Halloween, one of the most popular festivals of the autumn season, is a tradition in Anglo-Saxon culture, but is now celebrated in many parts of the world. It’s no different in Hungary, where young and old alike dress up in scary costumes to play tricks on each other and, according to tradition, ward off the returning ghosts of the dead.
In Debrecen, there are Halloween programs in several locations around the city. We have put together a selection of these.
Halloween Street Festival
After last year’s great success, this year there will be a Halloween Street Festival on Batthyány Street again, courtesy of the Creative Community of Debrecen. The catering establishments of Debrecen’s first pedestrian street are preparing a special themed offer, shops will be decorated in a Halloween atmosphere, and institutions will welcome kids dressed up in costumes with sweets and toys.
Date: 27 October 2023, 17:00-21:00
Location: Batthyány Street
Programs for children (ages 0-11)
– Costume contest
– “Ghosty” stories
– Community dance
– Trick or treat! game and candy collection
– Presentation of legendary animals
– Face painting
– Street film screening
Programs for youngsters (from 12 years old)
– Costume contest
– Horror stories
– “Ghosty” games
– Halloween selfie
– JustDance in the darkness
More information HERE.
Five-day long Season Closing and Halloween Party at the Zoo Debrecen
Date: 27-31 October 2023
Location: Zoo Debrecen
With the eerie night of Halloween fast approaching, we are happy to announce that end-of-season celebrations will for the very first time last five whole days from October 27 to 31, offering a spooktastic array of events and activities culminating in our ever popular Halloween Party from 16:00 to 23:00 on October 31.
A spooky setting calls for fitting attractions like the Ghost Train and Grim Maze that will take you on a haunting experience and put your courage to the test. Animals in Action will offer spooktastic feeding events to fill a whole day and you will get to go on your very own treasure hunt in hopes of tasty treats. All 23 amusement park rides, including the new Baroque Swing Ride will also be available, with Magic Wristband Passes granting unlimited access all day long on October 28 and 29 and all evening long on October 31.
Join us for Halloween Party between 16:00 and 23:00 on October 31 for otherworldly events and activities like Witch Shoesmithing, Waltz of Monsters, Ghostly Disco, Dare at the Palm House, March of Zombies, Witch Dance, Fiery Finale, Spider Lair, and Día de Muertos among others. We encourage all of you to put on your scariest costumes and take part in our Monstrous Beauty Contest.
More information HERE.
Halloween with the Zsuzsi Forest Railway
Every year, the Zsuzsi Forest Railway is part of the Halloween program series, and this year again they have a frighteningly good program for you to enjoy on Saturday 28 October, after dark.
Date: Saturday 28 October 2023, 18:30-21:30
Location: station at 1 Ruyter Street
Programs:
- Courtesy of the Méliusz Juhász Péter Library:
– Reading from the books The Little Witch by Bálint Harcos and The Adventures of Magda the Pumpkin by István Gáti
– Making a bat bookmark, Halloween coloring - Ghost snack courtesy of the Kaláccsuda
- Lantern Carving Contest
- Skeleton selfie
Halloween Show with the Richter Flórián Circus
Date: 30-31 October, 1 November 2023
Location: Balmazújvárosi út
On the last 3 days of this year’s tour, 30 October, 31 October and 1 November, the Richter Florian Circus will perform a Halloween show in Debrecen. The circus company is preparing a joint performance with the National Equestrian Theater. All the members of the Richter Flórián Circus will be part of this multi-colored event. The National Equestrian Theater will make the Halloween performance unforgettable with a specially commissioned performance.
Night of Fear – horror marathon
Date: 31 October 2023
Location: Apolló Cinema
For the eighth year running, Apollo Cinema is inviting film lovers to a shared horror experience. This year, the 8th Night of Fear four fantastic films will be screened in a horror marathon that will last until dawn.
More information HERE.
