German-American Community Office

04/11/2026

🎶 **From Bach to Klezmer – An Evening of Music at Kaiserslautern’s Stiftskirche**

What do Johann Sebastian Bach, tango and Klezmer music have in common? Find out on **Friday, November 6**, when clarinetist **Helmut Eisel** and harpist **Birke Falkenroth** bring their musical duo to the historic Stiftskirche in Kaiserslautern.

Their program takes the audience on a musical journey that moves between classical compositions by Johann Sebastian Bach, Max Bruch and Ernest Bloch, expressive tango melodies, and lively, groove-filled Klezmer music.

Inspired by the story of King David, who is said to have played the harp to entertain his guests, the duo brings together the rich sound of the clarinet and the delicate tones of the harp. The result is an unusual and captivating combination of musical styles – from contemplative and lyrical moments to rhythms that might just get your feet tapping!

📅 **Friday, November 6, 2026**
🕗 **8:00 PM**
📍 **Stiftskirche Kaiserslautern**

🎟️ Tickets are available in advance at Thalia Kaiserslautern and at the door. Reservations are welcome at **[email protected]**.

The concert is held in cooperation with the Cultural Affairs Department of the City of Kaiserslautern.

An evening for anyone who enjoys discovering music beyond familiar boundaries!

30/10/2026

🍂 **GACO EXPLAINS: REFORMATION DAY & ALL SAINTS’ DAY – TWO GERMAN HOLIDAYS AROUND HALLOWEEN**

October 31 – what does that mean in Germany? Halloween, of course! 🎃 But there is another important occasion on this date: Reformation Day!

🔨 **Reformation Day – October 31**

Reformation Day commemorates the beginning of the Protestant Reformation in 1517, when Martin Luther challenged certain practices of the Catholic Church by publishing his famous 95 Theses. According to tradition, he nailed them to the door of the All Saints’ Church in Wittenberg. Whether he actually did so is still debated by historians.

His ideas sparked a movement that profoundly changed Christianity and European history. Today, Reformation Day is an important holiday in many Protestant communities and a public holiday in several German states. In Rhineland-Palatinate, however, it is not a public holiday.

🕯 **All Saints’ Day – November 1**

One day later, Catholic communities observe All Saints’ Day. The holiday honors all saints – not only those officially recognized by the Church, but also countless others whose names are unknown.

In many Catholic parts of Germany, including Rhineland-Palatinate, it is a public holiday. A common tradition is to visit cemeteries, decorate family graves with flowers and light candles in memory of loved ones.

This is also closely connected to **All Souls’ Day (November 2)**, when Catholics traditionally remember and pray for the deceased.

📍 **Good to know for the KMC:** While Reformation Day is a regular working day here, All Saints’ Day is a public holiday in Rhineland-Palatinate. So if you're planning errands or shopping around November 1, keep that in mind!

Whether you celebrate one of these religious holidays, enjoy Halloween, or simply make the most of the autumn season – we wish you a lovely weekend!

30/10/2026

🎃👻 **GACO WEEKEND PICKS: HALLOWEEN IN KAISERSLAUTERN!**

Looking for some Halloween fun around Kaiserslautern? Whether you're into Japanese folklore, family-friendly spooky adventures or a little creative Halloween spirit, there are some fun local events to check out!

👹 **YOKAI FEST – Japanese Garden Kaiserslautern**
📅 Saturday, October 31 | Admission from 10 AM, program from 12 PM to 5 PM

Discover the fascinating world of Japanese supernatural creatures and folklore! This community event features traditional Japanese festival games, a ghost-themed scavenger hunt, photo spots, a Yokai costume contest and a festive parade through the garden. A unique Halloween experience for families, cosplay fans and anyone curious about Japanese culture.

🦇 **HALLOWEEN AT KAISERSLAUTERN ZOO**
📅 Saturday, October 31 | 6:30–9 PM

Little witches, vampires and monsters are invited to a spooky evening at the zoo! Children ages 6 and up can take part in a Halloween scavenger hunt, solving riddles and completing mysterious challenges at different stations. Those who finish the rally will receive a little surprise. Costumes are welcome, and food and drinks will be available.

