--- title: "Krampus Explained: Krampusnacht and Where to See It" url: https://avellera.com/krampus-explained/ description: "Krampus explained: St Nicholas' horned companion, Krampusnacht on 5 December, Krampus vs Perchten, and the best runs in Austria and Bavaria in 2026." language: en --- # Krampus Explained: St Nicholas' Dark Companion in the Alps By Clemens · 2026-10-29 · 8 min read **In short:** Krampus is the horned, fur-clad companion of St Nicholas in the Alpine regions of Austria and Bavaria. He appears on the evening of 5 December, Krampusnacht, the eve of St Nicholas Day, to warn naughty children while St Nicholas hands out sweets and nuts to the good ones. Today the custom lives on in public Krampus runs across the Alps from late November to early December, the largest of them in Klagenfurt with around 1,000 masked figures. Few Christmas customs surprise first-time visitors to Austria as much as this one. On a cold December evening in a market square that smells of mulled wine and roasted chestnuts, the lights dim, cowbells start to clang, and a procession of shaggy, horned figures with hand-carved masks comes roaring out of the dark. Here is what Krampus is, where it comes from, and how to see it well. ## Who is Krampus? Krampus is the dark counterpart to St Nicholas, known in Austria as Nikolaus or Nikolo. While Nikolaus, a kindly bishop with a long white beard, rewards well-behaved children with sweets, peanuts, tangerines and small presents, Krampus is there to warn the ones who misbehaved. Austria's national tourism board describes him as half demon, half goat, with horns, a carved wooden mask and chains around his neck, ankles and wrists. He carries a bundle of birch twigs or a whip, and often a basket on his back, which in old stories was used to carry naughty children away. The figure is not identical everywhere. In the Berchtesgaden area of Bavaria his helpers are called Kramperl, in parts of Austria and Bavaria he was known as Klaubauf, and in Styria he is joined by straw-wrapped figures called Schab. The Salzburg tourism board links the name itself to the creature's long claws. ## Where does the tradition come from? Honestly, nobody knows for certain. Saint Nicholas is clearly Christian, based on Bishop Nicholas of Myra, but the roots of Krampus are, in the words of the Austrian tourism board, largely mysterious. Some local historians point to pre-Christian winter customs: an archivist in Bad Hofgastein cites a text attributed to Saint Augustine, around 400 AD, describing young people in furs roaring through the streets. Many historians are more cautious, noting that Krampus himself is only documented from the 16th century, and that he was paired with St Nicholas as a helper in the 17th century, because punishment was not considered fitting for a saint. The custom has also survived official disapproval. In the 1930s the Dollfuss government banned it, and in the 1950s Austrian authorities distributed pamphlets warning that Krampus could frighten children. Krampus greeting cards have been exchanged since the 19th century, often printed with the line "Gruß vom Krampus", greetings from Krampus. **Insider tip:** Look for antique Krampus postcards in Vienna and Salzburg flea markets and antique shops. They make a lovely souvenir. ## Krampus or Perchten: what is the difference? Visitors often mix up the two, but they are different figures: - **Krampus** belongs to St Nicholas and to the days around 5 and 6 December. His role is moral: he warns and punishes. - **Perchten** are found only in the Alpine regions of Austria and Bavaria, and their name probably comes from the legendary figure Perchta. Traditionally they appeared in the Twelve Nights between the winter solstice and Epiphany on 6 January. There are "beautiful" Schönperchten, who bring luck, and "ugly" Schiachperchten with frightening masks, and both carry bells meant to drive winter away. The 20th century folklore boom blurred the lines, so today you will see hybrid "Krampusperchten" and Perchten runs throughout December. The Salzburg tourism board counts around 200 local groups, called Pässe, in Salzburg alone, and all of their masks are carved by hand. ## Krampusnacht and the days around it The key date is the evening of 5 December. In many villages, St Nicholas still visits families at home on 5 or 6 December, accompanied by Krampus and often an angel. In the Gastein Valley, Krampus groups go from house to house on both days, and the local belief is that Krampus drives evil away rather than embodying it. Groups even test each other in "Rempeln", wrestling using only their shoulders. Masks there are carved from Swiss stone pine, with horns and fur from local goats and rams. These house visits are private family occasions, not shows for visitors. Berchtesgaden's tourism office says the same about its Buttnmandl, figures dressed in long threshed straw with fur masks and heavy bells: the custom is a house visit, not a public event. For travelers, the public runs and processions are the way in. **Insider tip:** Krampus runs are real contact events. Performers may give the legs of spectators a playful swat with their switch, so stand behind the barriers, keep small children toward the back, and dress warmly with sturdy shoes, since you will stand outside for an hour or more. ## Where to see a Krampus run in Austria and Bavaria Dates below come from official tourism boards and the organizers. Many events are set each year, so always confirm the final program close to your trip. | Event | Where | When | Why go | | Krampus run | Klagenfurt, Carinthia | Late November | Widely regarded as Austria's largest: about 1,000 figures on a 1.5 km route, watched by some 50,000 people | | Krampus run | Schladming, Styria | Late November | Up to 1,000 performers from the Planai stadium to the main square; ticketed | | Krampus runs | Salzburg Old Town, Linzergasse, Christmas market | 5 December 2026 | Classic Krampus night in a UNESCO World Heritage old town | | Nikolospiel | Bad Mitterndorf, Styria | 5 December | A St Nicholas folk play with Krampus and straw Schab figures, on Austria's national inventory of intangible heritage since 2020 | | Niglo procession | Windischgarsten, Upper Austria | 5 December | About 30 figures, focused on St Nicholas; national inventory since 2011 | | Rauriser Toifi | Rauris Valley, Salzburg | 5 to 7 December | Strictly traditional red, white and black masks | | St Nicholas parade | Berchtesgaden, Bavaria | 5 December | Buttnmandl and Kramperl in a public parade held since 1962 | | Krampus run | Munich old town | 13 December 2026, 3 to 5 pm | About 25 groups and more than 300 figures, ending at the Old Town Hall; free | | Traditional Perchten run | Salzburg | 21 December 2026 | Perchten on the longest night of the year | The most famous Perchten event of all, the Gastein Perchten run, takes place only every four years, on one day between New Year's Day and Epiphany. About 140 figures take part, among them some 30 "cap wearers" with headdresses several meters tall, and the custom has been on Austria's national inventory of intangible cultural heritage since 2011. **Insider tip:** Munich's run on 13 December is ideal if you are traveling in mid December: it starts at 3 pm, in the afternoon, and finishes at the Marienplatz Christmas market, which stays open until 8 pm on Sundays. ## How families in the Alps celebrate For Austrian children, early December revolves around Nikolaus. On 6 December, St Nicholas Day, good children receive their sweets, nuts and tangerines. Two days earlier, on 4 December, St Barbara's Day, many families cut Barbara branches and put them in water; if they bloom by Christmas Eve, the old belief says, the coming year will be lucky. The season continues well past Krampus night. Perchten runs follow through December, the Rauhnächte, the smoky nights between Christmas and Epiphany, bring their own customs of incense and fortune telling, and on 5 January the Glöckler of the Salzkammergut and Salzburg run through the dark in white, wearing illuminated headdresses of wood and tissue paper. ## How to experience Krampus in style A Krampus run is at its best as one evening within a longer Advent journey. Our [Krampus nights and Advent in the Alps](https://avellera.com/journeys/krampus-advent/) journey links Munich, Salzburg and Vienna by first-class rail, with a Krampus night in an Alpine village and a local who explains the masks. Combine it with the [oldest Christmas markets in Europe](https://avellera.com/oldest-christmas-markets-europe/), a glass of [Glühwein](https://avellera.com/gluhwein-a-european-winter-tradition/), and a few quiet days in [Austria](https://avellera.com/destination/austria/) or [Bavaria](https://avellera.com/destination/germany/). **Insider tip:** Book hotels in Salzburg and the Alpine valleys early for the first week of December. The first week of December, with Krampus night on the 5th and the Austrian public holiday on the 8th, is a favorite time for Advent trips. Avellera is a Vienna-based luxury travel company led by its co-founders, Clemens and Kamilla Sengwein-Réti. We design high-end, tailor-made journeys through Austria, Switzerland and Central Europe, and we know which runs are authentic, where to stand and which village inn to book afterwards. [Start planning your Advent journey](https://avellera.com/start-planning/) with us. ## Frequently asked questions ### When is Krampusnacht? Krampusnacht is the evening of 5 December, the eve of St Nicholas Day on 6 December. Public Krampus runs, however, take place from late November to mid December, and Perchten runs continue until early January. ### Is Krampus scary for children? He is meant to be. Krampus is a figure of warning, and small children are often frightened. Many towns hold gentler children's events, such as Salzburg's Nikolo and Kinderkrampus at the Christkindlmarkt on 6 December 2026. ### What is the biggest Krampus run in Austria? The Klagenfurt Krampus run in late November is widely regarded as the largest, with about 1,000 figures and some 50,000 spectators. Schladming also draws up to 1,000 performers. ### Can I see Krampus in Vienna? St Nicholas and Krampus are part of early December in Vienna too, but the great public runs belong to the Alpine regions. For a real run, travel to Salzburg, the Alpine valleys, Carinthia, Styria or Munich. Photo: Alessandro Caproni, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons Plan it with us ### Turn this into your trip Get a personal first trip idea and Avellera PDF in minutes, free and without obligation. [Create my trip idea](https://avellera.com/start-planning/) Book a call Trip ideas ## Journeys to make your own Advent ### Krampus nights & Advent in the Alps Munich 2 · Salzburg 3 · Vienna 3 - The Krampus run through Munich's old town - Krampus night in an alpine village with a local - Vienna's Christmas markets with a private guide **Best time**: Late Nov to 8 Dec **Getting around**: First-class rail and private transfers **9 days** · 8 nights from **US$ 5,400** pp See this trip idea → https://avellera.com/journeys/krampus-advent/ Switzerland ### The best of Switzerland Lucerne 2 · Interlaken 3 · Zermatt 2 · Zurich 1 - Jungfraujoch, the Top of Europe - A private VIP gondola facing the Matterhorn - The Glacier Express in first class **Best time**: Jun to Sep, Dec to Mar **Getting around**: Swiss Travel Pass in first class, luggage forwarding **9 days** · 8 nights from **US$ 6,300** pp See this trip idea → https://avellera.com/journeys/best-of-switzerland/ Austria ### The best of Austria Vienna 4 · Salzburg 3 · Hallstatt 2 · Wachau 1 - A palace concert just for you - Lake Hallstatt by electric boat, before the crowds - Wachau cellars with a winemaker **Best time**: May to Oct, December **Getting around**: Railjet first class and private transfers **11 days** · 10 nights from **US$ 6,600** pp See this trip idea → https://avellera.com/journeys/best-of-austria/ [All 17 journeys](https://avellera.com/journeys/) Keep reading ## More travel insights Insight · 2026-10-28 ### The Oldest Zoos in Europe → https://avellera.com/oldest-zoos-europe/ Insight · 2026-10-06 ### The Oldest Christmas Markets in Europe → https://avellera.com/oldest-christmas-markets-europe/ Insight · 2026-10-06 ### The Oldest Coffee Houses in Europe → https://avellera.com/oldest-coffee-houses-europe/ Get in touch ## Ready to plan your once in a lifetime trip? 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