Krampusnacht Austria Alpine Demon Parades

On December 5, Krampusnacht, or "Krampus Night," is celebrated in Alpine regions such as Austria, southern Germany, and parts of Switzerland and northern Italy, when men dressed as the horned demon Krampus drink alcohol, run through the streets, and chase delinquent children with bundles of sticks. In these nighttime parades, Krampus appears as a shaggy, fanged creature with horns and chains, acting as the dark counterpart to Saint Nicholas. Many anthropologists perceive Krampus as a remnant of pre-Christian Alpine and pagan winter customs, which subsequently found their way into Christian folklore.

Previous Fact Next Fact