Dec. 15, 16: Krampus Nights at PRS

Dec. 15, 16: Krampus Nights at PRS

KRAMPUS NIGHTS AT PRS

Thursday, Dec. 15, 6 – 9pm
Friday., Dec. 16, 6 – 9pm

Philosophical Research Society
3910 Los Feliz Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90027

TICKETS VIA LINK

Two Evenings of Folkloric Holiday Traditions with author Al Ridenour, featuring pre-show Cocktail Hour, live German holiday songs, costumed Krampuses and screening of Krampus video highlight reel. (SAME PROGRAM EACH NIGHT)

ILLUSTRATED TALK

Join us for an evening celebrating everyone’s favorite Alpine monster, with author and Krampus expert Al Ridenour and friends. Ridenour is the author of The Krampus and the Old Dark Christmas (Feral House, 2016), the only in-depth English-language study of the folkloric creature. Now in its second printing, it has been praised by critics including the LA Times’ Elizabeth Hand, who found the book “gleefully erudite,” remarking that it “deserves to become a classic.” This illustrated presentation will reveal how the often-misunderstood figure of the Krampus is connected to centuries-old witchcraft beliefs and an older, darker understanding of the Christmas season as a time offering access to the spirit world. 

COSTUMED KRAMPUSES

A contingent of horned and switch-wielding devils from KRAMPUS LOS ANGELES, the troupe founded by Ridenour, will also be on hand to sniff out exactly who has been naughty this year! Photo ops galore! Mind the switches!

VIDEO SHORTS

Ridenour will also present a quirky collection of short European Krampus videos, featuring DIY horror shorts crafted by Krampus troupes, Krampus disco shows, Krampus music videos for metal bands, workshops for those traumatized by the creature, and other oddities. Der Struwwelpeter will also be back by popular demand. Alongside the Krampus clips, a short excerpt will be included from this rare 1955 film presented in its entirety last year. Based on the 1845 children’s book by Dr. Heinrich Hoffman, Der Struwwelpeter presents charming tableaux precisely mirroring Hoffman’s original illustrations of naughty children meeting terrible ends.  

LIVE MUSIC

The evening will also feature an appearance by renowned singer CHRISTINA LINHARDT performing traditional St. Nicholas songs associated with the Krampus.

CRAFTS AND VENDORS

In addition to the auditorium presentation, attendees will enjoy a pre-show cocktail hour during which they can peruse the PRS bookshop and the wares of local artisans crafting Krampus candles, chocolates, and related items. For the DIYers, there will also be a craft table with supplies and guidance for making a traditional Krampus figure of dried fruit, an item once prominent and still sometimes sold in the Christmas markets of southern Germany and Austria.

BOOK SIGNING

Signed copies of The Krampus and the Old Dark Christmas will be available at the PRS bookstore before and after the event. Author Ridenour will be available for personal inscriptions immediately after his presentation.

COME IN COSTUME!

We encourage attendees to don their finest creepy apparel and folkloric costumes, with crowd favorites receiving PRIZES!

PARKING

Parking is available in both front lot (entry from Los Feliz Blvd. when heading east) and back lot (entry from first alley way, off Griffith Park Blvd. from intersection with Los Feliz Blvd.), as well as ample street parking on Griffith Park Blvd.

TICKETS VIA LINK

KRAMPUS RUMPUS (Sold out!)

Krampus Los Angeles’

KRAMPUS RUMPUS (Sold Out!)

Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023

3pm-10pm: Holiday Market, Drink & Food
8-10:00pm: Show
@ BENNY BOY BREWING
1821 Daly St, Los Angeles, CA 90031


21+ OVER: IDs required for admission.

Krampus Los Angeles is back with a new venue for 2023! Come sundown, the devils start sneaking through the beer-garden of Benny Boy Brewing, a newly opened beer and cider maker in Lincoln Heights.  

ENTERTAINMENT (8:00-10:00)

The Alpine festivities begin with the Bavarian music and dance group, G.T.E.V. D’OBERLANDLER presenting genuine Schuhplattler dances. Along with this shoe-slapping folk dance, they’ll pick out tunes on an array of cowbells and bellow out some tunes on their mighty 10’ alpenhorn.

We’ll continue with music from the Krampus’ homeland, provided by LADYHOSEN, named for their (almost) namesake leather britches. The all-female lineup is fronted by Munich native Kathrin Jacobs, singing and yodeling you silly. She’s joined by India Anderson on tuba and Jessica Fichot on accordion.

Soon after the last tuba note from Ladyhosen fades, an unholy clanking and clattering will arise. Those at a safe distance will soon see horns waggling over the crowd. The brave and foolish on the frontline will feel the swat of switches as the stomping, snarling devils of KRAMPUS LOS ANGELES ATTACK, out in full force for the first time since their long hibernation in a San Gabriel mountain cave. Rumor has it that the towering hell-goat known as the Habergeiss and legendary Pinecone Man may even join the marauding horde. 

