This Tuesday evening, December 5, in and around the Peoples Gas Holiday Market, in Market Square, celebrate this ancient European holiday! Enjoy the restaurants, performers, and holiday shops with the whole family on this night of old world festivities and magical surprises. You can learn more here.

Krampus will arrive on the main stage at 7:00 p.m. You can even get your picture taken on his lap. In addition to the Holiday Karaoke Contest from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., there will be live music with the Krampus band “Sleigher” at 7:30 p.m. Following the family friendly fun, will be the Krampus Krawl bar crawl sponsored by Straub Beer.

What is Krampusnacht?
The Feast of St. Nicholas is celebrated in parts of Europe on December 6.On the preceding evening of December 5, Krampus Night or Krampusnacht, the Krampus appears on the streets. Sometimes accompanying St. Nicholas and sometimes on his own, Krampus visits homes and businesses.The Saint usually appears in the Eastern Rite vestments of a bishop, and he carries a golden ceremonial staff. Unlike North American versions of Santa Claus, in these celebrations Saint Nicholas concerns himself only with the good children, while Krampus is responsible for the bad. Nicholas dispenses gifts, while Krampus supplies coal and the ruten bundles.
In German-speaking Alpine folklore, Krampus is a horned, anthropomorphic figure. According to traditional narratives around the figure, Krampus punishes children during the Christmas season who have misbehaved, in contrast with Saint Nicholas, who rewards well-behaved ones with gifts.