To find out more about this year’s Month of the Military Child, please visit: www.neversuchinnocence.com
You can watch the Dandelions music video, a song written by the Armed Forces Children's Choir for Month of the Military Child, on YouTube: Dandelions Music Video.
The Karneval season is back, here you can find out about the range of events leading up to the main parade parties on "Rose Monday."
This year Rose Monday is the 3rd of March. Most cities and towns will be staging parades. Some like Cologne have a whole week of celebrations.
Our home state NRW can rightly claim to be the capital of Karneval. With the OG event in Cologne which has held over 200 Karneval parties. Aachen, Bonn, Dusseldorf, and Paderborn all stage events.
The Dortmund centre presents new exhibitions on the 24th of January. As part of the Phoenix West cultural centre on a old iron works. The blast furnace was converted into a public space.
Since 2023 it has served as a giant canvas for spectacular exhibitions.
Now in its second year you will be able to find brand new exhibitions. Walk through ancient Egypt. See nature up close alongside the works of French oriental artists.
The exhibitions are giant projections in the main hall.
Watch the video below to get a better idea of how the exhibitions look.
Adult tickets are €16.00
5-17 Years €10.00
Family ticket 2 adults and two children 5 -17 years €42
You can book tickets and see more information here
31st Jan - 2nd Feb - Willingen World Cup Ski jumping. Join the 20,000 strong crowd each day. Take the opportunity to watch this unique sporting event whilst you are in Germany.
Winterberg, Willingen are great ski resorts for those starting out on the slopes.
Here you can find the details of Ski schools in the area which offer lessons in English.
Always contact the school to confirm they still have English speaking instructors available.
You will find courses for lots of ages Adults, Children, Tots. in addition learning skiing or snowboarding.
Winterberg
Willingen
Grand Military Gold Cup at Sandown racecourse on Friday 24th January 2025
Including employer engagement, Regimental associations and 3rd Sector stands.
The Grand Military Gold Cup is an historic National Hunt steeplechase, run at Sandown Park and taking place in Jan each year. First run in 1841, the race is restricted to serving Military amateur riders and is the showcase event in a day of celebration of the Armed Forces.
Please see the poster for a discount code that reduces the ticket cost for the following:
Link to book tickets is https://www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/sandown/events-tickets/grand-military-gold-cup-day/
Watching Santa travel across the world on Christmas eve has become a tradition for many families.
Whilst we wait for NORAD to confirm when and where Santa's sleigh will be visible on Christmas Eve. Here are two options to catch sight of Santa right here in Germany and not too far away.
Bochum and Herford both show full a full flying Santa experience at their Christmas markets.
Suspended above the markets Santa and the reindeer fly across the town squares, with music and lights to complete the show.
A 1hr 35 min drive from Sennelager you can see Santa on his flying sleigh daily at 17:00 & 19:00 on Dr.-Ruer-Platz. There are additional flights on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Here are more Christmas Markets to visit this year. The list below provides links to the event websites. The direction links open Google Maps.
We have listed the markets below ordering them by drive time from Sennelager with the closest first.
We are spoilt for choice with cities like, Munster, Osnabruck and Hamlin nearby. Picture perfect old towns like Soest and the medieval centre of Tecklenburg.
You can look further east to check out the Harz mountains towns of Goslar and Quedlingburg.
Though the list and directions are based on driving. You can catch the train also to most of these markets, use this link to check journey times, routes and ticket prices.
There are thousands of markets to see in Germany. This list covers some of the mid size cities and towns you can find.
In the blog we cover the Christmas markets in the largest German cities. If you are new to Germany or are looking for new places to see this year. Read on and find out why people travel from all over the world to enjoy the Christmas Markets in Germany.
You can visit Dortmund and find the largest Christmas Tree in the world. See the 100 markets of Berlin. Visit The magic of Cologne and experience the Red market at the Dom. In Leipzig kids have the chance to see Santa arrive by steam train.
Every German city has unique flavours and traditions to enjoy. Don't miss the opportunity to get your souvenir mugs and glasses.
In the table Below are website links for each city. Use the Google map links for directions from Sennelager.
We are nearly at the opening day for all the Christmas markets in Germany or Weihnachtsmarkt. If the wait is proving too long for you. Have no fear there are plenty of Winterzauber or winter magic events to join this weekend.
Here is the map for all this weeks locations and the link if you are on a MODNet device.
Looking for a steam train with a special visit from Santa / St Niklaus?
These trains tend to sell out fast so if you want to get tickets book early.
Germany offers some great opportunities. One rule you have to remember is book early tickets on most trains will sell out in September / October.
You will need to visit websites and set reminders for the days ticket sales start.
1, Eisbhan Tradition -This service travels from Hovelhof just 10min away from Normandy Bks. THis year the train will run on the 8th Dec and leaves Hovelhof at 11.45am and 15:15. You can either ride the return journey or stop in Gutersloh and enjoy the Christmas market for a few hours and catch the 17:00 train back.
2, Brockenbhan - The Harz Mountains are one of Northern Germany's most loved attraction. Chocolate Box towns and the Brocken. One Santa train service and one Advent Train run each year.
