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The best place to celebrate Halloween in every German state

If you're wondering how to make this year's Halloween extra special, here's our pick of the spookiest events and locations in every German state.

Monsters Halloween Frankenstein
Monsters lie in wait at Burg Frankenstein in Hesse ahead of the annual Halloween celebrations. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Andreas Arnold

Though celebrating Halloween isn’t especially traditional in Germany – in fact, older Germans are much more likely to think of Reformation Day on October 31st – the spookiest day of the year has become increasingly popular in recent years. And we have to say, Germany does it in spooktacularly well.  

Whether it’s candle-lit dinners in haunted castles, midnight walks through eerie forests or costume parties in disused factories, there are endless weird and wonderful events around the country for Halloween fans of all ages.

To give you some inspiration, here are some of the best ways to celebrate this year, no matter what state you live in. 

Bavaria: 

Though most of the biggest Halloween parties tend to take place in Munich, those looking for something extra special will want to go a little further afield to the beautiful Allgäu region at Halloween.  

That’s because the Skyline Park Allgäu – Bavaria’s largest theme-park – is hosting an unmissable Halloween event, complete with fireworks, music, face-painting and even a ‘horror maze’ deep in the heart of the forest. 

Treats (and possibly tricks) are of course on offer and after night falls, the most courageous guests can enjoy a ghoulish walk through the park by torchlight. Various Halloween-themed events are on at the park throughout October and early November, so be sure to check ahead to see what spooky entertainment awaits you.

Baden-Württemberg: 

Halloween just wouldn’t be Halloween without pumpkins, and there’s no better celebration of the humble Kürbis than the world-famous Kürbisausstellung, or pumpkin exhibition, in Ludwigsburg. 

Set in the grounds of the stunning Ludwigsburg palace, guests can explore hundreds of breathtaking artworks made entirely from pumpkins. Over Halloween, budding pumpkin artists can even test their skills in a pumpkin-carving competition before tucking into a hearty Flammkuchen or delicious pumpkin soup.

READ ALSO: The rise and rise of the pumpkin in Germany

Berlin:

Berlin has no shortage of creepy abandoned buildings, which makes it fitting that one of the biggest Halloween parties this year will be held in one. 

If you’re hoping to get goosebumps over the Halloween weekend, head to the abandoned factory at Griefswalder Straße 23a for a truly spine-chilling party over two nights. There’ll be ghouls and monsters of all varieties prowling the night, and even a creepy basement that may well hide a dark secret…

Brandenburg:

Located just outside of Berlin in nearby Potsdam, the Filmpark Babelsberg is definitely the place to be this October – that is, if your nerves can handle it. 

The Filmpark offers an immersive behind-the-scenes look into the world of film and television, and throughout October it recreates blood-curdling sets of some of the most iconic horror films of all time on each of its terrifying “horror nights”

Creepy clowns at Filmpark Babelsberg.

Creepy clowns at Filmpark Babelsberg. Photo: picture alliance / dpa | Ralf Hirschberger

Visitors over the age of 16 will meet hundreds of supernatural monsters on a tour through gloomy abandoned streets, pitch-black horror houses and twisted labyrinths. Those who dare can also come face-to-face with characters like Ghostface and Freddie Kruger in the show-stopping Volcano Arena. 

Bremen: 

To truly get into the spirit of Halloween this year, head down to the enchanted forest at Vahrer Feldweg where nature conservation society NABU is hosting a “Halloween in the Witches’ Forest” event on the eve of the 31st.

There’ll be ghost stories, fun activities and challenges to test your nerves, a roaring campfire and pumpkin and squash carving to boot. Dressing up isn’t obligatory, but there’s prizes up for grabs for the children with the best costumes.

READ ALSO: Halloween in Germany: What are Berlin’s most haunted spots?

Hamburg:

Anyone who’s paid a visit to Hamburg Dungeon in the past will know that this creepy tourist attraction can send shivers down your spine on any month of the year, but the dungeon really comes into its own at Halloween.

