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Army HIVE Christmas and New Year Closures

The majority of Army HIVEs will be closed after duties on Fri 19 Dec 25 and will reopen on Mon 5 Jan 26. There may be localised variations to these dates for individual HIVEs.

Army HIVE HQ is also closed during the festive fortnight, so any enquiries submitted via the ‘If you need further information’ MS Forms function on our UK, Cyprus or Overseas blogs will be answered when we return in the New Year.

We will periodically cover private messages on our Army HIVE Facebook platform (and X/Instagram where possible) whilst we are closed. However, this will not be 24/7 and should not be relied upon for anything that requires an urgent response.

To support our customers with more immediate requirements however, the Army HIVE HQ email will provide a comprehensive out of office autoreply, detailing points of contact that are either 24/7, emergency providers, or open over the festive leave fortnight. To receive this autoreply, please email:
RC-Pers-HIVEComms-0Mailbox@mod.gov.uk

Individual HIVEs will also provide localised contact details for Christmas and New Year cover wherever possible in their automated replies. Therefore, if you email your closest HIVE, which you can find on HIVE’s page on the Army website, their autoreply may be of additional assistance.

Army HIVE wishes all of its Service community customers, and our internal and external stakeholders, a very happy Christmas and New Year. We look forward to continuing our support and engagement in 2026.


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Friday, September 12, 2025

Germany - What's On This weekend

Krewelshöfe Giant Pumpkin show 13th Sep - 3rd Nov - 2 hr drive  or 2hr 25 to the Eifel location

Giant animal sculptures have been created in the park over 100,000 pumpkins have been used to create Cora the Cobra, Goro the Gorilla and Leo the Lion and more.

Beyond the animal sculptures you will find the Atlantis Pumpkin Show too where you can find Ariel the Mermaid, SpongeBob and friends. tickets are 10.90 for adults, kinds under 90cm are free. Giant pumpkin com0petition, Pumpkin canoes. the site has a farm shop, a play barn and a farm kitchen café.  The site has two locations so make sure you check the website and head to the one you want to visit. 

Full information on the website here



Bad Lippspringe Pumpkin Festival 12th -26th Sep 

Our local festival has opened, tickets available online or at the ticket shop. Over 40,000 pumpkins are transformed into impressive pumpkin sculptures in just a few days. A diverse supporting program and the popular pumpkin quiz for children round out the successful event.

IMAD Festival - Paderborn Dom 12th - 26th Sep

The International Music Days at the Dom are back in 2025 - A whole range of concerts wlil take place in the Dom. You will be able to enjoy a varied programme of concerts. You can get full details and buy tickets here on the festival website.



Wilbassen Market & Fair - Blomberg 12th -15th Sep  Drive time 31 mins


The Wilbassen Market is a traditional folk festival held annually in Blomberg, 
It is one of the oldest and largest folk festivals in the region. Funfair and food are the order of the day with fireworks.

Festival D'Italia Dusseldorf 12th -14th Sep 
Along the Rhine in Dusseldorf this weekend enjoy a food and drink festival with entertainment 40 stands to get food and drink from and 50 artists performing over the weekend. 


The event is free to attend and starts at 12.00 on Sat & Sun. Full details on the website here



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