Halloween can be a whirlwind for many ghost hunters. Events, parties, investigations… and then the big night itself. Are you ready?
Ideally, Halloween research plans are prepared far ahead of Halloween night. However, even if you’ve been too busy, it’s not too late to organize your Halloween plans for ghost hunting success.
To help you, I’m sharing my own Halloween checklist. I’ve used some variation of this, every year for the past dozen or so years. I hope it’s useful and helps you make the most of Halloween ghost hunting opportunities.
Many ghost hunters think Halloween is the only night when “the veil is thinner between the worlds.”
That’s not true.
The last night of April can be equally spooky. In fact, I think it’s one of ghost hunting’s most overlooked opportunities.
April 30th is sometimes called Walpurgis Night. (That’s the English translation of the German and Dutch holiday, Walpurgisnacht.)
It is exactly six months from Halloween, and it can be just as good for ghost hunting.
April 30th Festivals
The last night of April is the eve of the feast day of Saint Walpurga, also spelled Walburga and Waltpurde (c. 710 -779), who was born in Devonshire, England.
During Walpurga’s childhood, she was educated by the nuns at Wimborne Abbey in Dorset. (Sites around Wimborne have many ghost stories. Knowlton Church may be one of the most famous; see my “for further reading” links, below.)
Walpurga traveled to Francia (now (now Württemberg and Franconia) with two of her brothers. There, they worked with Saint Boniface, her mother’s brother. Eventually, Walpurga became an abbess and, when she died, she was buried at Heidenheim. Later, her remains were moved to Eichstätt, in Bavaria.
This festival is known by many other names — especially Beltane — and celebrated in a variety of ways, from the May pole to the Padstow Hobby Horse (‘Obby ‘Oss).
Walpurgisnacht celebration in Germany, photo courtesy Andreas Fink
In Germany, it’s still Walpurgisnacht, and widely celebrated. (In folklore, it’s also called Hexennacht, or “Witches’ Night.”)
In Sweden, the celebration is Valborgsmässoafton, the Festival of St. Radegund of the Oats. In Finland, it’s Vappu. Other events include the Roman festival of Flora.
April 30th in History
Whether by plan or by coincidence, many significant events occurred on April 3oth.
Christopher Columbus received his commission to explore starting April 30th.
It’s the day George Washington took his first oath of office as American President.
The Louisiana Purchase took place on April 30th .
On the last day of April, 1937, Filipino men voted to grant suffrage to women in their country.
April 30th was also the day the Viet Nam war ended, Virgin Radio first broadcast, and American automaker Chrysler filed for bankruptcy.
April 30th to May 1st
May 1st, also known as May Day, is a holiday in many countries around the world.
Among some, it’s known as International Workers’ Day or Labour Day. For many years in France, May Day was the only holiday of the year when employers must allow employees the day off.
So, in countries celebrating May 1st as a workers’ holiday, the night before is ideal for ghost hunting; you won’t need to go to work the following day.
Ley Lines and More trivia
The night between April 30th and May 1st is when bonfires lit on the peaks of the St. Michael’s Mount line — one of the best-known ley lines in the world — formed a line pointing directly towards the May Day sunrise.
(I’d spend Walpurgis Night at — and investigate — any of those peaks that are open to overnight visitors. At the very least, those sites should retain residual paranormal energy.)
And, if you want a somewhat ghoulish cast to the day, look to the Czech Republic’s čarodějnice traditions, and Germany’s Brocken Spectre celebrations.
In other words, the days (and nights) of April 30th and May 1 st have a deep significance almost everywhere around the world… and it’s been that way for millennia.
Many ghost hunters — including me — look forward to Walpurgis night as “the other Halloween.”
Ghost Hunting around Walpurgis Night
Ghost hunting at the end of April can be as eerie and powerful as Halloween.
In fact, sometimes it’s better, because we’re not dealing with as many crowds and party goers looking for a “good scare” at haunted sites.
For example, Salem (Massachusetts) can be practically a ghost town (pun intended) on the night of April 30th.
Around April 30th, I’ve seen a higher number of shadowy figures — definitely not living people — at Salem’s Howard Street Cemetery.
When the weather is good, that’s an active late afternoon (and night) at Gilson Road Cemetery, in Nashua, NH, too.
In London, England, watch the windows of the Tower buildings, after dark. I don’t think those fleeting, whitish figures are always guards.
It should be a good night to stay at the Jamaica Inn in Cornwall, England, too.
