Krampus Costume
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Krampus comes from the folklore of Austria and Bavaria. He’s the horned, hairy creature who travels with St. Nicholas and punishes naughty children on December 5, Krampusnacht. Krampus parades are still held across the Alps every winter, and the costume has become a cult favorite for both Christmas and Halloween.
What Makes It Work
Fur is the base. A shaggy black or brown faux fur vest or coat, with fur leg wraps or furry pants. The more fur, the better.
The horns make it Krampus. Long, curved goat horns on a headband, or a full horned mask if you want to go traditional. Under or instead of the mask, use dark brown and black makeup with deep eye shadows, sharp brows and fangs. A long red felt tongue hanging from the mouth is a classic detail.
Finish with chains draped over the shoulders, a belt of cowbells or sleigh bells, and a bundle of birch switches tied with twine. Carry a wicker basket on your back for the naughty kids.
What People Get Wrong
Going too cartoonish. Krampus works best dark, shaggy and a little frightening. The other miss is real chains that are heavy and loud indoors. Plastic chains look the same in photos.
Buy It or Build It?
Full Krampus masks and costumes run $60 to $200 for the detailed ones. A horn headband, faux fur vest, plastic chains and bells cost $40 to $70 for a strong DIY version.
Where to Buy
| Retailer | What they carry | |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | Costume kits, wigs and accessories | Shop on Amazon |
FAQ
Who is Krampus?
A horned creature from Alpine folklore who punishes naughty children on December 5 while St. Nicholas rewards the good ones.
How do I make a Krampus costume?
Wear a shaggy fur vest or coat, add curved horns, dark makeup and fangs, drape chains over your shoulders and carry birch switches.
Is Krampus a Halloween costume or a Christmas costume?
Both. It fits a holiday party with a dark sense of humor or a Halloween night.
What couples costume goes with Krampus?
St. Nicholas or Santa. The good and naughty pair is the classic Alpine combination.
Next up: X-Ray Costume
See Also
Free: The Last-Minute Costume Cheat Sheet
Ten costumes you can make tonight, mostly from your own closet. One page, printable, plus a short email before each costume season. No spam.