This year, there’ll be a Halloween show set in a haunted graveyard where hundreds of people are said to have been buried after losing their lives in a disastrous flood in the year 1020. 

Professional actors will bring this chilling tale to life in an immersive show complete with cinematic sets and special effects. The Halloween show is running until the 31st, photo packages are also on offer if you want to capture your ghoulish costumes and spooky evening out.

READ ALSO: How Halloween is celebrated in Germany

Hesse: 

Aside from Bavaria’s fairytale Schloss Neuschwanstein, there’s arguably no caste in Germany more famous than Frankenstein’s Castle, which is believed to have been the inspiration for Mary Shelley’s well-known tale. 

These days, however, the 1,000-year-old castle is primarily known for it spectacular Halloween celebrations, which have been running for almost five decades since they were first put on by American airmen in 1978. 

In the weeks around Halloween, the castle and its grounds are transformed into a phantasmagoria of monsters and evil beings lurking in the shadows.

Halloween at Frankenstein Castle

A blood-curdling character at Frankenstein Castle’s Halloween Festival in 2018. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Andreas Arnold

Every year, the organisers of the festivals pull yet another technical trick out of their sleeve to ensure that visitors are more spooked than ever – which may be one reason why Frankenstein’s has been described as the most incredible Halloween experience in the world. It’s not for the faint-hearted, but if you think you can handle the adrenaline, it’s bound to be an action-packed night. 

Lower Saxony:

Alongside Moviepark in North Rhine-Westphalia and Europapark in Baden-Württemberg, residents of Lower Saxony will be pleased to know that northern Germany can also go big and bold when it comes to Halloween.

At Heide Park in Soltau, adrenaline junkies will see their favourite rollercoasters transformed into ghoulish ghost rides for three weekends in October, alongside special spooky experiences like the outdoor attraction Obscuria, where monsters lie in wait.

For the evenings festivities – including a breathtaking fireworks display over the lake – the park will keep its doors open until 10pm, but those who don’t want the night to end there can also opt to stay overnight at the Adventure Hotel or holiday camp.

Mecklenburg Western-Pomerania:

If you’re looking for something a little bit different this Halloween, look no further than the Mexican Halloween Party at Schloss Neuhoff in Bibow. There’ll be music, dancing, delicious Mexican treats, a costume competition and even an open stage for performers – not to mention a healthy number of spooky skulls and skeletons!

What’s more, if you’re not quite ready to return to the city lights at the stroke of midnight (or don’t fancy the drive back), party-goers can camp overnight in the grounds for free.

North Rhine-Westphalia: 

Year after year, the Halloween parties at North Rhine-Westphalia’s Moviepark rank among the most beloved Halloween events in the whole of Germany. From late September to November 12th, the glitzy world of Hollywood film stars becomes a dark and sinister nightmare where ghoulish apparitions lurk in the shadows and shocks await around every corner.

This year the park is celebrating its 25th anniversary, so expect the scenes at ‘Horrorwood studios’ to be bigger and more frightening than ever. 

Moviepark Halloween

A evil Alice in Wonderland at the Moviepark in North Rhine-Westphalia. Photo: picture alliance / dpa | Marius Becker

Rhineland-Palatinate: 

There are few better places to celebrate Halloween than a spooky haunted castle, and this year Burg Satzvey in Mechernich is pulling out all the stops. There’ll be family-friendly celebrations from 2pm, featuring ghost stories, a treasure hunt, trick or treating and dancing in the courtyard with fairytale characters.

Later, at dusk, the sinister ferryman on the lake will welcome visitors to the evening event, where DJs and bands will perform for an audience of werewolves, zombies and creepy ghouls.

Saarland:

The beautiful ruined church of Siersburg has long been popular with hikers, but this year will mark its first dalliance into the grisly world of Halloween. At 7pm sharp, Count Dracula himself will open the festivities and regale his guests with tales of the castle’s dark past.

Though the celebrations will be held outside, there’ll be plenty to keep you warmed up, from a stunning flame show to themed food and drinks and a covered dancefloor.

