Walpurgis Nordhausen — Neustadt Harztor

Walpurgis Night — Ancient Custom on the Edge of the Harz

Walpurgis Night — the night from April 30 to May 1 — is one of the oldest and most colorful traditional dates in Central Germany. The custom dates back to ancient pagan spring festivals and was linked to the feast day of Saint Walburga in Christianity. On the Harz — where, according to myth, witches gather for a dance on the Brocken on Walpurgis Night — it is celebrated with particular devotion, especially in the towns on the southern edge of the Harz, such as Schierke, Thale, and in the districts of Nordhausen.

Nordhausen and the South Harz

Nordhausen is a district-free city in the Nordhausen district in the north of the state of Thuringia, located on the southern edge of the Harz. The city, with its approximately 41,000 inhabitants, is known for its industrial tradition (Nordhäuser Doppelkorn), the Mittelbau-Dora concentration camp memorial, and its location at the transition from the Harz to the Thuringian Basin. The Neustadt Harztor district is located directly on the edge of the Harz and celebrates Walpurgis Night with particular enthusiasm.

Walpurgis Night in Neustadt Harztor 2026

The Walpurgis Night celebration in Neustadt Harztor begins on Thursday, April 30, 2026, from 6 PM on the festival meadow in the district. Witch costumes, a May bonfire, and live music with the band Bartlos & Kevin Neon characterize the evening. Traditional Walpurgis elements — election of the witch, witch procession, and May bonfire — combine with modern pop and rock music. Bratwurst, beer, and mulled wine variations complete the atmosphere.