Krampus is the perfect antidote to holiday stress. He’s spooky, funny, rebellious, and deeply rooted in community celebrations. For many, celebrating Krampus isn’t about scaring children, it’s about reclaiming the season for joy, laughter, and shared tradition.
If you think Christmas is all candy canes and cozy sweaters, think again. In parts of Europe, the holiday season comes with a terrifying twist - Krampus, a horned, furry, chain-rattling monster who punishes misbehaving children. December 5th is Krampusnacht (Krampus Night), the one evening each year when this creature roams the streets.
12 Fascinating Krampus Facts
If you're not familiar with Krampus, here are a few facts about our favorite Christmas demon.
1. Krampus is Santa’s terrifying counterpart.
In Alpine folklore, St. Nicholas rewards the good children on December 6th, but the night before, Krampus visits the naughty ones. They are literally a tag team of holiday judgment.
2. He comes from deep Alpine tradition.
Krampus is rooted in the folklore of German-speaking Europe, especially Austria’s Styria and Salzburg regions and Germany’s Bavaria. Variants also appear in the folklore of nearby Slavic, Hungarian, Italian, and Romanian communities.
3. Krampus is older than Christmas itself.
His origins likely come from ancient pre-Christian winter rituals meant to chase away evil spirits. Over time, he became woven into Christian St. Nicholas traditions.
4. The name “Krampus” hints at his appearance.
Scholars debate the origin, but it likely comes from the Old High German Krampe (“hook, claw”), or the Bavarian Krampn (“withered, shriveled, dead”). Either way, it’s not inspiring warm fuzzy feelings.
5. Krampusnacht happens every year on December 5.
This is his night. St. Nicholas Day is December 6, so the evening before belongs to Krampus and his mischief.
6. His job is simple: punish naughty kids.
While St. Nicholas hands out gifts, Krampus threatens or disciplines children who misbehave. In some stories he rattles chains and swats with birch sticks; in others he carries kids off in a sack.
7. Krampus runs are wild, noisy, and unforgettable.
Across Austria, Germany, and beyond, people celebrate with Krampusläufe (“Krampus runs”), rowdy parades featuring participants dressed as the creature, complete with horns, fangs, and clanking chains.
8. The costumes are serious works of art.
Traditional Krampus masks are hand-carved from wood, often by dedicated artisans who spend months crafting each one. Add real animal horns and shaggy fur, and the effect is both terrifying and beautiful.
9. Those birch sticks aren’t random props.
Krampus carries bundles of birch called ruten, symbolizing cleansing or punishment. Historically, parents used them to warn children about misbehaving in December.
10. Krampus cards were once all the rage.
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Europeans sent Krampuskarten, postcards showing Krampus chasing naughty kids, stealing them away in baskets, or (bizarrely) flirting with adults. They usually included the greeting “Gruss vom Krampus!” (“Greetings from Krampus!”).
11. Authorities once tried to ban him.
In 1934, Austrian officials considered the Krampus tradition too pagan and “morally questionable” and tried to outlaw it. Locals kept the custom alive anyway, and Krampus eventually returned stronger than ever.
12. American Krampus is a modern phenomenon.
You might be surprised to learn that Krampus barely existed in the U.S. before the 21st century. American Krampus celebrations, now found in cities like Philadelphia, Portland, and Los Angeles, have exploded since the early 2000s. I believe the growth in popularity of Krampus may be a reaction to the over-commercialization of Christmas. Krampus celebrations offer a more communal, humorous, hand-made and wildly fun alternative.
You're on the Naughty List!
To celebrate Krampusnacht this year, I made a little music video for all my friends who are on Krampus' Naughty List this year. Yea, that's pretty much all of you.
Snow is falling, bells are ringing,
Krampus comes with chains a-swinging.
Hide your cookies, hide your treats,
He’s stomping through the winter streets.
His tongue is long, his horns are high,
Beneath the frozen, moonless sky.
You better scream out, you better run and hide,
You’re on the Naughty List, there's no safety inside.
He’s making a list, He’s checking it twice,
You’re gonna pay a terrible price,
Krampus is coming tonight!
The embers fade, the shadows grow,
He leaves a split hoofprint in the snow.
No use locking up the door,
He’s scratching at the wooden floor.
He wields the ruten in his hand,
To drive you from this quiet land.
You better scream out, you better run and hide,
You’re on the Naughty List, there's no safety inside.
He’s making a list, He’s checking it twice,
You’re gonna pay a terrible price,
Krampus is coming tonight!
Forget the gifts and candy canes,
Just listen to the rusty chains.
Saint Nicholas is fast asleep,
While monsters from the mountains creep.
Your bad behavior seals your fate,
And now the hour is far too late.
You better scream out, you better run and hide,
You’re on the Naughty List, there's no safety inside.
He’s making a list, He’s checking it twice,
You’re gonna pay a terrible price,
Krampus is coming to town.
Krampus is hunting you down.
Krampus comes on Krampusnacht!
Krampus Festivals
Need even more Krampus fun? Check out how the community of Greenbelt, Maryland comes together to create their Krampus Festival. It's a home-made evening of cookies, community, music and dancing featuring the Greenbelt Honk! Situation band.
Comments ()