ANSBACH, Germany (June 14, 2019) — “Was ist los in Franken?” details off-post community events and activities occurring throughout the Franconian region.
Ambassadors of Music in Rothenburg
The performance of the Ambassadors of Music is a special concert series performed downtown Rothenburg: once a year the best music students from different U.S. states show off their talents in a summer tour of Europe, stopping off at Rothenburg’s Market Square during their trip. This year’s tour ends July 26. To learn more about the concert series and specific performance dates, visit https://www.rothenburg-tourismus.de/en/veranstaltungen/ambassadors-of-music or call the Rothenburg Tourist Office at 09861-404 800.
Muna Museum Expo
The Museum for Military History in Oberdachstetten, also called Muna Museum, hosts its annual expo and open house June 16 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; the museum volunteers will provide food from a German army kitchen and beverages, coffee and cake for sale, while visitors explore the many historical exhibits spanning several decades. The museum is located on Oberdachstetten Training Area, on Franken Kaserne exit along B13 near Marktbergel; admission fee for 15 years and older is 6 euros, children enter free of charge. To learn more, visit www.munamuseum.de
Fränkisches Bierfest – Nürnberg
The city of Nürnberg and its historical family breweries are hosting the Franconian Beer Fest in the castle moat underneath the Kaiserburg (Auf der Burg 13) June 19 – 23. Visitors can sample more than 100 different kinds of beer in the romantic setting of the moat, as well as try some of the many Franconian food specialties offered. Live music entertainment, information booths and a children’s program make sure the whole family can have fun. The fest area can be reached via Hallertor, Tiergärtnertor or Maxtor. Opening hours are Wednesday, 5 – 11 p.m., Thursday, 11 a.m. — 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday 2:30 — 11 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. — 11 p.m. To learn more about the festival, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/372067119864268 or www.bierfest-franken.de
Altstadtfest Ansbach
Ansbach’s downtown area turns into festival grounds for the popular Altstadtfest June 19 – 23; tables and benches are set-up along the streets, live bands play, many different kinds of food and beverages are offered, and children have their own entertainment. Visit https://citymarketing-ansbach.de/veranstaltungen/altstadtfest/ to learn more.
German holiday – Fronleichnam June 20
June 20 marks a German holiday, Fronleichnam or Corpus Christi. It is often celebrated with a church procession through town. As usual, stores and businesses off-post are closed and “quiet laws” apply (no loud noise, lawn-mowing etc.). Since Fronleichnam always falls on a Thursday, Germans like to take Friday off work and thus create an extended four-day weekend. Many communities plan special events and festivities for this time period.
Rokoko Festival in Ansbach
The annual Rokoko Festival features volunteer actors and participants in handmade historical costumes dancing, parading and performing from July 5 – 9 at the Orangerie and other locations downtown Ansbach. Scheduled are day and night time events, including a “summer masked ball” with dancing, music and fireworks and a “royal wedding.” On Sunday, the palace gardens of the Orangerie will be site of a family event from 2 – 6 p.m.; watch different shows, children’s theater, jugglers and magicians or take a horse carriage ride and much more at the wonderful scenery of the Ansbach Palace Garden. Tickets can be purchased at the Tourist Office at Johann-Sebastian-Bach-Platz downtown Ansbach. For more information contact the Tourist Office at 0981/ 51-243 or email akut@ansbach.de; details are also available at www.rokoko-festspiele.de
Norisring Race in Nürnberg
The speed weekend on July 5 – 7 at the Norisring on Dutzendteich is a traditional car race event that was started as the “200 Miles of Nürnberg” in the 50s. Today more than 150,000 visitors enjoy watching the 2.3 kilometer city course along the Zeppelinfeld, which only takes about a minute to complete. Races include Deutschen Tourenwagen Masters (DTM), the Porsche Cup, Formula-3 Euroseries and the VW Scirocco Cup. To learn more, go to www.norisring.de
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, July 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.raubkatzenasyl.de
Weinfest in Nürnberg
The traditional Nürnberger Weinfest takes place on Jakobsplatz July 1o through 14; a different live band entertains the visitors every day. To learn more about the event, visit http://nuernberg-weinfest.de
International Samba Festival in Coburg
The city of Coburg turns into a Samba town during the popular Samba festival July 12 through 14; more than 150,000 visitors enjoy more than 30 groups performing Latin American music, dancing and artistics during the three-day festival, with a parade Sunday at 2 p.m. as one of the major highlights. For more details and ticket information, visit www.samba-festival.de
Kinderzeche in Dinkelsbühl
The Kinderzeche in Dinkelsbühl, a historical play and parade that tells how a group of children saved the town from being plundered by the Swedish Army in 1632, is scheduled for July 12 – 21. Theater plays, parades, Swedish army camps and plenty of other entertainment are taking place inside the walls of the historical city. A detailed program schedule is available at www.kinderzeche.de
Magical Bamberg
“Bamberg zaubert” is an annual international street and cabaret festival which magically transforms the city; meet magicians, jugglers, fire artists, clowns or street performers on July 19 through 21 in Bamberg’s historical downtown. To learn more, go to http://bamberg-zaubert.mybamberg.de
Altstadtfest – Herrieden
The Altstadtfest (old town fest) July 20 and 21 in Herrieden is a traditional fest with tables and benches set up all through town between the booths selling local delicacies and the entertainment section with live music. The opening ceremony with a small parade takes place Saturday, 5 p.m. Sunday the shops open 1 – 5 p.m. To learn more, visit www.herrieden.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.