Walpurgis Night Date in the current year: April 30, 2024

Germans used to believe that on the eve of May Day witches would meet on the Brocken, the highest peal of the Harz mountains in central Germany, and await the arrival of spring. The term Walpurgisnacht was first recorded in the mid-17th century, and the first known written occurrence of its translation into English dates back to the 19th century.

Local variants of Walpurgis Night are observed in many European countries including Germany, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Finland, and Sweden. The celebration is typically associated with the arrival of spring. People light bonfires, eat, drink, and enjoy each other's company. In some cities, large carnival-style festivals are held.

Walpurgis Night celebration is very similar to St John's Eve. Both festivals celebrate the beginning of the new season and have almost nothing to do with religion, although they are named after Christian saints. The re-newed interest in both festivals is stipulated by the re-newed interest in pre-Christian culture in general.