Krampus, the horned companion to St. Nicholas, had been part of the Alpine winter landscape for centuries before German-speaking immigrants began arriving in Milwaukee in significant numbers during the 19th century.

In Austria, Bavaria, and surrounding regions, the figure’s role was well established: appearing on the eve of St. Nicholas Day, December 5, to mete out punishment to misbehaving children while St. Nicholas rewarded the well-behaved.

The tradition’s origins were older than its Christian framing. Folklorists traced elements of Krampus to pre-Christian Alpine customs, where midwinter processions featured animalistic, sometimes demonic figures meant to ward off evil spirits and hasten the return of light. With the spread of Christianity, these characters were absorbed into church

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