Walpurgis Night
noun
Wal·pur·gis Night
väl-ˈpu̇r-gəs- 
1
: the eve of May Day on which witches are held to ride to an appointed rendezvous
2
: something (such as an event or situation) having a nightmarish quality
Examples of Walpurgis Night in a Sentence
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Visitors can watch craft demonstrations, visit the Nordic Zoo, attend folk dances throughout the year and experience traditional celebrations like Midsummer, Christmas and Walpurgis Night.
—
Breana Scheckwitz, Fox News, 6 June 2024
The witches’ dance has origins in Walpurgis Night, an April holiday that doubles as a second Halloween for many Germans.
—Jen Murphy, WSJ, 29 Oct. 2022
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Breana Scheckwitz, Fox News, 6 June 2024
The witches’ dance has origins in Walpurgis Night, an April holiday that doubles as a second Halloween for many Germans.
—Jen Murphy, WSJ, 29 Oct. 2022
Cite this Entry
“Walpurgis Night.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Walpurgis%20Night. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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Walpurgis Night
noun
Wal·pur·gis Night
väl-ˈpu̇r-gəs-
: the evening before May 1 on which witches were believed to gather
Etymology
named for Saint Walburga (German Walpurgis) died 779 an English saint whose feast day falls on May Day
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