The Legend is back!

Yes, it was a special day for Altenmarkt: 5th December 2025! Why, you ask? It's a great story, because what is an ancient tradition in many mountain villages in Salzburg has not taken place in Altenmarkt for 18 years. Until the 5th of December, that is, when the ‘resurrected’ Altenmarkt Krampus Run brought the old legends back to life in new splendour.

Believe me, I could see in the eyes of the guests and locals lining the streets of the snow-covered town centre of Altenmarkt how happy and excited they were to finally be able to enjoy the traditional spectacle of the Krampus, which brings the mysterious winter tradition to life, up close in Altenmarkt. So many people had come to this idyllic town to witness the ‘premiere’ of this fascinating ritual with ancient roots between tradition and horror. You could feel the excitement – and a unique atmosphere transformed Altenmarkt once again into a magical place for young and old alike.

... of course, I wanted to be there ... and lo and behold, even I couldn't escape the magical atmosphere. The gloomy figures, the impressive masks and the powerful energy made this evening an unforgettable experience. It was simply fascinating to see how the tradition was brought back to life and how it captivated everyone.

... of course, I also wanted to know who had shown the courage to revive the Altenmarkt Krampus run. It was the Zauch Teufel (https://www.instagram.com/zauchteufel/), the Altenmarkt Krampus association, whose goal under its chairman Jonas Reiter was to literally ‘put the Krampus Run back on a stable footing’. The association had long cherished this desire, and in December 2024, five young members finally decided to ‘do something bigger,’ Jonas Reiter told me.

First, they founded the association, and then it was time to get organised, namely to invite friendly groups, known as Passen, consisting of Krampus, St. Nicholas, angels and basket carriers – and they came in droves. Twenty-four groups from the surrounding communities agreed that they definitely wanted to pay tribute to the Zauch Teufeln. The first Altenmarkt Krampus run since 2007 started at the public community car park, then continued along Michael-Walchhofer-Strasse to the lower Marktstrasse and then towards Zauchenseestrasse. The shaggy fellows were up to their usual mischief, but always prioritized tradition and customs. It was a great idea to have a presenter accompany the parade and introduce the individual groups. Immediately afterwards, an after-show party was held in the festival hall – on the one hand to honour the revived Krampus run and on the other to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the ‘Zauch Teufel’ group.

... Of course, I also wanted to know what these shaggy creatures were all about, roaming the streets with huge bells and wild masks. Krampus is St. Nicholas' wild companion. While St. Nicholas rewards good children with gifts and kindness, Krampus is responsible for punishing naughty children. He wears terrifying horns, shaggy fur and a chain with large bells that make a deafening noise. In some regions, he is also given a bundle of rods with which he frightens children – sometimes even tapping them on the back.

What makes a Krampus run particularly exciting is the high artistic value of the masks and costumes. Traditionally, the masks are carved from wood and hand-painted – ranging from rather simple wooden masks to elaborate, almost grotesque creations. I was lucky enough to visit a Krampus mask carver (https://www.instagram.com/reiter_loavn/) in his workshop once, and it was fascinating to see how much work and craftsmanship go into the masks. At first glance, the Krampus run may seem like a scary nightmare that belongs more in the category of ‘Night of the Ghouls’. Sure, the Krampus run is a fascinating event, but why is it still so important today? In an age when we are surrounded by modern, often mass-produced events and festivals, the Krampus run remains a firmly established part of regional culture.

My conclusion: This year's Krampus run in Altenmarkt enchanted everyone, and I am already looking forward to 2026, when the Zauch Teufel will once again unleash their dark magic. The return of the Altenmarkt Krampus run is definitely one of the highlights of the year.

Tip: If you want to delve even deeper into old crafts and genuine Pongau tradition after the Krampus run, you should stop by the Christmas Market in Altenmarkt. There, regional artisans demonstrate how much love and ancient knowledge goes into their work. A real highlight is the Grundner Krippe (nativity scene) in the local history museum right next door: an artistically designed nativity scene, 80 of the 120 figures of which are movable.

photo credits: Angelika Pfuner