Updated October 2026. Dates below are for the 2026 season.
Short answer: Most Krampus runs happen around 5 and 6 December, when St. Nicholas makes his rounds. In 2026 the big ones near Munich are: – Munich’s Krampuslauf through the old town, Sunday 13 December, 15:00 to 17:00 – Salzburg’s Krampus run on the cathedral square, Saturday 5 December, expected around 19:00 – Tyrol: Innsbruck (3 and 4 December), Seefeld (4 December), Kundl (5 December) and Rattenberg (6 December)
They’re loud, a little spooky, and an amazing tradition to see in person. With little ones, it helps to know what to expect, so I’ve included some family tips below.
Wait, what is a Krampus?
If you grew up in the US like I did, you may know Krampus from a horror movie or a meme. Here in the Alps he’s a real, living tradition, and he’s St. Nicholas’s sidekick.
St. Nicholas (Nikolaus) is the kind one. He shows up around 6 December in a bishop’s robe, with a staff and a book, and gives the good kids nuts, oranges and chocolate. Krampus is the other half of that deal. He’s a horned, furry, chain-rattling creature who is supposed to scare the naughty ones straight. The night of 5 December is often called Krampusnacht.
Today it’s mostly a show. Local clubs (Krampusgruppen or Pass) spend a lot of time and money on their costumes. The masks are often hand-carved from wood, and the suits are made of real fur with huge cowbells strapped to the waist. When a group of 30 of them comes stomping down a narrow street in the dark, you feel it in your chest.
Krampus vs. Perchten (they’re not quite the same)
You’ll hear both words, and the costumes look similar to an outsider. Tyrol’s tourism board explains the difference like this: – The Krampus is the wild companion of St. Nicholas, there to punish naughty children. – Perchten go back to the Alpine legend of “Perchta”. Their job is to drive out the evil spirits of winter with their bells. They often wear different costumes, less fur and more layered rag or straw-style outfits.
Perchten runs often happen later, around the Rauhnächte (the “rough nights” between Christmas and Epiphany). That’s why Salzburg has a separate Perchten run on 21 December. In practice many events include both, so you’ll likely see a bit of each.
Where to see a Krampus run in 2026
Munich: the big city run (Sunday 13 December)
When: Sunday 13 December 2026, 15:00 to 17:00 Where: Through the old town during the Christkindlmarkt
This is the one most visitors get to see, and it’s a wonderful spectacle. The city says about 25 groups with more than 300 Krampusse, Perchten and Klause take part, and up to 50,000 people come to watch. It starts on the dot at 15:00.
The last published route ran: 1. Start at Frauenplatz / Augustinerstraße 2. Through the pedestrian zone 3. Färbergraben, Rosental, Sendlinger Straße, Dultstraße, Oberanger, Rindermarkt and Petersplatz 4. Viktualienmarkt 5. Finish at the Altes Rathaus
Check the official page closer to the date, because the route changes a little from year to year.
The organizers are pretty clear that this is a family-friendly show. The groups interact with the crowd, someone’s hat might get stolen (and returned), and you can usually get a photo with them afterwards. Get there early if you want a spot along the barrier, especially with kids who need to see over adults.
Salzburg: Krampus at the cathedral (Saturday 5 December)
When: Saturday 5 December 2026, expected around 19:00, with a big stage on the Domplatz Also: Sunday 6 December at 15:30 there’s a St. Nicholas and “Kinderkrampus” (kids’ Krampus) walk at the market. It’s a gentler option for little ones. A Perchten run follows on Monday 21 December at 19:00, again on the Domplatz.
This one has the best backdrop of the lot: the cathedral, the Christmas market stalls and the fortress glowing above the old town. It’s also an evening event, so it’s darker and more intense than Munich’s afternoon run.
From Munich, the BRB Meridian regional train runs hourly to Salzburg Hbf and takes just under two hours. The Bayern-Ticket covers the trip (€34 for one adult and €10 for each extra adult in 2026, with up to three kids aged 6 to 14 free). Check the last train back before you settle in with a Glühwein.
Tyrol: where it gets old-school
If you want to see the tradition in its home setting, head over the border into Tyrol. Tirol Werbung, the regional tourism board, lists these for 2026:
| Where | Date | What it’s like |
|---|---|---|
| Igls (near Innsbruck) | 29 Nov | St. Nicholas visit with small gifts for kids, then a Krampus run led by the “Obertuifl” (head devil) |
| Innsbruck | 3–4 Dec | Krampus and Perchten runs at the Christmas markets, plus St. Nicholas arriving with gifts |
| Seefeld | 4 Dec | One of Tyrol’s biggest Krampus events, with about 30 groups from across the Alps |
| Lienz (East Tyrol) | 3–6 Dec | Runs in Lienz and surrounding villages |
| Kundl | 5 Dec | St. Nicholas arrives in the village center, then Perchten and Krampus groups go through the village |
| Rattenberg | 6 Dec | Traditional Perchten run with heavy costumes, drums made from fuel tanks, carved masks and a witches’ dance around an open fire |
Kundl and Rattenberg are both in the Lower Inn Valley, a short drive or train ride from Kufstein. They’re the ones I’d point you to if you’re staying near the border like us. Rattenberg is often called Austria’s smallest town, and that makes the fire-and-drums thing feel even more intense in those tight little streets.
