Krampus: Europe's Half-Demon Christmas Figure Gains Popularity in the U.S.

From parades to haunted houses, Americans embrace the darker side of Christmas with Krampus celebrations.

Krampus, a half-goat, half-demon figure from European folklore, is becoming increasingly popular in the United States. Traditionally, Krampus is said to punish naughty children during the festive season, providing a darker counterpoint to the benevolence of Santa Claus.
Krampus is traditionally associated with December 5, known as Krampusnacht or Krampus Night. In countries like Germany, Austria, Italy, and Slovakia, people dress as Krampus and parade through the streets, pretending to menace villagers.
In recent years, Krampus has been seen in American cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, and Birmingham, Alabama. He has also been featured on Christmas sweaters, craft beer labels, and in Christmas-themed haunted houses.
Krampus' punishments in folklore range from beating a child with a birch branch to taking them to his lair where they'll be tortured, eaten, or both. This taps into a subconscious macabre desire that a lot of people have that is the opposite of the saccharine Christmas many grew up with.
Krampus' popularity has led to annual Krampus-themed celebrations in the United States, including a Krampus Fest in New York City and a decade-long tradition of a massive Krampus night parade in Bloomington, Indiana.