USAG Bavaria-Garmisch Community Host Nation Newsletter 20221222

USAG Bavaria - Garmisch Community

Host Nation Newsletter

Out and About...

Until Fri, 23 December, 12 – 8 p.m., Sat until 9 p.m., Garmisch-Partenkirchen, RichardStrauss-Platz, Christmas Market

Until Sat, 24 December, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m., Bad Tölz, Christmas Market

Until December 24, 4. 30 - 10 p.m., Bad Baiersoien, throughout the village, Advent Calendar route, Every day from 1 – 24 December a decorated window in one of the houses will be opened and lit. The windows will be on display until 6 January.

Until Sat, December 31, Munich, Theresienwiese, Tollwood Festival, Spreading joy, celebrating culture and raising awareness for the environment and social equality are all on the agenda at this Munich festival. Market only until 23 Dec.

Until Fri, January 5, Seefeld/Austria, Christmas Market, The traditional Advent and Christmas Market in Seefeld offers lovingly-decorated huts in Tyrolean style. The visitor has the choice of truly authentic fare, from tasty snacks to regional hand crafted decorations and the sounds of the Seefeld traditional band. Children can create their own Christmas decorations and presents in the play area or they can write a letter to Santa Claus and post it at the angels’ letter box.

Until January 6, Partenkirchen, Krippenweg, Look at beautiful nativity scenes! 31 shop windows in Ludwigstrasse and Bahnhofstrasse, as well as the Werdenfels Museum invite you to enjoy the varied and imaginative nativity scenes. A map with the locations will be available in the stores, in the town hall and in the tourist information office.

Until January 6, Oberammergau,Center, Krippenweg, Oberammergau invites you to a Christmas window walk. From the first Sunday in Advent to Epiphany, stylish nativity scenes and scenes from the Christmas story are presented here in the handcrafted Oberammergau tradition. Starting at the Protestant church, follow the signs to the various stores and the Oberammergau Museum to the end point at the Catholic church and discover nativity scenes made of wood, wax, clothes or paper and terracotta.

Until January 6, 1– 7 p.m., Innsbruck, Hungerburg, Panorama Christmas Market, the funicular ride with the Hungerburgbahn is a real adventure, and the Hungerburg station offers a wonderful panoramic view. Hot punch, snacks and market stands with Christmas tree decorations are waiting for you. Market open until 6 January, Mon - Fri from 1 - 7 p.m., on weekends and holidays from noon - 7 p.m.

Until January 8, Garmisch-Pa., Mohrenplatz, Winterzauber – Ice Skating and Eisstock (curling) at the Mohrenplatz until 6 January 20. Skates and Eisstock rental available.

Until January 8, 1 - 5 p.m., Oberau, near Verkehrsamt/Rathaus, Krippenmuseum - Exhibition of wonderful hand crafted nativity scenes

Tue – Sun, closed 24 & 31 December. Adults € 3.-, children/youth free up to 15. Every Thursday until March 9, 6 – 9.15 p.m., Berwang/Austria, Egghof Sun Jet Berwang, Night Skiing & Sledding, https://www.berwang.tirol/en

Fri, December 23 and every Friday, 8 a.m., Garmisch, pedestrian zone, Farmer’s Market, fresh produce and local food specialties.

Fri, December 23, 6 – 10 p.m., Farchant, Glühwein Hut, in front of the Rathaus. Almost every little village like Krün, Wallgau, Ohlstadt, Eschenlohe and many others have a Glühwein stand in the middle of town that is usually open in the afternoons and early evening hours. Until 6 January.

Fri, December 23, 8 p.m., Garmisch-Pa., Olympic Ice Stadium, SC Riessersee vs ECDC Memminger Indians

Sat, December 24, 2 p.m., Garmisch, Church, Children’s Mass

Sat, December 24, 3:30 p.m., Garmisch, Church, Holy Mass for Senior Citizens Sat, December 24, 3.30 p.m., Partenkirchen, Church, Children’s Mass

Sat, December 24, 3.30 p.m., Farchant, Church, Children’s Christmas Mass

Sat, December 24, 4.15 p.m., Grainau, School Yard Elementary School, Kirchbichl 8 Children’s Christmas Mass

Sat, December 24, 5 p.m., Klais, Chapel, Christmas Time, Come to rest after all the hustle and bustle and enjoy a contemplative hour with Christmas music, as well as thoughts and words about the "Holy Night". Take the time for this wonderful start to Christmas Eve.

