Published by Jeremy. Last Updated on December 6, 2023.
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Krampus Fest is back in Market Square for 2023. It will take place Tuesday, December 5th, starting at 5 pm with a Krampus bar crawl, a Krampus parade (typically at around 7 pm), and music from Sleigher beginning at 7 pm as well.
Krampusnacht is part of holiday folklore in many central and eastern European countries where the horned creature known as Krampus punishes bad children on the night of December 5th (the night before the Feast of St. Nicholas). In some stories, he slaps bad children with birch branches, and in other, more extreme iterations, he may abduct them via a sack on his back to eat them (or engage in other torturous activities).
In many cases, Krampus appears along with Saint Nicholas (who is dressed in bishop vestments) who rewards children who behaved well throughout the year.
In modern times, Krampusnacht has become a celebratory festival where Krampus appears in town squares and holiday markets for entertainment purposes, and Pittsburgh gets into the fun with its own Krampusnacht festivities, aptly named Krampus Fest, in Market Square!
Krampus Fest Brings Central European Tradition to Pittsburgh
We have to start this article upfront in saying that while Krampusnacht isn't the biggest of holiday events in Market Square, it brings two key features worth heading downtown a cold, dark night for- a Krampus parade as well as a concert by the metal-themed Krampus band, aptly named Sleigher.
The parade was something that I did not expect to happen and amounted to anyone and everyone who dressed up as Krampus taking a short march around half of Market Square. In 2021, a participant dressed up Saint Nicholas was leading the pack and yelling out holiday messages as well while one Krampus beat a drum and others taunted onlookers.
The parade started from behind the stage and worked its way around half of Market Square in a counter-clockwise direction. First, they walked through the Christmas shops in the northeast corner of Market Square (Chipotle side), then went out onto the street looping around the western side (Space Bar and City Works), and returned to the stage on the southern side (Primanti Brothers). This route was repeated again in 2023.
During this parade, almost everyone who was in the square waiting for the concert ran out to the fringes to catch a view, and it was pretty easy to simply watch the direction they were going and run ahead to get a great spot. Admittedly, standing on the outside edge of Market Square had fewer people (and better views) than fighting through the crowd on the Christmas market side in the square proper.
At the end of the brief parade, everyone made their way back to the stage where the band was introduced and many of the Krampus participants hung out throughout the Christmas market for photos with guests.
Sleigher was a real treat- so much so that we'd go back down to Market Square simply to watch them perform. This band played rock and metal-inspired holiday classics all while being decked out in Krampus gear. I have to admit I only lasted a few songs as it was a bit too cold out for my liking (even with the crowds), but this band rocked the limited sampling I was able to take in. (Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer to the tune of Chop Suey! by System of a Down, or other carols to the tune of Beastie Boys, Black Sabbath, and more is the name of the game here.)
For those who wish to see the band (with a good view, that is), it is worth noting that Market Square will be packed for the show. Before the parade, I was at the front of the stage but, like almost everyone else, left in order to catch a view. By the time I finished taking photos, the stage area was packed once again and I couldn't make it anywhere close to the front like I was prior to the parade. Whoops.
As such, you probably will want to be a bit strategic if this format repeats itself in future years. For example, if the Krampus parade happens, you may want to run out to see it as quickly as possible and then return back to the stage before everyone else. Or, if the band returns in future years and that is your priority, simply wait things out at the stage and then make an exit at some point during the set to see the Krampus characters lining the square.
How you approach Krampusnacht is up to you, but if this format repeats itself in the future you will just need to expect some possible tradeoffs on what you can see because this event is popular!
Overall, despite being a somewhat small event in Market Square, Krampus Fest was a great way to celebrate this central and eastern European tradition in Pittsburgh. Between the incredible Krampus costumes and the wonderful performance from Sleigher, I expect to be a regular at this one every year moving forward. Truly a different kind of Christmas event!
Krampus Fest is an annual event that takes place in Market Square on or around December 5th (the historical celebration of Krampusnacht in Europe). The city has been known to change the dates when other events are going on, like Steelers games, so be on the lookout for announcements each year. At this time there does not appear to be an official website for Krampus Fest, but Sleigher posts updates on if they are playing every year, and news stories get published regularly in the days leading up to December 5th too- so be on the lookout for those!
