ANSBACH, Germany (Jan. 25, 2019) – “Was ist los in Franken?” details off-post community events and activities occurring throughout the Franconian region.
Kneipenjagd – Rothenburg ob der Tauber
This year’s pub crawl in Rothenburg takes place Jan. 26 in several location throughout the town. One ticket buys admission for all locations. To learn more, visit https://www.facebook.com/kneipenfestivalrothenburg
Winter Apple Fest
A winter fest with apple specialties like apple punch, Strudel or various cakes takes place in Buhlsbach near Lehrberg Jan. 26, from noon to 6 p.m. To learn more, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/512404969245943/
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, Feb. 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 https://www.facebook.com/events/313674392600027/
Fasching, Fastnacht & Karneval – The fifth season is here
The Fasching or carnival season is also known as the “fifth season” in Germany. It is a time when Germans loosen up a little, dress up in funny costumes and party for days at a time. Read more about local carnival traditions at https://ansbachhometownherald.com/fasching-fastnacht-karneval-fifth-season-upon-us/.
Nürnberg Fasching parade
The Nürnberg Fasching parade, the oldest of its kind in the world, leads 49 decorated wagons and more than 3000 participants through the city on Sunday, Feb. 11, beginning at 1 p.m. The route takes the parade from Am Stadtpark to Pirckheimerstrasse, Bayreuther Strasse, Rathenauplatz, Laufer Tor, Innere Laufer Gasse, Theresienplatz, Obstmarkt, Museumsbrücke, Königstrasse, Kaiserstrasse, Josephsplatz and finally Vordere Ledergasse. The best strategy to watch the parade is to pick a spot along the route and wait for the fun to come to you. For more details, go to https://www.facebook.com/events/962431477167389/ or www.fnf-nbg.de.
Sing-along in Ansbach
“Rudelsingen,“ a karaoke sing-along with German and English songs takes place at the Ansbach Kammerspiele (Maximilianstr. 29) Feb. 13, starting at 7:30 p.m. To learn more, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/597224530737202.
Chinesenfasching in Dietfurt
The traditional Chinese Fasching in Dietfurt is a popular event in the region. It always takes place on ‘crazy’ Thursday, which falls on Feb. 28 this year. The town criers, called “Maschkaras,” wake up the town at 2 a.m. with lots of noise. The party downtown on the stage in front of the Rathaus (city hall) starts at 1 p.m.; at 2 p.m. the parade begins to move from Industriestrasse through town towards the town center, where the annual proclamation of the emperor is held. For more details check out www.dietfurt.de/chinesenfasching or https://www.facebook.com/events/188446791514733.
Fasching parade and party in Spalt
The town of Spalt is hosting a Fasching parade and party on crazy Thursday, Feb. 28, starting at 8:20 p.m. Party goers have an opportunity to hop on a shuttle bus at several locations (see Facebook post), and ride the bus back in the wee hours of the morning (pre-registration required!) ; bus ride and admission price can be paid cash on the bus. Learn more at https://www.facebook.com/events/1018647158215872.
Fasching parade in Ornbau
A traditional Fasching parade takes place in Ornbau on March 3 starting at 1 p.m. at “Am Kalkofen” and moving through town to the Stadthalle. More than 30 decorated wagons and music groups are participating in the event. To learn more, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/1553105925000495.
Fasching Parade in Mitteleschenbach
Considered the largest of its kind in West Middle Franconia, the town’s Fasching parade takes place on Sunday, March 3 in Mitteleschenbach, starting at 2 p.m. Many groups with decorated wagons, marching groups and bands are expected in this traditional event. To learn more, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/1568285493494483/ or go to www.diemoenchswaldfuechse.de.
Fasching at the Zoo
The Nürnberg Tiergarten celebrates Fasching March 4 & 5 during normal opening hours. Every child (up to 13 years) dressed up enters for free. Children under 14 years must be accompanied by an adult. To learn more, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/543048122860746/ or go to www.tiergarten.nuernberg.de.
Wochenmarkt Ansbach
The Wochenmarkt Ansbach is a typical German market featuring fresh goods like vegetables, flowers, meats, home-made noodles or ice cream, fresh-baked bread, cheeses and other dairy products. The vendors are often farmers from the area, who sell their own products. They set up their carts and stands on Martin-Luther-Platz twice a week, Wednesday and Saturday, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (except German holidays).
Second Hand Bazaars for Parents
Parents are cleaning out the closets of their ever-growing offspring and take it to numerous “Kinderbasars” or “Baby-Basars” happening in the area this time of the year. Look for posters or flyers advertising the bazaars for second hand clothing, toys and equipment; usually they take place on a Saturday afternoon in the local church annex, school or community center.
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. To find local hikes, visit https://www.dvv-wandern.de/regionales-angebot/franken.html.
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.