Sat, December 24, 4:30 p.m., Farchant, Cemetery, Christmas at the cemetery

Sat, December 24, 5 p.m., Garmisch, Cemetery, Christmas Serenade by the Musikkapelle Garmisch

Sat, December 24, 5:15 p.m., Grainau, Cemetery, Christmas Serenade by the Musikkapelle Grainau

Sat, December 24, 5.30 p.m., Partenkirchen, Cemetery, Christmas Serenade by the Musikkapelle Partenkirchen

Sat, December 24, 10 p.m., Partenkirchen, Church, Holy Mass – Christmette, Christmas organ music starts at 9 p.m.

Sat, December 24, 9.30 p.m., Grainau, Church, Holy Mass – Christmette

Sat, December 24, 11 p.m., Garmisch, Church, Holy Mass – Christmette

Sat, December 24, 11 p.m., Ettal, Monastery, Holy Mass – Christmette

Remember that all the shops close by midday on the 24th– no more last minute shopping! Families retreat to their homes to prepare the evening meal on Christmas Eve – and then move on around four thirty/five in the afternoon to one of the graveyards in Partenkirchen, Garmisch or Grainau. The Bavarians have a wonderful custom of taking small Christmas trees (about two feet tall and decorated with real candles) to the graves of their relatives and lighting them. The sight of all those little trees reflected on the highly polished marble graves is one you will not forget very soon. The idea is that you start your celebration with the members of your family who are “no longer physically present.” It is beautiful, respectful, solemn and sobering. Framed with peaceful Christmas music…

All church services during the Christmas Holidays can be found in the Friday edition of the Garmisch-Partenkichner Tagblatt.

Sun, December 25 –Sun, January 15, 4.30 - 9 p.m., Garmisch, Kurpark, Winter at the Park, for many, the Christmas season is the most beautiful time of the year. And we want to extend this time, with daily fascinating light installations, food trucks with regional delicacies and the wonderful feeling of giving the most beautiful time of the year a little more timethat is Winter at the Park. An event for everyone. Guests, locals, shop and restaurant owners. There is the right delicacy for everyone. So young and old, guests and locals meet and enjoy that special time together. Free admission.

Sun & Mon, December 25 & 26, 2 – 6 p.m., Unterammergau, Weiherweg 36 | Unterammergau Christmas Garden, Curling, stalls with mulled wine, punch and treats: The restaurant Hieronymus and associations of the region invite you to their stands in the beer garden. With a magnificent view of the Ammer Valley, you can relax and enjoy the Advent and Christmas season, try your luck on the curling rink, or find some souvenirs and presents.

Sun, December 25, 6 p.m., Garmisch, Congress Hall, Christmas Concert of the Musikkapelle cordially invite you to our traditional Christmas concert in the Festsaal Werdenfels. We want to entertain you with Christmas tunes and sounds. Admission is free, doors open at 5.30 p.m.

Sun, December 25, 6 – 10 p.m., Farchant, Glühwein Hut, in front of the Rathaus.

Tue, December 27 – January 5, 4 - 8 p.m., Partenkirchen, in front of the Parish Church, Hüttenzauber, meet, chat and enjoy some hot Glühwein or Punsch, sweets, Bratwurst, Bavarian specialties, live music.

Tue, December 27, 7 – 8 p.m., Grainau, Church, Alpine Christmas Music, with choir, free admission.

Tue, December 27, 8 - 10 p.m., Garmisch-Pa., Olympic Ice Stadium, Disco Ice Skating, Admission € 6, Skate rental available.

Wed, December 28, 6 - 9 p.m., Oberammergau, Reptile House, Blue Night at the Reptile House, Lüftlmalereck 5 | 82487 Oberammergau, Watch the nocturnal activity of snakes, lizards and tarantulas. Moonlight is an attraction for night owls. Let yourself be carried away into the night of the reptiles. Which animals are awake and which are asleep? Experience poisonous snakes and giant snakes in a completely different way. Adults € 7.50, Children (4 – 13) € 5

Wed, December 28, 8 p.m., Garmisch-Pa., Olympic Ice Stadium, SC Riessersee vs Starbulls Rosenheim

Thu, December 29, 2 – 6 p.m., Grainau, Hike to the Deer Feeding, beautiful winter hike with a cozy stop in the Almhütte, then show feeding by the winter gate from 4 to 5 p.m., then return to Grainau. Admission to the deer feeding is € 3 for adults and € 1 for children over 6 years. Information, registration and meeting point at the Tourist Information Office Grainau.

Thu, December 29, 3 p.m., Grainau, Schneefest – Snow Festival, Celebrate with us at the 23rd Grainau Snow Festival! A lot is offered this year again at the traditional snow festival in Grainau: Music with "Dreisam-Live", the "Neuneralm-Musi", a big tombola with great prizes, sawing competition, extra children's program and much more... At the snow bar you can enjoy coffee, mulled wine, delicious cakes and crepes, hearty barbecue delicacies, as well as Schupfnudeln, Topfennudeln, chips and other delicacies. Admission is free.

