You’re standing in a Bavarian village square in December. Cowbells are clanging, smoke is drifting through the cold air, and a horned creature covered in fur is stomping your way. Is it Krampus? A Buttnmandl? A Percht? Locals can tell at a glance, and after reading this, you will too. Here’s your field guide to the Alps’ winter monster lineup.
The Quick Cheat Sheet
- Krampus: horned, furry, carved wooden mask, rattling chains and birch switches. Appears with St. Nicholas around December 5–6.
- Buttnmandl: wrapped head to toe in straw, wearing a fur mask and huge cowbells. A Berchtesgaden specialty that travels with St. Nicholas in the pre-Christmas season.
- Perchten: masked figures, some beautiful, some hideous, who appear during the “rough nights” between Christmas and January 6 to chase away winter’s evil spirits.
Krampus: St. Nicholas’s Dark Sidekick
Krampus is the star of the show. In Alpine tradition, St. Nicholas visits on December 6 to reward good children with fruit, nuts and sweets. Krampus comes along to deal with the naughty ones. The figure has been paired with Nicholas since around the 17th century, and the night of December 5, Krampusnacht, belongs to him.
How to spot one:
- A hand-carved wooden mask with horns, fangs and often a long red tongue
- A shaggy suit of goat or sheep fur
- Heavy cowbells on the back and chains to rattle
- A bundle of birch switches (Ruten) for swatting the naughty (and sometimes the nearby tourists)
Krampus is famously wild. During a Krampuslauf (Krampus run), they charge through the streets in packs, roaring at the crowd. The masks are real works of art, and many are carved by local craftsmen. On our Krampus tour you’ll even meet a Krampus mask maker.
Buttnmandl: The Straw Men of Berchtesgaden
If Krampus is the rock star, the Buttnmandl are the beloved local legends. This tradition belongs to the Berchtesgaden region of Bavaria, and you won’t see it many other places.
How to spot one:
- Wrapped from head to toe in hand-threshed straw, so they look a bit like walking haystacks
- A fur mask, often with a long red tongue
- Huge cowbells strapped to their backs, weighing up to around 45 pounds in total
The Buttnmandl travel with St. Nicholas and the Krampus, running noisily from house to house and through the community before Christmas. All that clanging is said to drive away evil spirits. Seeing them come out of the darkness in Berchtesgaden is a highlight of our Krampus tour, and it feels like stepping back a few hundred years.
Perchten: The Spirits of the Rough Nights
The Perchten belong to a different part of winter. They appear during the Rauhnächte (rough nights), the dark stretch between Christmas and Epiphany on January 6, when old Alpine folklore says spirits roam most freely. Their job is to drive out winter and its evil spirits and bring luck for the new year.
Perchten come in two main flavors:
- Schiachperchten (“ugly Perchten”): monstrous, horned and furry. They look a lot like Krampus, which is where the confusion starts.
- Schönperchten (“beautiful Perchten”): elaborately dressed figures, often with tall, decorated headdresses, who bring blessings and good fortune.
Historians think the older Perchten processions helped shape today’s Krampus runs, and the two traditions have blended over time. You’ll often see Perchten groups marching alongside Krampus in December parades, like the huge Salzkammergut Krampus Run in Bad Goisern, where more than 1,000 Krampus and Perchten take to the streets.
Want to know exactly when each one comes out? Check our Krampus Season 2027 date-by-date guide.
So How Do You Tell Them Apart?
- Is St. Nicholas nearby? If there’s a bishop with a staff, you’re looking at Krampus (or Buttnmandl).
- Is it covered in straw? Buttnmandl, no question.
- Is it after Christmas? Probably Perchten.
- Is it beautiful? Definitely a Schönpercht. Krampus is never beautiful.
See Them for Yourself
Our VIP Krampus Excursion (December 5–7) takes you through Salzburg and Berchtesgaden to experience all sides of the tradition, from the lighter, family-friendly Krampus to the truly terrifying parades. Add the Dec 7–8 Hallstatt & Bad Goisern extension to see Krampus and Perchten together at the Salzkammergut Krampus Run. See the tour and add-ons here.
Krampus, Buttnmandl & Perchten FAQ
Are these parades safe?
They’re safe if you respect the tradition. Krampus and Perchten are meant to scare you, and a light swat on the legs with a birch switch is part of the fun. Stay behind barriers, never grab a mask or costume, and keep kids close. The performers are carrying heavy costumes and limited vision through their masks, so give them space.
What’s the weather like?
Cold. December and January evenings in the Alps are usually around or below freezing, and snow is common. Parades happen after dark, when it’s at its coldest, and you’ll be standing still for a while.
Do I need to be fit?
No special fitness needed. Expect easy walking through old towns and Christmas markets, often on cobblestones that can be snowy or icy, plus plenty of standing during the parades.
What should I wear?
- Insulated, waterproof boots with grippy soles
- Layers: a thermal base, a warm sweater and a winter coat
- A hat, gloves and a scarf, plus hand warmers for long evenings
- Nothing too precious: straw, soot and the occasional swat come with the territory
Can I take photos?
Absolutely, and you’ll want to. Use a phone or camera that handles low light well, and keep a firm grip on it when the Krampus get close.
