Hiking the "Volksmarch" in Franken
A Volksmarch in Germany is known as Wandertag (hiking day) and is a great way for the whole family to experience the countryside of different regions. Participants typically choose from 5-kilometer, 10-kilometer or 20-kilometer distances; hikers don't start at once but within a certain time frame and cover the chosen distance at their own pace. Food and beverages are sold on location and registration is usually possible on site. It is recommended to contact the listed point of contact for exact starting times, updates and detailed location information. For more hiking events and locations within Germany, also check the website of the National Hiking Association at www.dvv-wandern.de. Volksmarches in and around Franconia include:
• April 19 guided tour "Wandern ob der Tauber" in Rothenburg o.d. Tauber (6/11k); TSV 2000 Rothenburg e.V., 09861-1752. Start time: 2 p.m. at Rothenburg Sporthalle, Erlbacher Str. 5 -- www.dvv-wandern.de/files/file/gtw_1744-35_fr_194.pdf.
• April 20 and 21 in Stegaurach (5/10/20k); Wanderfreunde Aurachtal, 0951-290623.
Start time: April 20 from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., April 20 from 7 a.m. to noon -- www.dvv-wandern.de/files/file/stegaurach.pdf.
• April 21 in Wiesbaden (5/10/20k); VSV Wiesbaden 1970, 0179-9172561, www.dvv-wandern.de/vvw-wiesbaden. Start: 8 a.m. to 1p.m. at Alfred-Delp-Schule, Alfred-Delp-Str.53, 65201 Wiesbaden-Frauenstein -- www.dvv-wandern.de/files/file/21042013_wiesbaden.pdf.
• April 26 and 27 in Hohenfels (5/10/20k); TSV Hohenfels, 09472 -- 1247. Start: April 26 from 8 a.m. to noon, April 27 from 7 a.m. to noon at Kulturzentrum-Keltensaal -- www.dvv-wandern.de/files/file/wfhohenfels-1.pdf.
• April 30 and May 1 in Maroldsweisach (5/10/18k); SC Maroldsweisach 1946, 09532-1483. Start: April 30 from 4 to 7 p.m., May 1 from 6 a.m. to noon at Sportheim -- www.dvv-wandern.de/files/file/maroldsweisach.pdf.
• May 4 and 5 in Ramstein (5/10/16/21k); Ramstein Roadrunners, 0637-952233, ramsteinroadrunners@yahoo.com, www.ava.org/clubs/ramsteinroadrunners. Start: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Mehrzweckhalle, Miesenbach -- www.dvv-wandern.de/files/file/05-04-2013-ramstein-rr-2.pdf.
• May 4 and 5 in Bamberg (6/11k); Wanderfreunde Wilde Rose Bamberg, 0951-15776. Start: 7 a.m. to noon -- www.dvv-wandern.de/files/file/bamberg.pdf.
• May 9 in Cadolzburg (5/10/20k); Treue Husaren Fürth; 0911-761412. Start: 6 a.m. to noon at Schützenstr., Jahnturnhalle -- www.dvv-wandern.de/files/file/cadolzburg.pdf.
• May 11 and 12 in Kleinsendelbach (5/10/20k); Wanderfreunde Kleinsendelbach 1984, 09126-1421. Start: May 11 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., May 12 from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Hauptstr. 1 -- www.dvv-wandern.de/files/file/kleinsendelbach.pdf.
Blues Days in Roth
The Rother Bluestage -- Blues Days in Roth are still ongoing until April 21. Concerts and events take place in the Kulturfabrik (Stieberstrasse 7). For details, program and tickets, visit www.bluestage.de.
Kinderkirchweih in Schwabach
The Kinderkirchweih, a children's fest, in Schwabach (Königsplatz/Martin-Luther-Platz) is scheduled for April 19 through 21 on 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. April 19 and 20 and from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. April 21. To learn more, visit www.schwabach.de.
Herbs and Spices Market in Bad Windsheim
The Freilandmuseum (open air museum) Bad Windsheim on Eisweiherweg 1 is hosting an herbs and spices market April 20 through May 5; find healing herbs, teas and candy, local perennials and lots of information about their use in kitchen and as home remedies. The market is open daily during museum hours (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.). To learn more, visit www.freilandmuseum.de.
Culinary Beer Week in Spalt
Local restaurants and the city brewery Stadtbrauerei Spalt participate in the annual culinary beer week on April 20 through 28, offering special menus and tours of the brewery. Participating Gasthäuser are "Alte Backstubn," "Hoffmanns Keller," "Gasthof Krone" "Bayerischer Hof" (all in Spalt), "Lindenwirt" (in Grossweingarten), "Zum Schnapsbrenner" (in Grossweingarten), "Zur Einkehr" (in Güsseldorf) and "Gasthaus Blumenthal" (in Stiegelmühle). To learn more, call the tourist information of the city at 09175 - 7965-0 or visit www.spalter-bier.de.
Bamberg Bicycle Fair
The annual Bamberger Fahrradmesse, hosted by the city and Radio Bamberg, takes place on Maxplatz April 20 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors can find out about the latest trends or test a bicycle on a course set up in the center. To learn more, visit mybamberg.de.
Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival in Fürth
The annual Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival at the Grüne Halle (Krautheimer Strasse 11) in Fürth April 21 offers lots of events and Japanese style entertainment. There will be performances of Sumo wrestlers, Ikebana, Aikido, Iaido, Karate, Kobudo, Manga Cosplay, Koto, Haiku and Shakuhachi; watch a Japanese tea ceremony, learn how to do Origami and much more. The festival is open from noon to 8 p.m.; admission fee for adults is 6 euros; children 12 years and younger enter free. To learn more, visit www.gruenehalle.de.
