Walpurgis in the Harz Mountains
When witches fly on their brooms and devils swing their tridents in the Harz Mountains, one thing is clear: Walpurgnisnacht is just around the corner. Holidaymakers and tourists travelling to the Harz Mountains at the end of April will see numerous witch dolls dangling from lanterns or hanging from house walls and trees in many places. The witches' festival on the last night of April is all about dark powers and mysterious myths. Numerous villages around the Brocken traditionally organise Walpurgis celebrations in the spirit of the mystical witch cult.
In many places, the devil's cult, a mixture of magic and customs, delights visitors and guests of all ages, young and old. Walpurgis Night is ideal for families with children as well as couples or singles, as the more than 30 towns in the Harz region offer a wide variety of events, including parades, medieval markets and, in some places, the election of the May Queen. While the spa gardens in Hahnenklee-Bockswiese are lit up at night, a wonderful firework display is held in front of the Kranich pond. Music lovers can look forward to Walpurgis in the Harz Mountains, as Goethe's Faust is performed in the form of a unique rock opera in the hostel on the Brocken. However, many visitors also use the Harz narrow-gauge railway to get to the famous witches' dance floor, where an exciting programme of shows and entertainment awaits them. It's clear: Walpurgis Night in the Harz Mountains has something for everyone.
The significance of Walpurgis in the Harz Mountains
The Walpurgis festival in the Harz Mountains has been a tradition for several hundred years and is intended to drive away winter for good and at the same time welcome spring with cheerfulness. The history of the European festival dates back to pre-Christian times, whereby it is assumed that the inhabitants of the Harz Mountains at that time celebrated such a spring festival more than 1,000 years ago, on the occasion of which offerings were made to the Germanic god Wodan. As well as celebrating the arrival of spring, the festival also served to drive away evil spirits by dressing up in costumes and masks.
According to legend, witches gather every year above the Bode Valley at the witches' dance site near Thale to fly together to the Brocken and marry the devil there. Once at the actual meeting point of the witches' festival, all the witches danced around the fire and the devilish goings-on took their course. By marrying the devil, the witches were supposed to gain the magical powers of sorcery.
The historical development of Walpurgis Night
Regardless of the truth of the legend, the spring festival of pagan origin is still known beyond the borders of the Harz Mountains today. In the course of Christianisation, the representatives of the new religion at the time tried to adapt the customary festival to the new circumstances, but were unsuccessful. It was particularly important to the missionaries of the time to condemn everything pagan. Nevertheless, the festival, which gained its fame primarily through Goethe's "Faust", underwent a number of changes over the centuries. How exactly the ancient Germanic tribes celebrated it, however, can only be surmised today.
A Walpurgis celebration was officially organised for the first time in 1896, after which it was even possible for revellers to climb the Brocken summit on the Brocken Railway from 1899, until Prince von Stolberg-Wernigerode finally banned the mystical celebrations from 1901. This eventually led to more and more towns and cities in the Harz region organising annual celebrations on the eve of 1 May.
During the division of Germany, no Walpurgis celebrations took place in the former GDR. It was only after the end of this division that celebrations and parties in the style of witches and devils were organised again in the eastern part of the Harz Mountains. Over time, the Walpurgis Festival developed into a tradition with the character of a folk festival, which still attracts around 100,000 visitors to the Harz Mountains every year.
The witches' dance floor
The Hexentanzplatz is certainly one of the most famous excursion destinations in the entire Harz Mountains. After all, the historic plateau near Thale in the Harz Mountains is precisely the place where, according to legend, the witches meet on 30 April to continue their ritual dance to the Brocken where they will try the devil's hand. It is therefore hardly surprising that the witches' dance site is a magnet for numerous visitors, especially on Walpurgis Night, who are mesmerised by the spring festival.
A real experience awaits you here on a night full of live acts, fireworks and laser shows surrounded by thousands of people dressed up as ghoulish devils, witches or fantasy creatures.
Walpurgis events 2025
The following selected events and happenings await you around Walpurgis Night in the Harz Mountains. This is just a small selection of Walpurgis events worth seeing. Be sure to take a look at our events calendar to discover more exciting Walpurgis events.
Walpurgis spectacle in Schierke
It's Walpurgis time in Schierke
- 30.04.2025 - 11:00 to 24:00
01.05.2025 - 11:00 to 17:00 - Once again this year there will be a large number of artists, bands and performers who make Walpurgis in Schierke what it is. A medieval festival on the Walpurgis days in the Harz Mountains.
