Halloween in Germany: Traditions, the Weekend, and Where to Go

Almost everyone in Germany knows about Halloween, but it’s celebrated more low-key than in the U.S. For some, it’s an excuse to put on a scary costume and go to a party; for others, it’s a commercial import that interferes with local traditions. If you’ve recently moved here, it’s best to treat October 31 as a local holiday that varies by neighborhood: in one area, kids go trick-or-treating, while in the next, no one even opens the door.

Is Halloween Celebrated in Germany?

Yes, but not on the same scale as in the U.S. In Germany, you’ll see decorated windows, pumpkins at doorsteps, parties at clubs, themed events at amusement parks, and children going door-to-door saying “Süßes oder Saures?” But it’s not a universal family ritual, nor is it an essential part of fall.

The holiday is most noticeable:

• in large cities;
• in neighborhoods with young families and an international community;
• near schools, children’s centers, and amusement parks;
• in bars, clubs, and event venues;
• in stores that sell costumes, makeup, candy, and decorations.

In small towns and conservative neighborhoods, Halloween may go almost unnoticed. So if your children want to go trick-or-treating, it’s best to ask your neighbors, check the school chat group, or ask local parents in advance to find out if it’s customary in your specific neighborhood.

How German Halloween Differs from American Halloween

The main difference is the scale and atmosphere. In the U.S., Halloween often becomes a major family and neighborhood event. In Germany, it remains a more niche and primarily evening-time activity.

Question	Germany	United States
Costumes	Most often scary: witches, vampires, zombies, skeletons	Anything goes: scary, funny, pop culture, characters
Work and School	Adults rarely come to the office in costume	In some places, costumes at work and school are normal
Children	“Süßes oder Saures?” isn’t practiced everywhere	Trick-or-treating is widespread
Decorations	Usually limited to specific areas: windows, doors, pumpkins	Often entire houses and streets are decorated
Mass Events	Clubs, Parks, Castles, Themed Tours	Parades, Neighborhood Walks, Large Family Events

A note on costumes: If you’re going to a German Halloween party, a scary costume will be more appropriate than a cheerful carnival costume. For colorful, funny, and satirical costumes, there’s another season in Germany—[[Carnival in Germany [A detailed guide on What, Where, Why, and When] | Carnival or Fasching]].

What the kids say: “Süßes oder Saures”

The German phrase for “trick-or-treat” is “Süßes oder Saures?” Literally, this translates to “sweet or sour,” but it essentially means “trick or treat.”

In practice, the rules are simple:

• They usually go out in the evening on October 31 after dark;
• Young children go with their parents or a group of neighbors;
• It’s best to knock only on doors where there are decorations, lights, or other signs of participation;
• If no one answers the door or the lights are off, don’t insist;
• Candy should be factory-wrapped, especially if you’re handing it out to children you don’t know.

The tradition isn’t practiced everywhere equally. In suburban neighborhoods, it may be the norm, but in an apartment building in the city center, it’s a rarity. For new residents, the best guide is local parents and neighbors.

How Halloween Gained Popularity in Germany

Halloween is not an old German tradition. Its popularity began to grow significantly in the 1990s after carnival events were canceled during the Gulf War in 1991. The German costume and holiday merchandise industry was looking for a new sales season, and Halloween gradually found its place in the fall calendar.

Articles about German Halloween often mention Dieter Cohn, who is associated with promoting the holiday through the German toy and souvenir industry. He is usually credited with helping to “import” Halloween into modern German popular culture. But this is more a story of the holiday’s commercial spread than an ancient custom.

[[Carnival in Germany [A detailed guide on What, Where, Why, and When] | Carnival in Germany]] remains a far more significant event for regions like Cologne, Düsseldorf, Mainz, and many cities in the Rhineland. There, costumes, parades, and street culture have much deeper roots.

