Halloween in Germany

Italy vacation countdown: T minus 4 days.

Experience has taught us that a lot of US holidays and traditions are not followed in other countries, so I always wonder what we will see in our current host country when these familiar holidays roll around. Our years in Asia reminded us that Christmas and Easter are simply not big deals, which is understandable given the religions practiced in that region. So, it goes without saying that the secular holidays of Valentine’s Day and Halloween probably aren’t observed either.

It is with some surprise that I have noticed a lot of Halloween merchandise in German stores as well as publicity for Halloween activities in Düsseldorf. It's not really a traditional German celebration, but in recent years Halloween has become increasingly popular in Europe. Apparently, German kids don't usually go trick-or-treating, but Halloween has become a very “cool” party theme for young and old. Point in case: I’ll be attending an English-language Halloween night tour this evening in Düsseldorf’s Alstadt (old town area) with the American Women’s Club.

Still, there is something else going on in Germany with this time of year other than just Halloween costumes and parties. Related to the concept of Halloween, the first two days of November are Allerheiligen (Nov. 1) and Allerseelen (Nov. 2). These days are devoted to all of the saints (known and unknown) and to all of the “faithful departed,” respectively. In medieval English, All Saints Day (Allerheiligen) was known as All Hallows. All Hallows Eve (Oct. 31) came to be called “Halloween". Apparently, Eastern Orthodox Christians celebrate their own version of All Saints Day on a different date, on the first Sunday after Whitsunday (Pfingsten). In Protestant areas of Germany, Totensonntag or Ewigkeitssonntag is a similar observance for the dearly departed. This Protestant version of All Soul's Day is observed in November on the Sunday prior to the first Advent Sunday.

Suffice to say, tomorrow is the German public holiday, known as Allerheiligen, in North Rhein Westphalia (the state I live in Germany). Being that this area is predominantly Catholic in its origins, it is celebrated here but not throughout all of Germany. Still, it is a public holiday in many parts of continental Europe, including France and Belgium.

As for tonight’s Halloween activity, no costumes are required (thankfully), but it should be a nice fall night to hear some German ghost stories…full report to follow.