We want to tell you where you can follow this beautiful tradition this year. But first, let's look at where the custom actually comes from:
The night from April 30 to May 01 is Walpurgis Night. Originally, this was pagan spring festival. By all sorts of measures, such as abundant noise, roar of pipes, drums and shooting, the evil spirits of darkness should be driven away. It was later reinterpreted by Christianity as a night of witches and druids led by the devil.
The name Walpurgisnacht is derived from Walburga (also Walpurga or Walpurgis), an abbess from England (710-779). This saint's feast day was celebrated on May 1st in the Middle Ages. She was the patron saint of maidservants and peasant women. She was also regarded as the protector of the magical arts, who was supposed to combat the sinister actions of witches and fiends.
The Walpurgis celebration on the Brocken in the Harz Mountains is famous. The first organized celebration took place in 1896. From 1899, the celebrators were even able to travel up on the Brocken Railway. In recent years, the Walpurgis celebration on the Brocken has developed into a mass event with the character of a folk festival and tens of thousands of visitors from all over Germany. The mixture of customs, magic and eroticism is apparently fascinating for many.
The Dance into May is the modern form of the old custom of welcoming the beginning of May (May 1) on Walpurgis Night (April 30) with dancing and singing.
In the Batschkapp: This evening is a real party. It starts at 19:30 with a concert by ROY HAMMER & DIE PRALINÉES. The big "Dance into May party" in the Batschkapp starts directly after the concert.
More infoIn the nightlife: This is where the MADHOUSE FLOWERS first do the honors. For all blues and rock fans, this TANZ IN DEN MAI event with MADHOUSE FLOWERS (live) & SETTKA'S BLUES is just the right party.
More infoAt the Südbahnhof music venue: Frankfurt's popular party for all over-30s invites you to dance into May with the best music from the 80s, the sounds of the 90s and the hits of today. There's guaranteed to be a great atmosphere again!
More infoIn the Brotfabrik: Dance fans will know: When DJ Vira plays at the Brotfabrik, a great atmosphere is guaranteed. We recommend purchasing online tickets in advance so that you are guaranteed to be able to shake a leg in this great location!
More infoIn the Volksbühne im Großen Hirschgraben: A "literary-musical-infernal dance into May" is on the program here. Actors and actresses from the Volksbühne will read texts about Walpurgis Night, accompanied by music from the group Konzertgebräu. Afterwards, there will be dancing in the Lower Foyer.
More infoAt Fortuna Irgendwo: MARCO SÖNKE will ensure that you experience a very special dance into May with disco, house & classics at the new club in Frankfurt East. After all, Fortuna Irgendwo wants to be a "Heilanstalt für Gemüts- und Nervenkranke" on this evening too, where you can forget everyday life for a few hours.
More infoIn Tanzhaus West: This location will once again more than live up to its name today! Together with Dora Brilliant, the entire spectrum of electronic sounds from downtempo to straight forward will be presented on a total of four floors. No foot will stand still!
More infoIn the FAB - Frankfurt Art Bar: In this location in Sachsenhausen, the band Jive Five invites you on a journey through eight decades of pop music - a journey on which a really good mood is simply part of the program.
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On this evening, the Literaturhaus will be transformed into an elegantly crazy DANCE INTO MAY location. And who will make you jump for joy on this evening? Very special DJ pairings who will ensure that this dance into May will be remembered by all guests for a long time to come.
More infoThis year, the Ponyhof Club has some really great music for your ears. And it's great fun!
Funktomas will turn up the speakers from 11 pm and get you going with the best party hits.
And the icing on the cake is an exclusive party drink for May: the RHUBARB-RUMBLE
