A Horde of Horned Beasts Celebrated the Darker Side of Christmas at L.A. Krampus Run

Jared CowanCulture

KrampusKrampusKrampusKrampusKrampus waiting to be let looseKrampusSt. Nicholas is chauffeured in the Krampus-driven steam car.KrampusKrampus breaking looseKrampusStealing a naughty kidKrampusKrampus about to give a lashingKrampusKrampusKrampusDressed for the occasionKrampusSt. NicholasKrampusSt. Nicholas in the middle of the crowd on Winston StreetKrampusSt. Nicholas' Krampus chauffeurKrampusFolk character from a bear-hunting ritual play from the Pyrenees Mountains in EuropeKrampusKrampusKrampusKrampus about to give a lashingKrampusAttacked by KrampusKrampusFaceoffKrampusKrampusKrampusPerchten are the female form of Krampus.KrampusKrampus selfieKrampusKrampus with illuminated eyesKrampusSt. Nick and the Krampuses at Winston and Main streetsKrampusKrampusKrampusKrampus giving us a lashingKrampusKrampus selfieKrampusSt. NickKrampusBurlap bag man and KrampusKrampusSt. Nick points out a naughty person to Krampus.KrampusKrampus portraitKrampusKid KrampusKrampusSt. Nick finds a naughty person in the crowd.KrampusTaking a beating from the KrampusesKrampusTelling St. Nick all of the naughty things she's done this yearKrampusThe basket that Krampus uses to carry away naughty childrenKrampusFinding out if this kid has been naughty or niceKrampusSchnabelperchten are among Krampus' known associates. The name means "beaked Percht." Instead of lashing adults or kidnapping childrenKrampusSchnabelperchten are among Krampus' known associates. The name means "beaked Percht." Instead of lashing adults or kidnapping childrenKrampusSchnabelperchten are among Krampus' known associates. The name means "beaked Percht." Instead of lashing adults or kidnapping childrenKrampusSchnabelperchten are among Krampus' known associates. The name means "beaked Percht." Instead of lashing adults or kidnapping childrenKrampusSchnabelperchten are among Krampus' known associates. The name means "beaked Percht." Instead of lashing adults or kidnapping childrenKrampusSchnabelperchten are among Krampus' known associates. The name means "beaked Percht." Instead of lashing adults or kidnapping childrenKrampusSchnabelperchten are among Krampus' known associates. The name means "beaked Percht." Instead of lashing adults or kidnapping childrenKrampusSchnabelperchten are among Krampus' known associates. The name means "beaked Percht." Instead of lashing adults or kidnapping childrenKrampusSchnabelperchten are among Krampus' known associates. The name means "beaked Percht." Instead of lashing adults or kidnapping childrenKrampusSchnabelperchten are among Krampus' known associates. The name means "beaked Percht." Instead of lashing adults or kidnapping childrenKrampusSchnabelperchten are among Krampus' known associates. The name means "beaked Percht." Instead of lashing adults or kidnapping childrenKrampusSchnabelperchten are among Krampus' known associates. The name means "beaked Percht." Instead of lashing adults or kidnapping childrenKrampusSchnabelperchten are among Krampus' known associates. The name means "beaked Percht." Instead of lashing adults or kidnapping childrenKrampusSchnabelperchten are among Krampus' known associates. The name means "beaked Percht." Instead of lashing adults or kidnapping childrenKrampusSchnabelperchten are among Krampus' known associates. The name means "beaked Percht." Instead of lashing adults or kidnapping childrenKrampusSchnabelperchten are among Krampus' known associates. The name means "beaked Percht." Instead of lashing adults or kidnapping childrenKrampus

For the fourth straight year, the Los Angeles Krampus Run and afterparty — a celebration of St. Nicholas' evil, monstrous counterpart — invaded the streets of downtown L.A. Hundreds descended upon Winston Street on Thursday night while the Krampuses punished naughty adults and whisked away misbehaving little children in the Austrian tradition of Krampuslauf (Krampus run).

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