I Once Paid Money NOT To Attend This Terrifying German Festival

 Kristy Alpert | October 17, 2024 

Michael Morgenstern 

As an American living in Europe, there are few moments when I miss my homeland more than right before Halloween. I miss hearing “Thriller” or “Monster Mash” whenever I walk into a store. I miss that weird, homogeneous smell that comes from a 10lb bag of mixed off-brand candy. I miss candy corn … just not the Harvest version. I love Halloween, but mine is the Hocus Pocus or The Rocky Horror Picture Show type of Halloween. All fun, no fright.

Although the holiday did not originate in America, there are few other countries that celebrate in the trick-or-treating and all-night-costume-party ways we do in the ’ol US of A. Which is why, when I heard there was a Halloween party taking place at Frankenstein’s Castle (a.k.a. Burg Frankenstein) just outside of Frankfurt, Germany, I booked tickets without so much as reading the fine print.

Always, always read the fine print.

I raved about my purchase to German friends and was met with surprised stares and confused faces. “Don’t you hate being chased?” one friend asked. “Um, did you hear what happened to Becca last year?” added another.

It turns out that Becca, unlike me, had read the fine print. She saw the words “full contact show” and still showed up, ghoulish costume and all. Her piercing screams the prior year had caught the attention of an actor dressed as Freddy Krueger, who picked her up—still screaming—and carried her on his shoulder and placed her inside a coffin… and then closed the lid and sat on top of it.

Becca loved it, but I am not Becca. I lost sleep over nightmares far milder than that scenario and was the girl on the playground screaming during games of tag because I do, in fact, hate being chased. I called the company I’d booked with that night and happily agreed to pay the €50 cancellation fee to not have to attend what I learned would be the most terrifying Halloween party in the world.

Although the Frankenstein Halloween party may not be for people like me—i.e., ironic costume wearers who are mainly in it for the candy—the event sells out every year after the first few nights since word of mouth seems to spread fastest among horror lovers. It’s essentially a giant haunted house, only it takes place in the ruins of a real castle and the German actors are dressed as killer clowns or other terrifying creatures and are very much allowed and encouraged to touch anyone attending.

This year, for the first time since 1977, the festival will be held in a different castle (Burg Königstein in Taunus, Germany) while Burg Frankenstein is under renovation, but that doesn’t mean the party will be any less horrifying. In fact, the slogan this year is “A New Chapter of Fear: Try Not to Die.” There will be entire sections of the castle individually devoted to the undead, clowns, witches, vampires, etc. There’s a main stage that’s reserved for mini performances of Halloween hits and interactive plays, where a VIP ticket will allow for priority seating among other exclusive perks, like a four-course buffet with drinks, priority check-in, meet & greets with monsters, and more.

Michael Morgenstern

Throughout the night, ticket holders are free to wander the ancient halls and ruins of the castle as paid German actors and volunteers do everything in their power to scare the living cackle out of anyone willing to pay for the experience. The actors can touch, pick up, chase, scream at, sneak up behind, and taunt you to their hearts’ content. Keep in mind that every year, they get better at their craft by learning new and more frightful ways to get a good scream.

The party is all in “fun,” with a kinder (i.e., kids) version during the day for kids or people like me. There is also a safe zone during the regular showtime, and I’ve been assured by this year’s event organizers that, although it is a full-contact theater, “no one is involved in the play against their will.” Even so, actors are only too happy to rev the engines of the real chainsaws they wield as proof of their authenticity, and the castle’s cages, coffins, and dungeons are often occupied by unsuspecting victims (i.e., ticket holders).

For diehard Halloween lovers, this Halloween party in Germany is the nightmare of their dreams, and it runs from October 18 through November 3 this year. Tickets start at €42, but it’s best to book in advance to make sure your screams will be heard. I, however, will not be among the listening ears this year, as I have learned my lesson and will instead be busy recreating the Halloween aisle of TJ Maxx with “Thriller” on repeat and a bag of “care package” candy corn and Reese’s Pieces (thanks, mom!) to last me through Beetlejuice.

Consider yourself warned…or enticed. Either way, Happy Halloween!