Rothenburg ob der Tauber Events, Things to Do and Festivals 2014 / 2015
(Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Bavaria, Germany)
Wandering and wondering at the glorious vistas and ancient structures in Rothenburg ob der Tauber will probably be most visitors' main occupation during a holiday based in this stunning town. If the timing is right, catching one of Rothenburg ob der Tauber's festivals will prove an added bonus.
Most festivals in the region concentrate on Bavaria's long history and heritage. Leading local events and seasonal things to do include the Shepherds' Dance each April, the Taubertal Festival (Taubertal Open-Air) every August, and the Reichsstadt Festtage in September.
Rothenburg ob der Tauber Calendar of Festivals and Events 2014 / 2015
January
- House of Music (Haus der Musik) - with various theatrical events staged at the start of the year. Past guests have included the likes of the Landestheaters Dinkesbuhle
February
- Valentine's Day (Valentinstag) - February 14th, a relatively recent arrival on the events calendar of Germany, this romantic day has only caught on over the past few decades and sees many restaurants offering sumptuous meals for couples
March
- Easter Festivities - late March / early April, religious events are staged in many of the local churches, with Easter Monday (Ostermontag) being a national public holiday throughout Germany
April
- Historical Shepherds' Dance (Historischer Schafertanz) - performed once every April in front of St. Wolfgang's Church. The original performance took place as long ago as 1517
- Rothenburger Hans Sachs - at the Topplertheater each April, where several performances of riotous comedies by the 15th-century playwright Hans Sachs take place
May
- Rothenburger Half Marathon - late May, based around the cobbled streets, with the 10-km / 6-mile route leading past the Double Bridge and uphill to the Old Town
- Historical Festival Play 'The Master Draught' - performed every May in celebration of the rescuing of the town from destruction during the 30 Years' War. This always includes a military parade
- Historical Shepherds' Dance (Historischer Schafertanz) - staged twice every May in front of St. Wolfgang's Church. Also performed each April and September
- Historiches Festpiel 'Der Mesitertrunk' - late May / early June, held annually on Whitsuntide (Pentecost Sunday), with street processions, markets and dancing, all of which is centred around the reenactment of the legendary story of 'Meistertrunk'
June
- Father's Day (Vatertag) - mid-June, held each year on Ascension Day, when German father's head to countryside pubs to enjoy a boozy lunch with family and friends
July
- Summer Events - throughout July, these include markets, wine tastings and hiking tours of the surrounding countryside, amongst other activities during the sunny weather
August
- Wine Festival - held annually in August, with street stalls in the Rathaus courtyard, the Green Market and the square outside St. Jacob's Church offering over 70 kinds of wine and gastronomic treats specially created by chefs for the occasion. Brass bands, cabarets, fashion shows and stage performances complete the picture
- Taubertal Festival (Taubertal Open-Air) - mid-August, staged over a weekend, with live outdoor summer concerts based within the Tauber Valley, alongside the Tauber River. This extremely popular rock / pop music fest is attended by more than 25,000 visitors and attracts many famous bands, which in the past have included the likes of Maximo Park and the Prodigy
- Hot Air Ballooning - for the whole of August, visitors get the chance to see the town in an entirely new perspective from a hot air balloon. Daily flights depart at 18:30 (weather dependent)
September
- Reichsstadt Festtage - early September, with the town's rich heritage being celebrated in style with a series plays performed in the streets
- Historical Shepherds' Dance (Historischer Schafertanz) - performed once every September in front of St. Wolfgang's Church
- Imperial City Festival - takes place every September and is the highlight of the town's events, with costumed knights, peasants and soldiers, staged medieval events, a traditional cattle market, fireworks, the firing of cannons and much more besides
October
- Autumn Hiking Weeks - take place for two successive weeks each October, providing free guided hikes around the town and its surroundings
- Rothenburger Herbst - late October, an autumnal celebration with street entertainment remembering important historical events from the city's past
November
- Christmas Market (Weihnacht Reiterlesmarkt) - runs from the last week in November to December 23rd and was first held in the 15th century, making it the oldest in Germany. With candlelight processions, street stalls everywhere and lots of Gluhwein (hot mulled wine)
December
- Christmas (Weihnachtstag) - with midnight masses, carols, family events and a great deal of eating and drinking
- St. Stephen's Day (Zweiter Weihnachtsfeiertag) - December 26th, more festive merriment throughout the town
- New Year's Eve - December 31st, with large parties hosted by many hotels and venues in the city centre