Great Brandenburg Witch Festival in the Slavic Village

Walpurgis Night in the Slavic Village

The Great Brandenburg Witch Festival is the largest Walpurgis Night event in Brandenburg an der Havel and celebrates its 23rd edition on Thursday, April 30, 2026. The venue is the Slavic Village – a reconstruction of a medieval Slavic settlement on the edge of the Havel river (Neuendorfer Straße 89C). The Slavic Village showcases the life of the Wends-Slavs, ancestors of Brandenburg's population, and serves as a living open-air museum year-round.

Program and Characters

The Witch Festival begins at 3 PM and continues into the evening. Numerous characters and stations are present on the Slavic Village grounds:

• Witch Trixi – the little witch as host.
• Wizard Abraxas – magic shows for children and adults.
• Giesbert, the cheerful gnome.
• Little Eulenspiegel as narrator.
• Merry Monk – later leads the witch parade.
• Musicians, dancers, and historical reenactors.
• Medieval attractions: archery, wooden games.
• Witch craftspeople with herbal, felt, and wood crafts.
• Witch potions and magic wands for the little ones.

Witch Parade from 7 PM

The traditional witch parade starts at 7 PM and is led by the cheerful, trumpet-playing Monk. It proceeds from the Slavic Village through the adjacent Humboldthain park and back again. Hundreds of costumed witches, wizards, and sorcerers of all ages join in.

Organizers and Patronage

The Witch Festival is jointly organized by the Humanistic Regional Association Brandenburg, the City of Brandenburg an der Havel, the Youth Welfare Office, and numerous independent youth welfare providers. The patron for 2026 is Lord Mayor Daniel Keip.

Admission and Refreshments

A moderate admission fee is charged for the Witch Festival – the exact price will be announced shortly before the event via the city's press office. Food stalls offering specialties are available on-site, along with children's drinks and non-alcoholic witch potions.