Halloween in Berlin: mostly a night-time festival
In Germany, Halloween is an imported festival, mostly visible in shops, bars and parties. Children sometimes go door to door ("Süßes oder Saures": "sweets or trouble"), but it is much less widespread than in the United States and varies a lot from one neighbourhood to another. 31 October is not a public holiday in Berlin: shops open normally on Saturday 31 October 2026.
Examples of events announced for late October 2026:
- Halloween party at KaDeWe: Saturday 31 October, from 20:30 to 02:00, in the department store (see the KaDeWe page).
- "The Abandoned Factory" party: 30 and 31 October, from 22:00, in Prenzlauer Berg, with fog, bass and a bunker setting.
- Prison Island Berlin: a 60-minute escape game for teams of two to five, every evening from 19:00 to 24:00 on several dates in October, including 16, 17, 23, 24 and 28 to 31.
- MAGICUM – Berlin Magic Museum: on 31 October, a Halloween-themed treasure hunt, a magic show and a free birth chart.
Tickets for parties are bought in advance and club entry follows its own rules (see Berlin by night). For a calmer or family Halloween, visit the Berlin Underworlds or read our ideas for Berlin with children: a costume is not necessary, except for the parties.
If you travel in October
31 October is a public holiday (Reformationstag) in neighbouring Brandenburg but not in Berlin: check this if you go on a day trip (see excursions from Berlin). For the rest of the month, see what to do in Berlin in October; in October the city is also lit up for the Festival of Lights.
Thanksgiving in Berlin: an ordinary Thursday
Thanksgiving is not a public holiday in Germany: on Thursday 26 November 2026, shops, transport and museums run normally. The holiday is mainly observed by the American community: churches, universities, the embassy and a few hotels and restaurants.
- Thanksgiving buffet at the JW Marriott Berlin: announced for 26 November 2026, with a whole roast turkey, stuffing, sweet potato purée, cranberry sauce and prime rib. Prices and times are not detailed in the announcements consulted: check them when booking.
- Take-away dinners: several caterers and restaurants offer a turkey or a full menu to order in advance, sometimes one to two weeks ahead; The Berliner magazine keeps a list each autumn.
- Cooking it yourself: whole turkeys are ordered from a butcher or supermarket a few days ahead; American ingredients (cranberries, sweet potatoes) can be found in some supermarkets and markets (see Berlin's markets).
If you are passing through and simply want a festive dinner, book from early November. As the Christmas markets generally open in late November, see also Christmas in Berlin and what to do in Berlin in November.
Practical tips
- Book parties, escape games and buffets: they are generally full several days ahead.
- Check the tickets: events announced by ticket platforms are run by third parties.
- Getting home late: night transport runs at weekends (see transport in Berlin); for safety, read the rules of etiquette.
