Was ist los in Franken? Nov. 27, 2015

The Nürnberg Christkind opens the Christkindlesmarkt (Foto: Ralf Schedlbauer/Stadt Nürnberg)

ANSBACH, Germany (Nov. 27, 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)  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 until Jan. 6; to learn more, go to eisbahn.gunzenhausen.de

Erlangen on Ice
The public ice skating rink on Marktplatz (between Paulibrunnen and Palais Stutterheim) in Erlangen, 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

Ansbach Christmas Market Opens
The traditional Ansbach Christmas market opens on Thursday, Nov. 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 Nürnberg Main Market Square. On Friday, 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: Nürnberger 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 carousels, 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

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. 27-29, Dec. 4-6, 11-13 and 18-20. 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 up to 15 years; youngsters under six enter for free. To learn more about the market, go to www.gut-wolfgangshof.de

Advent in the Nürnberg Zoo
Every Advent weekend (starting Nov. 29) and Christmas Eve visitors at the Nürnberg Zoo can see a live nativity scene with sheep and donkey, Mary, Josef and shepherds between 11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.; a small advents market offers regional products and Glühwein, Kinderpunsch (non-alcoholic) and grilled sausages.
A lantern parade for children starts at 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 12 at the main entrance (Adults pay 4 euros admission, children enter for free).
A “Forest Christmas Service” is held on Sunday, Dec. 20 at the main entrance at 4 p.m.; admission is free.
The Nürnberger Tiergarten is located on Am Tiergarten 30 and is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily; to learn more, go to www.tiergarten.nuernberg.de

Advent in Franconian farm houses – Bad Windsheim
The open air museum Bad Windsheim features “Advent in fränkischen Bauernstuben” (Advent in Franconian farm houses) on the advent Sundays before Christmas (Nov. 29, Dec. 6 and 13), from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Experience holiday mood with traditional music, singing, storytelling, Lebkuchen, coffee and Glühwein. Christmas tree decorations, nativity scenes, wreaths and hand-knitted wool products can be bought on site. To learn more about the museum and its events, go to Fränkisches Freilandmuseum

Long Night of Culture and Shopping – Ansbach
Ansbach is hosting an extended shopping night dotted with cultural events on Saturday, Dec. 5, downtown and in the Brücken-Center. Highlights of the “Polarnacht” include reindeer, a polar express, polar lights, a snow bar and elves; St. Nikolaus carries presents and vouchers in his sack which he will spread among the visitors. The opening hours of stores will be extended until 11 p.m.; to learn more, go to www.facebook.com/events/180580232286942

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