DECEMBER 13, 14

Krampus Nights at PRS

An Evening 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!!

FRIDAY, December 13, 2024
7PM-10PM
TICKETS

SATURDAY, December 14, 2024
7PM-10PM
TICKETS

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Details

Join us for two evenings 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.”  He’ll give an illustrated presentation each evening revealing 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.

BOAST OF THE KRAMPUS

A horned and chain-rattling devil mounts the stage for a brief soliloquy full of threats and brimstone.  The rhymed text, translated by Ridenour, is taken from a 19th-century Austrian “Nicholas Play,” a traditional folk play recognized as a source of the modern Krampus.

VENDORS AND COCKTAILS ON THE PATIO

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.

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.