⚽ **HALLOWEEN AT THE BETZETREPPE**
📅 Friday, October 30 | 6–7:30 PM

Kick off Halloween weekend with a creative community event at the famous steps leading up to the Fritz-Walter-Stadion! Come in costume, decorate the steps with colorful chalk drawings and motivational messages, and meet Betzi, the FCK mascot, who is expected around 6:30 PM. There will be prizes for the best chalk artwork and Halloween costume. Everyone is welcome!

Have a spooky and fun Halloween weekend, Kaiserslautern! 🎃

28/10/2026

🏛️ **GACO EXCURSION TIP: Last Chance to Visit “VENI VIDI PLAYMOBIL” in Homburg!**

Calling all PLAYMOBIL fans, history lovers and families! ⏳ If you haven’t visited yet, this is your last chance: the special exhibition **“VENI VIDI PLAYMOBIL – Life in the Roman Province”** at the Roman Museum in Homburg-Schwarzenacker closes on **October 31, 2026**.

Hundreds of PLAYMOBIL figures bring everyday life in the Roman world to life in more than 50 detailed miniature scenes. Discover Roman craftspeople, soldiers, families, shops and much more — all inspired by archaeological sites and the history of the region.

It’s a fun way to explore ancient history for visitors of all ages, and you don’t need to speak German: **the exhibition information and digital interactive features are also available in English and French.** There’s even a free Actionbound activity to make your visit more interactive!

📍 **Roman Museum Schwarzenacker**
Homburger Straße 38, 66424 Homburg-Schwarzenacker

🗓️ **Last day: Saturday, October 31, 2026**
⏰ Saturday opening hours: 9 AM–6 PM
🎟️ Regular museum admission applies.

Make the most of the final days before the museum closes for its winter break!

🔗 Details, admission and visitor information:
https://www.roemermuseum-schwarzenacker.de/

27/10/2026

🍇🍂 **GACO EXPLAINS: FEDERWEISSER & ZWIEBELKUCHEN – A TASTE OF PALATINATE AUTUMN**

Have you tried *Federweißer* yet? This seasonal specialty is one of the flavors of autumn in the Palatinate! 🍷

Federweißer is young grape must that has already started fermenting. Lightly sparkling, cloudy and fruity, its flavor changes as fermentation continues. Traditionally, it is enjoyed with **Zwiebelkuchen**, a savory German onion tart – a classic autumn pairing in the region.

⏳ **The season is almost over!** Federweißer is usually available from late August through October, although some w**eries and seasonal w**e taverns along the German W**e Route may continue serving it into early November.

You can often find it directly at local w**eries, w**ery shops, seasonal w**e taverns (*Straußwirtschaften*), farmers’ markets and selected supermarkets or beverage stores. Availability varies, so check with the w**ery before making a special trip!

🥧 Want to bring a taste of the Palatinate into your own kitchen? Our guide also includes a simple Zwiebelkuchen recipe you can try at home.

One important reminder: Federweißer contains alcohol, and its sweetness can make it easy to underestimate its effects. **Enjoy responsibly, plan a sober ride, and never drink and drive.**

🍇 Don't wait too long if you'd like to experience this seasonal Palatinate tradition!

23/10/2026

23/10/2026

🍂 **GACO EXPLAINS: What Is Mantelsonntag? + 5 Autumn Shopping Destinations**

Ever wondered why some German towns open their shops on a Sunday in late October? 🇩🇪

Traditionally, *Mantelsonntag* was the day to buy a new coat before winter arrived. Today, many towns combine this autumn shopping Sunday with seasonal markets, fairs, and family-friendly activities.

Looking for a fall day trip? Here are five places to explore on **Sunday, October 25**:

🛍️ **Speyer** – Enjoy an autumn shopping stroll, with stores open from 1–6 PM, and visit the Speyer Autumn Fair (*Herbstmesse*), which runs through October 25.

