KRAMPUS NIGHTS AT PRS

KRAMPUS NIGHTS AT PRS

An Evening of Folkloric Holiday Traditions with author Al Ridenour, featuring pre-show Cocktail Hour, live German holiday songs, costumed Krampuses and screening of Krampus video highlight reel!!

Join us for two evenings celebrating everyone’s favorite Alpine monster, with author and Krampus expert Al Ridenour and friends. Ridenour is the author of The Krampus and the Old Dark Christmas (Feral House, 2016), the only in-depth English-language study of the folkloric creature. Now in its second printing, it has been praised by critics including the LA Times’ Elizabeth Hand, who found the book “gleefully erudite,” remarking that it “deserves to become a classic.” He’ll give an illustrated presentation each evening revealing how the often-misunderstood figure of the Krampus is connected to centuries-old witchcraft beliefs and an older, darker understanding of the Christmas season as a time offering access to the spirit world.

COSTUMED KRAMPUSES

A contingent of horned and switch-wielding devils from KRAMPUS LOS ANGELES, the troupe founded by Ridenour, will also be on hand to sniff out exactly who has been naughty this year! Photo ops galore! Mind the switches!

DER STRUWWELPETER SCREENING

Back by popular demand is the grimly campy 1955 German film, Der Struwwelpeter, usually translated as “Slovenly Peter” or “Shockheaded Peter” (thanks to the 1998 “junk opera” by The Tiger Lillies). This live-action film precisely duplicates the look and feel of the original 1845 children’s book penned and illustrated by Frankfurt asylum medic, Dr. Heinrich Hoffman. Der Struwwelpeter lays out the strictures of 19th-century German parenting deliciously paired with grisly fantasy-punishments for errant youngsters. The film is narrated in Hoffman’s rhymed verse and choreographed, in segments, as a ballet. Our subtitled version of the film was translated by Ridenour exclusively for live presentation.

LIVE MUSIC

The evening will also feature an appearance by renowned singer Christina Linhardt performing traditional St. Nicholas songs associated with the Krampus.

BOAST OF THE KRAMPUS

A horned and chain-rattling devil mounts the stage for a brief soliloquy full of threats and brimstone. The rhymed text, translated by Ridenour, is taken from a 19th-century Austrian “Nicholas Play,” a traditional folk play recognized as a source of the modern Krampus.

VENDORS AND COCKTAILS ON THE PATIO

In addition to the auditorium presentation, attendees will enjoy a pre-show cocktail hour featuring traditional German Glühwein during which they can peruse the PRS bookshop and the wares of local artisans crafting Krampus candles, chocolates, and related items.

BOOK SIGNING

Signed copies of The Krampus and the Old Dark Christmas will be available at the PRS bookstore before and after the event. Author Ridenour will be available for personal inscriptions immediately after his presentation.

COME IN COSTUME & WIN A PRIZE

We encourage attendees to don their finest creepy apparel and folkloric costumes, with crowd favorites receiving prizes!

Al Ridenour has lectured on Krampus traditions (and related) topics at the international Goethe-Institut, The San Diego Art Institute, New Americans Museum, Tucson Museum of Modern Art, The Bowers Museum, and in the UK at London's Last Tuesday Society and Whitby's Winter Ghosts conference. Ridnour also created Krampus masks and suits, which have been exhibited at the University of Southern California’s Doheny Museum and provides Krampus suit rental for film and television and events. He discusses dark folklore topics similar to the Krampus in his podcast Bone and Sickle and has recently finished his manuscript for a 2025 Feral House publication on folk customs of Carnival, a topic intimately intertwined with the Krampus tradition.

Christina Linhardt has enjoyed an eclectic and versatile career as a concert singer, writer, and actress. She is most known for her "Classics to Cabaret" act (which was the headliner for the opening of the Grand Concert Hall in Saxony, Germany). As well as being a regular entertainer at the Hollywood Magic Castle. Ms. Linhardt is a recommended chanteuse for the coveted Southern California Chamber Music Consortium. She has performed for the 2010 Los Angeles Opera Ring Festival, the House of Blues Gospel Brunch, The Grove, The Brand Plaza Concert Series and even down in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Christina was the lead singer of the acclaimed Angels of Venice (Windham Hill Records) and The Honey Lulus Tiki Trio.

KRAMPUS LOS ANGELES

In 2013, as co-founder of Krampus Los Angeles, Ridenour helped gather a troupe of Krampus performers, crafted suits and went on to organize an ongoing series of parades and themed shows known as LA Krampusfest. Over the years, Krampus Los Angeles has appeared alongside the first Europeans visitors to appear stateside in traditional Krampus costumes (2014), hosted an entire 15-person troupe from the state of Salzburg (2015), and presented a 19th-century Austrian Krampus-Nicholas play (2015-17). Many of the current troupe members now wear suits obtained from European artisans.

Special Thanks to: Christina Ward / Feral House.

Ticket Price: $25 each night (in-person event only)

ACCESSIBILITY

PRS wants all guests to be able to enjoy our events safely and comfortably. If you require any accessibility accommodation, please reach out to [email protected] before showtime and we will be happy to assist you.

REFUND POLICIES

All sales are final. There are no refunds or exchanges for PRS events, except in the event of a medical emergency, including but not limited to a positive COVID-19 test.

In the event that PRS is forced to cancel an event entirely, tickets will be refunded or vouchers offered for a rescheduled event.

PARKING

Limited parking is available onsite at PRS in both the front lot (entry from Los Feliz Blvd. when heading east) and back lot (entry from first alley way, off Griffith Park Blvd. from intersection with Los Feliz Blvd.), as well as street parking on Griffith Park Blvd. and (after 7 PM) on Los Feliz Blvd.  We encourage attendees to consider carpooling, walking or biking to events if possible, and please be considerate of our Los Feliz neighbors when parking, many thanks.

PRS EVENT POLICIES

• We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone.
• Events are subject to change without notice, including guest speakers and/or performers.
• We encourage you to arrive at least 30 min. before the scheduled event start time to find parking, enjoy the Bookstore and take your seats.
• Please turn off all mobile devices before the show. Talking and texting are not allowed during the events.
• No filming, audio recording or mobile phone recording of events, screenings, concerts or other programs by audience members is allowed without permission.
• There is no smoking permitted on PRS grounds.
• We strongly encourage guests to wear masks to PRS events to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.
• PRS allows Service Animals into the facility under ADA and state guidelines. For further details please visit www.ADA.gov. No animals permitted whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support, under ADA guidelines and CA Health Code.
• Please do not bring outside food or drink into PRS events.
• Weapons are strictly prohibited at PRS events.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Philosophical Research Society, 3910 Los Feliz Boulevard, Los Angeles, United States