Krampus Run (Krampuslauf) in Munich – Everything You Need to Know (2026)

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Are you curious about the Krampus Run (Krampuslauf) in Munich? Forget everything you know about warm and cozy Christmas cheer, and say hello to holiday fear! Krampus is St. Nikolas’s dark, demonic companion, who punishes misbehaved children. So, in true German style, they host an annual Krampus run where hundreds of Krampus march through the streets of Munich, terrorizing children and adults alike (in a *mostly* fun way).

If you are in Munich for the wonderfully festive Christmas markets, then you don’t want to miss the annual Krampus Run that takes place in the heart of Munich’s Old Town. 

This bizarre procession dates back to the 16th century in Munich and is deeply rooted in the culture and tradition of the entire European Alpine region. A departure from the festive warm cheer of the cozy Christmas markets, the Krampus Run is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that only happens one day a year!

I lived in Munich for over 6 years. I loved attending the Krampus parade to see the costumes and reactions from the crowd. With ornate costumes, from the devilish goat-like horns, demonic masks, long snake-like tongues, and hoofed feet to oversized bells on their backside, the Krampus parade is a spectacle worth seeing if you’re in Munich on the right day—and like a good scare.

This guide covers everything you need to know about the Krampus Run in Munich. Save this post so you know what day it falls on every year, what time it starts, where to go to get a view of the Krampus parade, and what to expect!

What is Krampus? The History of Krampus

Have you ever heard of the authentic German stories told to children, the real stories of Grimm’s fairy tales? If so, you might have an idea that German and Alpine lore relies on scaring the absolute sh*t out of children to get them to behave. Krampus takes it to another level.

Krampus is an anthropomorphic, devilish, and demonic creature. There are many versions of Krampus across Germany, Austria, Slovenia, Italy, and beyond. The modern costumes at the Krampus Run in Munich showcase the diversity.

In general, though, the head has long horns resembling mountain goats or ibex, a face from your darkest nightmares, large animal fangs, a long snake-like tongue, and devilish eyes void of all love and empathy. The body is covered in matted brown, black, or white goat or sheep skin (yes, it’s real).

The metal bells attached to their backsides clang, so the children know Krampus is coming. The hands are crooked and gnarled with long fingernails. Everything leads down to goat-like legs and hooves. 

What Does Krampus Do?

Every year, on December 6th, well-behaved children wake up to treats left by the joyful and righteous St. Nikolas. The children leave their shoes at the door, and St. Nikolas fills them with chocolates and oranges. 

But it is stories of what happens during the night before that haunt children. 

Krampus trails behind St. Nikolas on the eve of December 6th, waiting to prey on naughty and misbehaved children. Most children growing up in the Germanic or Alpine region were told that if they didn’t behave, Krampus would visit them in the night before St. Nikolas came.

Depending on where you grew up or how horrible your parents were, the stories differ slightly. 

Krampus carries a birch rod and/or a large sack. Naughty children are beaten with a birch rod, a type of corporal punishment used to whip people. Other stories tell of Krampus stuffing children in his sack, taking them away for drowning, to be eaten, or quite simply, dragging them off to hell. 

Gentle parenting was some distant concept, and parenting in Germany instead relied on horror stories told to children. The legend of Krampus was so terrifying—I mean, imagine being told you would get taken by the devil and dragged off to hell instead of just getting a lump of coal in your stocking for being bad—Austria attempted to ban Krampus for children’s well-being. In the 1950s, Austria was worried about the mental health impacts these stories would have on children.

Today, the legend of Krampus is not as terrifying as it once was, but the stories remain, scaring children and adults alike. 

What is the Krampuslauf (Krampus Run)

Across many Alpine countries in Central and Eastern Europe, Krampus Runs are festival processions honoring this time-honored tradition of scaring your children. In Ye Old Yesteryear, the parades were community events for smaller alpine villages.

The roots of the modern Krampus Run lie in the Perchtenlaufen, a symbolic public show or battle between good and evil. Perchten is an Austrian witch-like character that fought evil spirits away in the days after Christmas. During Perchtenlaufs, two groups of Perchten would dress up, one beautiful and the other ugly, and take to the streets to battle.

This tradition has morphed over the years to include parades with several advent characters, from Krampus, Perchten, and Klaus. Today, Krampus Runs are found throughout the regions where the legend of Krampus was born to haunt children in the night. 

In some rural areas, Krampus Runs are still not for the faint of heart. Krampus costumes are truly grotesque. The participants in the parade will actually interact with spectators, scaring children intentionally and “beating” people with rods. Some will chase you into the side streets. In some areas, physical contact happens, which has led to some controversy, like whether the parade participants should be scaring tourists’ kids, or beating onlookers’ behinds with a birch rod.

