Love the show, podcast, calendar, audiobooks, everything Rick does.
Was just curious if anyone has been in Germany, Sweden, or Finland for Walpurgis Night and what it is like.
Mega fan,
Aaron from Colorado
Posted by
Virginia, USA
5850 posts
I went to the Walpurgis Eve festivities at Skansen about 20 years ago.. They had a large bonfire and lots of singing by student choral groups. There were tons of students out in their caps.
Posted by
Berlin
3008 posts
In Germany the Harz mountain area with famous witch mountain Brocken (one of Germans Blockula, Blocksberg) is known to celebrate Walpurgis in different ways. This article gives you an overview what happened where in 2024. Best translation from German with DeepL. Also this tourist page informs about Walpurgis Night in Harz. Maybe join the events in 2025? It is a beautiful area with a mystical reputation.
Posted by
Uppsala, Sweden
6985 posts
Yes, many times (I live here). I don't know where EC was but can be different depending on where you are. But usually it is a pretty low key celebration in the evening. One major exception is Uppsala where it has been an important day for at least 200 years, and today it is celebrated from early morning to late in the evening.
Posted by
Germany
626 posts
I went to the Harz the last two years, but not this year. SUPER AWESOME. Most years we want to go, but we can't always make it work.
The trick is knowing where to go. Towns like Schierke and Braunlage and Thale are where you want to be. Festivals, costumes, witch parades, and just a host of fun decorations, costumes, etc. I also go with family and friends (my family own a vacation apartment in the Harz), which makes it more fun.
Other places in Germany, not so much Walpurgis, lots more protesting!
This is not exactly what it's like, but it captures the spirit! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLgM1QJ3S_I