Only a few years ago, many North American expats still found late October in Germany somewhat bland. Kids in North Germany were still trick-or-treating on New Year鈥檚 Eve (the so-called 'Rummelpottlaufen')聽and All Hallows was little more than a regular workday. Through American movies and TV shows, however, Halloween slowly found its way into German culture.
In effect, Hamburg鈥檚 chilly October nights are now regularly haunted by many a ghost, vampire and zombie. Spooky costumes and decorations聽like the indispensable jack-o-lanterns have been heartily adopted by people in Germany. What鈥檚 more, every year in autumn, Halloween-themed dinners, movie nights and parties attract plenty of people 鈥斅爋ften granting costume discounts. Hamburg Dungeon expands its already scary-good array of shows by a special Halloween treat and聽Ballinstadt Emigration Museum hosts a child-oriented ghost-and-candy hunt.
Parties
The unassuming visitor might be surprised to see many parties taking place on 30 October:聽a day too early.聽This is no coincidence.聽31 October is an official public holiday in Hamburg, which means that most people won't have to get up early for work.
