Damon Mcknight
Krampus is a half-man, half-goat demon from Central European folklore. In the lead-up to Christmas, parades are held across the alpine villages of Austria to honour this figure, who is said to be the evil twin of St. Nicholas. The Krampus Parade is one of Europe's most popular festivals, attracting visitors of all ages. The central event of the annual Krampus Festival is the Krampuslauf, or Krampus Run, which usually takes place on either St. Nicholas Eve (December 5) or St. Nicholas Day (December 6).
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | St. Nicholas Eve (December 5) or St. Nicholas Day (December 6) |
| Location | Tyrol, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Ischgl, Toblach |
| Dress Code | Mask, devil-like horns, fake fangs, red contacts, shoes resembling hooves, furry suit, cowbells |
| Food | Stollen (Christmas spice cake), vanillekipferl (nut-flour cookies), kiachln (doughnuts), spatzln (dumplings) |
| Duration | 2 hours |
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What You'll Learn
Krampusnacht is celebrated on St. Nicholas Eve (December 5)
In the weeks leading up to Christmas, parades are held throughout many of Austria's Alpine villages in honour of Krampus. The tradition began in the Middle Ages as a Krampuslauf, or Krampus run, where people would dress up as Krampus and chase children down the street, threatening to beat them for misbehaving. The modern-day version, celebrated as a parade, is still enthusiastically practised in several Central European countries, including Austria, where it is particularly popular in the state of Tyrol.
The Krampus parades are a spectacle of costumed figures with hand-carved wooden masks, shaggy pelts, heavy bells, curved horns, and terrifying masks. These wild figures are said to scare away the dark spirits of winter. The central event of the Tyrol Krampus Festival is the Krampuslauf, where dozens of Krampus figures and Perchten elves participate in a nocturnal procession. The Perchten are folk figures unique to the Alpine regions of Bavaria and Austria, and their name is believed to derive from the legendary character Perchta or Berchta.
The Krampuslauf can be traced back to the past when it was a race where entrants attempted to outrun a runner dressed as Krampus. Participants were expected to be drunk so that Krampus could catch them. Today, the Krampus parades attract all ages, but they are particularly favoured by college-age and post-collegiate locals and visitors. These parades are held in addition to house visits by Krampus, continuing the tradition in a more modern way.
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Krampus is a half-man, half-goat demon from folklore
The tradition of Krampus is deeply rooted in pagan celebrations of the winter solstice, which were later incorporated into Christian traditions. Krampus is considered the counterpart to St. Nicholas, who rewards well-behaved children with gifts. In contrast, Krampus punishes naughty children by beating them, drowning them, eating them, or taking them to Hell. This day is known as Krampusnacht or "Krampus Night", celebrated annually on St. Nicholas Eve (December 5), the day before St. Nicholas Day.
The Krampus tradition has evolved to include Krampus parades, known as Krampuslauf or "Krampus run", where people dress up as Krampus and participate in processions through the streets, often involving alcohol. These parades are held in many of Austria's Alpine villages, including Salzburg, and have become a popular attraction for thrill-seekers. The parades typically involve costumed performers, masks, horns, fangs, and swirling whips, creating a unique and unforgettable experience for spectators.
The popularity of Krampus and his parades can be attributed to various factors, including the preservation of cultural heritage and a reaction to the commercialisation of Christmas. Krampus has also gained international recognition, with his menacing character featured in numerous horror films and holiday postcards. Despite the lighthearted nature of the parades, the original Krampus tradition struck fear into the hearts of children, who believed they would be captured and punished by the demon.
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Krampus parades are popular festivals in Europe
Today, the Krampus Parade is a spectacular nocturnal procession of terrifyingly clad Krampus figures and Perchten elves. These festivals are among Europe's most spirited and popular events, attracting people of all ages, especially college-age and post-collegiate locals and visitors. The parades are held in many of Austria's alpine villages and towns, with the central event taking place in Tyrol, in the western Austrian Alps. The Krampuslauf, or Krampus Parade, often occurs on either St. Nicholas Eve (December 5) or St. Nicholas Day (December 6).
