Celebrate The Dark Side Of Christmas With Krampusnacht

By Chuck Sudo in Arts & Entertainment on Dec 5, 2014 4:40PM

The Krampus

Augustine wrote of the coexistence of good and evil in The Enchiridion:

All of nature, therefore, is good, since the Creator of all nature is supremely good. But nature is not supremely and immutably good as is the Creator of it. Thus the good in created things can be diminished and augmented. For good to be diminished is evil; still, however much it is diminished, something must remain of its original nature as long as it exists at all.

God has Satan. The Jedi have the Sith. In Central European cultures, Saint Nicholas has the Krampus. The origins of this beastly creature predates Christianity but was incorporated into holiday celebrations in the mid- to late-19th century. Where Saint Nicholas would would reward well-behaved children with gifts, the Krampus would abduct misbehaving children, force them into a sack and take them to his lair.

That's pretty fucked up when you think about it.

Holiday festivals across central Europe would include the Krampus and other demonic figures in their celebrations. Traditionally, Krampusnacht is held on Dec. 5, the night before the Feast of St. Nicholas, and is a colorful, costumed affair with Krampus-like characters celebrating the season, often fueled by alcohol. Sometime around the mid-20th century, governments pooh-poohed incorporating the Krampus into their Christmas celebrations but toward the dawn of the new millennium the practice became en vogue again.

Chicago has had its own Krampus celebration and this year's 21-and-up edition takes place at the Co-Prosperity Sphere starting at 8 p.m. The Co-Pro, one of our best gallery picks, will be decorated to look like Hell with artwork from Paul Nudd, Andrea Jablonski, Chris Hefner, Bruce Neal, Christopher Smith, Kevin Jennings, Stephanie Burke and others. A photo booth will help guests capture the bacchanalia and there will be plenty of beer, glögg and treats. Dress as your favorite Krampus or Alpine creature as there's a costume contest. It should be a hot night in the wunnerful Bridgeport neighborhood.

Krampusnacht takes place at the Co-Prosperity Sphere (3219-21 S. Morgan St.) from 8 p.m. until midnight. Admission is $10; $5 if you come in costume, and includes a free drink.