Event Details
Welcome to Austria's Krampus Run Season 2026
As darkness and cold settle over the Alps, one of Austria's oldest winter traditions comes alive: the Krampuslauf. In almost every village and small town across Salzburg, Tyrol and Styria, fearsome figures in fur, hand carved wooden masks and heavy bells parade through the streets to chase away the winter spirits and keep old legends alive. The season peaks around 5 and 6 December, the actual Krampus night and the feast of St Nicholas, though individual runs take place from mid November through to early January.
Highlights
- Peak season around 5 and 6 December across nearly all Alpine regions
- Large Krampus run at the cathedral and Residenzplatz in the city of Salzburg
- One of Tyrol's biggest runs in Seefeld, with guest groups from across the Alps
- Long standing runs in the Salzkammergut, including Hallstatt and Bad Goisern
- Numerous village runs in Styria, including Hartberg and Mautern
- Perchten runs continuing the season between Christmas and Epiphany
Program
Since the custom is celebrated differently in every village, there is no single central date; instead hundreds of individual runs take place between mid November and early January. In the city of Salzburg, the Krampus run traditionally passes the cathedral and Residenzplatz, often accompanied by the well known "chain pulling" between two groups. In Tyrol, the run in Seefeld is considered one of the largest, regularly featuring ten or more guest groups from across the Alpine region. In the Salzkammergut, the Hallstatt run recalls a local legend in which the Krampus descends from the Hirlatz cave, while Bad Goisern regularly brings together several hundred Krampuses and Perchten. In Styria, the runs in Hartberg, Mautern and around Graz are among the most popular. Evenings usually begin between 5 and 7 PM with the arrival of St Nicholas, followed by the Krampus parade itself around 6:30 to 7:30 PM.
Tickets
Most Krampus runs are public street processions and therefore free to attend; no ticket is usually required. A few larger events with stage programs or fenced off areas, particularly some runs in Styria, charge a small entrance fee of a few euros. Exact dates, times and locations are typically published by local Krampus clubs and tourism boards in autumn and can change at short notice.
Visitor Tips
- Arrive early, as the best spots along the parade route fill up quickly.
- Wear warm clothing and sturdy shoes, since the runs take place outdoors and often in freezing temperatures.
- Keep a safe distance from the Krampuses; some groups do use switches during the performance.
- Very young children or anyone easily frightened may want to avoid the front row.
- If attending several runs in one evening, allow extra travel time between villages, as roads can get congested.