Why There’s Controversy Surrounding Halloween

Some Germans view Halloween as a commercial holiday that originated in the U.S. and is crowding out local fall traditions. For critics, the problem isn’t just the stores and plastic decorations, but also the fact that the holiday feels foreign to German culture.

Halloween is most often compared to two traditions.

St. Martin’s Day is celebrated in November: children walk around with lanterns, sing songs, and receive candy. This is a family-oriented and more low-key tradition, particularly common in Catholic regions and at preschools.

Carnival/Fasching—a season of costumes, parades, and satire. This is where cheerful, political, absurd, and colorful costumes are appropriate in Germany. That’s why some people don’t see the need to bring the American-style costume party to October 31.

In some regions, people also observe local fall customs involving carved vegetables, such as Rübengeister—illuminated fodder beets or turnips. They resemble pumpkins but are part of a local tradition rather than modern Halloween marketing.

Is Halloween a holiday in Germany?

Halloween itself is not a separate public holiday. However, October 31 coincides with Reformation Day, and November 1, immediately following it, is All Saints’ Day. Because of this, many people in Germany may indeed have the day off around Halloween, but it all depends on the federal state and the specific calendar day.

In 2026, October 31 falls on a Saturday, so even in places where Reformation Day is an official holiday, it does not result in an additional day off unless the employer specifies otherwise. November 1, 2026, falls on a Sunday.

October 31: Reformation Day

Reformation Day is an official holiday in Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Lower Saxony, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Schleswig-Holstein, and Thuringia. In these states, stores and public institutions are usually closed if the holiday falls on a weekday.

November 1: Allerheiligen

Allerheiligen is an official holiday in Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Saarland. If you’re planning a trip, a party, or a family gathering, be sure to check the calendar for your specific state: in Germany, most holidays are regulated by the individual states.

Where to Go for Halloween in Germany

Major events can change the program, dates, prices, and age restrictions, so always check the official website before buying tickets. You can use the following formats as a guide:

1. Halloween at Frankenstein Castle — one of the most famous Halloween events in Germany, usually featuring actors, haunted trails, and an evening program.
2. Halloween Horror Festival at Movie Park Germany - a seasonal amusement park featuring haunted attractions, shows, and special activities for different age groups.
3. Ball Bizarre in Dresden — a club event with a dark aesthetic and a costumed crowd.
4. ELORIA Erlebnisfabrik - an immersive attraction in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) where Halloween activities may vary by season.
5. Тыквенная выставка в Людвигсбурге—a family-friendly option without the club atmosphere: pumpkins, installations, food, and daytime activities.

In addition to major events, look for local parties at bars, the Kulturzentrum, clubs, university groups, schools, the Familienzentrum, and on city event boards. For families with children, daytime events are often a better fit than late-night parties with age restrictions.

How to Prepare

For adults:

• Choose a scary costume unless otherwise specified;
• Check the dress code, age restrictions, and the nighttime public transportation schedule;
• Buy tickets in advance, because popular events sell out;
• Keep in mind that October 31 may be a holiday in one region and a regular workday in another.

For families:

• Find out in advance whether it’s customary to go trick-or-treating in your neighborhood;
• Talk it over with your neighbors or the parents of your child’s classmates;
• Bring flashlights and reflective items;
• Explain to the children that not every household participates in the holiday;
• Check out local children’s events, libraries, museums, and parks.

Conclusion

Halloween in Germany isn’t the main holiday of the year, but it has already become part of urban fall culture. You can celebrate it at a club, an amusement park, a castle, a family center, or simply at home with a pumpkin and some candy. The main thing is not to expect it to be on the same scale as in the U.S. and to check in advance how this day is observed in your federal state and your neighborhood.

If you’re looking for a more “German” holiday experience, compare Halloween to Carnival, St. Martin’s Day, and [[Christmas in Germany [Its Traditions and Celebrations] | Christmas in Germany]]. This makes it easier to understand why some residents happily dress up in scary costumes, while others treat October 31 as just another ordinary fall evening.