On the other hand, Tudor World (formerly Falstaff Experience, when I investigated it) is such an intensely haunted site, I’m not sure it’s a good idea to be there at Walpurgis. (Any other night…? Yes, but only if you have nerves of steel. It’s one of the weirdest haunts I’ve ever witnessed.)
And in general, around late April, fewer ghost hunting teams converge on the best haunted sites.
All in all, Walpurgis night may not have the popular, modern traditions of Halloween, but it has a very powerful foundation in history, folklore, and a wide range of spiritual traditions.
It’s not a solstice or equinox, but — in spite of that or perhaps because of that — Walpurgisnacht, like Halloween, deserves special attention.
What’s behind the mystique of Halloween and Walpurgis night? No one knows, for sure. However, both are supposed to be nights when the spirits can enter our world.
That makes April 30th as important as Halloween for ghost hunting.
Busy on April 30th?
When May Day falls mid-week, I add investigations at the nearest weekend, too.
I’m not certain that these kinds of festivals — Halloween and Walpurgis night — are “on-off” switches. I think the spectral energy intensifies and then wanes, for a few days on either side of the celebrated dates.
However, I might be wrong; we really don’t know why those two dates were set aside with ghostly connotations. (And why didn’t ancient people simply merge the festivals with the respective equinoxes so close to them? It’s an interesting question.)
Add April 30th to your ghost hunting schedule. I think you’ll be glad you did.
England’s Jamaica Inn has become a reliable site for ghost hunters, especially on “extra haunted” nights. I’d stay there around Walpurgis Night.
But, England’s Tudor World (formerly Falstaff Experience) might be too frightening at Walpurgis Night. It’s a great — but extreme — haunted site. (And, in my opinion, it’s one of the most important haunts in the U.K.)
Her book references a variety of grain-related festivals celebrated at the end of April, similar to the harvest festivals of Halloween or Samhain, in the northern hemisphere.
If you have ghost hunting insights related to Walpurgis, I hope you’ll share them in comments, below.
And, if you investigate Jamaica Inn or Tudor World, especially around Walpurgis, I’d like to know how intense it was.
I’m also very interested in any hauntings in or near the former site of Wimborne Abbey. I haven’t visited it, yet, and it intrigues me.
Halloween is over. What’s next for ghost hunters…?
Many people figure they won’t resume ghost hunting until the warm weather returns.
They’re wrong, and they’re likely to might miss a great opportunity.
Some of the most dramatic hauntings I’ve encountered were after Halloween night. The crowds have gone home, but the ghosts linger.
Ghost hunting doesn’t start (or stop) at Halloween. October 31st isn’t a binary, on/off switch.
In fact, increased ghostly activity generally continues through the first week of November, and sometimes later. (Personally, I think paranormal “prime time” extends at least until November 15th.)
So, continue your outdoor investigations – especially at haunted cemeteries, battlefields, and hiking trails – until the weather is too cold.
Hate the cold? Plan a southern vacation… for ghost hunting!
Of course, not every area is bitterly cold in November.
For example, in some parts of the U.S., cooler temperatures mean greater outdoor ghost hunting opportunities. New Orleans’ French Quarter and Metairie cemeteries come to mind, immediately.
Also, when I investigated Texas haunts, the drier winter air reduced the chance of false orbs in photos. An added bonus: in winter, our team usually encountered fewer bugs, snakes and other annoyances.
In Florida, theme parks may have great ghost stories… if they admit to them, that is.
(Important: When you ask, phrase your questions carefully.Ask as if it’s all in fun. Avoid anything that might seem ghoulish.)
The Haunted Mansion at Disney World’s Magic Kingdom is a wonderful place to get “in the spirit” of ghost hunting.
Also, in another part of the Magic Kingdom, ask cast members about “George,” who might haunt the Pirates of the Caribbean gift shop and attraction.
Universal Studios’ theme parks have a couple of ghost stories. One of them is completely false. At least one other has some credibility.
Verify these kinds of stories before looking for ghosts.
(Remember, theme parks take pride in their safety precautions. So, when you hear a terrible ghost story at a theme park, it’s probably fake.)
In the South in general, look for the oldest neighborhoods, the oldest cemeteries, battlegrounds and parks steeped in history. You’ll find plenty with great ghost stories.
I can personally vouch for the ghosts of Houmas House, and it’s a fun place to tour, anyway.
