Christmas Traditions and Customs: Krampuslauf: The Ancient Shadow of Winter and Modern Spectacle
Original Post (December 2025):
When Advent Rings with Bells
Krampus is slowly but surely becoming a part of our own Advent traditions. It’s no longer just a scary spectacle, but a figure with a long history and deeper meaning. So, without further ado, let's look at where Krampus actually comes from and why he still appears during the Advent season today.
Krampus: An Ancient Shadow of Winter
Krampus, sometimes associated with the figure of Perchta, is one of the oldest and darkest characters in Alpine folklore. His roots reach deep into pre-Christian, likely Celtic times, when people believed that winter was when the world of humans and spirits overlapped most. During winter festivities, wild processions full of noise, bells, and masks were created to drive away evil forces, demons, and the darkness that came with the long nights.
Originally, Krampus wasn't a punisher of children, but rather a symbol of chaos and fear that was meant to be driven out through noise and movement. Even the origin of the name suggests this: the word Krampus likely comes from the German term Krampas, meaning "something lifeless" or "dead." He wasn't a being in the human sense, but a personification of dark forces that needed to be tamed.
With the arrival of Christianity, the Church faced a familiar dilemma: folk traditions were too deeply rooted to be simply banned. So, instead of complete suppression, they were transformed. Krampus was integrated into the celebrations of Saint Nicholas and became his dark counterpart. While Nicholas represented goodness, protection, and order, Krampus symbolized sin, fear, and punishment.
Perhaps this was the Church’s way of not erasing the darkness, but taming it—turning it into something that no longer holds the upper hand. Saint Nicholas remained the main figure, and God became the protector against evil, while Krampus was relegated to the role of a warning—a reminder that evil exists, but does not have the final word.
Krampus Today: Groups, Masks, and Craftsmanship
Large Groups and Krampuslauf in Austria
Krampuslaufs aren't just small folk events; in the Austrian Alps, they are major folklore occasions involving dozens to hundreds of Krampus groups (known as "Passen"). For example, in the Gastein Valley area, around 80-100 such groups present themselves annually, marching through the streets in a dramatic spectacle of bells, furs, and wooden masks.
Some of the most famous locations for Krampuslaufs include traditional events in Salzburg or Innsbruck, but also smaller mountain villages where old customs still thrive and where each Pass has its own unique masks and costumes.
Masks, Art, and Craft
What makes Krampuslaufs truly original are the masks, hand-carved from wood. Typically, Swiss stone pine (Zirbe) is used, carefully crafted into expressive, sometimes terrifying faces with horns and sharp details.
From professional carvers, the price of a traditional mask can start around €600 - €800 (roughly 15,000 - 20,000 CZK and up), depending on the complexity of the design, size, and materials. This is why many consider these masks works of art rather than mere "parade props."
Krampuslauf in České Budějovice and Dragon Krampus
The Krampuslauf held in the Czech Republic (e.g., in ↗ České Budějovice) is a "Krampus run" style event inspired by Alpine traditions. Several groups from the Czech Republic and abroad perform there, with organization managed by the ↗ Dragon Krampus group from Český Krumlov, which brings together enthusiasts for these masks and processions.
The event often features dozens of participants in full costumes, accompanied by a fire show and the sound of bells. Spectators experience an atmosphere similar to Austrian Krampuslaufs, though in our context, it remains more of a cultural experience than a strictly traditional folk festival.
