Die Walpurgis Schierke am Brocken
Three days of Walpurgis at the foot of the Brocken — witches' parade, medieval market, and concerts
About Walpurgis Schierke
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Walpurgis Night in Schierke — at the foot of the Brocken
The Walpurgis Night is one of Germany's oldest living festival traditions. It dates back to Saint Walpurga (8th century) and has been intertwined for centuries with ancient pagan spring rituals around the night of April 30th to May 1st. In the Harz mountains – especially around the Brocken, described by Goethe's «Faust» as a meeting place for witches – it is a particularly intensely celebrated folk and medieval market spectacle. Schierke, a district of Wernigerode and the starting point for the Brocken railway, is one of the most popular venues.
In the Harz district, Saxony-Anhalt
Schierke belongs to the town of Wernigerode in the Harz district in Saxony-Anhalt and, as a «mountain town» at the foot of Northern Germany's highest mountain, is a classic hiking and tourist destination. The Brocken (1,141 m) is accessible from Schierke via the Brockenbahn railway and hiking trails. This very background of myth and nature makes the Walpurgis Schierke particularly intense: mountain, forest, rocks, narrow-gauge railway, and Walpurgis Night – it doesn't get much more romantic.
April 30th — Witches' Parade, Walpurgis Bonfire, and Concerts
The central festival day is the night of April 30th. The medieval market in the spa park opens in the afternoon. At 6 PM, the traditional witches' parade sets off through the village – with witches, devils, clubs, walk-acts, and musicians. After dark, the Walpurgis bonfire is lit. On two stages, Cultus Ferox (headliner), Feuerdorn, Lichtzeit, Tricky Notes, and Nobody Knows will perform. The highlight is a multimedia drone show that combines music and pyrotechnics into a spectacular event.
May 1st — Family Day
Friday, May 1st, is dedicated to the family. The medieval market continues, the program is child-friendly, the puppet theater PUPA / Theatrum Pupa performs, and play stations for children are set up. In the evening, Die letzte Band der Welt and The Eastside Gang will perform. Children under 14 have free admission.
May 2nd — Folk Day
Saturday, May 2nd, is dedicated to folk and medieval music: Cellart (cello folk), Clover, the puppet theater, and – as the festival finale in the evening – the Irish-German pub folk band Cobblestones.
Complete Line-up
Cultus Ferox, Tricky Notes, Dos Carachos, Lichtzeit, Nobody Knows, Bohemian Bards, Chibraxa, Die Wilde Jagd, Gabriel der Feuerengel, Lautnhals, Hashoch Himilsanc, Cellart, Clover, Cobblestones, Theatrum Pupa, Die letzte Band der Welt, The Eastside Gang, Feuerdorn.
Walpurgis Schierke — edition 2026
The 2026 edition follows the established 3-day format: main festival day April 30th with parade and main concerts, Family Day May 1st, and Folk Day May 2nd. The organizer is Wernigerode Tourismus GmbH. The exact assembly time for the witches' parade is 6 PM on April 30th, the Walpurgis bonfire is lit after dark, followed by parallel stage programs.
Die Walpurgis Schierke calls itself «The Original» for a reason: Schierke is one of the oldest and most established Walpurgis locations in the Harz and attracts thousands of visitors to the mountain town every year. Those who appear in witch, devil, or medieval attire are participating in the best tradition.
Programme Walpurgis Schierke 2026
Thursday, April 30, 2026 — Walpurgis Night
- Afternoon — Opening of the medieval market in Schierke spa park
- 6:00 PM — Witches' Parade through the village (witches, devils, clubs, walk-acts, musicians)
- After dark — Lighting of the Walpurgis Bonfire
- Evening — Stage program with Cultus Ferox (headliner), Feuerdorn, Lichtzeit, Tricky Notes, Nobody Knows
- Late evening — Multimedia Drone Show with light and music
Friday, May 1, 2026 — Family Day
- All day — Medieval market with child-friendly program
- Daytime — Puppet theater Theatrum Pupa, play stations, interactive activities for children
- Evening — Concerts with Die letzte Band der Welt and The Eastside Gang
Saturday, May 2, 2026 — Folk Day
- Afternoon — Concerts with Cellart (cello folk) and Clover
- Late afternoon — Puppet theater Theatrum Pupa
- Evening — Cobblestones as festival finale (pub folk)
Complete Line-up
Cultus Ferox, Tricky Notes, Dos Carachos, Lichtzeit, Nobody Knows, Bohemian Bards, Chibraxa, Die Wilde Jagd, Gabriel der Feuerengel, Lautnhals, Hashoch Himilsanc, Cellart, Clover, Cobblestones, Theatrum Pupa, Die letzte Band der Welt, The Eastside Gang, Feuerdorn.
Highlights Walpurgis Schierke 2026
Prices Walpurgis Schierke 2026
Practical information — Walpurgis Schierke
Arrival and Shuttle
By car via the B244 or the Harzhochstraße to Schierke. Caution: Schierke is a mountain village, parking is scarce – use the free shuttle buses between Wernigerode (central car park) and Schierke, with ticket purchase (to be booked separately from the admission ticket). By train to Wernigerode main station, from there public transport or the Brockenbahn to Schierke.
Tickets
Day ticket April 30th, 2026: €26 pre-sale. Day tickets May 1st and May 2nd, 2026: €18 each. Combo ticket April 30th + May 1st: €40. All-Day ticket (all 3 days): €50. Children under 14 free admission. Advance sales at the Schierke and Wernigerode tourist information centers, online via die-walpurgis-schierke.de, and at Reservix ticket outlets.
Festival Grounds
Main stage and medieval market in the Schierke spa park. Witches' parade through the village. Walpurgis bonfire on the festival grounds.
Clothing & Weather
Altitude of the Harz mountains – often cool, wet, and windy even at the end of April / beginning of May. Weatherproof clothing, sturdy footwear. Costumes in witch/devil style are traditionally welcome.
Families
May 1st is specifically designed as Family Day. Children under 14 free.
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Travel to this festival
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Where it takes place Walpurgis Schierke
Kurpark Schierke am Brocken
Kurpark Schierke, OT Schierke, 38879 Wernigerode