Annual Day of the Beer
On April 23, German beer brewers celebrate what's often considered the oldest consumer protection law, the Bavarian Reinheitsgebot from 1516. The Reinheitsgebot, literally the "purity order," is often translated as the "German Beer Purity Law" or the "Bavarian Purity Law" and is a regulation concerning the production of beer in Germany. In the original text, the only ingredients that could be used in the production of beer were barley, hops and water; later on the addition of yeast was permitted.
Beer Day in Bamberg
An annual highlight for beer lovers in Bamberg is the "Day of the Beer" in the pedestrian zone April 23; taste different kinds of beer like Pils, Rauchbier or WeiYbier -- just make sure you have a designated driver or use public transportation! To learn more, visit www.bamberg.info
Venetian Market in Nürnberg
The Venetian Market downtown Nürnberg is scheduled to take place April 24 through May 1; this is an opportunity to enjoy the Italian way of life with Italian food or taking rides in a gondola down the Pegnitz river. The "Carnevale di Venezia" takes place April 28 at 2 p.m. near the Liebesinsel, which can be observed from the Fleischbruecke near the Hauptmarkt. To learn more, visit www.venezianischermarkt.de.
Pottery Market in Nürnberg
The Nürnberg Töpfermarkt (pottery market) April 27 and 28 features potters and other ceramic artists at the Hauptmarkt from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Marktfest Markt Erlbach
The Marktfest Markt Erlbach, located between Waaggasse and Bürgerhaus, starts at noon April 27 with an interesting entertainment program. To learn more, visit www.markt-erlbach.de.
Celtic Angels in Ansbach
The Celtic Angels, Irish singers and musicians, are coming to the Onoldia Center (Nürnberger Str. 32) in Ansbach April 27 at 8 p.m.
Day of the Beer celebrated in Bad Windsheim
The annual Day of the Beer is celebrated in the Freilandmuseum (Eisweiherweg 1) Bad Windsheim April 28 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. The Hofbrauhaus from 1699 will be operating and producing beer; the brewery master of the museum will explain the process in another brewery also located on the museum grounds. To learn more, visit www.freilandmuseum.de.
Dog Day Bamberg
An adventure and information day for dog owners takes place in Bamberg on the training area of the German Shepherd Club of Bamberg (Memmelsdorfer Str. 217, close to Memmelsdorf exit on A73) April 27 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The dog fair offers information about canine health, feeding, education and equipment. Admission tickets are 5 euros. To learn more, visit www.dogday-bamberg.de or call Stadtmarketing Bamberg at 0951- 20 10 30.
Fürther Stadtlauf -- City Run in Fürth
The annual city run in Fürth is scheduled for April 28; the entertainment program begins at 10 a.m., the main run starts at 1 p.m. For program details and registration, visit www.fuerthlauf.de.
Würzburger Residenzlauf - City Run in Würzburg
The Würzburg city run with start and finish line at the Residenz is scheduled for April 28 at 10:45 a.m. A circular course takes the runners around the Residenz and through its parks; the course is considered the fastest 10k run in Germany and especially suited for families with children. To learn more, go to www.residenzlauf.de.
German holiday on May 1
May 1 is Tag der Arbeit, the German "Labor Day," and is a nationally observed holiday, which means that stores and businesses will remain closed and public transportation services will be reduced. In larger cities demonstrations and parades organized by unions or political parties can be expected.
Frühlingsfest in Ansbach
The Ansbach spring fest starts May 3 with the official tapping of the first keg by Lord Mayor Seidel at 7 p.m. at the Festplatz (Nürnberger Strasse). Music, entertainment and rides will be offered daily until May 9. To learn more, visit www.festzelte-papert.de
Frühlingsfest in Neustadt a. d. Aisch
The Neustadt spring fest is scheduled for May 3 through 5 with daily entertainment and open air music in the evenings. Stores will be open Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m.
Museumskirchweih at Freilandmuseum Bad Windsheim
The open air museum Bad Windsheim (Eisweiherweg 1) is hosting a Kirchweih fest on May 4 and 5, beginning at 10 a.m. The Kirchweih traditions include the raising of the Kirchweih tree and the Betzentanz (dancing for a sheep) May 5 starting at 2 p.m. To learn more, visit www.freilandmuseum.de.
Blaue Nacht in Nürnberg
The "Blaue Nacht" in Nürnberg takes place on May 4, starting at 7 p.m.; it is a night filled with special events, artistic displays and, of course, blue lights everywhere. To learn more, visit www.blauenacht.nuernberg.de.
Ansbacher City-Lauf - City Run in Ansbach
The Ansbach city run with 10-kilometer and half-marathon routes, takes place May 5 with start and finish at the Brücken-Center. To learn more or register, visit www.ansbacher-citylauf.de.
Weltkulturerbelauf Bamberg - City Run in Bamberg
The Bamberg city run is scheduled for May 5 beginning at 11:30 a.m.; the run takes participants through the center and past the seven hills lining of the city. To learn more, visit, www.weltkulturerbelauf.de.
Wine fest in Bamberg
The annual wine fest on Maxplatz in Bamberg May 16 through 20 gives the wine growers of the area the opportunity to show off their products to the community. Visitors can taste Franconian wines and local specialties while listening to live music. Opening hours are May 16 from 3 to 9 p.m., May 17 and 18 from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and May 19 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. To learn more, call Bamberg Stadtmarketing at 0951- 20 10 30 or visit http://bamberger-weinfest.mybamberg.de.
Social Sharing