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Advent
Krampusnacht / St. Nicholas Eve (Austria, Bavaria, Czech Republic)
December 5 (night before St. Nicholas Day)
Catholic
On the eve of St. Nicholas Day (December 6), the companion figure of Krampus (a horned creature representing punishment for naughty children) traditionally accompanies St.
Nicholas. It usually falls on or around December 5 (night before St.
Nicholas Day). It is especially important in Catholic traditions.
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At a glance
- Type
- regional tradition
- Date type
- Fixed (same date every year)
- Regions
- Global
- Themes
- Saints & Martyrs
- Liturgical colour
- N/A
Common questions
Krampusnacht is observed on December 5 (night before St. Nicholas Day). Moveable feasts shift each year; fixed feasts stay on the same calendar date.
On the eve of St. Nicholas Day (December 6), the companion figure of Krampus (a horned creature representing punishment for naughty children) traditionally accompanies St. Nicholas. Krampusnacht involves costumed figures processing through villages. While pre-Christian in origin, the tradition has been intertwined with the Catholic feast of St. Nicholas for centuries.
It is associated with Catholic. It falls in the Advent season of the liturgical year.
