SAN ANTONIO – The holiday season in San Antonio is set to take a mischievous turn tonight as the city hosts its second annual Krampus Parade, a rapidly growing celebration that blends German folklore, festive pageantry, and a dash of controversy.

The illuminated nighttime procession, or Krampuslauf, steps off at 7:30 p.m. today, Dec. 5, beginning and ending at the historic Beethoven Männerchor, a German-Texan singing society and biergarten at 422 Pereida St.

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The parade centers on Krampus, the horned Alpine folklore figure known in Central Europe as the dark companion of Saint Nicholas, who traditionally punishes naughty children that Saint Nick overlooks. Organizers say the event celebrates San Antonio’s German heritage while embracing a festive sense of Gemütlichkeit, a feeling of warmth, cheer, and community.

Controversy Helped Fuel Its Popularity

Last year’s debut parade drew an estimated 10,000 spectators and participants, an unexpectedly huge turnout that organizers partially credit to early backlash. Several fundamentalist Christian groups openly protested the event, with some claiming the parade might “open a demonic portal.”

Organizer and Grand Marshal Bob Crittenden, who founded the parade after attending a smaller Krampus party in 2023, said the uproar only expanded interest.

“It wasn’t until some local fundamentalists protested the event from the steps of City Hall that the public interest started to grow,” Crittenden said on the bigcitysmalltown podcast.

This year, the organizational group known as the Valkyries has leaned into the notoriety. They even hosted a Fiesta event featuring a tongue-in-cheek skit referencing the so-called “portal.” The number of officially registered krewe, or marching groups, has doubled, now including more than 300 Krampuses and other folklore characters.

New Route and More Structure

To keep the expanding crowds safe and organized, the 2025 parade brings several changes:

  • New 1.7-mile loop: The updated route both starts and ends at the Beethoven Männerchor, creating a more centralized festival layout.
  • Increased safety measures: Organizers coordinated a larger police presence with traffic control and street closures, while keeping neighborhood access open.
  • Registered marchers only: Spectators are still encouraged to dress up, but only officially registered krewe members may walk in the parade itself.

The event remains free to attend and is already considered one of the largest Krampus celebrations in the country, known for its glowing lanterns, illuminated costumes, and handcrafted masks.