Krampus is a mythical creature in Central European popular legend, who punishes misbehaving children at Christmastime. He is a half-goat, half-demon monster that is the devilish companion of St. Nicholas. Krampus is believed to have originated in Germany, and his name derives from the German word Krampen, which means “claw” . According to legend, Krampus is the son of Hel, the Norse god of the underworld. Krampus is known for his dark hair, horns, fangs, and a long tongue, and he carries a chain and bells that he lashes about, along with a bundle of birch sticks meant to swat naughty children. He then hauls the bad kids down to the underworld. Krampusnacht, or Krampus Night, is celebrated on the evening of December 5, and the next day, December 6, is St. Nicholas Day. While St. Nicholas rewards nice children by leaving presents, Krampus beats those who are naughty with branches and sticks. In some cases, he is said to eat them or take them to hell.

Krampus has been part of pagan rituals for the winter solstice and has been celebrated for centuries in Germany and other Alpine countries. In the 21st century, Krampus runs have become increasingly popular in Austria and Germany, where people dressed as the creature parade through streets, scaring spectators and sometimes chasing them. Krampus has also been imported into American popular culture and has appeared in movies, TV shows, video games, and vintage Krampus greeting cards. The legend of Krampus has gained popularity in America, with Krampus festivals held across the country in Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and New York City. Advances in technology and social media may be one reason for an increase in popularity of the Krampus tradition.