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Krampus and friends return to Asbury Park from Dec. 3 through Dec. 5.
Krampus, the monster of Yule, will be walking the streets of Asbury Park from Dec. 3 to Dec. 5 as the festival featuring Old World Yuletide returns to the city.
This weekend marks the return of the terrifyingly fun festival which offers a variety of events including a gingerbread house contest, Krampus caroling, and a Krampus costume contest.
Last year Krampus, due to the pandemic, was produced as a private event, with more than 30 individual tours given to individual families.
“We considered skipping it in 2020, but so many people contacted us and asked us to do something as it was part of their family tradition, that we came up with a private tour. It was a long day, but people were so happy and it allowed us to have a little normalcy in a time when it felt like nothing would ever be normal again, “ said Kathy Kelly, founder of Krampus Asbury Park and owner of The Paranormal Museum on Cookman Avenue.
This year the festival will feature the Friday evening Krampus Film Festival, Pictures with Yeti and Krampus and a full schedule of events on Saturday, including the Monsters of Yule Tour, Mask making for kids, Krampus Caroling, Gingerbread House Contest, vendors the Reading of The Naughty List and of course, the main event, the Krampus costume contest.
Those attending are encouraged to come dressed as any of the traditional monsters in yuletide traditions or as the Krampus himself. The day culminates in a march through Downtown Asbury Park to Kennedy Park where the “Krampuslauf” happens. The crowd picks its favorite and Krampus Asbury Park is crowned.
Krampus is a tradition in many Northern European countries but is only beginning to gain in popularity in the US. Krampus Asbury Park is one of the oldest Krampus events in the country.
“We’re excited to see old friends and make new ones too. The kids that started with us in 2015 are grown up now and participating in different ways. This year is going to be special.” Kelly said.
Information on the event schedule and history of Krampus can be found at www.krampusap.com.