In Munich, the Krampus costumes are still rather frightening, though some are comical, and while parade participants do interact with the crowds, it is all in good fun. Some argue the parade in Munich has been slightly tamed over the years due to complaints. Indeed, the city of Munich assures you the Krampus Run in Munich is safe, happens during the day, and is welcoming for all.

At the Krampus Runs I’ve attended in the past in Munich, Krampus will still growl at children, harass spectators, and wave their birch rods around, but it is all for show and performed somewhat comically!

These events are less of a “Run” and more of a procession. Led by someone dressed as St. Nikolas, up to 300 costumed Krampus, Perchten, and other “Wild Characters” parade behind, drumming, dancing, and making scary faces at children and adults in the audience. 

When is the Krampus Run in Munich?

In Munich, the Krampuslauf is held every year on the Second Sunday of December. 

• In 2026, that will be December 13, 2026
• The event is from 15:00 to 17:00 (3 – 5 pm)

Where is the Krampus Run in Munich? NEW ROUTE 2026!

The Munich Krampus Run is in the historic Altstadt, or downtown old city.

For 2026, the Krampus parade now starts at Augustinerstraße + Kaufingerstraße. From there, the procession of 25 different organizations, a total of 300 costumed characters, continues down the pedestrian zones of Fäbergraben, Rosentalstraße, Munich’s Viktualienmarkt, and ends near Munich’s Main Christmas market.

You can stand anywhere along this route and get views of the Krampus. I saw the start of the parade one year by standing at the intersection of the Kaufingerstraße and Augustinerstraße. However, this might be the most touristy point with the most crowds coming over from the Christmas market.

I recommend dissipating a bit and seeing if you can find room along Färbergraben or Rosenthalstraße for this new route.

What to Expect at the Krampus Run in Munich

A slow and sauntering St. Nikolas starts the show. Stooped over with his cane, he waves at the crowd. Bells and rattles bang and clang behind him, signaling the arrival of darkness. Groups of either Krampus, Klaus, Perchten, and other costumed participants, known as “wild characters,” dance behind him.

As you take in their outlandish and ghoulish costumes, some will approach you. They growl, mock you, dance, and shake their birch rods. Others take a more comical approach, shaking their “booty” to the music, playing a fun prank on you, and taking selfies.

The procession is like many a parade, with different regional, village, or society groups that march together behind a banner. In total, there are 25 groups, featuring over 300 “wild characters.” Some groups will have Krampus characters, others will have Perchten characters. See if you can spot the difference!

The groups continue down the route dancing, scaring, and tormenting young and old alike!

Tips for Attending the Munich Krampus Run

The Krampus Run has become an international tourist spectacle. More than 50,000 people attend the run! That is wild. 

This is partly because it is held during the world-famous Munich Christmas Markets. 

While some plan to come to Munich just to see the Krampus Run, others simply wander over from Marienplatz when they see large crowds amassing. 

There is a roped-off area for the procession. Getting there early can guarantee a spot close to the front where you can see. However, it is customary to let short kids near the front, so they can see and be terrorized by the participants.

Expect large crowds, some chaos, and cold weather. 

• Pack warm clothing
• Use the restroom beforehand 
• Bring your phone – fully charged
• Be prepared for interactions. Krampus may steal your hat (they give it back), growl at you, play pranks, but they will also take selfies with you!
• If you are bringing kids, they may be frightened, but many German kids stand up front!

If you are uncomfortable with strangers in masks scaring or pranking you, this isn’t the event for you. This is a time-honored tradition, and if you’re not up for the scare, just don’t come. 

If you are up for a bit of scare tactics, hilarity, and good cultural fun, then don’t miss Munich’s Krampus Run!

Comment and Share Munich’s Krampus Run (Krampuslauf)

Is the Krampus Run in Munich on your bucket list? I have been a few times, and it is such a ridiculously fun event. Join 50,000 spectators and 300 masked and costumed “wild characters” in a parade through Munich. 

The Krampus Run is deeply rooted in centuries of alpine and German culture and tradition. Every year, Munich hosts one of the largest Krampus Runs. 

Held on the second Sunday of December, don’t miss the good fun and wildly outlandish behavior at the Krampus Run!

Looking for more things to do in Munich this winter? Don’t miss all my comprehensive guides:

• Things to do in Munich in Winter
• Complete Guide to Munich’s Christmas Markets
• Sustainable Christmas Market Tips
• Alternative Things to do in Munich
• Sustainable Guide to Munich
• Winter Packing Guide to Munich
• Sledding in the German Alps
• Skiing and Snowboarding from Munich
• Munich to Zugspitze