Around Saint Nicholas’ Day on 6 December will take place numerous traditional Krampus and Perchten parades in Salzburg. Sporting hand-carved wooden masks shaggy pelts and heavy bells these wild figures are said to scare away the dark spirits of winter. A living example of centuries-old folk customs.
About the Parade
The Krampus Parade is a rollicking event. It always takes place at night and the marchers are dressed in scary costumes. They resemble a cross between cavemen and Vikings with furry costumes demonic masks spiraling horns whips and torches. Some of the marchers are acrobatic doing flips and cartwheels. Some Krampuses juggle torches or simply flick their whips at spectators.
In the city of Salzburg alone over 200 parade clubs called Pässe spend months creating parade costumes marching formations and party plans. It's an understatement to say that being in a Krampus Parade takes a lot of planning.
It’s possible but expensive for visitors to rent a Krampus costume and accessories. The basics of a Krampus costume require a carved wooden mask and horns wolfish fangs red contact lenses a fur-hide tunic and hooves. The easiest way to enjoy the Krampus Parade is to watch it from the sidelines.
A Krampus Parade attracts all ages, but this dramatic event is a particular favorite of college-age and post-collegiate locals and visitors. Krampus enthusiasts in this category will find themselves amongst like-minded companies which makes the parade and its inevitable post-event pub crawls inspired places to meet new friends.
Living Tradition
It is said that, at every Perchten parade, there is actually one real Percht in the masses. And when you observe these wild characters from a safe distance, as the many lights reflect off their creative masks, you sometimes do have to take a second look: Did I just see an ear twitching there? Or was it just the wind? Isn’t there always some kernel of truth to every legend? Now, Percht, Krampus, the Krampusperchten and the witches have already passed us by. But we will be lining the streets again next year, as the Pässe parade by, provoking occasional shrieks from spectators. And perhaps then we will be able to pinpoint precisely which one of the Perchten is “the real thing”.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Salzburg, Austria