Was ist los in Franken? July 26, 2019

ANSBACH, Germany (July 26, 2019) — “Was ist los in Franken?” details off-post community events and activities occurring throughout the Franconian region.

Bardentreffen in Nürnberg
The popular annual Nürnberg Bardentreffen is a “bards’ meet” for singers and songwriters with a four-decade-old tradition. More than 200 000 visitors attend the outdoor festival every year, to listen to artists and bands from all over the world. It takes place in various locations, like the Hauptmarkt, Insel Schütt, St. Katharina, Lorenzer Platz, Sebalder Platz, Kreuzigungshof and Trödelmarkt on July 26 through 28; the musical spectrum ranges from Classic Rock to Pop and Jazz and Avant Garde or Cabaret type performances. Admission is free! To learn more go to https://bardentreffen.nuernberg.de

German School Break
Several “Bundesländer” (German states) and some countries north of Germany are already on summer break, and many people are heading south in cars, buses, motor homes and trailers towards their vacation destinations. This often jams up the major thoroughfares, a situation which is amplified by seemingly endless construction projects. The summer break in Bavaria starts July 29 and ends Sept. 9; the children in Baden-Württemberg, our neighbor state, finish a day later. Expect heavy traffic and long traffic jams, especially on the Autobahns going south and coming back during that time. For current traffic updates visit traffic information sites like www.bayerninfo.de (in English), www.adac.de/reise_freizeit/verkehr, www.verkehrsinfo.de or www.verkehrsinformation.de

See in Flammen — Lake in flames
Illuminated sailboats and ferries will travel the Altmühlsee near Seezentrum Schlungenhof on Saturday, July 27, starting at 7 p.m. during the event “Lake in Flames.” Members of the life guard will swim out with torches for a coordinated swim performance; fireworks at about 10 p.m. close the event. To learn more, visit https://www.gunzenhausen.info/veranstaltungen/see_in_flammen-270203-11829977.

Kirchweih in Eyb
Ansbach-Eyb is celebrating the annual traditional Kirchweih fest Aug. 2 through 5. The Kirchweih tree will be raised on Saturday, starting at 1 p.m. Another fest highlight is the parade Sunday at 2 p.m. with many local clubs and music groups; the parade starts in Industriestrasse, moving to Eyber Strasse and finally to the Dorfplatz. Fresh, traditional Kirchweihküchle, donut-type baked goodies, will be sold Saturday and Sunday morning.
For more information visit Heimatverein Eyb.

Bamberg Blues and Jazz Festival
More than 70 bands perform during the Bamberg Blues and Jazz Festival Aug. 2 through 11; international and regional musicians perform free concerts on Maxplatz in downtown Bamberg. Admission is free! For detailed program and other information, visit http://blues-jazz-festival.mybamberg.de/home 

Klassik Open Air: Concert with family in Nürnberg
For many years the classic open air concerts at the Luitpoldhain in Nürnberg have been an event where family and friends get together to sit and enjoy music and a picnic “al fresco.” The second concert takes place Aug. 3 at 8 p.m. The event is free and especially intended for people who might not normally listen to classical music. As there are about 100.000 people attending this event, it is definitely recommended to use public transportation. The orchestras will perform in (almost) any weather, unless there is a storm or other very inclement weather. To learn more go to https://www.facebook.com/klassikopenair or www.klassikopenair.de

Summer Breeze – Open Air in Dinkelsbühl
The annual Summer Breeze Open Air, taking place Aug. 14 — 17 in Dinkelsbühl, is one of the largest heavy metal festivals in Germany. Two open air stages and a third stage inside a large tent feature many live metal bands; the festival is located on the airport of the Aeroclubs Dinkelsbühl on Flugplatzstrasse 1. To learn more, go to http://www.summer-breeze.de/en

Rothenburg Wine Village
The Grüne Markt and the Kirchplatz in Rothenburg o.d.T. will be turned into a wine village Aug. 14 — 18; Franconian wines can be sampled while nibbling on local culinary specialties and listening to the musical entertainment. The Weindorf is open Wednesday and Thursday from 4 — 11 p.m., Friday 4 p.m. to midnight, Saturday 11 a.m. to midnight and Sunday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. For more information contact the Rothenburg Tourist Service on Marktplatz 2 at 09861 — 404 – 800 or visit https://www.rothenburg.de/tourismus/kunst-kultur/jahreshoehepunkte/weindorf

Franconian Weinfest in Volkach
Volkach, located in the Frankenwein region, is hosting a wine festival Aug. 15 through 20; vineyards situated along the Main River are bringing more than 150 different samples of Franconian wine to the fest. Visitors sit under old chestnut trees to enjoy the local beverages and food delicacies. Different highlights include fireworks on Friday evening and the sparkler dance of the wine princesses on Monday. To learn more, visit https://www.facebook.com/WFVolkach

Kirchweih in Wolframs-Eschenbach
The traditional Kirchweih of Wolframs-Eschenbach takes place on the Festplatz (Dr.-Baptist-Kurz-Platz) Aug. 16 through 19, featuring the typical fest entertainment, a Kirchweih market and fireworks. For program details, visit www.kirchweih-wolframs-eschenbach.de

Herbstvolksfest – Nürnberg
The Nürnberg Fall Fest is one of the largest and nicest fests in Bavaria; visitors will find plenty of fun rides, beer tents and food stands, as well as an entertainment program for everybody. The fest from Aug. 23 to Sept. 8 is located on the Dutzendteich (Bayernstrasse). Details are available at www.volksfest-nuernberg.de

