Walpurgis Night: the pagan festival of bonfires, witches & folk music

Walpurgis Night, also known as ‘Walpurgisnacht’ and ‘Night of the Witches’, is a pagan festival celebrated each year on 30 April. 

The tradition involves lighting bonfires and singing traditional Celtic folk songs to mark the arrival of spring. 

Local variants of Walpurgis Night are observed throughout Northern and Central Europe, in countries such as the Netherlands, Germany, the Czech Republic, Sweden, Finland, Estonia and Austria.

What is the origin of Walpurgis Night?

People attend a ceremony as they celebrate Walpurgis Night near Plankenstein Castle, AustriaJOE KLAMAR/AFP

The origins of the ritual date back to pagan celebrations of fertility rites and the coming of spring. 

Traditionally speaking, the celebration is a night to pay tribute to the 8th century Saint Walpurga. 

Walpurga, was an English-born nun who travelled to Germany to perform missionary work under her uncle, Saint Boniface. 

She has been praised by Christians for successfully warding off pests, illness and witchcraft. 

Walpurga is traditionally associated with 1 May because of a medieval account of her being canonised on that date in 870 AD.

Walpurgis Night is celebrated on the eve of the Christian feast day of Saint Walpurga. 

Local variants of Walpurgis Night are observed throughout Northern and Central Europe in the Netherlands, Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Lithuania, Finland, Estonia and Austria.

In Austria, hundreds gathered this year at Plankenstein Castle in Austria for an evening of music, bonfires and dancing.

“It’s a wonderful festival with fire, dance, music, witches, magicians, good food, just joy of life, and a lot of spirituality with card reading and palmistry,” explained Sonja Faschingeder, the organiser of Walpurgis Night at Plankenstein Castle. 

Check out the video above to see the celebrations on Walpurgis Night in Austria