While many ghostly Southern locations can be crowded during the summer vacation months, they’re often blissfully quiet in winter.
Let it snow…?
If your home is in the chilly north, don’t despair. You have options.
As the weather turns chilly, combine an outdoor investigation with an indoor one. Start your evening with an outdoor research site. Then, when temperatures drop, investigate a second site, indoors.
For example, let’s say you’d like to combine ghost hunting and skiing in northern New Hampshire (USA).
That’s a grim story and – as far as I know – the area hasn’t been thoroughly investigated. I’d expect some great EVP there.
From there, you’re about 30 minutes from the Norwich Inn. It can be a fascinating place to investigate with many credible ghost stories.
And, if you’re ready for skiing the next day, several ski resorts are within a short drive, including the Dartmouth Skiway.
Starting in November, many haunted hotels and B&Bs wish they’d had more Halloween publicity for their ghosts. They may be eager to welcome you, especially if you might visit regularly or tell others about their ghosts.
More ghost hunting opportunities when the weather’s cold
Here are additional tips for continuing your investigations, no matter what the weather.
Look for haunted theatres, hotels, restaurants, museums and haunted houses. Some may be busy during the holiday season. Others might be desolate, and perfect for a full investigation.
Wherever you go, ask people if they’ve heard any ghost stories nearby, or if they’ve ever encountered a ghost.
(In some areas, you’ll be overwhelmed with personal stories about living in haunted houses. Ask if you can investigate them.)
Don’t forget to investigate around Christmas, too. It can be more haunted than you expect.
Review last year’s investigations. Re-read your notes, review your photos and EVPs, and see which sites should be revisited for more research.
Plan the upcoming year. Include a ghost hunt at one location you’ve been planning to visit, but haven’t investigated yet. If it’s a popular location, make your travel reservations now.
Research other locations using new and popular ghost-related books.
Also study 19th century histories of your vicinity, looking for references to ghost stories, haunted places and other paranormal phenomena.
Practice using your ghost hunting tools. The better you understand them, and the easier it is for you to use them in the dark, the more you’ll be able to observe during future ghost investigations.
If it’s warm enough, resume outdoor investigations around April 30th. In many cultures, that’s a night when – like Halloween – the ghosts reportedly walk among us. Discover Walpurgisnacht (or Walpurgis Night) traditions and make the most of them on this second eerie and magical night for spirits.
Ghost hunting doesn’t stop at Halloween. If you’re enthusiastic about paranormal research, you’ll find plenty of investigation sites during the colder months.
Here’s my podcast about what to do after Halloween.
Most ghost hunters insist that Halloween is the best night of the year for paranormal research.
(I’d add the last night of April as a close second, but Halloween is at the top of my list, too.)
One big reason for Halloween being a “best” night for ghosts, is rooted in Celtic lore.
Whether you’re talking about ghosts, faeries, or anything that “goes bump in the night,” Celtic traditions focus on “between times.”
The Celts — and several other cultures — believed that spirits of all kinds could enter our world during those “betweens.”
In more modern terms, “the veil is thinner” at those between-times.
When are the “between times”?
The between-time can be dawn or dusk; both are between day and night.
It may be midnight, or the “Witching Hour,” because it’s between the calendar days.
Or, at the last day of October, we’re between the end of the harvest and the start of winter. In earlier times when the calendar was based on the agricultural year, the end of the harvest is like New Year’s Eve. The Celtic word for Halloween night is Samhain (pronounced “SAHH-when”).
Keep in mind that, in Celtic history, Samhain wasn’t always Halloween night… the last night of October. It was simply the night when everyone celebrated because the crops were finally harvested, and the agricultural year was over. So, the actual date might vary by days or even weeks.
That night is Beltaine in Celtic countries, and Walpurgisnacht in Germany and nearby countries. It marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring… another “between” time.
For ghost hunters, that night can be nearly as productive as Halloween.
Stack those “betweens” for ghost hunting success.
If you’re going to make the most of those between-times for ghost hunting, you’ll stack several “betweens.”
In other words, you’ll be at the haunted location on Halloween night and you’ll choose a between time for your research: Dusk or midnight, or the following dawn.
However, keep in mind that ghosts aren’t the only entities associated with between-times.
Faeries are also known (or notorious) for appearing then, and sometimes wreaking mischief. So, if you see something odd, don’t immediately assume it’s a ghost; it might be something else.
Because the veil seems thinner on Halloween, you may encounter energy or phenomena that are actually on the other side.