- Koenix, Nobody Knows, Zeter & Mordio, Bergfolk, Duivelspack, Bohemian Bards, Cathedral Pipes, Chibraxa, Lautnhals, Rino der Barde, Flo der Spielmann, Feline Federglanz, Hashoch Himilsanc, Die Wilde Jagd, Z(w)eitreise, ...
Walpurgis celebration in Harztor
On 30.04.2025 it will be mystical and sociable again in Harztor. We cordially invite you to the Walpurgis celebrations. Fires will be lit, music will be played and we will celebrate together at four special locations in the municipality. Come along, bring your family and friends. Food and drink and a good atmosphere are provided everywhere.
Ilfeld: at the barbecue area
Neustadt: at the barbecue area
Herrmannsacker: at the Ebersburg castle
Niedersachswerfen: on the sports field
Walpurgis in the Altenau witches' cauldron
Celebrate the legendary Walpurgis Night with us on Wednesday, 30 April, in the popular Altenau witches' cauldron!
Experience the mystical, smoking witches' cauldron and the rustic witches' hut as a photo spot! The Altenau witches' group "Hexen vom Bruchberg" will also be there again! In addition, you can expect a great children's programme, the live band "Two Voices and Friends", a brilliant fire show and the May welcome fireworks after the devil's speech and the appearance of the May Queen! Best of all: ADMISSION IS FREE!
The mysterious Walpurgis Market also attracts visitors to the Altenau witches' cauldron with hellish delicacies such as devil's sausage, witches' steak and sweet treats. Drinks of all kinds are provided and colourful cocktails bubble away in the witches' cauldron!
Matching accessories for witches and devils such as hats, horns and brooms can be purchased directly on site.
Walpurgis market in Thale
The biggest Walpurgis night in the Harz Mountains on the Hexentanzplatz
On 30 April 2025, the Bode Valley will be transformed into a seething cauldron of witches when the "Night of Nights" takes place on the legendary Hexentanzplatz.
Countless witches and devils meet here for the traditional Walpurgis Night to celebrate the traditional spring spectacle in this mystical place.
You can already look forward to a great stage programme with live music, a mystic, laser and devil show as well as a brilliant firework display!
Walpurgis in Sankt Andreasberg
On 30 April, Sankt Andreasberg will once again be transformed into a magical place.
The "Family Walpurgis" starts at 3 pm in front of the Kurhaus.
There's plenty on offer for the kids:
Lace-making bracelets and spider webs, a bouncy castle, face painting and a craft street, witches' and devils' diplomas, medieval broom tying, a slalom run with a broom, pot-knocking, hellish stories, puppet shows at the witches' castle, witches' drink and devil's brew.
The Heimatbund Sankt Andreasberg plays and sings as a musical prelude. At 6 pm, the witches and devils can take part in a procession, followed by a small brass band concert by the WIM. Walpurgis Night begins at 8 pm in the Kurhaussaal with the band "Manifold" and devilishly good music from "Tobbe".
This year, a May Queen will be honoured again.
Walpurgis in Hahnenklee
On 30 April 2025, Hahnenklee will be transformed into a seething cauldron of witches as the traditional Walpurgis Festival celebrates its 100th anniversary. The colourful hustle and bustle in the spa gardens begins in the early afternoon with a mysterious Walpurgis market offering hellish delicacies such as devil's sausage and sweet witches' balls. For younger guests, there are free transformations into witches and devils by colourful magicians. A children's procession, led by the head witch, moves from the large car park at the stave church to the spa gardens, where a welcoming bonfire is lit. Afterwards, the children can prove their courage in scary games and earn the magical Order of the Witch, which grants them free entry to Walpurgis Night in the evening.
A special highlight is the flash mob at 4.30 pm, when all the witches celebrate "100 years of Walpurgis in Hahnenklee" together. In the evening, a varied stage programme with DJ Rico, Luise Werner & Band and the show band "Hit Radio Show" ensures an exuberant atmosphere. Shortly before midnight, the drummers from "BOUNDZ" and the aerial acrobat Nikki get the audience going before the Prince of Hell appears and the Queen of May rings in spring. Accompanied by church bells and a magnificent firework display, spring is officially welcomed at midnight.
