Christmas time in Salzburg

For Christmas in Salzburg

A strange vehicle is on the road at Christmas time in Salzburg, in the heart of the Salzburg region. A tractor decorated with fir branches pulls an unusual wagon behind it. A wooden hut is built on the loading area, which, like the tractor, is densely decorated with fir branches. The front of the hut also has the inscription “Krampus on tour” emblazoned in large letters.

At Christmas time in Salzburg

Christmas market on Domplatz in Salzburg

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Christmas on the fortress Hohensalzburg

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Silent Night, Holy Night & Salzburg

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Christmas market in Hellbrunn Palace

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When the Krampus gets around in Salzburg

When Krampus and Perchten hang out in Salzburg When Krampus and Perchten hang out in Salzburg at Christmas, all hell breaks loose in the Gnigl ​​district. A few years ago we came into contact with the Alpine tradition of St. Nicholas for the first time. At that time, a group of Krampuses unexpectedly interrupted our dinner in a Salzburg ...

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Krampus on tour at Christmas time in Salzburg

When the train finally stops in front of an inn outside the gates of Salzburg, sinister figures with long, shaggy fur suddenly jump out of the inside of the wagon. It is not so much their bodies that inspire fear, but rather their wild faces, crowned with horns up to two meters long. They immediately create a huge spectacle and make an infernal noise.

While they are doing leapfrogs, they storm the inn and cause quite a stir. The unsuspecting guests look up in shock from their lavishly laden plates and suddenly find themselves face to face with real monsters. These, with large cowbells tied to their backs, cause a wild commotion with their stormy jumping around.

With distorted grimaces and crooked, frightening faces under threatening horns, the figures approach the frightened-looking ladies and then take them in their arms with their furry paws. While some of the foreign guests take the attack calmly and even smile at the ugly masks, others turn away in horror and refuse to look into the Kramperl's gaping mouths or threateningly staring eye sockets. But the men are not left unnoticed either: the Kramperl finally attack the male guests with long ox tails.

When the Krampuss parade in Salzburg at Christmas time

After about half an hour, the spooky atmosphere is finally over and the wild guys disappear as quickly as they came. Shortly afterwards, Saint Nicholas follows them. Dressed in a red bishop's hat and white vestments, he now goes peacefully from table to table, accompanied by a helper who carries a backpack on his back. From this he takes out small gift packages for the frightened children and then pours the men a shot of homemade spirits.

St. Nicholas Customs Salzburg

Find a Krampus Run Salzburg for 2024:

1. Gnigler Krampus Run
   • Date: 30 November 2024
   • Location: Hauptstraße Gnigl, Salzburg
   • Time: 19:00 p.m.​
2. Krampus run by the Grödiger Krampusse
   • Date: 3 December 2024
   • Location: Old town Salzburg
   • Time: 17:30 p.m.​
3. Krampus Run at the Hellbrunn Advent Magic
   • Date: 4 December 2024
   • Location: Hellbrunn Palace
   • Time: 18:00 p.m.​
4. Traditional Krampus Run at the Christmas Market
   • Date: 5 December 2024
   • Location: Cathedral and Residence Square, Salzburg
   • Time: 18:30 p.m.​
5. Children's Krampus Run at the Christmas Market
   • Date: 6 December 2024
   • Location: Salzburg
   • Time: 15:30 p.m.​
6. Maxglaner Krampuslauf
   • Date: 8 December 2024
   • Location: Stiegl Brewery, Maxglan, Salzburg
   • Time: 18:00

This is how St. Nicholas Day is celebrated in the Salzburg region. A Krampus run is definitely a very special experience at Christmas time in Salzburg.

Travel Arrangements:

Parking at the airport

For example, you can reserve your parking space at the airport here.

Arrival at Christmas time in Salzburg

Compare and book flights here* (Advertisement). Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines and other airlines fly to SalzburgYou can also rent a car there. You can also travel to Salzburg by train. There are also long-distance buses to Salzburg.

Rental car:

Cheap car hire - book here! *

Accommodations at Christmas time in Salzburg

Hotels in Salzburg * For example, you can easily book online via booking.com.

If you book through one of these offers, we receive a commission, which we use to run this blog.

Salzburg Excursions at Christmas time in Salzburg

If you book through one of these offers, we receive a commission, which we use to run this blog.

Our travel tips for Salzburg

These travel tips we tested ourselves. Maybe there is something for you?

Source: own research on site. We financed some of this ourselves, and some of the information was also provided at the invitation of Salzburg Tourism. We are very grateful for this. However, our opinion remains, as always, our own.

Text Christmas time in Salzburg: © Copyright Monika Fuchs and TravelWorldOnline.
Photo © Copyright Monika Fuchs as well as TravelWorldOnline and Unsplash.