Weekend Roundup, Oct. 28-30

I’m headed back to ARA City Radio (103.3 and 105.2) this morning with City Magazine’s November cover model (!), Sara Flanagan again this morning around 10am with a few highlights, and I hope you can tune in! Because there’s so much going on in Luxembourg this weekend, it’s scary.

No, really: it’s scary. There are plenty of events around town this weekend for children and adults who want to celebrate the American tradition of Halloween, from a spooky castle tour to horror films and chances to get freaky on the dance floor. The Wort/English has a great list at this link. 

But there’s one Halloween treat that’s not a trick: daylight savings time ends this weekend, so clocks fall back one hour. After all of that spooking, you’re going to need that extra hour to get some rest.

Friday, October 28

Koblenzer Debbekoochfest 

What: It’s a festival full of regional treats, music and more. I’m sold. Expect plenty of potatoes, ham and onions, and more local specialties like honey and mustard. Check out their Facebook page here. It’s held in a tent, so there’s no need to worry about the weather.

Where: On the Münzplatz in Koblenz, on the Moselle, near the point where it converges with the Rhine. Click here for walking directions from the train station (about a 20 minute walk).

When: Starts at 12pm on Friday and Saturday, and at 11am on Sunday.

Cost: Looks like it’s free to enter, food will be available for purchase. Don’t forget: the CFL offers a day trip ticket to Koblenz for 32€. Or check out my previous post on cheap trains to Germany for information on how to get there for even less.

Cleveland Orchestra

What: I’m an Ohio gal, so I feel it’s my official duty to urge you to see musicians on tour from my home state. The Cleveland Orchestra is in residence at Vienna, on their eleventh European Tour, performing thirteen concerts in seven cities. Luckily, Luxembourg is one of the seven.

Where: Grand Auditorium of the Luxembourg Philharmonie in Kirchberg

When: Friday, Oct. 28 at 8pm

Cost: Regular tickets are 40€, 65€ and 80€. Discounted tickets are available for people 27 and younger for 24€, 39€ and 51€.

Saturday, October 29

Soiree Mysterieuse Halloween (& Spooky Castle Tour)

What: Children of all ages are invited to the “Soiree Mysterieuse Halloween” party at Vianden Castle. The afternoon begins with games and music in the basement of the castle and then moves through the castle for a “spooky” tour where witches, vampires and warewolves will make special appearances. There are two tours, one for younger children and a slightly gorier version for older children. Afterwards, children will be treated to a performance back in the basement that involves juggling fire. Children are encouraged to dress in costume.

Where: Vianden Castle

When: Halloween activities begin at 4pm with music, games, food and beverage. The first, less-spooky castle tour starts at 5pm for the younger children; older children go on their haunted tour at 5:45pm. After the tours, the fire juggler will perform at 6:30pm.

Cost: Regular castle entrance fee plus 4€ per adult and 2€ per child to attend the Halloween event in the basement/cave of the castle.

Deewali

What: Deewali is the traditional Indian festival of lights. Live dancing and percussion performances, a traditional Indian dinner, and DJs will help you celebrate the night away.

Where: Centre Sociétaire et Culturel An der Eech, 6 rue Eich, Leudelange

When: Saturday, Oct. 29 at 6pm

Cost: 40€ for non-members, 25€ for students, children 10 and under are free.

More info: Call 621 622 892, 621 309 148, or 691 307 733 for more information or to reserve a seat.

Trauliicht Brennen Procession 

When: The procession starts at 6pm on October 29. Beetroot carving is offered as an activity at the museum until November 3, 10am to 7pm (full day entry), or 2:30 to 7pm (half day entry)

Where: ‘A Robbesscheier’ http://bit.ly/oKN4U1 the rural museum in Munshausen, in northern Luxembourg

What: The Luxembourgish tradition of “Trauliicht Brennen” takes place this time every year. While there’s no door-to-door begging for sweets involved during this late October event, it’s tradition to carve a beetroot (a turnip) into a scary lantern into which a candle is placed; the frightening glow is meant to scare away evil spirits of winter in order to usher the young and old healthfully and happily into the New Year. The procession is the biggest Trauliicht Brennen event put on by the museum. Beetroots will be carved – get one there or bring your own – and then paraded through Munshausen in a procession.

Cost: 12€ for a half-day, and 20€ per person for the full day.

Sunday, October 30

Daylight Savings:Fall back!

Don’t forget to set your clocks back one hour! Central Europe (CET) ends daylight savings time officially ends at 3am, when clocks get set back to 2am.