Spooky events: Halloween strongholds in Thuringia on October 31st!

Spooky events: Halloween strongholds in Thuringia on October 31st!

On October 30, 2025, the first ghosts will already be floating through the streets, because tomorrow is Halloween! There are numerous events in the Cologne region and beyond that put young and old in a spooky atmosphere. Not only is there a spooky atmosphere, but also lots of fun for the whole family.

A particularly charming event takes place in Altenburg:The island zoo invites you to a Halloween walk on October 31st. From 9 a.m., guests can explore the eerily decorated labyrinth, while the little ones get their money's worth with face painting and a consultation on crawling animals in the vivarium. A Halloween painting contest promises prizes for feeding your favorite animal.

Family friendly activities

In Bad Langensalza, the Fagati playground will be transformed into a Halloween world from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. today, where children can carve pumpkins and enjoy child-friendly food and drinks. A family ticket for two adults and three children is available for just 10 euros.

For the brave souls there will be a Halloween ride in Crispendorf on October 31st. Here, scary characters appear along the route, and children in costumes in particular are allowed to ride for free. Adults only pay 3 euros. The spooky fun begins at 1 p.m. and trains run every 20 minutes.

Another highlight awaits on October 31st in the Ega Park in Erfurt, where the pumpkin harvest festival features an exciting family program, a lantern parade, music, theater and a fire show.

The origin of Halloween

But where does this scary festival actually come from? Halloween has its origins in the ancient Celtic harvest festivals, especially Samhain, which was celebrated on November 1st. On this day, the Celtic Druids believed that the souls of the dead could contact the living. A central part of this celebration were the bonfires, which were intended to protect against evil spirits. With Christianization, Samhain became less popular, but it was mixed with Christian elements. To protect themselves from harm, people back then put on masks or offered food to the spirits, a tradition that continues to this day.

In the United States, Halloween accounts for about a quarter of annual candy sales, showing how much the holiday has grown in popularity. The famous “Trick-or-Treating” also has its roots in “Souling”, where children asked for soul cakes and prayed for the deceased.

Controversies surrounding Halloween

Despite the fun factor, there are also critical voices who question whether it is appropriate for Christians to celebrate Halloween. Some biblical principles challenge Halloween practices. The Bible condemns witchcraft and fortune telling. But opinions are divided: While some see conviviality and fun as the priority, others advocate a more critical examination of the festival's origins.

The offerings around Halloween are diverse this year and invite you to immerse yourself in the fascination of horror and scary stories together. In Jena, a Halloween reading is even organized in the city museum. Here on October 31st at 4 p.m. Victoria Hegner will read spooky stories that provide the perfect ambience for the festival.

Make the most of this Halloween and check out the great events in the area! No matter whether you love scary stories or just want to spend a cozy evening with friends.