While many of us may not associate the waning of the year with getting active, others are excited for the many fun runs and wellness movements that have cropped up during the winter months in the last several years. It is also a season chock full of holidays in numerous traditions. For centuries in Alpine Europe, many people have celebrated Krampusnacht on December 5, followed by the Feast of Saint Nicholas on December 6. As more people become acquainted with the traditions surrounding Krampus, Krampusnacht, and Krampuslauf, celebrations and events have cropped up around the United States. As most states continue to lift covid restrictions, organizers have planned several events this year.
The origins of Krampus
Many in the US might not have heard about Krampus until the release of the titular movie Krampus in 2015. The folklore surrounding Krampus himself may date back to pre-Christian times, and for a long time, had nothing to do with Christmas. He is a fearsome creature, often portrayed with hooves, fur, large horns, and a twisted, snarling face. The name Krampus is derived from the German word krampen, meaning “claw.”
Early 1900s Czech illustration of Krampus accompanying St. Nicholas to bedevil a child [public domain]
Over time, Krampus became linked with Christian traditions despite concerted efforts from the Catholic church. On the night of December 5, Krampus and Saint Nicholas come. If children have been good, then Saint Nicholas will leave them a gift, but if they have misbehaved, Krampus visits instead. Tall, with long horns, a long tongue, and a body covered in hair, Krampus stalks the countryside wearing chains and wielding a stick. He is said to beat children with a single stick or a bundle of sticks or switches. Others say he eats the worst children or puts them in his sack and takes them to hell.
Krampusnacht and Krampuslauf
Krampusnacht refers to the night of December 5, when many cities and towns hold events and celebrations. The Krampuslauf, or Krampus Run, is one of the festivities featured during many Krampusnacht celebrations. In some towns, the Krampuslauf is more of a wild procession, with men and women dressed up in elaborate and sometimes truly terrifying costumes. Outfits might be modern makes of latex, plastic, or resin, but many in the old towns across Europe bring out sheep or other animal skins, hand-carved masks, and real animal horns. Some Krampuslaufs also include Perchten, who may be beautiful or ugly women or angels, and in some places in Salzburg have their own procession, called Perchtenlaufe.
A 5K with Krampus
The Krampus Cross Country is a 5K or a 10K, depending on the runner’s choice. There is an in-person race in San Francisco, but runners can also join in virtually. The in-person trail run through the Presidio is timed and includes a treasure hunt with special “woodallions” and medals hidden throughout the course, which participants can return for prizes. As of November 29, Sasquatch Racing reports that the Krampus Cross Country is more than 90% full, with organizers expecting it to sell out ahead of the day.
The Vermont Krampuslauf offers a 5K, 10K, and 50K on December 11, 2021 in Pomfret, Vermont. Supporting Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports, each race iteration includes elevation gain. Runners can dress up as Krampus, and all finishers will receive a medal. Those who do not finish will receive a birch twig. The best Krampus costumes can also win prizes. Neither the Krampus Cross Country nor the Vermont Krampuslauf has any religious affiliation, and both are secular events.
Carbon County Krampusnacht
Carbon County, Pennsylvania, will hold its first-ever Black Forest Krampusnacht on December 4, 2021, in Jim Thorpe. In addition to a beer garden, vendors, and a live polka band, the festivities will also include a “Running of the Krampus.” Those who wish to be Krampus runners must apply and should be in costume. The Krampus runners will have candy canes or lumps of coal to pass out to children during the Krampuslauf.
The Krewe of Krampus
No one parties quite like New Orleans, and the Krewe of Krampus is gearing up for Krampus NOLAuf celebrations on December 4, 2021. The Krampuslauf parade will feature Krampus and include Saint Nicholas and many helpers such as Frau Perchta, Knecht Ruprecht, and others. While NOLA’s Krampuslauf has many of the traditional sights and sounds, including switches, chains, and bells, it also wouldn’t be NOLA without a brass band.
