Bayreuth in winter – the guide for children

Bayreuth is worth a trip in winter too, as locals and tourists alike have plenty of ways to fill the cold winter days with fun, action and enjoyment.

1. Go to the cinema

Winter time is cinema time. While the cold winter air sweeps through the town outside, you can enjoy the warmth of the cosy seats in the new Franz & Gloria Deluxekino at the Cineplex Bayreuth. Modern 3D projectors, five premium screens and the latest Dolby Atmos sound system take the cinema experience to a whole new level. So off you go: grab your partner, your best friend, your mum or your dad and let the magic of the film world enchant you in the screens of the Franz & Gloria deluxe cinema.

2. Skiing in the Fichtelgebirge

Snow-covered peaks and perfectly groomed slopes invite skiers and snowboarders to spend an unforgettable time in the Fichtelgebirge, just a few kilometres from Bayreuth. 13 ski lifts serve the ski area’s nine kilometres of slopes. And if you don’t yet feel confident on two skis, no fewer than three renowned ski schools are there to help. That way, everyone learns within a few days how to glide down the white slopes with their head held high.

3. A winter city tour with a guide or the Future History App

Christmassy city tours through the historic town centre take place daily at 10.30 am during the Christmas season from 27 November to 23 December and from 26 December to 6 January. The meeting point is in front of the Tourist Information, punctually at the start of the tour.

With the Future History App on your smartphone, you can virtually experience a self-guided city tour through Bayreuth’s town centre and get to know Bayreuth from completely different perspectives. Images from the 19th and 20th centuries show how the city’s sights have changed, accompanied by information via audio guide or text. The self-guided city tour is available in German and English for €4.99 via the Future History App in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store.

4. Winter village and Christkindlesmarkt

Anyone who would like to enjoy mulled wine or punch even before Christmas can soak up Alpine flair and a cosy mountain-hut atmosphere at the winter village from 14 October to 31 December 2023. From 27 November 2023, the Christkindlesmarkt then opens with its handicrafts and Christmas specialities.

5. Ice skating at the Bayreuth ice stadium

At the Bayreuth ice stadium, the Bayreuth Tigers regularly chase pucks and points, turning the stadium into a tiger cage. During the winter months, however, the stadium is also open for public skating. Anyone who likes can then practise their skating skills. You can find current information and the winter opening hours on the following page:

6. A relaxed and sustainable winter dinner

How about a relaxed, seasonal cooking evening with your loved ones or all on your own? The run-up to Christmas can sometimes be a little hectic, but preparing and enjoying a meal helps you unwind. Help is at hand, for example, from the Hamsterbacke. In the “Hamsterschmaus” recipe collection you will find simple seasonal dishes to cook yourself. On top of that, the zero-waste shop in the centre of Bayreuth offers the matching ingredients and more inspiration for sustainable living.

7. Sledging in Bayreuth

Winter fun for the whole family is guaranteed when tobogganing on the sledging hill at the Grüner Hügel, so pack your wooden sledges, bum sledges and the like and off you go on a wild ride!

But Bayreuth has more than just one hill for sledging in winter – other options are:

• the Indianerberg at the Klinikum Bayreuth (hospital)
• the Grüner Hügel next to the Bürgerreuth
• the Hagg‘ersch Hügel on Seulbitzer Straße
• the Grunauer Allee
• the Eichelberg

8. A visit to a thermal spa

Relaxation, wellness and water sports are on offer in Bayreuth’s thermal spas and swimming pools. Fun and games for the whole family is the motto at the Therme Obernsees. The Lohengrin Therme and the Siebenquell Therme also invite you to relax. Even in winter, Bayreuth gives you the chance to take a restful trip into the warm water.

9. Winter hiking in Bayreuth and the region

Whether on the Grüner Hügel or in the Fichtelgebirge – an extensive network of winter trails offers the right route for every nature lover. Particularly recommended is the first certified winter hiking trail in Bavaria and Germany on the Ochsenkopf. If you like, you can also take part in a guided snowshoe hike offered by the Fichtelgebirgsverein. You can find information on this on the Fichtelgebirge website.

Get your scarf, hat and gloves out of the drawer and take a walk through Bayreuth’s snowy countryside.

10. Build a snowman

Once your laughter and tummy muscles have had a good workout while tobogganing or hiking, you can let your imagination run wild building a snowman. Build your snowman or snowwoman just the way you like and post it under #bayreuthsschneemänner.

11. Make snowflakes to decorate your windows

What you need:

• Greaseproof paper bags (7–9 per snowflake)
• Glue stick
• Scissors

Instructions:

First, glue the bags on top of each other. Important: all the bags must face the same way, with the opening pointing upwards. Then apply plenty of glue with the glue stick along the bottom end and down the middle of the first bag (like a T). Now place the next bag on top and apply glue in the same way. Repeat this until all the bags are stacked on top of each other. Afterwards, you can style your snowflake by drawing points or curves on it and cutting along them through all the bags glued together. Now unfold the bags. The result: snowflakes, frost flowers or stars.

12. Bake biscuits

Bake genuine Bayreuth “Wagner” biscuits with your loved ones. You can find the matching cookie cutter in the Bayreuth shop at Opernstraße 22.

13. Colour in the new Wilhelmine picture

Would you like to know who Wilhelmine was and what she did for Bayreuth? Then watch our short explainer video about Margravine Wilhelmine. To enjoy your time at home with biscuits and cocoa, you can download the colouring picture of Margravine Wilhelmine here.