romania Halloween Party in Dracula’s Castle
Halloween in Dracula’s Castle:
Everything You Need To Know
Welcome, thrill-seekers and history enthusiasts, to the land of mystique and folklore! If you’re looking for an eerie yet enchanting Halloween adventure, look no further than Bran Castle in Romania.
Nestled in the picturesque Carpathian Mountains, this medieval fortress is famously associated with Bram Stoker’s Dracula.
I first attended the epic Halloween party in Dracula’s Castle October 2023 after postponing my trip to Romania for two years because of Covid.
So when I finally made it, I was hoping it would live up to the hype of wanting to come here for YEARS. And did it? Absolutely.
I’ve always loved Halloween so I may be biased but we had an incredible time.
And now I’m here to share some essential tips for an unforgettable Halloween experience including the exact tour and hotels we used. I hope you have an effortless and amazing time at the Halloween party in Dracula’s Castle!
You can watch a quick recap of the night here:
1: Embrace the Spooky Atmosphere
October in Romania is the perfect time to embrace the Halloween spirit, and Bran Castle takes it to another level. The castle is adorned with eerie decorations, cobwebs, and dimly lit corridors, creating an atmosphere meant to send shivers down your spine.
Allow yourself to be enveloped in the spooky ambiance; it’s an integral part of the Halloween charm.
Nearby the castle, located within the castle street markets, you can walk through a haunted house as well. Is it silly? Perhaps a little.
But I encourage you to embrace everything about the Halloween season while in Transylvania. We were giggling and screaming the whole way through the haunted house!
2. Confirm Party Date – It’s on a Saturday, Not Halloween Night
To avoid any bewitching mix-ups, it’s crucial to note that Bran Castle’s Halloween party typically takes place on the Saturday closest to October 31st, rather than on Halloween night itself.
Check the official event schedule or contact the castle directly to confirm the exact date of the Halloween celebration. This ensures you plan your Transylvanian adventure on the correct weekend, preventing any disappointments and allowing you to synchronize your visit with the festivities at Bran Castle.
The Halloween events often feature costumed actors, live performances, and so much more. It’s a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the Dracula legend and enjoy the festivities.
Just make sure you have the right dates for the party!!
3: Get Your Tickets in Advance
Halloween at Bran Castle attracts a large number of visitors, so it’s wise to purchase your tickets in advance. This ensures you won’t miss out on the special events and helps you skip the long queues.
Keep in mind that tickets for Halloween events may sell out quickly due to high demand, so plan ahead to secure your spot.
Tip 4: Dress the Part
What’s Halloween without costumes?
Embrace the spirit of the season by dressing up in your favorite spooky attire. Whether you choose to be a vampire, a ghost, or your own unique creation, wearing a costume adds to the festive atmosphere and makes your visit even more memorable.
Just be sure your costume is comfortable enough for exploring the castle’s narrow corridors and staircases.
We loved the full costume commitment we saw at the party! Just check out some of the photos from the event photographer. Everyone looked amazing!
5. Free Coat Check
Worried about carrying your jacket during the festivities? We went back and forth on whether or not we should bring a winter coat with us. Ultimately we were glad we did for the walk to castle and through the castle grounds to the party.
Plus Bran Castle offers a complimentary coat check, so you can fully enjoy the Halloween revelry unencumbered.
This is especially convenient if you find yourself peeling off layers as the night progresses in the warmth of the marquee.
6. Enjoy the Covered Marquee for the Main Event
Before going to the party, we were searching online trying to find information about the venue. Was it mostly outside? So would we need big coats all night?
And there weren’t very many detailed blog posts explaining it.
So let me clear it up!
The heart of the Halloween celebration takes place in a covered and walled marquee on the castle grounds. Not only does this provide a cozy atmosphere, but it also shields you from the elements.
No need to worry about chilly weather or unexpected rain – you can revel in the festivities comfortably.
The marquee was plenty warm enough to check your coat at the door for free then hang out all evening watching the live performers, dancing or grabbing drinks from the bar!
7. Stay in Brasov and Book a Transported Tour
For a seamless Halloween experience, you have two options. Stay overnight within walking distance of the castle or base yourself in the charming town of Brasov.
We stayed in Brasov and worked out so well! This is the exact tour we booked on Viator.