Krampus Los Angeles
In the seemingly far away days of pre-Covid, there was Krampus Los Angeles, featuring the Krampus Ball and a Krampus Run in the Alpine Village in Torrance, California. Unfortunately, a representative from Krampus Los Angeles stated that they would not be hosting festivities this year but expect to be back in 2022.
Krampusnacht DC
Another event that is canceled this year due to concerns over the rise of covid variants is Krampusnacht DC. Fearing that the event would spur large crowd gatherings and turn into a spreading event, the organizers also opted to look forward to 2022. Instead of in-person celebrations, Krampusnacht DC is doing a virtual fundraiser for The Wanda Alston Foundation, which does outreach for unhoused and at-risk LGBTQIA+ youth.
The Parade of Spirits
In the Northern Liberties neighborhood of Philadelphia, The Parade of Spirits has taken place since 2011. Known initially as Krampuslauf Philadelphia, the organizers decided to choose a more inclusive name for the festivities. Called “Der Geischderschtrutz” in Pennsylvania Dutch, The Parade of Spirits is more than a collection of Krampus costumes. A Wild Hunt of not only Krampus but also Belsnickel and other ‘shadowy entities’ will parade through the streets. Organizers encourage participants to bring noisemakers.
Art for the Parade of Spirits float, created by Stacey Lynne Stewart [courtesy Robert L. Schreiwer]
While The Parade of Spirits is a secular event, it is also inclusive of any and all traditions that wish to participate. At the head of the procession is the hero Gedreier Eckhart, portrayed for many years by Robert Schreiwer, a practitioner and leader in the Urglaawe tradition. Robert Schreiwer will be leading Der Geischderschtrutz once again this year as Gedreier Eckhart, bearing a percussive instrument known as a boomba. Gedreier Eckhart serves Frau Holle faithfully in death as he once did in life by marching at the head of the Wild Hunt to warn the living that Holle is out to collect souls of the recently deceased.
The Parade of Spirits will occur on December 11, 2021, beginning at 4 PM. Opening remarks will take place beginning at 4:36 PM just before sunset.
Embracing Krampus in all iterations
There have been many times over the centuries where Krampus was made very unwelcome by Christian groups, most notably in the 12th century and in the 1930s. Variations on the theme of Krampus can be found wherever people from Austria, Germany, and other parts of Europe settled as a result of emigration.
The Pennsylvania Dutch are descended from German immigrants from the Palatinate region of Germany. They have Belsnickel, an entity that is more like a grumpy, hairy guy than the terrifying Krampus. Belsnickel comes from two German words, which roughly translate to ‘hairy Nicholas,’ but rather than working the rounds of children’s homes with Saint Nicholas, the Belsnickel works alone. Bursting into each house, he frightens children and demands to know whether they’ve been good. If the answer is unsatisfactory, the child may get a swat with the bundle of birch switches the Belsnickel carries. But unlike Krampus, if the children could answer truthfully that they have been good, the Belsnickel may have a bag of treats to give them instead.
Le Père Fouettard, “the Father Whipper,” does the rounds with Saint Nicholas in parts of France, Belgium, and Switzerland. As his name suggests, he carries a whip for the naughty children, and in some areas, also passes out lumps of coal. Many stories surround his origin, but most of them detail him as a pretty terrible human before joining with Saint Nicholas and working with him to punish naughty children. Le Père Fouettard is dirty, with long hair and a scraggly beard.
Defining Krampus in the US
For many Pagans and Heathens, Krampus, Frau Holle, Gedreier Eckhart, and other shadow figures are an important part of both celebrating and honoring the dark of the year and the shadow in life. Many people participate in the runs and celebrations who have no affiliation with the stories and beliefs that have swirled around these companions and helpers for hundreds or thousands of years. The festivities give people an opportunity to tune into the shadow and acknowledge the duality in life and deeds.
Now, we must ask: who among our dear readers has been good? And who is instead due for a visit from the Krampus?
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