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Krampus is a half-man, half-goat demon whose legend has been around since pagan times. In Austria, Krampus is celebrated through parades, festivals, and markets. The Krampus Parade, or Krampuslauf, takes place on St. Nicholas Eve (December 5) or St. Nicholas Day (December 6) and features participants in scary costumes, masks, and chains, creating a surreal and captivating atmosphere. The Salzburg Krampus Run is a popular event that draws crowds to experience the unique Christmas tradition of Austria's Krampus.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | The Krampus Parade or Krampusnacht is celebrated on St. Nicholas Eve (December 5) or St. Nicholas Day (December 6) |
| Location | Celebrations are centred in the state of Tyrol in the western Austrian Alps, with notable celebrations in Salzburg, Innsbruck, and Ischgl |
| History | Krampus is believed to have originated in pre-Christian, Germanic pagan traditions, which later mixed with Christianity |
| Description | Krampus is depicted as a half-man, half-goat, or half-wolf demon, with a long tongue, cloven hooves, and horns |
| Purpose | While St. Nicholas rewards good children, Krampus is responsible for punishing the naughty ones |
| Modern Adaptations | In some cities, Krampus costumes are numbered to identify individuals in case of disputes; toned-down, humorous versions of Krampus are also found in tourist-friendly Christmas markets |
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What You'll Learn
Krampus is a half-man, half-goat demon
Krampus is often believed to be a companion of Saint Nicholas, who rewards good children with gifts and treats, while Krampus is tasked with punishing the naughty ones. This belief has its roots in the pagan celebrations of the winter solstice, which later became intertwined with Christian traditions. In ancient folklore, Krampus was believed to roam the Tyrolean mountains of the Alps with his army of ill-tempered elves, causing mayhem and whipping lazy folks, unruly youngsters, and drunks. Sometimes, he would abduct miscreants. Parents would use Krampus as a way to scare their disobedient children into better behaviour.
The tradition of celebrating Krampusnacht has experienced a resurgence in recent years, with cities and villages across Austria coming together to revel in the eerie festivities. The Krampuslauf, or Krampus Parade, is a central element of the celebrations, featuring not only Krampus but also other mythical creatures. The parades often take place on St. Nicholas Eve (December 5) or St. Nicholas Day (December 6). The Salzburg Krampus run is a free event that takes place in the Altstadt of Salzburg, usually around sunset.
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Krampus parades are a central element of celebrations
Krampus parades, or Krampuslauf, are a unique and wild folklore event that takes place in the alpine areas of Austria. The parades are a theatrical spectacle, with St. Nicholas leading a procession of costumed Krampus participants through a village, town, or designated area. The Krampus participants wear traditional Swiss Pine wood masks, alpine bells, furs, and shaggy, animalistic costumes. The parades are often held in the town square, starting at 7 pm, and can last up to 2 hours.
The Krampuslauf tradition is mostly associated with Austria and Germany, but Krampus runs also take place in Northeastern Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, and Hungary. The biggest Krampus parades in the world are in Toblach in South Tyrol, Italy, and Bad Goisern, near Salzburg, Austria. In Austria, the state of Tyrol in particular is known for its enthusiastic celebration of Krampus, with notable celebrations taking place in Salzburg, Innsbruck, and Ischgl.
Krampus parades are typically organized by local Krampus clubs, with well-established parades featuring 20 or more clubs. These clubs help to keep the tradition alive, with older members keeping an eye on the younger members inside the Krampus costumes. Some locations even number the costumes so that onlookers can identify any inappropriate behaviour.
The Krampus parades celebrate the legend of Krampus, a half-man, half-goat (or half-wolf) demon, or the "'evil twin' of St. Nicholas". According to legend, Krampus captures naughty children in his sack and beats them or drags them off to hell. The parades feature Krampus figures running, jumping, and strutting through the streets, taunting and "punishing" spectators by hitting their feet and legs with bundles of twigs and stealing their hats.
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Krampus is a companion of Saint Nicholas
The Krampus is a horned, anthropomorphic figure from Central and Eastern Alpine folklore. He is said to be a companion of Saint Nicholas, or Santa Claus, and makes an appearance on the night before the Feast of Saint Nicholas, on 5 December. Saint Nicholas is a gift-giver, rewarding well-behaved children, while the Krampus is a punisher of badly behaved children. The Krampus will beat these children with birch branches or sticks, or in some cases, eat them or take them to hell.
