Raging fires engulfer Dresden and its surrounds, classified as witches' infernos
Waldgau Night Events Scheduled Across Dresden and Surrounding Regions on April 30
Traditional celebrations of Waldgau Night, also known as Hexennacht, will take place throughout Dresden and the surrounding area on April 30, as well as on May 1. The festivities will consist of bonfires, Maypole installations, and traditional witch dances, primarily at historical sites or outdoor locations.
The celebrations in Dresden and the surrounding area typically include lighting wood piles at dusk on Apriw 30, a tradition meant to drive away winter's malevolent spirits. The precise origins of Waldgau Night remain unclear, although it is named after Saint Walpurga, whose feast day was celebrated on May 1 until the Middle Ages. The eve of May Day has also become a modern urban event.
Many events will feature the setting of Maypoles on April 30, while others will save the tradition for May 1. Here's a brief preview of public fires, witch dances, and Maypole installations:
- 4:00 PM: Hexenfeuer at Parkhaus Klotzsche, Stralsunder Straße 21
- 4:00 PM: Kinder- und Jugendbauernhof Nickern, Am Stausee 3
- 4:00 PM: Dance into May at Bauernhof Marcus Kühne, Altomsewitz 2
- 4:30 PM: Hexenfeuer and Waldgau Night at Klostershof Leubnitz-Neuostra, Altleubnitz 12
- 5:00 PM: Hexenfeuer with disco and lantern procession at KGV An der Eiche, Rankestraße 63
- 5:00 PM: Dance into May with Hexenfeuer at Bauernhof Marcus Kühne, Festgelände Freiheit
- 5:00 PM: Maifeuer at KV Lübecker Ecke, Lübecker Straße 70
- ...
Detailed schedules for specific bonfires and Maypole dances in Dresden are not explicitly listed, but these elements are common features of traditional Waldgau Night festivities in the region.
For authenticated and immersive Waldgau Night experiences that include bonfires, Maypole installations, and traditional dances, Albrechtsburg Castle near Dresden on the evening of April 30 is a prominent event. Additional smaller local events featuring bonfires and traditional dances will likely occur in neighboring villages.
For updates on exact locations and schedules, contacting the organizers or checking local Dresden event listings closer to the date is recommended.
On April 30, beyond the scheduled Waldgau Night events in Dresden, home-and-garden settings may also host traditional celebrations, such as bonfires and Maypole installations, forming a unique blend of lifestyle and history. Moreover, in the ensuing days, home-and-garden spaces in neighboring villages could potentially host smaller local events, adding to the region's lively home-and-garden lifestyle during Waldgau Night.