NOTE: You’re likely to see a Krampus or two scouting out the site before the big invasion.  They’re friendly to photo requests (assuming you’ve been good this year).

Presiding over the evening will be FESTMEISTER HANS, comedian, singer, actor and emcee for the oldest and largest Oktoberfest in California at the late, great Alpine Village.  Prepare for some chicken dancing and stein-hoisting chants. Bay Area impresario KIMRIC SMYTHE and accordionist extraordinaire RENEE DE LA PRADE also promise to incite singalong silliness.

A BEER, CIDER, WINE  or NA alternative is INCLUDED with your admission!  

You’ll also likely want to taste Benny Boy’s other European-inspired California-inflected brews in the tank bar or visit the cider house to sip the unique offerings there, including steaming MULLED CIDER. 

MORE! COME EARLY: HOLIDAY MARKET

VENDORS, FOOD: Local artisans will be on hand to help with your holiday gift shopping. Among the arts and crafts you’re bound to find more than a few Krampus-themed items (Death by Chocolate’s confectionary devils, or horned headdresses by MsFormaldehyde, for instance). The Krampus Los Angeles 2023 shirt will also be available. Food pop-ups Tirzah’s Mexi-Terranean w/ Christmas tamales and green pozole, Baserriko Peppers w/ German menu, and one more TBA will be serving throughout the event. Arrive early to soak in the holiday Gemütlichkeit (coziness)! Laze under the twinkling beer garden lights or by one of the firepits. Exchange pleasantries and snap shots with fellow Krampus aficionados turned out in their diabolically festive best.

COSTUMES: It’s not required, but we’ve noticed that Krampus fans tend to show up in amazing outfits, dressed as a Krampus, Krampus-lite, Krampus-adjacent, Bavarian party animal, or in other holiday looks.  PRIZES for outstanding costumes.

INFO

  • DATE: Sunday, Dec, 10, 2032
  • TIME: Doors 3pm, Show: 8-10:00
  • LOCATION: 1821 Daly St, Los Angeles, CA 90031
  • 21+ OVER: IDs REQUIRED for admission
  • ADVANCE TICKETS ONLY Tickets HERE
  • VALET PARKING ONLY. Very limited street parking nearby. Rideshare HIGHLY recommended. Valet service available all evening.

2023 Season

Gruß vom Krampus! Krampus Los Angeles would like to extend a big “Thank you!” to everyone who visited our booth and enjoyed our appearance at Midsummer Scream in Long Beach July 28-30. We had a great time meeting and menacing you, and look forward to seeing you at some of our events on Krampusnacht and during the upcoming holiday season. For those of you who signed our email list, please watch your inbox or this space for info about our upcoming meet and greet and mask making workshops!

Krampus Night at PRS

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15, 6-9PM.

Philosophical Research Society (PRS)

3910 Los Feliz Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 9002

TICKETS

KRAMPUS NIGHT AT PRS — An Evening of Folkloric Holiday Traditions with author Al Ridenour, featuring pre-show Cocktail Hour, live Germanic holiday songs, actual Krampuses and the campy kinder-horror film Der Struwwelpeter on screen

Author, podcaster, Al Ridenour is the author of THE KRAMPUS AND THE OLD, DARK CHRISTMAS (Feral House, 2016), the only in-depth English-language study of the German folk-demon, Krampus. Now in its second printing, it has been praised by critics including the LA Times’ Elizabeth Hand, who found the book “gleefully erudite,” remarking that it “deserves to become a classic.”

This illustrated presentation will reveal how the often-misunderstood figure of Krampus is connected to centuries-old witchcraft beliefs and an older, darker understanding of the Christmas season as a time offering access to the spirit world.

Ridenour’s talk will be followed by a screening of extended excerpts from the film, DER STRUWWELPETER by noted fairy-tale film director Fritz Genschow (Germany, 1955, 30 min. total). Evocative of the 19th-century “sugar-bread and whip” style of parenting favored in Germany. Screened only a handful of times in the US, the film (subtitled by Ridenour) brings to life the notorious collection of rhymed cautionary tales penned and illustrated in 1845 by asylum medic, Dr. Heinrich Hoffman. Staged in series of charming tableaux precisely mirroring Hoffman’s drawings, narrated in rhyme, and often incorporating ballet.

Providing a musical intermezzo will be renowned singer CHRISTINA LINHARDT performing Germanic songs of the season accompanied on the hammered dulcimer by JERRY WHEELER.

In addition to the auditorium presentation, attendees will enjoy a pre-show COCKTAIL HOUR complete with festive mulled wine and photos with COSTUMED BEASTIES from KRAMPUS LOS ANGELES who will sniff out exactly who has been naughty this year! KRAMPUSES will appear again for photos after the talk and lecture.