That said, when DJ Jack O’ Lantern starts spinning cult Halloween classics and the ghouls get up to dance, it may well send a chill down your spine.

Saxony:

Dresden’s legendary Halloween party, Ball Bizarr, is set to return to Kleinvieh this year on October 30th – and just like every year, you can expect to see some incredible feats of costume creativity.

There’ll be DJs across two floors spinning everything from techno to pop classics, and the party is expected to go on until the early hours. A word of warning, though: dressing up is taken very seriously around these parts, so ravers without a costume should enter at their peril.

Saxony-Anhalt:

When you visit Pullmann City in Saxony-Anhalt, it’s normally to be transported onto the set of a cowboy film, but over Halloween things at the little western town have been known to take a rather dark turn.

At the end of October, ghoulish figures are said to roam the streets of Pullmann City, transforming the once-quaint town into a sinister ghost town. If you’re truly looking to get goosebumps, there’s also a special Halloween show running on October 28th that’s suitable for the whole family.

READ ALSO: What are Germany’s 8 spookiest places?

Schleswig-Holstein:

Bats are probably the creature we associate most with Halloween, so what better way to celebrate than with a special event organised by the Noctalis Bat Centre in Bad Segeburg? 

A man holds a little pipistrelle bat.

A man holds a little pipistrelle bat. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Felix Kästle

Little witches, vampires and ghosts can meet and feed real-life bats, including Foxi the flying fox, as well as concocting demonic dishes in the witches kitchen, having their faces painted and even getting to know one or two creepy-crawlies.

To top it all off, Batman will be paying a special visit from Gotham City to host the day’s activities. 

Thuringia: 

If you’re looking for a fun Halloween event that will thrill young and old Halloween fans alike, make sure you nab some tickets to the spooky Halloween dinner at the majestic Veste Heldburg.

Between 4pm and 8pm, a fantastical spread of themed treats will be on offer, from yummy ghost muffins to sausage fingers and blood-red drinks. There will also be games for children aged 7 to 12 and an atmospheric hike around the castle grounds at moonlight.

This is expected to be a popular event, and there are a limited number of tickets, so register on the website as soon as possible if you want to be among the spooky guests!

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Six unmissable events happening around Germany in June 2024

As summer kicks off in Germany, so do a number of festivals across the country. Here are a few of the events in June to keep in mind as you make warm-weather plans.

Six unmissable events happening around Germany in June 2024

After all of the public holidays in May this year, June may feel like a heavy one for work. 

All the more reason to make the most of your weekends.

Fortunately, between Euro 2024 (for the football fans) and music festivals featuring a wide array of genres, this June offers plenty of possibilities for enjoying your free time.

Here are a few June events you wont want to miss:

May 31st – June 2nd: Eurofolk Festival

Kicking off a day ahead of the beginning of June this year is the annual Eurofolk Festival in Ingelheim in Rhineland Palatinate.

Musical performances by groups representing world folk traditions (including American, Greek and Irish folk music, for example) are scheduled in the afternoons and evenings on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. As well as workshops on various folk traditions and hobbies such as juggling, drumming, handicrafts and an herb hike.

According to the event website, this year’s most anticipated act will be the Ukrainian folk group Yagody.

Note that ticket sales on-site will be cash only, but you can pay electronically for presale tickets online. 

June 7th – 16th Bach Fest

For fans of classical and choral music, Leipzig’s Bach Festival offers open air concerts at the city’s main market as well as performances in the historic St. Thomas Church and other venues.

Monument of the composer Johann Sebastian Bach in front of St Thomas Church in Leipzig

Monument of the composer Johann Sebastian Bach. Photo: picture alliance/dpa/dpa-Zentralbild | Hendrik Schmidt

Named for one of Germany’s most famous classical composers, Johann Sebastian Bach, festival attendees can expect to hear the kind of music that he spent most of his life composing, such as choral cantatas.

