Photo: Johann Jaritz · CC BY-SA 3.0 ATKrampusnacht · December 5
Krampus: who he is, when Krampusnacht is, and where to see a Krampus parade in 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 favourite 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.
12 places in 11 US cities · checked September 2026
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.
Photo: Unknown artist, around 1900 · Public domainWhen 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.
Photo: Jernej Furman · CC BY 2.0Krampus 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 organisers 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.
Photo: Naturpuur · CC BY-SA 4.0Krampus parades and festivals in US cities
Checked on the organisers' own pages. Where the 2026 date is already out we give it; otherwise the date it was last held — most repeat on the same weekend.
New Orleans, LA
Bywater
Krampus NOLAuf
Run by the Krewe of Krampus, who call it the largest Krampuslauf in America: dozens of troupes, St Nicholas himself, sustainable throws and an accessibility row for viewers who need it. Free to watch; starts at 7:30 pm sharp.
Next: Saturday, December 5, 2026, at 7:30 pm
San Antonio, TX
King William Historic District
Krampus Yuletide Parade
Held on the first Friday of December through the old King William neighbourhood. Free to watch from the street, with paid VIP spots; organisers expected 5,000 to 10,000 people in 2025.
Next: Friday, December 4, 2026
Leavenworth & Bremerton, WA
Leavenworth (Bavarian village)
Krampuslauf Leavenworth
Krampus Seattle's free parade through Washington's Bavarian-style village, the weekend after Thanksgiving — with a mostly all-ages pub crawl the night before.
Next: Saturday, November 28, 2026
Downtown Bremerton
Krampusnacht Bremerton
An afternoon-to-evening Krampus festival with a parade on Krampusnacht itself, across the water from Seattle.
Next: Saturday, December 5, 2026, 2–9 pm
Portland, OR
Hawthorne, Southeast Portland
Portland Krampus Lauf
A homemade, whimsical Krampus parade: marchers gather at Sewallcrest Park in the late afternoon and head up to Hawthorne Boulevard. Free, and anyone in costume can join.
Last held: Friday, December 5, 2025 — gathering at 4 pm, parade at 5 pm
Chicago, IL
North Center
Martyrs' Krampus Fest
Chicago's Krampus party since 2013: a holiday artisan market, German street food and glühwein, a Krampuslauf up Lincoln Avenue at 6:30 pm, then a costume contest and live music. No cover, all ages.
Last held: Saturday, December 13, 2025, from noon
Denver, CO
Downtown Denver
Krampus Nacht at the Denver Christkindlmarket
On Krampusnacht the Krampus parade comes through the city's German Christmas market, and the creatures roam the stalls for photos. The market reopens on November 20, 2026.
Last held: Friday, December 5, 2025, late afternoon
Orlando, FL
Milk District
KrampusFest in the Milk District
One of the South's biggest Krampus festivals: free entry, live bands, food, more than 150 holiday vendors, costume contests and a Krampuslauf.
Last held: Sunday, December 7, 2025, 2–9 pm
Philadelphia, PA
Northern Liberties
Parade of Spirits
A hyper-local Krampus parade that starts and ends at the neighbourhood park, running for fifteen years. Late afternoon, free.
Last held: Saturday, December 13, 2025
Pittsburgh, PA
Troy Hill
Krampusnacht in Troy Hill
On Krampusnacht a line of Krampuses climbs Troy Hill Road, and Penn Brewery throws its Krampus party on the terrace with a band and a seasonal beer.
Last held: Friday, December 5, 2025, from 6 pm
Minneapolis, MN
North Loop
Minnesota Krampus at the Christkindlmarkt
The Minnesota Krampus group stalks the Minneapolis Christkindlmarkt on several evenings through the season, usually coming out at set times.
Last held: Through December 2025; last appearance December 19 at 7:15 and 8:15 pm
Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles
Krampus Los Angeles
Ticketed evening shows — the Krampus Rumpus — that sold out in 2025. Tickets for 2026 go on sale on October 31.
Next: Tickets from October 31, 2026
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.