Overview

• Tens of thousands are expected to attend Walpurgisnacht celebrations across the Harz region, with Thale’s Hexentanzplatz hosting the prominent 'Nacht der Nächte.'
• Festivities include fire rituals, theatrical performances, live music, and parades, with visitors donning homemade witch and devil costumes.
• The tradition, rooted in pre-Christian spring festivals and later Christianized as a feast for Saint Walburga, has evolved into a major tourism event.
• Family-friendly Hexenfeuer events in Chemnitz and the elaborate Kirchseeoner Hexen dances in Bavaria highlight the diversity of regional celebrations.
• Organizers and local businesses in the Harz area report high visitor interest, with accommodations in major hubs already in short supply.