The Krampus Parade is a wild and unusual alpine tradition that has spread beyond Austria. Krampus runs and parades also take place in Germany, Italy, Slovenia, and Northeastern Italy. These events are organized by local Krampus clubs, with some parades featuring 20 or more clubs and lasting up to two hours. The Toblach Krampuslauf in South Tyrol, Italy, is the largest and oldest Krampus parade, featuring over 600 costumed Krampus participants.
The Krampus Parade is a dramatic and thrilling event, with costumed participants wearing hand-carved wooden masks, shaggy pelts, heavy bells, curved horns, and terrifying masks. The intention is to scare, taunt, and "punish" spectators, continuing the tradition of using Krampus to discipline children. While the parades are now more orderly, it is still important to take precautions as a spectator, such as staying away from the front row and keeping valuables out of reach.
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Krampus costumes include masks, horns, fangs, and cowbells
Krampus parades are held in Austria in the beginning of December, specifically on the 5th and 6th, to celebrate Krampus Night or Krampusnacht. These parades are a unique holiday tradition and an ancient one, too, with roots in pagan winter solstice mythology.
Krampus is a devil-like, half-goat, half-man creature with horns, a long tongue, fangs, and a beard. He is believed to be the son of Hel from Norse Mythology and is said to be St. Nicholas's ""evil twin". St. Nicholas, or Santa Claus, rewards the good children, while Krampus punishes the badly behaved ones.
In some locations, the Krampus costumes are numbered to identify the wearer in case of any disputes or issues. The costumes can be very warm, so some modifications are allowed to prevent overheating.
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The largest and oldest parade takes place in Toblach, Italy
Krampus parades are a popular Christmas tradition in Austria, with the state of Tyrol being particularly well-known for its celebrations. The tradition is said to have originated in the Middle Ages as a Krampuslauf or Krampus run, where people dressed up as the half-goat, half-demon creature and chased children down the street in a menacing manner, threatening to beat them for misbehaving.
The largest and oldest Krampus parade takes place in Toblach, Italy, in the Pustertal valley. Toblach is a village in the heart of Val Pusteria, not far from Lago di Dobbiaco, and it draws nearly 600 beasts from South Tyrol, Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. The parade route winds its way from the parking past the middle school, along Viale San Giovanni, and reaches Toblach's historic centre, where St. Nicholas delivers presents to the children. The participants wear costumes adorned with heavy cowbells tied around the waist, along with masks and shaggy pelts, creating a terrifying spectacle.
The Krampus parade in Toblach is a night filled with ancestral terror and unique folk customs. The wild figures are said to scare away the dark spirits of winter with the jangling of bells, curved horns, and terrifying masks. The event usually takes place on December 7th, with the date varying from year to year, and begins at dusk. It is recommended to arrive early and dress warmly, as the temperatures in the Alps in December can be quite low.
The Krampus parade in Toblach is a truly unforgettable experience, with the creatures roaming the streets and immersing everyone in an eerie atmosphere. It is a living example of centuries-old traditions, blending elements of pagan winter solstice mythology and Christian influences. The contrast between the jolly gift-bearing St. Nicholas and the demon-like Krampus, who captures and punishes naughty children, adds to the allure of the event.
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Frequently asked questions
The Krampus parade in Austria usually takes place in early December, specifically on the 5th or 6th.
The Krampus parade is a theatrical parade where St. Nicholas leads a procession of costumed Krampus, a half-man, half-goat demon, through villages and towns.
The Krampus parade originated from a pagan winter solstice tradition that was later absorbed by Christianity. It is believed that Krampus, a demonic creature and the evil twin of St. Nicholas, would punish children who had been naughty.
The Krampus parade takes place in various towns and villages in the state of Tyrol in the western Austrian Alps, including Salzburg, Innsbruck, and Ischgl.
The Krampus parade features costumed participants wearing masks, devil-like horns, fake fangs, red contacts, and furry suits. They brandish bundles of twigs and baskets to abduct naughty children. The parade is intended to be scary and is not recommended for young children.
