An Evening at The Krampus Ball

By Gavin Hignight

A couple of years ago I was in downtown Los Angeles at the Artwalk.  It was a chilly December evening and I had a profoundly unique Holiday experience…

Walking down the street after visiting a gallery I saw a crowd stirring.  The sounds of excitement buzzed from the group along with loud clanging bells, stomping noises and horns.

Suddenly a procession of hooves, ghoulish hairy monsters, the hairiest of beasts were walking through the crowd. They were classic with a uniform quality to them and there was something very disturbing about their presence.

These were monsters in the truest sense of the word and I love monsters.

I was hooked.

This was my first exposure to the Krampus.

How, after a lifetime of loving monsters had I never heard of this amazing mythical figure?!  Coming down to punish bad children?!  I think I like this guy!!

And lets be honest if there was ever a time for Krampus it was now! It would seem the counter-culture and soon most likely the popular-culture agrees for he is back in a big way.

The beast is popping up in more and more places this year.  Of course the biggest beast news is the new film from director Michael Dougherty (of Trick ‘r Treat fame) that opened this month!

Krampus getting his own Hollywood film will probably push him into mainstream consciousness.

Next year he’ll be cartoonized as a mascot for Target, he’ll get his own kids show, there will be cuteness all around him

But for now, this year, he’s still a scary, nasty force to be reckoned with.  And the people at Krampus Ball in Los Angeles know how to celebrate him! I had the pleasure to party with the Krampus last night in the Highland Park area of LA (a neighborhood still as counter-culture as Krampus), a perfect place to celebrate the holidays and prepare to punish those who have been naughty.  But don’t take my word for it… Here are some photos of the ball.

Next year, when you are sharpening your horns and getting out your best scary mask remember….

                       is an event that always sells out, so pre-order tickets early you ghouls!

For more details visit krampuslosangeles.com/the-krampus-ball/