The city of Salzburg, Austria, hosted its annual Krampus Run, an event preceding the feast of St. Nicholas. The tradition involves hundreds of participants dressed as Krampus, a figure from Alpine folklore.
The Krampus Tradition
Krampus, characterized as a horned, devilish figure, accompanies St. Nicholas during his visits to children to assess their behavior. According to custom, St. Nicholas rewards well-behaved children, while Krampus is responsible for punishing those who have misbehaved. Alexander Hueter, an organizer of Salzburg's Krampus Run, described this dynamic as a "good cop, bad cop arrangement," indicating that Krampus adds excitement and tension to the tradition.
Participant Engagement
Hundreds of individuals, primarily men, assembled for the event, wearing costumes made of materials such as yak and goat hair. Roy Huber, a participant from Bavaria, Germany, described a personal transformation when engaging in the role of Krampus. Participants wore masks featuring elements such as horns, scars, and waxed mustaches. Benny Sieger, another participant, stated that children often exhibit fear towards his costume, which features a red face and a mohawk of horns. Sieger also mentioned that his club hosts a "Cuddle a Krampus" event, aiming to mitigate the intimidating aspect of the character. He indicated that young adults, particularly men, who attend the run often receive more vigorous engagement with the birch branch switches.
Nineteen-year-old Nicklaus Bliemslieder, a long-term participant, reported that he was not afraid of performing as Krampus but had previously been scared of the figures. He stated that wearing the mask alleviated his fear.
The Event Proceedings
Participants boarded city buses to travel to Salzburg's old town, singing en route. Upon arrival, they donned their masks and dispersed into the streets. Krampus figures engaged onlookers by lunging, swatting them with birch branch switches, and clanging cowbells. St. Nicholas, dressed in a white and gold robe, led the procession, distributing candy.
Onlookers observed the event, with some children showing signs of fear. Rene Watziker described his 4-year-old son, Valentin, displaying terror and covering his eyes. Watziker also noted that his son's reaction mirrored his own childhood memories of the event.
Sabeine Gruber, another onlooker, commented that the Krampus Run has become less intense over time, comparing it to a "petting zoo." She recalled past events where participants received "blue welts on [her] legs." Current events include numbered stickers on Krampus costumes, allowing for complaints regarding excessive contact.