Was ist los in Franken? Dec. 18, 2015

Nativity Scene at the Handwerkerhof in Nürnberg (Photo: Handwerkerhof)

ANSBACH, Germany (Dec. 18, 2015) — “Was ist los in Franken?” details off-post community events and activities occurring throughout Lower, Upper and Middle Franconia.

Herrieden Christmas Market
The Herrieden Christmas market in the castle court yard next to Vogteiplatz, tucked in behind the main square, will take place on Dec. 18 through 20 this year. The booths, manned by volunteers, are offering food and beverages, as well as hand-made ornaments and other little decorations. The opening ceremony is on Friday at 5 p.m., when the mayor and the Christkind ring in the season together with the local children’s choir.

Romantic Christmas Market in Anwanden, Gut Wolfgangshof
More than 100 crafters and vendors display their products in rustic huts, a cow stable, a grain hall or in a hay attic at the Christmas market in Gut Wolfgangshof (Weitersdorfer Str. 22) in Anwanden, a little town between Nürnberg and Ansbach. The market is open on Dec. 18-20. Opening hours are Fridays 3 – 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday noon to 8 p.m.; admission prices vary from 5 euros for adults to 1 euro for children up to 15 years; youngsters under six enter for free. To learn more about the market, go to Gut Wolfgangshof 

Windsbacher Knabenchor in Ansbach
The famous boys’ choir from Windsbach, the “Windsbacher Knabenchor,” performs a Christmas concert at the St. Gumbertuskirche (Johann-Sebastian-Bach-Platz 3) in Ansbach on Dec. 18 at 7:30 p.m. The choir presents the Christmas Oratorio by Johann Sebastian Bach together with an orchestra. To learn more, visit Theater Ansbach

Flic Flac Circus in Nürnberg
Flic Flac is an acrobatic circus show, coming to Nürnberg near the Dutzendteich (Bayernstrasse 110) Dec. 23 through Jan. 10; the show includes motor cycle stunts, juggling, high ropes acrobats and slap stick comedy. To learn more, visit Flic Flac

Ampletang Concert in Ansbach
The band Ampletang plays Blues Rock in the Kammerspiele Ansbach (Maximilianstrasse 29) on Dec. 26 at 8:30 p.m. To learn more about the event, visit Kammerspiele Ansbach

Gregorianika – Christmas Concert in Nürnberg
Gregorianika – a men’s chorus singing in Gregorian style – perform at the Lutherkirche in Nürnberg (Südtirolerplatz 20) on Dec. 29 at 6 p.m. Tickets for 23 euros are available at the box office or can be reserved with the church at 0911-444000 or the usual ticket agencies.

Schwanensee – Swan Lake – in Bad Windsheim
The ballet Swan Lake is coming to the KKC (Kultur & Kongress Center) on Erkenbrechtallee 2 in Bad Windsheim on Dec. 29 at 7 p.m. To learn more, visit KKC Events

Nativity Scenes in Handwerkerhof Nürnberg
Old Nürnberg crafts tradition can be admired in the Nürnberger Handwerkerhof (Königstor, next to the big tower across from the Hauptbahnhof)  through Dec. 30 when the nativity scene exhibition is once again opened for the season. Small stores and craft shops offer toys, decorations and much more, while typical Franconian restaurants open their doors to the hungry visitors. The Handwerkerhof is open Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. – 10 p.m., the stores open 10 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. Admission to the exhibition is free. To learn more, go to Handwerkerhof

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. 6; to learn more, go to Eisbahn Gunzenhausen

Erlangen on Ice
The public ice skating rink on Marktplatz (between Paulibrunnen and Palais Stutterheim) in Erlangen, located near the Christmas market, is open daily until Dec. 26. 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 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Dec. 25 and 26 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. To learn more about Erlangen Christmas activities, go to http://www.erlangen-marketing.de

