PITTSBURGH — The mythical Krampus will descend on Pittsburgh this winter for a special event.
Pittsburgh’s 12th annual Krampus Fest will take place on Friday, Dec. 4, 2026, at Hofbräuhaus in the South Side. General admission is free.
The festival is based on Alpine European traditions from Austria and Germany, where the horned folkloric figure Krampus accompanies St. Nicholas.
Organizers relocated the festival to the larger indoor venue to accommodate growing crowds and ensure the event can proceed regardless of weather conditions.
“We’ve reached a point where Krampus Fest simply needs more room to grow,” said Mark Menold of Menold Entertainment. “Every year we welcome larger crowds, more Krampus groups and more families discovering this centuries-old tradition. Hofbräuhaus gives us significantly more space while providing an authentic Bavarian atmosphere that perfectly complements the Alpine traditions from which Krampus originated.”
The indoor festival will include a vendor marketplace, food, beer and photo opportunities with Krampus.
A costumed Krampus parade led by Nicholas is scheduled for 9 p.m. Following the parade, the band SLEIGHER is scheduled to perform live music at 9:30 p.m., playing holiday lyrics combined with classic rock riffs.
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