhof (Seestraße 9, Gunzenhausen) Oct. 29 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. To learn more, visit Altmühlsee.

Reformation Day
Celebrated only in Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Sachsen, Sachsen-Anhalt und Thüringen in any other year, the Reformation Day 2017 becomes a Germany-wide holiday Oct. 31 to commemorate the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther’s posting of his 95 thesis that founded the Reformation. As it is immediately followed by All Saints Day, this means two consecutive holidays for the German work force, and most businesses off-post closed (except for restaurants, bakeries and the likes).

All Saints Day holiday in Bavaria
Allerheiligen (All Saints Day) is a Christian day to remember all saints, martyrs and deceased. Following “All Hallows’ Eve” (better known as Halloween), it is observed Nov. 1 every year in Baden-Württemberg, Bayern, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Rheinland-Pfalz and Saarland, as well as in Austria and Italy.

Fish and Wild Game Days in Feuchtwangen
The Fish and Game Days, a culinary week in Feuchtwangen Oct. 31 through Nov. 5 bring regional and seasonal products fresh on the table at local restaurants. For more details, visit Fisch und Wild.

International Sled Dog Races
The International Sled Dog Races take place in Oberndorf/Geslau (near Rothenburg) on Nov. 3 through 5. Due to the lack of snow the dogs pull carts instead of sleds. To learn more, visit Schlittenhunde.

 20 Jahre Kneipenjagd Ansbach
Local pubs and restaurants are hosting a “Kneipenjagd” (pub crawl) in Ansbach Nov. 4, celebrating the 20^th anniversary of the event. Live bands play in different locations in town. One ticket buys admission for all locations and live bands all night long; tickets bought in advance (Brückencenter or participating pubs) cost 11 euros, others are 13 euros.  For details on participating locations and program, go to www.facebook.com/KneipenJagdAnsbach

Culinary Wine Fair in Fürth
Fürth is hosting a culinary wine fair – Wein- und Delikatessenmesse – in the Stadthalle in Fürth (Rosenstraße 50) on Nov. 4 and 5; about 100 vendors present their goods of wine, sparkling wine and spirits as well as international food specialties. Opening hours are Saturday from noon to 8 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 7 p.m.; to learn more, go to Weinmesse.

Gran Fiesta Mexicana in Nürnberg
Celebrate el día de los muertos Mexican style with a mariachi band and dancing at the südpunkt (Pillenreuther Str. 147) Nov. 4, starting at 8 p.m. Admission tickets are 18 euros; costumes encouraged. To learn more, visit Fiesta.

Musical Moments – Musical show in Bad Windsheim
Musical hits from master pieces like Evita, Mamma Mia or Phantom of the Opera are celebrated in a three-hour show at the Kur- & Kongress-Center (Erkenbrechtallee 2) in Bad Windsheim Nov. 4 at 8 p.m. To learn more, visit Musical Moments.

Rothenburger Lichterlauf
The Rothenburger Lichterlauf, a race in and around the torch-lit city of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, takes place Nov. 4, starting at 3:30 p.m. with children’s races; the hobby runners start at 5:15 p.m.; the main race begins at 6:30 p.m. Start and finish are at the Marktplatz in Rothenburg, the awards ceremony takes place at 8:30 p.m. For more information check Lichterlauf.

Halloween Events …

Halloween Street – Ansbach
Ansbach is hosting a Halloween Street in Neustadt (near Herrieder Tor) Friday, Oct. 27, with activities for children; starting at 1 p.m. kids dressed in a Halloween costume can carve a pumpkin, have their face painted and beg for candy inside the stores. Evening events are planned for adults. Learn more at Neustadt Halloween

Halloween at Schloss Thurn
The fun park Schloss Thurn in Heroldsbach near Forchheim is hosting special Halloween events Oct. 27 through Nov. 1. During the day (11 a.m. to 6 p.m.) the event is family and kid friendly, at 6:30 to 11 p.m. it turns into “scary Halloween.” To learn more, visit Halloween Schloss Thurn

Halloween at Tucherland
The Tucherland fun park in Nürnberg (Marienbergstr. 102) is hosting a Halloween party for the young ones with face painting and games Oct. 31, starting at 3 p.m. To learn more, visit Tucherland

Halloween at Playmobil Funpark
The Playmobil Funpark in Zirndorf (Brandstätterstraße 2-10) is hosting Halloween events and activities on Oct. 31; to learn more, visit Halloween Funpark

Pumpkin Safari at the Zoo
The Nürnberg Tiergarten is hosting a “pumpkin safari” Monday, Oct. 31 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The challenge is to locate the pumpkins in the zoo and solve the word puzzle with the letters on them. Participants can win various admission tickets (annual, family or single tickets). Regular admission prices apply; to learn more, visit Kürbis Safari

Beyond the Franconian borders …

Pumpkin Festival in Ludwigsburg
The annual pumpkin festival on Ludwigsburg’s castle grounds (Marbacher Strasse 10, 71640 Ludwigsburg, Germany) is open now until Nov. 5. Visitors can expect spectacular works of art created from 450 000 pumpkins and gourds, or admire more than 500 variations of the vegetable; this year’s overarching theme is “Rome.” Culinary delights like pumpkin soup, burgers or strudel can be tried on site. For more details, visit Kürbisausstellung-English or www.facebook.com/kuerbisausstellung.

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.