While much of the Christmas season is dominated by St. Nicholas or Santa Claus, there is a darker being that you may be interested in learning more about if the idea of hauntings and monsters intrigues you—Krampus. Where Santa is sweet, bringing children presents and presenting himself like a sweet grandpa, Krampus is a monster, which has its own appeal for people this time of year.  

While the worst thing Santa may do is leave you coal, the worst thing that Krampus may do is drag you to Hell. In place of that, he may just chase and scare naughty children, but why would you want to take the chance?

All of the sudden, coal isn't sounding so bad after all. So who was Krampus anyway, and why would he do such a thing to children? Let's find out more about him and the celebrations that include him around the world.

Who is Krampus?

Although not celebrated as much as his jolly, benevolent counterpart, Krampus' dark nature is one that appeals to the same side of people as Halloween. The legend of Krampus involves a half-goat-half-man creature who is the devilish companion to St. Nicholas.

While the origin is, for the most part, a mystery, many anthropologists believe it dates back to pagan mythology. We don't know much about the pre-Christian pagan pantheon of Europe since Christian missionaries attempted to wipe out their traditions altogether. 

He is often depicted as a monster with cloven hooves for feet and goat-like horns atop his head. The beast has fangs, crazy eyes, and a long pointed tongue to add to his wickedness. He is usually drawn covered in black or brown hair and has a dominating presence, towering over humans at 8 or 9 feet tall. Krampus also came to represent the oncoming dark nights and the difficulty of surviving the Alps in the frigid winter.

The name itself comes from the German word krampen, which means claw. According to legend, Krampus was the son of the Norse god of the underworld, who was named Hel. Despite this lack of information, we do know that during the 11th century, horned devils began to pop up in medieval plays.

When the 12th century hit, the Catholic Church attempted to ban celebrations of this dark devil, given his resemblance to their concept of the devil. In 1934, the Christian Social Party in Austria tried again, but none of these attempts to rid the world of Krampus and celebrations of him being held.

Saint Nicholas and Krampus

According to tradition, St. Nicholas and Krampus actually worked together. With St. Nick giving out rewards to the good children and Krampus punishing the bad ones. He is on the opposite side of St. Nick, representing the evil, while Nick represents the saint. Because St. Nicholas' saint day falls in early December, he has become associated with Christmas. He is the one who is the saint of children, while Krampus punishes them in an effort to get kids to behave.

While the idea of Krampus was prevalent in Austria and parts of Germany, in other regions of Germany, there were other punishing figures such as Belsnickle and Knecht Ruprecht, who was depicted as a black-bearded man who would also beat children.

According to legend, they come together on December 5th, with the saint rewarding kids with candy in their shoes and the devil punishing them by hitting them with birch branches or stuffing them into his sack and taken to his Hell to be punished or eaten. It seems way more extreme than a lump of coal, doesn't it? At least that you can use to keep warm.

The History of Krampusnacht

While many celebrate the season of Christmas with joy and good cheer, other parts of the world celebrate the twenty days before Christmas with scary demons with masks and horns. Bavaria, some parts of Germany, and the majority of Eastern Europe celebrate Krampusnacht during this time.

While it may seem strange to celebrate a demon, the folklore of the holiday goes back over a thousand years. It feels more like Halloween than Christmas and begins on December 5th. People dress up in a Krampus costume, consisting of a hand-carved wooden mask and a suit of either goat or sheep skin.

Add in some cowbells on your hips, and you're good to go. The traditional costume gets pretty expensive, so people will do alternatives such as using faux fur and face paint instead.

Krampusnacht Around the World 

The tradition is still celebrated today in Europe. In 2013, there were over 200 people who participated in Austria's first national Krampusnacht. Lienz, Austria, has an annual tradition of dressing up and chasing kids and adults around with sticks. It sounds terrifying but seems to be all in good fun. The annual Krampus parade involves young men who dress up as Krampus to participate in this ancient Pagan ritual to disperse winter ghosts.

Krampusnacht, or "Krampus night," has a foothold in multiple locations around the world. It has gained in popularity in the United States, especially in the Midwest. Since many people migrated from Central Europe to the Midwest in the 18th and 19th centuries, they brought many of their Alpine traditions with them.

Clintonville, Ohio, jumped came in 2015 with a Krampus parade. Parades in Seattle and Philadelphia have also popped up to signify the start of the Christmas season.

Krampusnacht 2022

American Ghost Walks is proud to be sponsoring the Milwaukee Krampusnacht this year. Seems that the claws of the monster even reach into the hearts of Wisconsinites.

On Sunday, December 4th, join other Krampus enthusiasts from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Milwaukee's Best Place and surrounding Brewery District. This is the 5th annual celebration of the Milwaukee Krampusnacht, although this is a new location. General admission is $5 and features various businesses taking part in this location through special food, music, and drinks.

Be sure to join us at 7 p.m. on December 4th for our Krampus March that goes from 9th to 11th streets on Juneau and back again. Wear your favorite Krampus-themed outfit!

We'll also have a table the same night near Chicago at the Thornton Distillery for Krampus' Dark Christmas. Click here for more details on that party.

Here's the 2021 parade from Milwaukee, look for the American Ghost Walks crew in the front!