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Photo by Uli Kovatsch
ANSBACH, Germany (November 15, 2019) — “Was ist los in Franken?” details off-post community events and activities occurring throughout the Franconian region.
Winter Dreams at Faber-Castell Castle in Stein
A seasonal market with entertainment and winter themed activities takes place at the castle park in Stein Nov. 15 through 17. Gourmets can sample European delicatessen, a winter wonderland inspires decoration for the holidays. The Faber-Castell castle is located along B14 in Stein (entrance on Rednitzstraße 2a). Admission tickets range from 8 euros for adults to 1 euro for children under 12; parking is free and close by. To learn more, visit www.wintertraeume.com
Adventsmarkt in Bad Windsheim
Bad Windsheim is hosting a pre-seasonal advent market in the Kur & Kongress-Center (KKC on Erkenbrechtallee 2, next to the spa) Nov. 17 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visitors can find home-made seasonal products, Christmas decoration, jewelry, pottery, candles or wood carvings, and get in the mood for the holidays with seasonal music, St. Nikolaus and other entertainment. Admission for the market is 2 euros, children up to 12 years of age enter for free. To learn more, also go to www.kkc-tagen.de
Erlangen on Ice
The public ice skating rink on Marktplatz (between Paulibrunnen and Palais Stutterheim) in Erlangen opens Nov. 22; the rink, located near the Christmas market, is open daily until Jan. 6. To learn more, go to https://www.erlangen.info/erlangenonice
Ice Rink in Gunzenhausen
Gunzenhausen is offering an ice skating rink on the Marktplatz; highlights include an ice disco and “Eisstockschiessen,” Bavarian curling. The ice rink is open Nov. 22 through Jan. 6; to learn more, go to http://eisbahn.gunzenhausen.de
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 Nov. 22-24, Nov. 29 – Dec. 2, Dec. 6-8 and 13-15. 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 6 to 15 years; youngsters under six enter for free. To learn more about the market, go to www.gut-wolfgangshof.de
Kathreinmarkt in Herrieden
The Kathreinmarkt in Herrieden on Sunday, Nov. 24, offers seasonal products as well as regional food and beverages. The Herrieden stores will also be open from 1-6 p.m.
Franconian Christmas Market Ansbach
The traditional Franconian Ansbach Christmas market opens Thursday, Nov. 28 at Martin-Luther-Platz downtown. A crafts exhibition in the Stadthaus (first floor, co-located with the tourist information office) features handmade Christmas decorations and much more.
The market is open daily until Dec. 24; opening hours are Monday through Wednesday 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. and Thursday through Sunday 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. The market closes at 1 p.m. on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24. For more details, including an event program and a site map, go to https://citymarketing-ansbach.de
Medieval Christmas Market in Fürth
The Medieval Christmas Market in Fürth takes place at the Fürther Freiheit Nov. 28 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 https://www.facebook.com/mittelalterweihnachtsmarkt
Dinkelsbühl Christmas Market
Dinkelsbühl – sometimes called the little Rothenburg because of its historical walled city – features a unique little Christmas market, open Nov. 28 through Dec. 22. Booths offer not only the usual food and beverages, but all kinds of decoration of gift items. Worth mentioning is the arts and crafts bazaar, tucked away in a building in the corner of the market with handmade brick-a-brac and trinkets. The market is open 1 – 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. on weekends. To learn more, visit https://www.tourismus-dinkelsbuehl.de/events-erlebnis/weihnachtsmarkt
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. Nov. 29 at 5.30 p.m. (the Friday before the first Advent Sunday), the Christkind opens her market, reciting the solemn prologue from the gallery of the Church of Our Lady. And as every year, by Christmas Eve, more than two million people from all over the world will have visited the Nürnberg Christmas Market.
About 180 wooden stalls, decorated with red-and-white cloth, hold the traditional goods: Nürnberg 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 www.christkindlesmarkt.de
Kinderweihnacht – Nürnberg
The Kinderweihnacht, a special Christmas market for children with historical carrousels, 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. Nov. 29 through Dec. 24 (closes at 2 p.m.). To learn more, go to www.christkindlesmarkt.de
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 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 Nov. 29 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 www.tourismus.rothenburg.de
Herrieden Christmas Market
The annual Christmas market in Herrieden opens Friday, Dec. 20 at 5 p.m. at the Marktplatz. A children’s choir and the Herrieden Christkind will help the mayor officially open the market. Local non-profit organizations will provide tasty food and beverages for the visitors Friday and Saturday from 4 to 10 p.m.
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.
