We really like Halloween and we always look for an opportunity in Germany to play this party. As October 31st approaches, we get more and more excited.
However, apart from some private parties or special amusement park events, it is not common to see children going door to door asking for candy, as we see in US TV shows and movies.
One thing we have noticed in these years here in the country is that Germany is very closed to the importation of foreign cultures. For example, practically all movies are dubbed into German, names of foreign programs are translated and even in the supermarket, German gives a lot of preference to regional products.
Anyway, in recent years it is possible to find more mentions of products and parties, which makes us very happy.
Oh! It is worth mentioning that much of what we write here is based on our experience living in southern Germany and also on some experiences of other people living in the rest of Germany. If in your city you experience Halloween in Germany in another way, help us by commenting, that we complete the post. 🎃👻
Halloween foods and candy at the German supermarkets
What you see most in supermarkets are Halloween-themed sweets, especially candies from the traditional German brand Haribo. Olivia loves to see eye-shaped bullets (yes, eyes… lol) and vampire teeth, but there are different shapes.
Another variety of products you can find are snacks, many in the shape of ghosts and monsters.
Halloween costumes and decorations in Germany
You don’t find decorated houses on the streets of Germany, at least I can say that in my city. Maybe in some block or gated community you see some effort in this direction, but it’s not something that is part of the country’s culture.
What you can find are some stores and supermarkets, mainly in the aisles and shelves of sweets and snacks.
We do our graces, we put some pumpkins on the floor, some bats on the ceiling and ornaments on the doors and windows. But we are souls (of witches) alone in the neighborhood.
We also don’t see many people in costumes on the streets, especially children. It is much more common to get a knock on the door from children on Twelfth Night than on Halloween. But of course it can happen, especially if you live in a neighborhood with more immigrants, who enjoy this party.
What we see most often are teenagers and young people dressed up and going to parties. And here fit those more…um…sexy fantasies we see in movies. Since many themed parties take place in clubs or even organized by themselves.
And you can find these costumes in supermarkets or department stores, like Müller.
Halloween parties and events 2024 in Germany
Speaking of parties, as we already mentioned, there are always options for those who want to have fun. All you have to do is search the Internet for a party taking place in your city and plan accordingly.
But now we come to what the German really likes: the horror events in amusement parks!
Yes! It’s almost an exaggeration, look for any Halloween event in a park in Germany and you’ll see how much they like to exaggerate the dose of fear and blood. There are several options, such as:
The oldest and most revered Halloween event in Germany takes place in Burg Frankenstein, near Darmstadt.
There’s no evidence that the castle was the inspiration for Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein, but either way it’s the perfect location for a properly spooky Halloween event. Visitors are free to roam the ruins while actors dress up as ghosts, ghosts and other hideous creatures; flashing lights; and an eerie soundtrack makes the castle ruins look like a truly haunted house.
Movie Park Germany is a theme park in the town of Bottrop-Kirchhellen, 50 kilometers north of Düsseldorf, with 7 areas based on movies and TV series. A curiosity is that close to the park there are several movie studios.
And every year they do a Halloween event that, look, see on the website… it’s really scary!
Legoland is a chain of theme parks based on Lego toys and in Germany it is located in the city of Günzburg, between Munich and Stuttgart.
Annually in the month of October, the park is invaded by witches, ghosts and vampires, as well as decorations, all prepared to properly scare children and all families.
Of course, the biggest park in Germany (and the second most visited in Europe, second only to Disneyland Paris) would have its Halloween event.
Also aimed at children, its themed areas are decorated with pumpkins, corn cobs, straws, fruits and flowers, all in a mixture of the autumn season with Halloween. In addition to events with costumes, parades and shows.
These are just a few examples of Halloween events that you can find in Germany, if you look close to where you are, you’re sure to find one that you like and encourages you to visit.
Halloween history and trivia in Germany
It is worth highlighting some facts about Germany related to Halloween:
- If you have a child visiting on this day, the phrase “trick or treat” is translated as “Süßes oder Saures”.
- There is already another holiday where children leave the house at night, St Martin’s Day on November 11, when the little ones walk around with lit lanterns singing, the main song being:
Laterne, Laterne, Sonne, Mond und Sterne,
brenne auf mein Licht,
brenne auf mein Licht,
aber du, meine Liebe Laterne, nicht.Laterne Laterne, der Mond scheint in der Ferne,
wenn es dunkel ist, wenn es dunkel ist,
weiß ich wie schön du meine Laterne bist.Laterne, Laterne,
im Dunkeln da leuchten die Sterne,
sie leuchten so hell, sie leuchten so hell,
ich zünd an meine liebe Laterne schnell.Laterne, Laterne,
in den Himmel schau ich gerne,
viele Kinder geh’n, viele Kinder geh’n,
mit Ihren Laternen, das ist wunderschön.
- Halloween takes place in the autumn season in Germany and you can also visit the Herbstfest, the German autumn festivals, try typical food and drinks, parties and pumpkin carvings, many even cut with the famous jack-o’ faces.
- We have already visited Kürbisausstellung, the Pumpkin Festival in Ludwigsburg, and it was really cool.
- Practically every city in Germany has a tour or guided tour at night. This is very interesting, because many of the cities are centuries old, medieval, with really scary places or with heavy stories of torture and death (buahá ha ha… lol). Some examples:
Suggested attractions and “creepy” tours in Germany
Even if you are not traveling to Germany during the month of Halloween, no problem, you can find the most different attractions and guided tours with a touch of terror and scares.
Below, some suggestions:
We also write about 8 of the best attractions on the Romantic Road in Germany with up-to-date tips, be sure to check it out .
For planning a trip to Germany, we have some publications that can help a lot:
- Berlin, Germany – Top 20 sights and things to do and visit
- The Best Christmas Markets in Germany
- The best region and the best hotel to stay in Cologne in Germany
- Best travel tips for Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany
Are you traveling to Germany?
Specifically about international travel by plane to Frankfurt Airport, we have the best post:
Where to stay near Frankfurt Airport Germany – FRA, Frankfurt/Main
Search for the best place to stay near Frankfurt Airport, including hotel and hostel at different prices.
