About this event
What to expect
Salem’s annual Krampuslauf and Krampusnacht is Saturday, December 5, 2026, from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m., starting at Salem Ink. Krampus, the horned figure of Alpine holiday folklore, gets his night out in Salem: see the Holidays Horrors art show, walk with the crowd to Notch, then finish at the Mari Macabre ball at BitBar. Festive, frightful costumes are very much encouraged.
The night
- Salem Ink: gather for the Holidays Horrors art show. Free and all ages.
- The Krampuslauf to Notch: the walk itself is free and all ages. Notch is 21+ to drink, so bring ID.
- Mari Macabre ball at BitBar: 21+ to enter. $10 in costume or creatively attired, $15 if not.
Plan your visit
- When: Saturday, December 5, 2026, 7 p.m. to 1 a.m.
- Where it starts: Salem Ink, 201 Derby Street, Salem
- Who it’s for: The art show and Krampuslauf are for all ages. The ball is 21+.
- Admission: The art show and Krampuslauf are free. The ball is $10 in costume, $15 if not.
Official information
Hosted by Darq Salem, Matt Richard and Krampus Salem. See the Salem Krampuslauf Krampusnacht event page on Facebook for updates, and find more of the season on our Holiday Happenings events calendar.
Details last checked: November 4, 2026 (date, time, stops and prices from the organizers’ public Facebook event).
Image: “Gruss vom Krampus,” a vintage Krampus postcard, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
The practical details
Where to go and who’s hosting
Related Events
Keep exploring
Make a day of it in Salem.
Pair this event with local shopping, dining, and more seasonal happenings around downtown.
Holiday Happenings is produced in partnership by Creative Collective and Salem Main Streets.