🍁 **Worms** – Browse the shops from 1–6 PM and discover seasonal market activities in the city center.

🍷 **Mainz** – Combine shopping from 1–6 PM with the *Fête de la Gastronomie* at Gutenbergplatz, featuring specialties from Burgundy and the Jura region of France.

🎪 **Bingen am Rhein** – Celebrate the season at the Autumn Festival with market stalls, shopping, food, and family activities, including a Halloween program for children.

🎠 **Bad Bergzabern** – Visit the autumn fair on Schlossplatz, running October 23–26, and combine the funfair atmosphere with Sunday shopping. Shops are scheduled to open from **12–5 PM**.

Whether you're looking for seasonal treats, local shopping, or a fun family outing, these events offer a glimpse into a German autumn tradition.

📌 **Tip:** Sunday opening hours and event schedules can vary, so check the official event pages before heading out.

21/10/2026

🚀 **FROM SPACE SHUTTLES TO SPACE STATIONS: Meet a NASA Astronaut in Speyer!**

What is it really like to travel to space, live in weightlessness, and see Earth from orbit? 🌎✨

This Saturday, former NASA astronaut **Marsha Ivins** will share her experiences at the Technik Museum Speyer – and you're invited to join the journey!

Ivins flew **five space missions aboard the Space Shuttles Columbia and Atlantis**, spent nearly 56 days in space, and visited both the Russian space station Mir and the International Space Station (ISS). Now, she'll take you behind the scenes of space travel and share personal stories from her extraordinary career.

🇺🇸 **The presentation will be held in English**, making it a great opportunity for English-speaking visitors and space enthusiasts of all ages.

👨‍🚀 **A special bonus for younger space fans:** Children up to age 14 can have a souvenir photo taken with Marsha Ivins after the presentation.

📅 **Saturday, October 24, 2026**
🕑 **2:00–3:30 PM**
📍 **FORUM Cinema, Technik Museum Speyer**
🎟️ Included with regular museum admission

Make a day of it and explore the museum's *“Apollo and Beyond”* space exhibition while you're there!

🔗 Details and tickets: https://www.technik-museum.de/en/events/calendar/marsha-ivins/

🚀 An exciting opportunity to hear firsthand what it's like to explore the final frontier!

*Please note: This is an external event. GACO is sharing the information as a recommendation for the community.*

19/10/2026

🎡🇩🇪 **GACO EVENT TIP: Lautrer Oktoberkerwe**

Looking for a fun way to experience a classic German fair? **The Lautrer Oktoberkerwe** is back at the Messeplatz in Kaiserslautern from **October 16–26**!

For eleven days, you can enjoy a mix of **thrill rides, classic carnival attractions, food, b**r gardens, music and entertainment** – including the giant **“White Wheel” Ferris wheel**, *Gladiator*, *Nightfly No Gravity*, *Breakdance*, *Musikexpress*, the *Geister Tempel* haunted house and plenty of rides for younger visitors. 🎢🎠

And the best part: **admission to the fairgrounds is free!**

📅 **October 16–26, 2026**
📍 **Messeplatz Kaiserslautern**
🎟️ **Free admission**

✨ **Opening night – October 16:**
The fair opens at 5 PM, followed by a parade at 6:30 PM, the traditional b**r tapping at 7 PM and an **opening fireworks display around 9 PM**.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 **Family Day – October 21:**
Half-price rides and admission, plus special offers from 2–10 PM.

🎆 **Final fireworks – October 26:**
The Oktoberkerwe wraps up with another fireworks display around 9 PM.

And while you're there, don't miss the **“Shopping-Gässje”** and the many classic German fair foods – from savory treats to sweets and roasted almonds.

🇺🇸 **New to the German “Kerwe” tradition?** Think carnival, county fair and local festival all rolled into one – with a distinctly German/Pfälzer twist!