Santa has a dark side, and he's got horns. While Saint Nicholas hands out treats to the good kids, his partner takes care of everybody else. Meet Krampus, the Christmas monster who's been scaring children straight for centuries.
Where Krampus Comes From
Krampus comes out of the Alpine regions of Europe, mainly Austria, Bavaria, and the surrounding mountain country. He is often said to have pre-Christian roots, though historians debate that, and over time he was folded into the Saint Nicholas tradition as the saint's dark companion. His name is usually traced to the German word Krampen, meaning claw.
The look is unmistakable: shaggy fur, goat-like horns, cloven hooves, and a long red tongue. Picture a half-goat, half-demon with zero holiday cheer.
What Krampus Does
Think of Krampus as Saint Nicholas's enforcer. He rattles chains, swats bad kids with bundles of birch switches, and in the scarier versions of the story carries a sack or basket on his back for hauling off the truly naughty. Nicholas brings the reward. Krampus brings the consequences.
Krampusnacht: December 5th
Krampus gets his own night. Krampusnacht falls on December 5th, the eve of Saint Nicholas Day. Across Austria and Bavaria, towns still hold the Krampuslauf, or Krampus run, where people in elaborate hand-carved masks and fur suits parade through the streets ringing bells and chasing onlookers. It's loud, wild, and very much alive today.
How Krampus Came to America
For a long time, Krampus stayed mostly a European tradition. Vintage Krampus greeting cards, known as Krampuskarten, circulated in Europe from the 1800s on, most of them carrying the greeting Gruß vom Krampus, or greetings from Krampus. Then pop culture took over. The 2015 horror-comedy Krampus put him in front of mainstream American audiences, and Krampus runs and parties, already starting up in US cities, have kept spreading since. These days he's a cult favorite for anyone who likes their holidays with a little bite.
Krampus vs. Belsnickel: Dwight Picked the Right Guy
Fans of The Office will remember the Season 9 episode "Dwight Christmas," when Dwight Schrute shows up to the office Christmas party as Belsnickel. Covered in fur and carrying a switch, he sizes up each coworker as "impish or admirable" and hands out either a gift or a whack.
Dwight wasn't making it up. Belsnickel is a real figure from German folklore, carried to Pennsylvania by German immigrants and kept alive in Pennsylvania Dutch country, which fits Dwight's family background perfectly. But Belsnickel isn't Krampus.
- Krampus is a horned creature who works alongside Saint Nicholas as his enforcer.
- Belsnickel is a scruffy, fur-clad gift-giver who works alone, judging kids and handing out treats or punishment himself.
They are not the only two, either. Knecht Ruprecht shows up in the same role across much of Germany, sometimes stern, sometimes kindly, always traveling with Nicholas rather than instead of him. The pattern is consistent: the saint rewards, and somebody rougher handles the rest.
Same family tree, different branches. So Dwight got it right for a Pennsylvania Schrute. He just picked the cousin without the horns.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Krampus?
Krampus is the horned companion of Saint Nicholas in Alpine folklore. Nicholas rewards the children who behaved and Krampus handles the rest, carrying chains, a bundle of birch switches, and in the darker tellings a basket for hauling off the worst of them.
When is Krampusnacht?
Krampusnacht falls on the night of December 5, the eve of Saint Nicholas Day on December 6. Towns across Austria and Bavaria still hold a Krampuslauf, a street run of costumed Krampus figures in hand-carved masks and heavy bells.
Is Krampus the same as Belsnickel?
No. They come from the same tradition but they are different figures. Krampus is horned and works alongside Saint Nicholas as the enforcer. Belsnickel is a scruffy, fur-clad figure who travels alone and hands out the treats and the punishment himself. Belsnickel is the one German immigrants carried to Pennsylvania, which is why he turns up in Pennsylvania Dutch country and on The Office.
Where does the name Krampus come from?
It is usually traced to the German word Krampen, meaning claw. The figure is often said to have pre-Christian roots in the Alpine regions, though historians debate that, and he was folded into the Saint Nicholas tradition as the saint's dark companion.
How did Krampus become popular in America?
Vintage Krampus greeting cards called Krampuskarten spread his image from the 1800s on. The 2015 horror comedy Krampus put him in front of a mainstream American audience, and Krampus runs and Krampus parties have been spreading through US cities since.
Bring Krampus Along for the Ride
If Krampus is more your style than reindeer, check out our Krampus gear guide for your Jeep or Bronco, with spare tire covers, stickers, and ornaments. And stay tuned for our upcoming piece on what happens when Krampus, Bigfoot, and Saint Nicholas all end up on the same trail.
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