The night before May Day, celebrated with bonfires in parts of Europe, is called what?

The night before May Day, traditionally marked by bonfires in parts of Europe, is called Walpurgis Night.

Walpurgis Night is observed from April 30 into May 1 and takes its name from Saint Walpurga, an eighth-century abbess associated with the Christianization of parts of Francia and Germany. Her feast day is May 1, and her relics were moved to Eichstätt in 870.

Bonfires became a prominent custom in several regions, including Germany, Sweden, Finland, and the Czech lands. In popular tradition, fire helped repel witches and evil spirits. The celebration also overlaps with older spring and early-summer customs that welcomed the season with dancing, gatherings, and flames.

The name can be confused with May Day itself, but Walpurgis Night specifically refers to the preceding night. It is also called Walpurgisnacht or Saint Walpurga’s Eve. In some places, the observance is more cultural than religious.