Salzburg Krampus & Perchten Runs 2026/27
About
Each winter Salzburg's Old Town and surrounding villages host fearsome Krampus runs (around St Nicholas, Dec 5–6) and, later, Perchten runs that drive out winter's spirits. Costumed, bell-clad demons parade through the streets in one of the Alps' most striking living traditions.
Highlights
- Masked, bell-laden Krampus demons accompanying St Nicholas
- Perchten runs to expel winter's evil spirits over the holidays
- A headline Perchtenlauf on the Christkindlmarkt around Dec 21
Practical tips
- Stand back from the route — Krampus may swipe with switches at the crowd
- Bring younger children only to family-friendly Nikolaus runs
- Check salzburg.info for the season's confirmed run dates and locations
Where it is
Map pins
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors · Tiles © OpenFreeMap
Sources
Other upcoming events
Salzburg Festival (Salzburger Festspiele)
The world's foremost festival of opera, drama and classical music takes over Salzburg's great houses and squares for around six weeks every summer, anchored by the open-air 'Jedermann' on Domplatz in front of the cathedral.
Assumption Day (Mariä Himmelfahrt) in Austria
August 15 is a national public holiday across Austria honouring the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, with herb-bundle blessings (Kräuterweihe) in churches and a quiet midsummer day off.
Almabtrieb at Gruberalm, Hintersee 2026 (Cattle Drive)
A classic SalzburgerLand autumn tradition: at the Gruberalm above Hintersee, herders decorate the cattle with ornate flower-and-mirror headdresses and drive them down from the alpine pasture to the valley, with music, schnapps and farm stalls marking the end of the mountain summer.