The tradition of Krampusnacht, or Krampus Night, is thought to have originated in the Middle Ages, with roots in pre-Christian Alpine traditions and myths involving beasts from the forest. Krampus is often depicted wearing animal skins and a carved wooden mask, with bells attached to his costume. In some representations, he carries a whip and a sack or basket on his back, to collect evil children. In parts of Slovenia, whose culture was influenced by Austria, Krampus is called Parkelj and is considered a companion of Miklavž, the Slovenian form of Saint Nicholas.
In the 17th century, Krampus was officially paired with Saint Nicholas as his helper. As a saint, it was not deemed appropriate for Saint Nicholas to deliver punishments, so a helper was assigned to him, such as Farmhand Rupert, Schmutzli, Père Fouettard, or Zwarte Piet, who would go down chimneys and punish naughty children. Krampus served Saint Nicholas in this same role.
In modern times, Krampusnacht is still celebrated in parts of Austria, particularly in the state of Tyrol, with the biggest parades in Innsbruck and Salzburg. These parades are often orderly and well-organised, with young men dressing up as Krampus, attempting to scare spectators and sometimes chasing them.
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Krampus celebrations were discouraged in the 1950s
Krampus, a half-goat, half-demon figure in Austrian folklore, has ancient origins dating back to pagan times. He is believed to be a companion of Saint Nicholas, with a role in punishing misbehaving children during the Christmas season. While Saint Nicholas rewards good children with gifts, Krampus metes out punishment to those who are naughty. This duality is reflected in the Krampus parades and runs, where participants dressed as Krampus chase and sometimes whip spectators, adding to the eerie atmosphere.
In the 1950s, efforts to discourage Krampus celebrations were not entirely successful due to the rugged and sparsely populated nature of the Alpine regions where the tradition was deeply rooted. Despite the distribution of pamphlets, Krampus celebrations persisted and have even experienced a resurgence in recent years, not only in Austria but also internationally.
The persistence of Krampus celebrations can be attributed to their strong cultural significance and ancient origins. Krampusnacht parades and Krampus runs have become captivating attractions, drawing visitors from around the world to witness the intricate costumes, masks, and unique festivities. The resurgence of Krampus celebrations is also tied to a broader interest in preserving cultural heritage and embracing the darker aspects of the holiday season.
While Krampus celebrations have evolved and spread beyond their traditional Alpine regions, they continue to be a source of fascination and entertainment for people of all ages. The legend of Krampus has firmly secured its place in Austrian folklore and popular culture, both locally and globally, despite efforts to discourage the tradition in the 1950s.
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Krampus is celebrated in other countries
Krampus is celebrated in many countries outside of Austria. In Germany, masked devils have been part of German culture since at least the 16th century, with animal-masked devils appearing in medieval church plays. Saint Nicholas, or Nikolaus, became popular in Germany in the 11th century, and the figure of Krampus is believed to have originated as a pagan companion to the saint.
In Slovenia, Krampus is called Parkelj and is one of the companions of Miklavž, the Slovenian form of St. Nicholas. In parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as Croatia, Krampus is described as a devil wearing a cloth sack and chains. In Switzerland, the figure is known as Schmutzli, and in parts of Slovenia, the figure is known as Straggele.
In North America, Krampus celebrations are also gaining popularity. The creature has become a global symbol of the darker side of the holiday season, with Krampusnacht parades captivating audiences worldwide. The fascination with Krampus has extended beyond Austria, finding a place in popular culture through movies, books, and themed events.
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Frequently asked questions
The Krampus Parade, or Krampuslauf, is a festival that takes place in Austria to celebrate the legend of Krampus. The parades feature people dressed as Krampus and other mythical creatures, creating a surreal and captivating atmosphere.
Krampus is believed to be a companion of Saint Nicholas (or Santa Claus). While Saint Nicholas rewards good children with gifts, Krampus is tasked with punishing the naughty ones. Krampus is depicted as a half-man, half-goat, or half-wolf demon, with a long, pointed tongue and cloven hooves.
The tradition of celebrating Krampus has ancient origins in pre-Christian, Germanic paganism. In modern times, the Krampus parades are a unique and fascinating part of Austrian Christmas traditions.