Ansbach Christmas Market
The traditional Ansbach Christmas market is located downtown on Martin-Luther-Platz. It is open daily until Dec. 23; the booths and stands sell their goods daily Monday through Wednesday 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. and Thursday through Sunday 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. A crafts exhibition in the Stadthaus (first floor, co-located with the tourist information office) features handmade Christmas decorations and much more. The market closes at 1 p.m. on Christmas Eve. For more details, including an event program and a site map, go to Weihnachtsmarkt Ansbach

Christkindlesmarkt in Nürnberg
Every year, Germany’s most famous Christmas Market opens its stalls for visitors from all over the world, right in the middle of the city, on Nürnberg Main Market Square. About 180 wooden stalls, decorated with red-and-white cloth, hold the traditional goods: Nürnberger Lebkuchen (gingerbread), Früchtebrot (fruit loaves), bakery goods and sweets, typical Christmas articles such as Christmas tree angels, cribs, tree ornaments and candles, toys as well as arts and crafts products. The Zwetschgenmännla (plum people), little figures made from prunes, make a popular souvenir. Refreshments include, of course, Nürnberger Bratwurst and Glühwein (mugs of hot mulled wine).
Using public transportation is always recommended, especially on opening day. The market is about ten minutes by foot downhill from the Hauptbahnhof (main train station). It is open daily 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., finally closing at 2 p.m. on Christmas Eve. Detailed information in English can be found at Christkindlesmarkt Nürnberg

Kinderweihnacht – Nürnberg
The Kinderweihnacht, a special Christmas market for children with historical carousels, Ferris wheel, train, glass and candle workshops and Christmas bakery, is located on Hans-Sachs-Platz, right around the corner of the famous Nürnberg Christkindlesmarkt. Opening times are daily 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. until Dec. 24 (closes at 2 p.m.). To learn more, go to Christkindlesmarkt Nürnberg

The “Reiterlesmarkt” of Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Once a year, the medieval town of Rothenburg is transformed into a winter wonderland during the annual Reiterlesmarkt; this wonderful Christmas market has been the highlight of the festive Christmas season in Rothenburg since the 15th century. Today the narrow and winding streets and the squares around the Town Hall, its archways and the market square are still lined with stalls where one can find almost anything associated with a German Christmas market: pastries, white mulled wine and handcrafted decorations.
Numerous cultural events are held in conjunction with the market. Daily events include a guided tour starting at 2 p.m. at the market square, and a visit by the Pelzmärtel (German Santa) at 4:30 p.m. Every day (starting at Dec. 1) a new window of the “advent calendar” on the town hall is opened at 5 p.m.; a concert by a brass band follows at 5:30 p.m.
The Rothenburg Reiterlesmarkt is open through Dec.23; opening hours are Sunday through Thursday 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. and Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. For further information about the Rothenburg market contact the Rothenburg Tourismus Service on Marktplatz 2 at 09861-404-800 or info@rothenburg.de, or visit the website at Tourismus Rothenburg

Medieval Christmas Market in Fürth
The medieval Christmas market in Fürth takes place at the Freiheit through Dec. 23; it is open daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and offers crafts and performances, campfires, jugglers, fire artists and much more. To learn more, visit Mittelaltermarkt Fürth

Advent in the Nürnberg Zoo
Every Advent weekend and Christmas Eve visitors at the Nürnberg Zoo can see a live nativity scene with sheep and donkey, Mary, Josef and shepherds between 11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.; a small advents market offers regional products and Glühwein, Kinderpunsch (non-alcoholic) and grilled sausages.
A lantern parade for children starts at 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 12 at the main entrance (Adults pay 4 euros admission, children enter for free).
A “Forest Christmas Service” is held on Sunday, Dec. 20 at the main entrance at 4 p.m.; admission is free.
The Nürnberger Tiergarten is located on Am Tiergarten 30 and is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily; to learn more, go to Tiergarten Nürnberg

Sleep-over at the Nürnberg Zoo
Children between 8 and 12 years can roll out their sleeping bag in front of the panorama windows and watch dolphins, manatees and sea lions as they go to sleep. The night at the zoo (including food) costs 70 euros; it starts at 3:30 p.m. and ends at 10 a.m. the next morning. To learn more, go to Tiergarten overnight