Sat, December 31, 9 p.m., Farchant, Silvester Party – New Year’s Eve Party, in front of the Rathaus. Grilled Bratwurst and drinks.

Sat, December 31, 10-11 p.m., Partenkirchen, Maria Himmelfahrt Church, New Year’s Eve Organ works by Bach, Händel, Mozart Vivaldi und Widor, free admission.

If you are looking for a good place to see the Midnight fireworks on 31 December –hike up the path behind the Abrams Complex to the War Memorial (20 minutes) or hike up to the Tannenhütte above Partenkirchen (45 minutes) park by the Panorama restaurant. Bring a bottle of Champagne and some plastic cups or glasses and enjoy the view over the city when the fireworks go off. Torch lights can be purchased at Polz – Schornstrasse 31. People will also celebrate and greet the New Year downtown in the pedestrian zone by the fountain in front of the Congress Hall and around the Marienplatz. After Midnight most places don’t charge admission fees anymore and there is still plenty of time to go out after the fireworks as most places stay open until the early morning hours.

Happy New Year 2023

Alle Gute

zum Neuen Jahr

Sun, Jan 1, New Year’s Day

Sun, January 1, 11.30 a.m., Partenkirchen, Olympic Ski Stadium, New Year’s 4 Hill Ski Jump Tournament - Neujahrsspringen. The 70th Intl. Ski-Jump Competition on New Year’s Day will start with a trial jump at 11:30 a.m. Around 12:30 the actual competition will begin. There will be entertainment during the breaks and before and after the event. Tickets are available at the stadium. Tickets from €32. -. On 31 December the qualifications take place and tickets are €19.-

Fri, January 2, 8 p.m., Garmisch-Pa., Olympic Ice Stadium, SC Riessersee vs Blue Devils Weiden

Tue, January 3, 8 - 10 p.m., Garmisch-Pa., Olympic Ice Stadium, Disco Ice Skating, Admission € 6, Skate rental available.

Wed, January 4, 3.30 p.m. Garmisch-Pa., Gudiberg in Partenkirchen, FIS Ski World CupMen’s Night Slalom, the Gudiberg is located right next to the ski jump in Garmisch-Partenkirchen and is one of the steepest and most difficult slalom slopes in the Alpine World Cup. From the start to the finish, the slope is visible to the spectators. The athletes set off down the start slope with a gradient of 58%. Transitioning to the Partnachwiese, the course continues over the ski jump slope with an inclination of 45%. In the last section, from the WM curve to the finish, the terrain becomes flatter - here you have to take the momentum from the steep slope. Tickets at: https://tickets.muenchentickets.net/ or at the venue. More info: www.skiweltcup-garmisch.com

Thu, January 5, 2 – 6 p.m., Grainau, Hike to the Deer Feeding, beautiful winter hike with a cozy stop in the Almhütte, then show feeding by the winter gate from 4 to 5 p.m., then return to Grainau. Admission to the deer feeding is € 3 for adults and € 1 for children over 6 years. Information, registration and meeting point at the Tourist Information Office Grainau.

Fri, Jan 6, Epiphany – German Holiday, all stores closed

Fri, Jan 6, 12.30 p.m., 52nd Bavarian Championship of Horn sleigh racing, Partenkirchen, Partnachalm by Skistadium

Fri, January 6, 8 p.m., Garmisch-Pa., Olympic Ice Stadium, SC Riessersee vs EV Füssen

Sat, January 7, Noon, Krün, Barmseelift, NostalSki, a historic ski race with old wood skis, knickerbockers and more. Experience a ski race like n the good old days, with historically dressed athletes and the appropriate equipment. Great fest and fun for all spectators.

Sat, January 7, 8 - 10 p.m., Garmisch-Pa., Olympic Ice Stadium, Disco Ice Skating, Admission € 6, Skate rental available.

Sledding and tobogganing routes in Garmisch-Partenkirchen

Toboggan-run at Kainzenbad Length: 1.060 m Difference in altitude: 180 m Prepared nature toboggan run, no sharp turns Degree of difficulty: all of the run = difficult from middle point on = medium 

Toboggan-run at Partnachalm Length: 2000 m Difference in altitude: 280 m Non-cleared street to the Partnachalm, very steep middle part Degree of difficulty: from easy (lower part) to difficult (middle) This run is used for the traditional Bavarian Championship for sleigh races on January 6. The lower part is suitable for children. 

Toboggan-run at St.-Martin at the Grasberg Length: 1600 m Difference in altitude: 320 m Non-cleared street to the Martinshut at the Grasberg partly steep, crossing of hiking-/walking trails (caution-pedestrians!) Degree of difficulty: middle to difficult

Toboggan-run at Hausberg Length: 3900 m Difference in altitude: 650 m Take up the lift to the Hausberg; at the exit of mountain lift station go left; follow the trail; the path from the Bayernhaus via the Kochelbergalm to the valley is prepared as a toboggan-run.