Hardcore Bach fans can purchase a festival pass for €77, or you can buy tickets to individual concerts. While you’re there you can also consider checking out the Bach museum.

Starting June 14th: Euro 2024

One of the biggest events taking place across Germany in June is the UEFA European Football Championship, also called Euro 2024.

A total of 24 European national football teams will be competing in a series of matches in venues around Germany for one month, with the first match (Germany versus Scotland) kicking off in Munich on the 14th.

With 2.7 million fans expected to come out to see the championship matches, the event is sure to be felt by residents in all of Germany’s major cities, whether you are a football fan or not.

football at Berlin's fan zone

The Euro 2024 football on the turf in front of Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate. Berlin’s ‘fan mile’ will be the largest public viewing area for the games in Germany. (Photo by Jens Schlueter / AFP)

READ ALSO: Euro 2024: What you can expect in Germany during Europe’s biggest football frenzy

For those in Germany, you can likely find a public place to watch the matches live, even if you don’t have tickets to the games. For example, in Cologne a ‘Football Village’ will be set up in the Altstadt (Old Town), for local fans to watch and celebrate games together.

In Berlin, Straße des 17 Juni in Tiergarten will be transformed into the “fan mile”, which is to be the largest open air venue for live screening Euro 2024 in Germany. The capital city’s most famous landmark, the Brandenburg Gate is to be made to look like an enormous football goal for the occasion, and matches will be projected on it.

The final match will be held in Berlin on July 14th. 

June 21st: Fête de la Musique

June 20th marks the summer solstice this year, meaning that the 20th and 21st have the longest daylight hours in the Northern Hemisphere – and also mark the beginning of summer, from a geographic perspective.

On this occasion, Berlin’s Fête de la Musique offers those in Germany’s capital a chance to “celebrate the longest and most musical day of the year together”.

Fête de la Musique is basically a crowd-sourced outdoor music festival where local musicians perform at local venues around Berlin, and plenty more spontaneous acts can be found in the city’s streets, parks and public spaces as well.

All of the performances are completely free and will take place throughout the day and into the evening.

Fete de la Musique drums

A group performs the folkloric dance movement form “Candombe” and music from Uruguay in Berlin-Schöneberg as part of the Fete de la Musique. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Christoph Soeder

June 26th – 30th: Fusion Festival

The Fusion Festival (often depicted in Cyrillic letters as Фузион) is a renowned music and arts festival that takes place every year at a former military airfield in Lärz, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, in north-eastern Germany.

With a focus on collective action, the event can be viewed as a social experiment in utopian communism, and has become an iconic event in the European festival scene. It’s also known for its quirky atmosphere and eclectic music lineup.

concert at night

June has a number of music festivals. Some of the momre popular ones, like Fusion Festival, can be quite a spectacle. Photo by Danny Howe | Unsplash

As well as a diverse musical programme from renowned artists and underground talents, the festival also hosts numerous workshops and discussions.

Festival tickets are available for €220, and Sunday tickets are on sale for €60 – both come with a €10 ‘trash deposit’ as well. There is also a portal in the website to a message board where ticket holders can sell or swap tickets, should they sell out.

June 28th – 30th: Hamburg Harley Days 

Harley-Davidson’s festival, ‘Harley Days’, includes a motorcycle market as well as live music and will take place on Banksstrasse at the end of June.

bikers at Harley Days fest

Participants ride their Harley-Davidson motorcycles across the event site at the Hamburg wholesale market during the first day of Harley Days. Harley Days is Europe’s largest inner-city biker gathering. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Marcus Brandt

Guests can take a gander at classic motorbikes as well as the latest Harley models, or take one for a test-ride. A custom bike show is held on Saturday, and on Sunday there is a motorcycle parade through the city.

The event also promises to have a stunt show, a BBQ-focused food court, and tattoo booths.

Children and minors up to 18 years old can enter the fest for free, and there is free admission for all on Sunday the 30th. One or two day adult tickets (for Friday and Saturday) are available on pre-sale for €11 or €20 respectively.

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