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Krampus figures in dark fur, horns and carved masks at a night-time Krampus run under Christmas lights
Photo: Johann Jaritz · CC BY-SA 3.0 AT

Krampusnacht · December 5

Krampus: who he is, when Krampusnacht is, and 56 Krampus parades and festivals across the US

St Nicholas brings the treats; Krampus comes for the naughty. The horned, fur-covered figure from the Alps has become one of America's favorite winter traditions, with torch-lit Krampus runs from New Orleans to Seattle. Here is who he is, when he comes, and where to see him this year.

56 Krampus events in 36 states and DC · checked September 2026

📍 Find one near you

until Krampusnacht

Who is Krampus?

A figure from the folklore of the Alps — Austria, Bavaria, South Tyrol and their neighbours. He is half goat, half demon: horns, shaggy fur, a long red tongue, cowbells and chains, and a bundle of birch switches for naughty children. The name is usually traced to an old German word for claw.

He never works alone. Krampus is the dark companion of St Nicholas: while the saint hands out oranges, nuts and chocolate to good children, Krampus rattles his chains at the bad ones. In the old stories the worst were carried off in the basket on his back.

An old Austrian Krampus postcard: a black horned Krampus stuffing a crying child into a basketPhoto: Unknown artist, around 1900 · Public domain

When is Krampusnacht?

Krampusnacht — Krampus Night — is the evening of December 5, the night before St Nicholas Day. In 2026 it falls on a Saturday. That is when he traditionally visits homes with St Nicholas, and when many towns hold their big run.

In practice the season is longer. Alpine towns and American cities alike hold Krampus events from late November to mid-December, usually on weekends, so check the dates for your city below.

What is a Krampuslauf?

A Krampus run: a parade of costumed groups through the streets after dark, with torches, smoke, the clang of heavy cowbells and the occasional swish of a switch at the crowd. In Austria and Bavaria it is a proud local tradition, and each group carves its own masks.

American Krampus runs keep the spirit and add their own: costume contests, German food and mulled wine, craft markets and after-parties. Most are free to watch. They are loud and dark, so they suit older kids and adults better than toddlers.

A white-furred Krampus with curled horns walking past a smiling crowd at a daytime Krampus paradePhoto: Jernej Furman · CC BY 2.0

Krampus masks and costumes

Traditional masks are hand-carved from wood, with real goat or ram horns, and worn with a full suit of sheep or goat fur, a belt of cowbells and a bundle of switches. A mask from a master carver can cost hundreds of dollars and take weeks to make, and the whole outfit is heavy and hot to march in.

Most US Krampus groups began as a handful of friends and welcome newcomers to march with them — the organizers below are the place to ask. For a first year, a store-bought mask, a fur vest and a string of bells will get you into the costume contest.

Two hand-made Krampus masks with horns, pointed ears and sharp teeth on a workshop benchPhoto: Naturpuur · CC BY-SA 4.0

Krampus parades and festivals across the US

56 public Krampus events in 36 states and DC — parades, Krampusnacht festivals, markets, balls and runs. We searched Google state by state and in 40 big metros, and kept only events whose date and place are confirmed by the organizer or local press. Where the 2026 date is already out we give it; otherwise the date it was last held — most return on the same weekend. Some are 18+ or ticketed; the note says so.

56 events in 36 states and DC

By city

New England & New York, VT / NH / RI / CT / NY / NJ

Pennsylvania, PA

Washington, Baltimore & Virginia, DC / MD / VA / WV

The South, AL / GA / SC / TN / KY / OK

Florida, Louisiana & Texas, FL / LA / TX

Midwest, IL / MI / OH / IN / IA / MN / MO / KS / NE / SD

Mountain West & Southwest, CO / UT / ID / MT / AZ

West Coast, WA / OR / CA

Questions

When is Krampusnacht 2026?
Saturday, December 5, 2026 — the evening before St Nicholas Day.
Is Krampus evil?
Not quite. In the Alpine tradition he is the saint's enforcer: scary for naughty children, harmless for good ones. In the US he is mostly a lot of fun with a dark costume.
Are Krampus parades OK for kids?
Older children usually love them. They are loud, dark and the costumes are genuinely frightening, so very young children may find them too much — stand further back or pick a daytime event.
What is the difference between Krampus and Perchten?
Both are fur-clad Alpine figures, but Krampus comes with St Nicholas in early December, while the Perchten run in the dark days around New Year and Epiphany. Many runs mix the two.