Tired of Santa? Krampusnacht is coming to Rockford

John Clark

1 year ago

HAIMING, AUSTRIA - DECEMBER 01: A member of the Haiminger Krampusgruppe dressed as the Krampus creature hits a fire to release sparks on the town square during their annual Krampus night in Tyrol on December 1, 2013 in Haiming, Austria. Krampus, in Tyrol also called Tuifl, is a demon-like creature represented by a fearsome, hand-carved wooden mask with animal horns, a suit made from sheep or goat skin and large cow bells attached to the waist that the wearer rings by running or shaking his hips up and down. Krampus has been a part of Central European, alpine folklore going back at least a millennium, and since the 17th-century Krampus traditionally accompanies St. Nicholas and angels on the evening of December 5 to visit households to reward children that have been good while reprimanding those who have not. However, in the last few decades Tyrol in particular has seen the founding of numerous village Krampus associations with up to 100 members each and who parade without St. Nicholas at Krampus events throughout November and early December. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Krampus, the anti-Santa Claus of European folklore, will be celebrated this weekend at the city’s first Krampusnacht Procession downtown.

The 317 Art Collective is kicking off a weekend of Twisted Holiday Folklore shows on Friday, December 2nd from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

The Krampusnacht Procession will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the J & K Lounge, at 505 E. State, and continue to First Street and Market Street.

“We are asking all interested to dress up in your favorite version of a Krampus, a Mummer or any other interpretation of a symbolic holiday character and join the procession!” the group announced.

Krampus, is a character of German folklore who abducts bad children at Christmastime and takes them away in a sack to be eaten.

Krampus has been the subject of greeting cards and several cheap horror movies, including a Hollywood comedy-horror film, starring Toni Collette and Adam Scott, in 2015.

Communities in Europe celebrate Krampusnacht (literally, “Krampus Night”) each year on December 5th with wild street parties and parades.

The Twisted Holiday Folklore show “investigates the sometimes forgotten characters of the holidays originating in places like Europe, England and Wales, the Caribbean and early America,” according to a release.