Krampus and Perchten runs

In the run-up to Christmas, you can see posters announcing Krampus and Perchten runs everywhere. The spectacle is very popular with tourists and locals alike. However, two completely different customs are often mixed together. Because: Krampus and Perchten are not the same thing.

On December 6, there's a knock on the door and children all over Austria are excited. Will St. Nicholas come in alone or does he have Krampus with him? That terrifying figure with the horns who punishes bad children. This is the original Krampus. He comes with his tongue sticking out and bells ringing to warn the children to be good. Otherwise they are beaten by him with the rod he has brought with him or even put in a wicker basket and taken away.

Contrary to this tradition, Krampus runs also take place in November. These events even go on until after Christmas. This is why there is often confusion with the Perchten.

These creatures are active in the Alpine region. Traditionally, they are out and about from the end of December to the beginning of January. Their task is not to scare children. Rather, they are supposed to drive away the evil winter spirits. For this reason, nature motifs tend to be used when making the Perchten masks.

Where does the Perchten tradition come from?

The roots lie in pagan rituals, which were mainly performed in the mountain regions of Austria and also in Bavaria. Before Christianization, rituals were performed here to get rid of the winter spirits and promote the fertility of nature. This took place during the Raunächte, when the Perchten are still active today.

The term "Perchten" has to do with the legendary figure of Frau Perchta. She is regarded as a nature or earth goddess and is known as a dual being. She embodies two opposing sides: as a good spirit she rewards diligence and virtue, as a terrible being she punishes laziness and dishonesty.

The boundary between the earthly world and the spirit realm is very thin during the Raunächte. This is why her visits occur during this time. The Perchten processions were an attempt to pay respect to her. Even today, the two types of masks "Schön- and Schiachperchten" still represent the two sides of Mrs. Perchta.

What exactly happens at a Perchtenlauf?

Most so-called "Perchten runs" are a mixture of Krampus and Perchten. The participants walk the streets wearing wooden masks weighing up to ten kilograms. These specially made one-off masks often cost several thousand euros. The mask wearers often charge towards the audience to scare them. Sometimes they grab their rods and hit the legs of the spectators. Incidentally, this is not only intended as a punishment or deterrent.

It is also said to drive out diseases, bring good luck for the future and promote fertility. Many clubs have also integrated fire and pyrotechnics into their runs. The whole spectacle is very loud, as most of the participants wear bell belts.

But it's not just Krampus and Perchten that can be seen at these parades. Witches, angels and other mythical creatures often join in the fun. The events last between two and three hours, depending on the number of participants. Most of them take place in the evening, as this is when the fire show is at its best.

In terms of the number of participants, the largest Perchtenlauf takes place in Klagenfurt. Around 1,000 masked figures from many federal states are out and about here, putting on a huge show for locals and tourists alike.

There are also critical voices.

There is often criticism because the traditional Perchten runs are becoming more and more commercialized. The spectacle attracts thousands of (paying) visitors and is therefore often becoming increasingly elaborate. A good example of this is the use of show elements such as pyrotechnics or the sale of merchandise.

Violence also occurs at the events. According to an article in the online edition of "Profil" in Zams (Tyrol) in 2024, 67 reports were made during a parade. There was also property damage to cars by participants in Perchten runs in the Tyrolean district of Imst in the same year.

Some organizers have started to assign numbers to participants in Perchten runs to enable quick identification. The Perchten groups I have spoken to exclude aggressive members and take a very clear stance against excessive violence.

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