Krampus Parade in New Orleans 2024

Dating back to pagan rituals, Krampus has long been celebrated in the Alpine regions of Austria, Bavaria, and the Czech Republic. The mysterious figure with horns and spooky claws joins St. Nicholas on the night of St. Nicholas Day, punishing unruly children with branches or, in some cases, by eating them. While the spooky tale is usually told to scare kids into behaving, adults celebrate Krampus by wearing goat costumes and joining in Krampuslauf parades. Interest in Krampus spread to the USA, and with that, the witchy city of New Orleans puts on one of the best Krampus celebrations.

Krewe of Krampus NOLauf Parade (December 7, 2024)

Considered the biggest Krampus parade in the United States, this Krampuslauf brings spookiness to the holiday season. Hundreds of participants, all wearing horns and goat masks with bared teeth, spill out onto the streets of French Quartet, taunting the spectators and throwing either gifts or sustainable coal made of glass. To receive the lump of coal, you need to come to the parade in a costume, show off a sign, or call out to the Krampus, leading the procession. Lucky spectators might receive bundles with twigs and bells.

Schedule & Location

The procession is set to begin at 7:30 pm on December 7th at the Royal Street near Parleaux Beer Lab. The crowd then heads westward and turns north to Independence Street, where the Accessibility Row is located. The area features the Quiet Zone and audio and ASL broadcast of the parade. The participants then turn west on the corner of Burgundy Street and continue their route before turning south to Piety Street. The parade ends at the intersection of Piety Street and Royal Street, near the Bratz Y'all Bistro.

What to See in New Orleans

While New Orleans boasts numerous attractions throughout its entirety, French Quarter is one of the highlights. The neighborhood is littered with art galleries, jazz clubs, shops, and eateries, all surrounded by Creole and Greek architecture. The Garden District, with 19th century and Victorian-style buildings, lies on the Mardi Gras parade route and is lovely at any time of the year. The National World War II museum in the Central Business District is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the city. The exhibits aim to make you reflect on the global scale of the war.

Christmas in New Orleans

Celebrating Christmas in New Orleans, the hub of art and birthplace of jazz, is truly a magical experience. The city is illuminated with dozens of Christmas lights and unique holiday installations. Celebration in the Oaks offers a fascinating tour through their grounds, dotted with numerous lit-up sculptures. NOLA ChristmasFest introduces you to the best of Christmas traditions, with an exciting journey through Gingerbread village.

Krampus in the United States

While the celebration in New Orleans is certainly vibrant, Krampus is celebrated widely throughout the United States. Numerous cities hold their own Krampuslauf parades, spooky Krampusnacht gatherings, or bar hang-outs. Krampus celebrations in the United States slightly differ from European ones but still manage to encapsulate the festive charm of Alpine folklore.

Visitor Experience

Rove.me reached out to several participants and spectators of the New Orleans Krampus Parade to gather their thoughts on the event. We asked them to share their impressions of the atmosphere during the procession, organization, and general experience at the event. We also asked them if they would recommend visiting Krampus parade to other potential travelers.

Anthony K, a photographer from New Orleans, who watched the Krampus parade in 2020 with his friend, said, "It was an unforgettable experience! The Krampus Krewe put on a fantastic show, filled with elaborate costumes, festive music, and an atmosphere that truly captured the spirit of Krampus with a New Orleans twist, in some cases."

Despite the challenges of 2020, Anthony mentioned that the dedication and hard work of Krampus Krewe was evident in every detail. He highly recommends it to anyone looking for a fun and slightly spooky holiday adventure. Anthony also thinks the parade is an ideal introduction to New Orleans, "And if you haven’t been to New Orleans yet, this is the perfect reason to visit and soak in all the craziness New Orleans has to offer. The Krampus parade isn't the only parade the city does well."

We also had the opportunity to speak with Carl C Arredondo III, who has been living in New Orleans for 33 years and has been involved in the parade for the last two years. In the first year, Carl was asked to work in the parade's Accessibility Row. "It's a two-block stretch with audio narration for the visually impaired (like me), an ASL interpreter, a section for those who use a wheelchair, and a sensory zone for those who are sensitive to noise," he explained.

Carl expressed his gratitude: "I was honored they asked me to narrate the parade for the visually impaired. My fiancée helped, as she can see better at night, and described the costumes while I read the information." In the 2023 edition of the event, Carl was honored to portray St. Nicholas. Carl shared his experience, "I was assisted by the faes and my fiancée to walk with my white cane through the dark streets of the route. We were so impressed by the number of parade-goers who dressed up along the route and by the care Mike and Diana Esordi from Krewe of Krampus took to make this parade accessible for everyone."

We were also able to receive a comment from Jessica Fender, a New Orleans local, who attended the Krewe of Krampus parade with some of her friends. She shared her experience at the event, highlighting how it embodies the unique spirit of New Orleans, "We will find any excuse to party, even if we have to make it up ourselves." She described how creative locals embrace the darker side of winter with spooky costumes, music, and trinkets for onlookers during their spirited procession through the Bywater neighborhood. Jessica emphasized that it's "absolutely worth seeing!"