Many tour operators offer transportation from Brasov to Bran Castle, eliminating the hassle of finding your way there. It is roughly a 30 minute drive from Brasov to Castle Bran. And our tour included a brief stop outside for snacks, wine and local liquor!
Given the popularity of Bran Castle during Halloween, tickets tend to sell out quickly. We tried to buy directly from the castle because it would have been a lot cheaper but I think the tour companies buy up the tickets as soon as they are released. Because we were checking every day and could not get direct tickets.
In the end, we were glad we went with a tour company anyway because it provided transportation, information, welcome drinks and more!
At the end of the night, we had two times available to take the bus back to Brasov. Basically there was a bus heading back around 1am or you could choose to stay all night at the party. We loved having the freedom to decide which bus we wanted to take back!
If you are staying in Brasov, I highly recommend staying in the stunning Casa Albert Boutique & Restaurant. We LOVED this boutique hotel that perfectly overlooked the main road. The rooms were stunning, the breakfast was delicious and the beautiful cave restaurant was decorated for Halloween. Highly recommend this place!
BRASOV HOTEL RECOMMENDATION: Casa Albert Boutique & Restaurant
8. Beat the Lines – Enter Early
If you want to make the most of your visit, aim to enter the castle earlier in the evening. The lines tend to grow longer as the night progresses, and you’ll be grateful for the head start.
We entered while it was still dark, enhancing the mysterious atmosphere, and by the time we exited, the line had grown considerably. We walked right up to the castle and entered immediately. Now people were standing in a line that wrapped all the way through the castle grounds and all the way back out to the exit. Early birds skip the (massive) line!
Because we were one of the earlier ones to go through the castle, we were earlier to the dance floor as well. But this timing worked great! It allowed us to drop off our coats at coat check with no line and grab some drinks at the bar, again, with no line.
9. Itinerary Break Down
If you decided to do one of the guided tours from Brasov that doesn’t include dinner, here’s how your night might look.
- Meet up in Brasov
- Drive 35-45 min to Bran Castle
- Tour guide gives info on the bus ride
- Stop for wine and snacks
- Enter castle & do self guided night tour
- Following castle self guided tour, walk to marquee on castle grounds
- Take either the 1am or 3/4am bus back to Brasov
- Give yourself at least one extra day in Brasov to recover, sleep in & then explore
10. Drinks at the bar & live music until morning
For Halloween at Dracula’s Castle being such an iconic and unique event, I was really impressed by the cheap drinks available for purchase.
If this were a New York Halloween party, the drinks would have be 5x what they cost in Romania! We had a few drinks before the party while getting ready but then there is a large gap between the bus ride and the castle tour (where alcohol isn’t served).
However, we felt like the bar inside the marquee moved pretty quickly!
11.Bathrooms can be difficult to find
Navigating the grounds in search of the bathrooms might prove a bit tricky amidst the excitement.
Just before you enter the castle, there is a bathroom off to the left-hand side as you come up the path. If you miss this one, there isn’t another inside the castle. So make sure you take advantage of this one before beginning the tour!
Then when you are out on the grounds, they have porta-potties near the marquee. But in the dark and after several drinks, we really struggled to find them! We were convinced there weren’t any bathrooms at all. (I even read another blog post staying there wasn’t any.) However when we returned the next day for a daytime castle tour, we saw the line of porta potties behind the trees.
So my advice? Just immediately ask event staff to point you in the right direction so you don’t wind up wandering around lost like we did!
12. Actual Halloween night may be quiet in Brasov
While Bran Castle hosts a thrilling Halloween celebration, it’s worth noting that Halloween night in Brasov itself might be relatively quiet, especially if it falls on a weekday.
Many locals in Brasov may celebrate Halloween over the weekend, resulting in a more subdued atmosphere during the actual night of October 31st.
If you’re seeking lively street parties and festivities, just plan to be in Brasov over the weekend.
By keeping this in mind, you can adjust your plans accordingly, perhaps opting for a more tranquil evening in Brasov on Halloween night and saving your high-energy, costumed revelry for Bran Castle’s main event.
Or if you are looking to party both nights, head back to Bucharest for Halloween and join a pub crawl there!
13. Embark on a Questo Challenge in Brasov on Halloween Night
For a unique and interactive Halloween experience in Brasov, consider participating in a Questo challenge. Questo offers location-based, self-guided city exploration games using your smartphone.