This may sound controversial, but he spirit may not actually be in our world.
This is one reason why EVP results can be better on Halloween, as well as real-time communication with the “other side.” Cameras can produce clearer anomalies, too.
Be prepared for anything!
Remember, the increased EMF levels on Halloween night can drain batteries in your voice recorder, cameras, flashlights, etc.
(That’s one reason to carry a glow-stick as a back-up light source, and even a film camera as a back-up for your phone or digital camera.)
Be prepared for anything to happen on Halloween night. It’s the classic “between” time, and ideal for your most chilling encounters with paranormal phenomena.
Here’s my video, explaining why Halloween may – and may not – be a good night for ghost hunting. (It’s from my Ghosts101.com website, featuring answers to top ghost-related questions.)
Halloween costume parties can be opportunities to see ghosts.
I’m not kidding.
Of course, most ghost hunters will be at haunted sites on Halloween.
However, if you’re at a potentially haunted site and you’re attending a Halloween costume party, remain very alert.
It’s not just a fun social gathering… it’s an opportunity to encounter ghosts.
This possibility never crossed my mind until it actually happened to me.
Now and then, I’ve been among the celebrity guests at the Official Salem Witches’ Ball in Salem, Massachusetts. (Not everyone there identifies as a witch.)
That popular Halloween costume party is usually held at the haunted Hawthorne Hotel in downtown Salem.
More than half the party-goers wear costumes.
Tip: That hotel is at point #7 on my haunted Judges’ Line map. If you want to investigate its ghosts, ask for room 325 or room 628… or any room on the sixth floor. According to reports, those are the most haunted sleeping rooms.
One year, during the event, I looked up from the ballroom floor to see figures standing at the mezzanine windows that overlooked the party.
Generally, they were people in the kinds of costumes you might see at Mardi Gras or any non-Halloween costume party. Now and then, the person would be in classic Colonial garb.
Usually, the person (or a couple of people) would sip their drinks while watching the party below.
Then, they’d stroll off and be replaced by others who wanted a “bird’s eye” view of the party.
The ghostly moment of truth
However, a couple of times, I saw someone at one of those windows fade away into mid-air. The person didn’t walk away or duck down… they actually seemed to evaporate.
Generally, those people (or ghosts) were wearing fairly ornate Colonial clothing. They didn’t stand out from the others at the party, except that their costumes looked a little more well-worn than others’ and sometimes they fit differently. (Men’s jackets were more snug across the shoulders. Women’s clothes were less form-fitting.)
It wasn’t until the figure faded from view that I realized I’d been looking at something ghostly.
How to make the most of a haunted costume party
If you’re at a party where you might see ghosts, here are some basics to remember:
1. You must be alert and in-focus. This means no alcohol or anything that might dull your senses and alter your perceptions.
Likewise, be sure you’re well-rested before you arrive. Get a good night’s sleep the night before, and eat a hearty lunch. (Ordering a full, rich dinner might make you sleepy… eat just a light meal before the party.)
2. Watch the perimeter of the party, and glance regularly at doorways and windows. Ghosts seem to prefer to watch the party from slightly outside it. (However, I might have been elbow-to-elbow with a ghost and didn’t realize it. That’s always a possibility.)
3. Blend in. Wear a costume, perhaps an authentic one from the time period of any expected ghosts. You’ll want to catch the ghosts’ attention… but not because you’re in everyday clothing, holding ghost hunting equipment!
There’s no reason to choose between ghost hunting and Halloween festivities. If you attend a Halloween costume party at a site that might be haunted, you may have the best of both worlds… no pun intended.
Halloween and ghosts… they seem to go together naturally. (Or should I say “supernaturally?” ) It’s a big reason why people go ghost hunting at Halloween.
But it’s not the only one.
The fact is…
No two people go ghost hunting for the exact same reasons. That’s especially true at Halloween.
Many want an answer about ghosts, haunted places, or the afterlife.
Halloween can be a whirlwind for many ghost hunters. Events, parties, investigations… and then the big night itself. Are you ready?
May 1st, also known as May Day, is a holiday in many countries around the world.
For example, in some parts of the U.S., cooler temperatures mean greater outdoor ghost hunting opportunities. New Orleans’ French Quarter and Metairie cemeteries come to mind, immediately.
Halloween costume parties can be opportunities to see ghosts.
1. You must be alert and in-focus. This means no alcohol or anything that might dull your senses and alter your perceptions.
