Was ist los in Franken? Nov. 20, 2015

The Nürnberg Christkindlesmarkt is one of the oldest and most popular Christmas markets in Germany. (Photo: Courtesy of Christkindlesmarkt Nürnberg)

ANSBACH, Germany (Nov. 20, 2015) — “Was ist los in Franken?” details off-post community events and activities occurring throughout Lower, Upper and Middle Franconia.

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) from Nov. 18 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 www.handwerkerhof.de

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 Nov. 21 until Jan. 6; to learn more, go to eisbahn.gunzenhausen.de

Adventsmarkt – Muhr am See
Muhr at the Altmühlsee presents a traditional advent market on Nov. 21 and 22; opening hours on Saturday are 4 – 8 p.m. and on Sunday 1 – 7 p.m. Vendors and clubs are selling traditional Christmas products, wood carvings, ceramic items or nativity scenes. Food and drink will be available; a live band from Gunzenhausen provides the entertainment. To learn more, go to Muhr am See

Mineral Days in Nürnberg
A sale exhibition for jewelry, gems, pearls, minerals and fossils takes place at the Meistersingerhalle (Kleiner Saal) on Münchner Str. 21 in Nürnberg on Nov. 21 and 22 from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Visitors can have their gems identified at no cost, children can paint like Da Vinci, polish gems or take part in an archeological dig. Admission for adults is 5 €, children from 6 to 11 years pay 2 €; family tickets are available for 12.50 €. To learn more, visit http://www.messeninfo.de/Mineralientage-M7278/Nuernberg.html

Erlangen on Ice
The public ice skating rink on Marktplatz (between Paulibrunnen and Palais Stutterheim) in Erlangen opens on Nov. 21; the rink, 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

Adventsmarkt in Ansbach
The Kammerspiele in Ansbach (Maximilianstrasse 29) are hosting an Advent market on Sunday, Nov. 22, starting at 11 a.m. Artists and crafters present their crafts while shoppers can enjoy coffe and home-baked goods. To learn more, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/518053958363025/

Kathreinmarkt in Herrieden
The Kathreinmarkt in Herrieden on Sunday, Nov. 22, offers seasonal products as well as regional food and beverages. The Herrieden stores will also be open from 1 through 6 p.m.

Basketball in Ansbach
The Ansbach Piranhas basketball team is playing against BC Erfurt on Sunday, Nov. 22, at 4 p.m. at the Sporthalle (Gym) of the Theresiengymnasium (Schreibmüllerstraße 10, Ansbach). To learn more about the team, check out their Facebook site at Ansbach Piranhas on Facebook

Ansbach Christmas Market Opens
The traditional Ansbach Christmas market opens on Thursday, November 26. The booths and stands start selling their goods at 5 p.m., but the official opening begins at 7 p.m. on the center stage. 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. 23; opening hours are Monday through Wednesday 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. and Thursday through Sunday 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. 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 Nuremberg Main Market Square. On Nov. 27 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 Christkindlesmarkt Nürnberg

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. on Nov. 27 – 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 Nov. 27 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 Nov. 26 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 www.mittelaltermaerkte.org

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 http://tiergarten.nuernberg.de/entdecken/aktuell/detail/news/2015-10-29-tiergarten-uebernachtungen-im-blauen-salon.html