These challenges are a delightful blend of a scavenger hunt and a guided tour, leading you through Brasov’s charming streets and landmarks while unfolding mysterious tales related to the city.
While it may seem a bit cheesy, especially on Halloween night, it adds an extra layer of fun to your exploration. It’s all about solving riddles, uncovering hidden stories, and immersing yourself in the spooky ambiance of Brasov at night. It’s an entertaining way to spend the evening for sure!
14. Explore Bran Castle and Hike to the Viewpoint
Don’t limit your Bran Castle experience to just the night!
During the daytime, the castle and its surroundings unveil a different kind of enchantment. Take a leisurely tour of Bran Castle, delving into its rich history, eerie chambers, and captivating exhibits. Exploring in daylight provides a unique perspective on the castle’s architecture and the picturesque landscapes surrounding it.
But the adventure doesn’t end there. Lace up some comfortable walking shoes and embark on a hike to the castle’s viewpoint. The vantage point offers panoramic views of the Carpathian Mountains and the quaint village below. It’s a perfect opportunity to breathe in the crisp mountain air and capture some stunning photos.
Visiting during the day not only allows you to appreciate the castle’s details more intricately but also lets you enjoy in the natural beauty that surrounds this iconic fortress.
So, plan a daytime excursion, soak in the history, and elevate your experience with a hike to a mesmerizing viewpoint.
15. Go to Sighisoara for more Dracula/Halloween fun
While immersing yourself in the mysteries of Bran Castle, consider expanding your Transylvanian journey to include the charming town of Sighisoara. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Sighisoara is renowned for its well-preserved medieval architecture and is the birthplace of Vlad the Impaler, the historical figure who inspired Bram Stoker’s Dracula.
Stroll through the cobblestone streets of the Citadel, visit the iconic Clock Tower, and explore the birthplace of Vlad at the House of Dracula.
Sighisoara offers a unique blend of history, folklore, and vibrant local culture. It’s one of my absolute favorite places in Romania!
Include Sighisoara in your itinerary, either as a day trip or an extended stay, to enhance your Transylvanian adventure. The town’s atmospheric ambiance and historical significance make it a perfect complement to the spooky allure of Bran Castle.
Read: 16 BEST THINGS TO DO IN SIGHIȘOARA, ROMANIA
16. Explore Surrounding Attractions
While Bran Castle is the star of the show, don’t miss the opportunity to explore the surrounding areas.
The Carpathian Mountains offer breathtaking views, and nearby villages provide a glimpse into traditional Romanian life.
Consider extending your stay to include visits to Peles Castle, Rasnov Fortress, and the charming town of Brasov.
17. Watch & Read about Vlad the Impaler Before Your Trip
Before your Halloween trip to Romania, you should absolutely watch season 2 of Rise of Empires: Ottoman Mehmed vs Vlad.
It tells the insane true story of Vlad the Impaler and is definitely worth the watch. It’s really well done and will give you a better understanding of the history.
You can watch a trailer below. We binge watched this mini series because it was SO addicting. And it lays out the history in a very compelling way. I cannot recommend this show enough!
And if you like reading, you’re sure to LOVE The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova.
“Breathtakingly suspenseful and beautifully written, The Historian is the story of a young woman plunged into a labyrinth where the secrets of her family’s past connect to an inconceivable evil: the dark fifteenth-century reign of Vlad the Impaler and a time-defying pact that may have kept his awful work alive through the ages. The search for the truth becomes an adventure of monumental proportions, taking us from monasteries and dusty libraries to the capitals of Eastern Europe—in a feat of storytelling so rich, so hypnotic, so exciting that it has enthralled readers around the world.”
“Part thriller, part history, part romance…Kostova has a keen sense of storytelling and she has a marvelous tale to tell.” —Baltimore Sun
18. Join me in Romania for Halloween!
Think this all looks fun?
Then join me in Romania for my Halloween group trip! It’s a totally unique itinerary that you can get from any other tour operator ANYWHERE!
You can get updates by following Wanderlust Group Trips on Instagram.
Read: WANDERLUST GROUP TRIPS: 10 REASONS TO JOIN A TRIP
Bran Castle at Halloween is an otherworldly experience that combines history, mystery, and the thrill of the season.
Whether you’re a history buff, a Halloween enthusiast, or simply curious about the legendary Dracula, this Romanian adventure promises to be a hauntingly good time.