Some runs are free to watch. Others have an entrance fee or a fenced-off area, so check the individual event page before you go.
Smaller villages in our area often hold their own runs too, so keep an eye on local posters and town websites as December gets closer.
What about the smaller villages?
The fun part: almost every village in this part of Bavaria and Tyrol does something around 5 and 6 December. Most of those events don’t get announced in English, and many aren’t posted until a few weeks ahead.
For Rosenheim, Kufstein and the villages in between, I couldn’t find confirmed 2026 dates yet. Check the town website (Gemeinde or Stadt) or the local tourism office in late November. If you’re staying at a guesthouse, just ask your host. They’ll know.
Should you bring your kids?
This is the question parents ask most, so here are some thoughts by age.
Under about 5: it can go either way. Some toddlers are fascinated, and others find it all a bit much. The noise is a big part of it: cowbells, chains, drums, roaring. If you go, stand somewhere you can back out of easily, rather than right at the front of the barrier. Salzburg’s Sunday afternoon kids’ Krampus walk is a gentler first taste.
Around 6 to 10: this is the sweet spot, in my opinion. Old enough to know it’s people in costumes, young enough to still get a thrill. Talk it through beforehand: what Krampus is, that it’s a show, and that it’s okay to step back.
Teens: they usually love it, and they’ll probably come home with a camera roll full of photos.
A few practical things: – Krampusse sometimes swat at spectators with switches or horsetail whips, usually around the legs. In bigger organized runs there are barriers and rules, but expect some contact if you’re right up front. Wear jeans, not tights. – Don’t grab the costumes or masks. They’re heavy, expensive and often handmade, and the person inside can’t see much. – Dress for standing still in the cold. Evening runs in December in the Alps are cold. You’ll be standing for an hour or two. – Keep your belongings close. As at any big evening event, it’s smart to keep bags zipped and phones in an inside pocket. – Plan your next stop. After the run, lots of people head to the Christmas market or the train together, so it’s a nice moment to grab a Kinderpunsch and let things settle.
How St. Nicholas Day works at home (quick version)
On the evening of 5 December, kids put their boots outside the door (cleaned, ideally, which is half the point). By the morning of 6 December, St. Nicholas has filled them with treats. In some families and villages Nikolaus visits in person, sometimes with a Krampus in tow.
Making a December trip of it? Pair a Krampus run with a market: our German Christmas markets guide has every 2026 date, and these Christmas market day trips from Munich are easy by train.
FAQ
When are the Krampus runs in 2026?
Most happen around 5 and 6 December. In 2026, Salzburg’s Krampus run is on Saturday 5 December (around 19:00) and Munich’s is on Sunday 13 December from 15:00 to 17:00. Tyrol has runs in Igls (29 Nov), Innsbruck (3–4 Dec), Seefeld (4 Dec), Kundl (5 Dec) and Rattenberg (6 Dec).
Is the Munich Krampus run free?
Yes. It goes through the public streets of the old town during the Christmas market, so there’s no ticket. Arrive early for a spot along the route.
What’s the difference between Krampus and Perchten?
The Krampus is St. Nicholas’s companion and is meant to scare naughty children. Perchten come from the Alpine legend of Perchta and are said to drive away the evil spirits of winter with their bells. Perchten runs often take place later in December, during the Rauhnächte.
Is a Krampus run too scary for kids?
It depends on the child. The noise and masks can frighten toddlers, while many kids from about six upward love it. For a first time, try an afternoon run, stand where you can step back, or go to a kids’ event like Salzburg’s St. Nicholas and Kinderkrampus walk on 6 December.
Sources (checked 19 Oct 2026)
- Munich Krampuslauf 2026 (date, time, route, group numbers): https://www.christkindlmarkt-muenchen.de/programm/krampuslauf and https://www.christkindlmarkt-muenchen.de/
- Salzburg Christmas market events 2026 (Krampus run 5 Dec, Nikolo/Kinderkrampus 6 Dec, Perchtenlauf 21 Dec): https://christkindlmarkt.co.at/en/wichtige-termine/
- Tyrol Krampus and Perchten runs 2026 and the Krampus vs Perchten explanation: https://www.tirol.at/aktivitaeten/events/krampuslaeufe
- Meridian Munich–Salzburg: https://www.salzburg.info/en/travel-info/arrival-traffic/train/bayrische-regiobahn
- Bayern-Ticket prices: https://www.bahn.de/angebot/regio/laender-tickets/bayern-ticket
