The scene is laid in a clearing in the forest near Giselle’s grave. The Wilis are summoned by their queen, Myrta, to attend the ceremonies that will initiate Giselle into their sisterhood. The wilis are maidens whose fiancés failed to marry them before their deaths. Their love unrequited, they can find no rest. Their spirits are forever destined to roam the earth from midnight to dawn, vengefully trapping any male who enters their domain and forcing him to dance to his death.

Hilarion, in search of Giselle, meets his death at their hands. Albrecht arrives to leave flowers on Giselle’s grave. He too is trapped and commanded to dance until death. Giselle resolves to protect him. She dances with him until the clock strikes four, at which hour the wilis lose their power. Albrecht is rescued from death.