St. Nicholas and Krampus – welcome to the wild Austrian tradition

Alright, let’s talk about one of the weirdest, funniest, and most terrifying holiday traditions in Austria: St. Nicholas (Sankt Nikolaus) and his creepy sidekick, Krampus. It’s a wild mix of holiday cheer and nightmare fuel — and honestly, it’s a blast!

The good guy - St. Nicholas
Every year, on December 5th and 6th, kids all over Austria wait for St. Nicholas with the same level of excitement we adults have when we see a pizza delivery arriving. St. Nicholas is basically Santa Claus’ classy European cousin. He looks like a bishop, has a long white beard, and shows up to reward well-behaved kids with small treats like fruits, nuts, sweets, and maybe a little toy. Nothing extravagant — just enough to say, “Hey, you did okay this year.”
Kids leave their shoes or stockings out, hoping to wake up to goodies. If you were good, congrats — you’re getting something sweet. If you were naughty... well, that’s where things get interesting.

The scary sidekick - Krampus
Enter Krampus, the stuff of childhood nightmares. He’s half-goat, half-demon, and 100% terrifying. With horns, sharp fangs, and a creepy long tongue, he looks like he wandered out of a heavy metal music video. His job? Punishing the naughty kids. He carries chains, sticks, and even a sack — you know, just in case he needs to drag someone away. (No pressure, kids!)

When we were little, we’d sit there pretending to be angels, silently praying our parents wouldn’t snitch about all the trouble we caused during the year. Nothing makes you reevaluate your life choices like the threat of being stuffed into Krampus’ sack.

On December 5th, many Austrian towns hold "Krampusläufe" (wild Krampus runs where) people dress up as Krampus and storm through the streets, playfully scaring everyone. It’s spooky, it’s fun, and somehow, it’s become a beloved holiday event. Imagine a parade — but instead of floats, you get chased by growling, horned monsters. Classic holiday cheer, right?
The costumes are no joke either. They’re made of real goat, sheep, or wild animal skins (sometimes even jute or loden) and can weigh up to 25 kilos. Those guys are not cold, but if they’ve had a few too many drinks, standing back up after a fall can be... challenging. 😂

This year, my team and I were having our usual end-of-year party. We were already a few drinks in when someone spotted the Krampus crew outside. My coworkers freaked out and locked the door. Me? Absolutely not. I needed a picture with Krampus! 😂
So, of course, I unlocked the door. My coworkers were not amused, but I was living my best holiday life. Turns out, I must’ve been a good girl this year because they didn’t drag me away. 😂

Afterward, I even chatted with the Krampus crew outside the bar. They were super nice (when not in character) and told me more about their costumes. Apparently, being a Krampus isn’t just about scaring people — it’s about keeping a crazy tradition alive. Plus, they really had to go — lots of kids were still waiting to be scared!

So, if you ever find yourself in Austria around early December, don’t miss a Krampuslauf. It’s spooky, fun, and a total cultural experience. Just... maybe be extra nice leading up to it. You never know who’s watching! 😉

"December is a simple wish that brings spectacular moments." — Unknown

With love, @tinabrezpike❤️