Whitby Krampus Run

Where: Whitby, North Yorkshire - parades from Chapel on the Hill, performances at Captain Cook statue and Dock End, Reindeer Games etc at Cholmley House
When: First Weekend in December
Time: From 11 am each day with Parades Saturday at noon, 1 pm and 2pm, street performances at intervals through the day, Sunday Reindeer Games 2.30 followed by Torchlit Procession- see links for full programme

 

The Krampus is a fearsome horned creature who accompanies Saint Nicholas on his rounds, with the Saint giving presents to good children in parts of Europe on December 5th, the eve of his feast day; the Krampus punishes the naughty ones…While similar festivals have been popular for a long time in Europe and America, the new event at Whitby is the very first to celebrate this folkloric character in the UK, with the inaugural event held in 2015. It’s a fundraiser for local charities and provides a colourful spectacle in the run-up to Christmas.”Krampus Run” is a direct translation from the German, and it’s a series of parades rather than a race, with the reading of proclamations, election of the most popular Krampus as the Winter Thing and a good time had by all. Good children may be given candy canes, which will ward off attention from any interested Krampus lurking nearby; bad children will need to be vigilant….some of the Krampusse (I am assured this is the plural of Krampus) carry off the naughty ones in their baskets and backpacks. As dusk falls on the town, the streets take on a more sinister appearance and the Krampusse melt away into the dark….As well as processions, music and drumming, street performances, ceremonies and a Krampus Hunt trail, there are now the Reindeer Games and a torchlit procession and closing ceremony on the Sunday.

Helpful Hints

In 2024 it should be on Saturday December 7th and Sunday December 8th- full details will be on the link below, and as the event has grown into a weekend rather than a single day the timings will be different to previous years. The full schedule is available on the Facebook link below.

As the event is relatively new it may well continue to evolve and change but is always likely to be near St Nicholas’ Day (6th December) as that’s when Krampus are legendarily active. Check the Facebook link below for updates and more information.

Click here for the event Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/WhitbyKrampusRun/




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