The dark folklore behind Krampus, St. Nicholas, and the
winter traditions that survived beneath Christmas.
The Krampus and the Old, Dark Christmas by Al Ridenour explores the shadow side
of the winter holidays, tracing the folklore, rituals, and seasonal customs
that predate and coexist with modern Christmas. Moving from Alpine Krampus runs
and masked parades to wassailing, mumming, and other pre-Christian winter
traditions, Ridenour uncovers a seasonal world filled with devils, spirits, and
symbolic reversals of social order.
Blending cultural history, folklore research, and
contemporary fieldwork, the book examines how figures like Krampus, Perchta,
and other winter spirits evolved over centuries—and why they continue to
resonate today. Ridenour documents the revival of these traditions across
Europe and North America, placing them within a broader history of winter
festivals, public spectacle, and communal ritual. Richly illustrated and
grounded in both scholarship and firsthand observation, the book offers a
detailed look at how the “old dark Christmas” persists beneath modern holiday
culture.
An essential seasonal title for readers of folklore,
European history, Christmas traditions, and contemporary festival culture.
Ridenour's A Season of Madness: Fools, Monsters, and Marvels, of the Old-World Carnival (2025) explores the winter festivals and celebrations that begin after Christmas.
“Delightfully informative and beautifully illustrated…a must for anyone curious
about the darker side of the holidays.” — Publishers Weekly
“A lively tour through the strange and ancient roots of Christmas.” — Los
Angeles Review of Books
“Engaging and meticulously researched.” — Atlas Obscura
“Perfect for readers who like their holiday traditions with a little mischief.”
— Boing Boing
