The Italian mountain village of Cocullo celebrates its patron saint, San Domenico, by parading his statue through town May 1 covered with live snakes. (iStock)
Throughout much of Europe, the first day of the month of May and the night before it holds great significance. For some it’s a time to agitate for worker’s rights and social justice; others allow their imaginations to be carried away by tales of witches and witchcraft, and plenty more are giddy at the chance to celebrate the kickoff of the summer season in earnest.
Germany: Before May 1, a national holiday, comes to pass, one first must make it through Walpurgis Night. The night between April 30th and May 1st is the eve of the feast day of Saint Walpurga, an 8th-century missionary from England who traveled to Germany to assist in bringing Christianity to the local populations. Considered a protector against storms, plagues, coughs, rabies and witchcraft, the church used her name and persona to Christianize traditions and rituals connected with an ancient fire festival marking the beginning of summer, fertility and the return of life.
According to legends dating back hundreds of years, on this particular night, witches were thought to have gathered on a mountain called Brocken, the highest peak in the Harz Mountains, a low-lying range in central Germany. Flying in on their goats or broomsticks, they would cast spells, dance around bonfires and consort with the devil himself. Today, many cities across the Harz region welcome revelers with costume parties, bonfires and concerts in their public squares. Places such as Thale, Schierke, Braunlage, Hahnenklee, and Sankt Andreasberg in particular are known for their vivid celebrations. Online: tinyurl.com/5fv78kun
Elsewhere in Germany, the night is known and celebrated as “Tanz in den Mai,” a time to stay out late and make merry with friends. Night clubs, dance venues and venues such as wineries and beer gardens make for popular gathering spots. In smaller communities, festivities organized by local clubs and organizations pop up near clubhouses, sports fields or town squares; such gatherings are usually free and open to all.
Italy: While the country has plenty of traditions centered around witches, they’re largely quiet on the eve of May 1, an eagerly-awaited public holiday known as the Festa dei Lavoratori, or Workers’ Day. It’s not only a day for demonstrations or speeches by politicians and public figures, but one to be enjoyed with parties, picnics and gatherings of families and friends, when weather permits in the great outdoors.
Many cities host free events that are open to all. In Rome, the “Concerto del Primo Maggio” is one of Europe’s largest free, open-air musical events. The “Concertone,” as it’s known, takes place from 3 p.m. at the Piazza San Giovanni in Laterano. Confirmed artists in this year’s line-up include Riccardo Cocciante, Emma Nolde and La Niña, with others to be announced. Another huge, free concert is offered in Bologna’s Piazza Maggiore beginning at 4 p.m. Big names and rising stars in rap, hip-hop, pop, reggae and other genres will share the stage.
Those with a bent toward the ancient and unusual might wish to make way to Cocullo, a medieval mountain village in the province of L’Aquila in the Abruzzo region of central Italy. Each year on May 1, locals, pilgrims and the merely curious come together to watch the Festa dei Serpari unfold. In a rite that’s remained largely unchanged for centuries, the town’s patron saint of San Domenico, revered for offering protection from the bites of rabid animals and poisonous snakes, is the man of the hour.
In a square in front of the church, local snake catchers gather with the (non-venomous) snakes they’ve managed to round up in the weeks beforehand. When the wooden statue of San Domenico is presented to them, they drape it with their slithering specimens, and it’s then paraded through the streets. Animal lovers will be relieved to learn that on the day following, the reptiles are released back into the wild. Would-be attendees are advised to arrive early, as the event draws large crowds. A permanent multi-media exhibition provides additional background info about the ritual’s history and meaning to the town. Online: tinyurl.com/3kf52teh
England: May Day traditions to mark the arrival of summer include dancing around a May Pole, the crowning of a May Queen and Morris dancing. The town of Ely in Cambridgeshire goes its own way with celebrations that serve as a nod to the animal who gave the town its name; the community’s annual Eel Festival runs May 2-4 in 2026. Highlights on the docket include historical reenactors and live music in Jubilee Gardens from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. May 2 and a Food, Drink and Craft Fair on Palace and Cross Green set for May 3 and 4. Online: tinyurl.com/mr3evum8
Czech Republic: Witches are front and center to the Czech celebration known as Čarodějnice, also celebrated on April 30. In order to stop the witches and other evil spirits in their tracks, huge bonfires are lit in the belief their heat and flames will keep malevolent forces at bay. In towns and villages throughout the land, such fires will be lit once again, with sausages, beer and music thrown in to make the night a party indeed. The old rituals will also unfold across Prague; Ladronka Park’s festivities are known for their fire shows and family-friendly vibe; the celebration on Petřín Hill offers the additional advantage of a sweeping panoramic view across the city. Online: tinyurl.com/y87vexm8