Pumpkin Festival in Ludwigsburg
The annual pumpkin festival on Ludwigsburg’s castle grounds (Marbacher Strasse 10, 71640 Ludwigsburg, Germany) is open Aug. 30 to Nov. 3. Visitors can expect spectacular works of art created from 450 000 pumpkins and gourds, or admire more than 500 variations of the vegetable. Culinary delights like pumpkin soup, burgers or strudel can be tried on site. For more details, visit www.kuerbisausstellung-ludwigsburg.de/en or https://www.facebook.com/kuerbisausstellung

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 on Sunday, Sept. 1 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

Reichsstadt-Festtage — Rothenburg
The Reichsstadt-Festtage or Imperial Days in Rothenburg ob der Tauber Sept. 6 through 8 celebrate the history of the old Imperial city. Every century is represented with its unique clothing and stories. The festival includes many different events and performances; highlights are the Meistertrunk, the historical Shepherd’s Dance, a torch parade of participants and fireworks. To learn more, go to https://www.rothenburg.de/tourismus/kunst-kultur/jahreshoehepunkte/reichsstadt-festtage

Burggrabenfest zu Nürnberg
The Burggrabenfest in Nürnberg is a medieval fest for the whole family, taking place Sept. 6 through 8 in the city moat below the castle (Hallertor). Show fights, medieval camp life and fire spectacles bring the middle ages back to life. Young knights can spend their energy on a knight’s playground, try their talent with balancing on a rope or compete with bow and arrow.
Opening hours are Friday 2 — 11 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Admission is free under three years of age, 5 euros at age 3 — 11 and 8 euros for 12 years and above; family tickets are available, too. For more information go to https://tourismus.nuernberg.de/erleben/events/feste-maerkte/news/mittelalterliches-burggrabenfest/

Flea Market in Nürnberg
Germany’s largest flea market, the Trempelmarkt in Nürnberg takes place twice a year; this fall it will take place Sept. 6 and 7; more than 4000 vendors are offering their junk and treasures on and around the Hauptmarkt on Friday afternoon and all day Saturday. Taking public transportation is recommended, since parking will be very limited. To learn more, visit http://www.nuernberg.de/internet/marktamt/trempel.html

Day of the Open Monument
Once a year visitors can enter sites that are normally not open to the public; Germany-wide communities host the “Tag des offenen Denkmals” as part of the European Heritage Days on the second Sunday in September every year. Ansbach lets people get a glimpse of the inside of Herrieden Tor, the church towers of St. Ludwig and St. Johannis or the Synagogue, just to mention a few. This year the event takes place Sept. 8; to learn more, visit https://www.tag-des-offenen-denkmals.de/

Altstadtfest – Nürnberg
The traditional Altstadtfest downtown Nürnberg, scheduled for Sept. 11 through 23, is one of the most popular highlights in the Franconian event calendar. The Hans-Sachs-Platz and Insel Schütt turn into fest grounds with wooden huts that offer local culinary specialties; the entertainment program includes cultural and traditional events, like the Fischerstechen, an event that includes boats on the river and people with long poles pushing each other off these boats. Program details and other information can be found at www.altstadtfest-nue.de

Fall Market in Nürnberg
The Nürnberg “Herbstmarkt” takes place on the main market place (Hauptmarkt) downtown Sept. 12 through 29; vendors sell household goods, pottery, clothes and arts and crafts. Opening hours are daily 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. To learn more, visit https://www.nuernberg.de/internet/marktamt/herbstmarkt.html

Kirchweih Herrieden
The traditional Herrieder Kirchweih takes place on the Festplatz, just outside the city gate, the Storchenturm, along the Altmühl River, Sept. 13 through 16. The opening ceremony starts with a concert on Marktplatz on Friday at 6:45 p.m., followed by the tapping of the first keg by the mayor at 7:15 p.m. inside the fest tent. Fest rides and vending booths complete the Kirchweih experience.

Oktoberfest in Munich
The Oktoberfest in Munich — the original Oktoberfest — is one of the most famous events in Germany and is the world’s largest fair with more than 6 million people from around the world attending every year. It started out as a royal wedding celebration in October 1810, when Crown Prince Ludwig (later King Ludwig I) married Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen; the fields, where the celebration took place, were named Theresienwiese (“Therese’s Meadow”) in honor of the crown princess.
The Oktoberfest, also known as the “Wies’n,” takes place on Munich’s Theresienwiese on Sept. 21 to Oct. 6. The midway is open daily from 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. (30 minutes longer on the weekends); the beer tents have the same opening hours, but the last beer will be served an hour before closure.
Official family days with reduced prices are Tuesdays from noon to 6 p.m. Since there is no parking anywhere close to the location, visitors are encouraged to come to town by train or take advantage of the park & ride system and leave their vehicle at a public transportation stop outside of the city, using the subway (U-Bahn) to get there.
Security concept: The security concept of the Oktoberfest is based on decades of experience and constantly reviewed. There will be a “security fence” along open stretches as well as a ban of back packs and larger bags; smaller bags are subject to search. Strollers are only allowed on weekdays until 6 p.m.; completely forbidden are items like glass bottles, gas spray cans or knives. On the busier days, like the weekends, visitors are advised to refrain from bringing small children.
For more information about the Oktoberfest go to www.oktoberfest.de/en

Tag der deutschen Einheit — German Holiday, October 3
The Day of German Unity (Tag der Deutschen Einheit) on Oct. 3 is a nation-wide holiday in Germany. It is the national day of the Federal Republic of Germany, commemorating the anniversary of German reunification in 1990, when the hopes for a united Germany were finally fulfilled after decades of separation. Every year a different city hosts the national celebration. As usual, all stores and businesses will be closed for the day; many communities celebrate with a local ceremony. www.tag-der-deutschen-einheit.berlin.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).

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.