Krampus goes Clubbing - how the Höllberg Teifin start the season

For the second time, the Höllberg Teifin, a Krampus group from Eben im Pongau, are hosting a season opening with a difference: two evenings of live music, DJs, partying and anticipation for the coming Krampus season. Luan from the Höllberg Teifin reveals why you should mark the 7th and 8th of November 2025 in your calendar.

A Krampus pass – what is that exactly? Most people here in the Alpine region are familiar with the term, because a Krampus pass is nothing more than a Krampus association. A group that has set itself the task of preserving the Krampus tradition. The Höllberg Teifin are one of three Krampus passes in Eben and travel through the countryside during Advent as St. Nicholas and his sinister companions, the Krampus. The ‘Loavn’, or Krampus masks, were made by the Pongau woodcarver “bäck”, while the hairy costumes come from ‘Wiellei’ in Lungau. The Höllberg Teifin were founded in 2017 and currently have 21 members between the ages of 17 and 30. They have a chairman, a secretary, an annual general meeting, membership fees and everything else that goes with being an association. For the members, however, the group is more than ‘just’ an association – it is a large circle of friends who also do a lot together in their private lives. So a Höllberg Teifi rarely comes alone. Luan has been a member for three years: ‘Some of my friends have been there from the beginning. Back then, I couldn't imagine being part of a pass. Now it's exactly the opposite.’ The group makes decisions together. This includes the decision to organise a season opening.

A big clubbing event in a marquee with DJs and happy hour – you wouldn't necessarily think of a Krampuspass as the organiser. And that was precisely the intention. ‘We just wanted to do something completely different, something special,’ confirms Luan. So no classic Krampus dance – and the Krampus run in Eben is traditionally organised by the ‘Moorteufeln Eben’. ‘We also wanted to create an event that everyone could attend, regardless of whether they were afraid of Krampus or not,’ explains the Eben native. There are no Krampus figures running around at the season opening – Loavn and Felle are merely incorporated into the elaborate and creative decorations in the marquee. And this strategy more than paid off for the Höllberg Teifin last year. With 500 visitors per day, the Pass celebrated the start of the Krampus season. Among them were colleagues from other Passes and clubs, friends and also many new faces. This motivated them to repeat the Season Opening. This year's line-up is impressive: the live band Hops'n Grapes will kick off the evening, and DJ acts Wesley, Melon, JUSTFRÄNDS, NØCAP DJ, DJ P.A.W. and Joso will get the crowd going with EDM, drum & bass and hardstyle. Tickets are available from members of the Höllberg Teifin or via their Instagram page.

Organising an event like this demands a lot from the members – especially time. From finding sponsors to setting up and dismantling, everyone pitches in. ‘Everyone is involved right from the planning stage, and everyone has their own tasks. Fortunately, our friends, acquaintances and families also support us,’ says Luan – and continues with a smile: ‘We didn't get much sleep during last year's season opening.’ But the effort was worth it. Not only did the event go off without a hitch, it was also a financial success, according to Luan: ‘We were able to donate €3,000 to the PAPAGENO children's hospice in Innergebirg – we are very proud of that. This year, too, it is very important to us to make a donation.’ After what we hope will be a successful start to the Krampus season, Krampus runs in Eben, St. Martin, Hüttau, Niedernfritz, Forstau, Altenmarkt and Wagrain are on the club's calendar. And what does a Pass do after Christmas? "Community is very important to us, so we go on regular outings. In addition, most of us are also members of other clubs. We don't get bored,‘ explains Luan, showing pictures from a past trip where the Pass swapped their Loavn costumes for Minion costumes. When asked to describe the Höllberg Teifin in three words, he says with a wink: ’Unique. Legendary. And also able to hold their drink ;)."

By the way: Höllberg Teifin is running another mega competition! Prizes include Atomic G8 skis and an Atomic helmet signed by Austrian skier Manuel Feller. But the best thing to do is check out their Instagram page, where you can also get an impression of the 2024 season opening ;).

photo credits: Höllberg Teifin