Germany's Interesting May 1st Traditions

What do you guys do in your area of Germany?

Music From Epidemic Sound
and
Andrew Applepie - The Betrayal

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[alias]

*Nalf in his "Year 4 In Germany" video:* 'Don't worry, I have a policy: no filming on the scooter... cause I don't think I can do it'


*Also Nalf:* 0:15

[channyandmusic]

In Norddeutschland tanzen wir in den ersten Mai. Jedes Dorf macht daher am 30. April ein großes Fest.
Eine Tour mit dem Bollerwagen machen wir typischerweise an
Christi Himmelfahrt oder zur Grünkohlsaison.

Btw. Schönes Video - vor allem für die kurze Zeit zum Schneiden!

[rollercoaster]

There is Walpurgis night in the Harz area in the night of April 30. Thats near Braunschweig. You might have heard of the city. Basically its the witches coming out and dance around fires at the mountain tops, mainly on the Brocken, the highest mountain in northern Germany.

[Milena-ngzs]

theres a tradition where I‘m living where the boys put a „maierle“, which is a small birch, in front of their girlfriend‘s house at night. so on may 1st you can walk around and see those trees standing in front of many houses I think it‘s very cute. But you have to stay there the wohle night and watch it otherwise someone else will come and steal it. Not sure how common this is in the rest of germany though.

[SH-mzie]

Number one channel on YouTube for artsy opening scenes.

[bjluqto]

Mai-Baum heimlich in der Nacht an das Haus der geliebten Frau stellen - das ist die bekannteste und schönste Maibaum-Tradition die ich kenne (und viel schöner als der kommerzielle Valentinstag).

[Trashplat]

Omg stealing the Maibäume is a big big thing in Bavaria. There are many great stories about it, and local news cover it like crazy.

[ymenani]

I don't know if someone already said it: the night before first of May is Walpurgisnacht. To remember all the old fairy tales about witches this night is dedicated to fire Night of the witches. It's a tradition (at least here in Berlin and around) to welcome first of May with a fire and to dance around it. ("Dance in the May").

[BrokenCurtain]

I have a tradition of getting disturbed by the huge demo on my doorstep (literally).

I live in central Berlin and there's about 10, 000 protesters and police outside my window right now.

[Inable]

4 and 5 May are very important in the Netherlands. We never forget!

[mascami]

It's a day of walking... 10 years ago my husband and I had the super duper Maywalk ever in USA: we walked to the ground of the grand canyon, stayed overnight at the phantom ranch (lucky we had one of the rare cabins) and walked back the other day. Every May 1st since I remember this special walk. Have a nice day! Grüße aus Herrenberg im Schwabenland

[gailbronkhorst]

Here in South Africa it is also a national holiday.

[msassine]

One thing in Germany that they figured out is that in order for people to be highly productive and do their best at work, they need sufficient time off to recharge and be motivated. We still haven’t figured this out in the US and other parts of the world. Employers still think that the harder you work and the more hours you put in, without taking time off, is an ideal employee.

[Big_Fudge_]

3:07
To be fair, we use everything as a reason to drink beer

[lisa.st.]

I'm from northern Germany. Here it is also the case that each place has its own maypole, which must "protect". But here in the north, the men of the village form a group and then put a maypole in front of the house of each unmarried girl. Each farm also gets a maypole. The men who bring the trees, then get a little money and a bit alkohol spent for each tree. A few weeks after the first of May, there is the so-called "maypole money booze". With the money collected, a celebration will be held. (I hope my english is correct) 😄 Greetings from northern Germany.

[thomasasare]

The night before 1st May is called "Hexennacht" which translates to Witch night. It's Germany's version of Halloween except without the trick or treating. Basically kids go round dressed up in costumes throwing toilet paper around and putting shaving cream on people's door bells.

[jessicalaub]

THE GOOD OLD 5, 0~~ reminds me of my university days...
plus it is indeed all over southern Germany (don’t know about the rest) to go on walks with a cart full of beer. The night before we get drunk as well (Hocketses in small villages). We hide rubbish bins, wrap stuff in toilet paper, steal/switch street signs and so on. Also, guys will go to “their” girls houses at night and secretly put “Mailes” in front of their homes (little trees basically). I grew up close to Hall, so I assume it’s quite similar

[derwaechter]

Yea, "Tag der Arbeit...". I do that, what the day said. I go to work 😎
Nightshift at Mai, 1st... Greetings to all colleagues who have too.
Viel Spass dabei😄

[lukieskywalker]

In Northern Germany we put the trees up for Pfingsten. Every girl over the age of 13 or 14 receives a tree, every year until they are either married or have moved away. We also do the tours on ascension day, Himmelfahrt.

[ausdemnirgendwofilm]

May 1st in Berlin Kreuzberg is not just about demonstrating. It‘s also about partying. Basically a combination of both. It‘s a huge festival in the streets with a lot of nice Food and many stands especially on the Mariannenplatz where political stuff goes on. There are many stages with live music by local artist. I think you should maybe check it out one day. It‘s worth it.