Fri, Jan 6, 12.30 p.m., Garmisch-Pa., Partnachalm by Skistadium: 52nd Bavarian Championship of Horn sleigh racing

The hornsleighs are racing with an unbelievable speed of up to 90 km an hours down from the „Hoher Weg“ above the famous Partnach Gorge to the finish line in the valley. Sometimes the drivers of the sleighs do not bring every person down with them or the sleigh arrives in pieces up to 100 teams with 4 drivers each will compete against each other on Monday, January 6 for the 45th Bavarian Championship of hornsleigh racing. The snow-covered run is 1.200m long and steep!

In 1970 a bunch of friends rescued some rotting hornsleighs out of sheds and basements and held the first hornsleigh race. Stopwatches and torches were attached to the sleighs and off they went!

Today the championship takes a more professional approach. It draws a crowd of about 5.000 spectators every year. The run is properly prepared, the race times are measured by computer and the spectators are informed at all times of the on-goings during the race. During the break, a hornsleigh full with hay will come down the historic run and demonstrate the original use for the sleighs. Food and drink will be available - Glühwein and entertainment will lift your spirits.

Deer Feeding

Thursdays - Sundays (27 Dec. until the end of February) between 4 and 5 p.m. the Forestry department now feeds the deer up by the Kramerplateau near the Almhütte.

Visitors are invited to observe the feeding from behind a shelter. You can even take photos – But NO!! flash. The bright light of the flash would scare the animals and make them run away in panic. For the same reason dogs are not allowed.

There is a small cover charge for adults, small children are free. Drive up to the Almhütte (past the Tierheim) and follow signs to “Wildfütterung”. Children (6 and up) € 1.-, Adults € 3.-

Cross Country Skiing in Seefeld/Austria

Floodlit tracks: You can enjoy cross-country skiing after the sun has set on a section spanning approximately 3 km between the villages of Seefeld and Mösern. Floodlighting is available every evening from about 5 - 8 p.m. There is also a 400m-long night-time track beside the Alpenbad leisure pool, likewise floodlit every day between 5 - 8 p.m.

Dog-friendly track: In Seefeld, we have created a special dog-friendly track for all our four-legged friends and their owners. The track, 1.9 km in length, is located on the A2 Lenerwiese trail and is groomed for both skating and classic-style skiing.

Adaptive cross-country skiing: The Olympiaregion Seefeld also fulfils all the criteria required by wheelchair users for enjoyable -country skiing. Here you can find detailed descriptions of all suitable tracks:

https://www.seefeld.com/en/cross-country-skiing-tyrol/ special-cross-country-skiing-trails

Cross Country Skiing around GAP

Mon - Thu

from 5 – 8 p.m.

The 5 km Night Loipe (tracks) in Kaltenbrunn is open for the public.

All other tracks around GaPa are listed at below link:

https://www.gapa-tourismus.de/en/Sports-andnature/Wintertime/Cross-country-skiing-biathlon

Epiphany Day – January 6

The twelve days of Christmas end with the Feast of Epiphany also called "The Adoration of the Magi" or "The Manifestation of God." Celebrated on January 6, it is known as the day of the Three Kings (or wise men/magi): Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar. According to an old legend based on a Bible story, these three kings saw, on the night when Christ was born, a bright star, followed it to Bethlehem and found there the Christ child and presented it with gold, frankincense and myrrh.

January 6, the last day of Christmas, comes with its own traditions, rituals and symbols. Carolers are going from house to house; in many homes the Christmas tree is taken down and in some areas is burnt in a big bonfire.

In the fourth century, the Western Christian Church as the date of the Feast of Christ’s birth finally adopted December 25.

It is believed that this change in date gave rise to the tradition of the "12 Days of Christmas." While the Western Christian Church celebrates December 25th, the Eastern Christian Church to this day recognizes January 6 as the celebration of the nativity. January 6 was also kept as the physical birthday in Bethlehem. In the Teutonic west, Epiphany became the Festival of the Three Kings (i.e. the Magi), or simply Twelfth day.

On the evening before Three Kings, traditionally there were prayers, blessed dried herbs would be burnt and their aromatic smell would fill the house.

Doorways would be sprinkled with holy water and the master of the house would write with chalk C + M + B and the year above the house and barn door and say: "Caspar, Melchior, Balthasar, behütet uns auch für dieses Jahr, vor Feuer und vor Wassergefahr." ("CMB, protect us again this year from the dangers of fire and water.") C + M + B have traditionally been translated with Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar, however, according to the Church it stands for "Christus Mansionem Benedictat" (Christ bless this home)