Most people know that Whitby hosts a goth festival several times a year, inspired by the town's association with Dracula and his iconic Gothic abbey, but a far more terrifying proposition is The Krampus Run is held in Whitby every December.
The Whitby Cramps Run started in 2013 and has grown in popularity ever since. Horned creatures from Alpine folklore parade through town on the Saturday closest to St. Nicholas' feast day.
This year's (2024) event will take place on Saturday 7th December and is well worth a visit to town to witness this bizarre parade.
According to tradition, on the feast day of St. Nicholas, the saint (often called Father Christmas) visits homes and gives presents and gifts to good children. But he is also accompanied by a dark counterpart who punishes naughty children – his name is Krampus.
The character Krampus originates from Alpine folklore and was always depicted as a beast-like creature with long fur, a pointed tongue, and long, sharp horns. Krampus is sometimes depicted as half-demon, half-goat, and is said to have been created to scare children into misbehaving before Christmas.
This folklore dates back centuries and has recently begun to be accepted not only in Austria but also in other regions.
The Whitby Cramps Run is now in its 10th year, and the number of participants and spectators continues to grow each year. In 2023, more than 50 beasts were paraded through the historic streets, along with many others dressed in mythical costumes. These parade participants were accompanied by drummers and fire brigade members.
This event has a bit more local flair, with the Whitby Worm, a dragon-like creature from Whitby legend, taking part in the parade, and a “Salt Blessing'' in which the creatures are showered with Whitby sea salt. is increasing.
Not only was the Krampus Run a memorable occasion, it also raised a significant amount of money for local charities.
Most children love this event, but some of the creatures can be quite scary. So if you have young children who are fearful, you may want to skip the event until they're a little older.
This is truly a celebration of the dark side of Christmas. are you there?
