Top 6 Events in Middle Franconia, Bavaria

Nuremberg's Christmas Market starts at the end of November and continues through December. It's a traditional festive German market with yuletide treats like gluhwein, gingerbread and Nuremberg's famous bratwurst sausages. The opening ceremony is presented by the glamourous Christkind, who recites her now famous Christmas speech to thousands in the Main Market Square. You could also take a city tour in the old fashioned stage coaches and enjoy the nostalgic Christmas tunes the coachman plays on his trumpet. Finally take a walk up the steps of the Church of Our Lady for a spectacular view of the market's red and white coloured stalls and decorative lights. The children's market section is ideal for families.

Mix together a parade of beer carriages and marching bands, a funfair featuring swooping roller coasters, water rides, and a giant ferris wheel, and stalls serving up savory Bavarian bratwurst and roast chicken and you get the Nürnberger Volksfest. One of Bavaria's most scenic cities, Nuremberg celebrates the region's culture with two annual two-week folk fests, one in late March and the second in late August. The festivals date back to 1826, when locals organized a celebration for the birthday of King Ludwig I. While traditional costumes, cuisine, and crafts remain a part of today's events, the neon-lit funfair adds a dazzling modern element that attracts visitors from far and wide.

For those who love a headbang and a mosh pit wrestle, Rock am Ring should be a favorite as it’s one of Europe’s biggest rock music festivals. Held on an old airbase in Western Germany’s Mendig, the event acts as a twin to Rock im Park in Nuremburg. That means there’s double the music and double the chance to grab a ticket. Now coming up to thirty years of rocking, Rock am Ring was originally intended to just be a one-time thing but, due to popular demand, it’s become a calendar fixture for all rock-lovers. As well as big time acts such as Iron Maiden and Metallica, the festival is known for showcasing new talent while also being used as a lab. Yes, in 1997 the festival was used to monitor the effects of large bodies all jumping at once. Who knew science could be so fun?