MKE Krampusnacht returns to the Brewery District

OnMilwaukee is a proud sponsor of Milwaukee Krampusnacht.
Milwaukee Krampusnacht, organized by Tea Krulos, is a celebration of the folkloric monster Krampus. Think of Krampus as the opposite of St. Nick. According to tradition, and in reality in some European homes, children are bribed for kindness with the threat of an unfriendly and giftless Krampus visiting instead of St. Nick.

To celebrate this dark and glorious tradition, Milwaukee Krampus Night takes place on Sunday, December 1 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the companies of the Brewery District.

The event is family friendly (anything not kid friendly is noted in the schedule) and includes more than 60 vendors, live music, comedy, karaoke, craft workshops, an escape room, games, food and drinks and more.

This year there are returning favorites like Kid’s Krampus Hour and the American Ghost Walks Krampus Parade, as well as fun new things like the Spooky Frog Scavenger Hunt, Krampus Court and the Mari Lwyd Rap Battle.

Here is a full schedule of Milwaukee Krampusnacht events:

Saturday, November 16, 8:30 PM: Milwaukee Krampusnacht screening of Red One at The Avalon Theater, 2473 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.
When Santa Claus is kidnapped by Krampus, a strike force is gathered from the North Pole to retrieve him. Red One stars Dwayne Johnson, Chris Evans, JK Simmons, Kiernan Shipka and Lucy Liu (plus Kristofer Hivju as Krampus). Have a photo taken with Krampus and company in the lobby before the movie. Tickets for ‘Film Only’ and ‘Film Plus Half Off General Admission to Krampusnacht’ are available here.

Sunday, December 1, 3:00 PM – 10:00 PM: Milwaukee Krampus Night
Best Place, 917 W. Juneau Ave.
Best Place’s gift shop is open and their café serves hot drinks.

Best seat in the Great Hall at Milwaukee Stage
3 p.m.: DJ Shotski
5 p.m.: The Squeezettes
6 p.m.: Xposed 4heads
7:30 PM: Monster party after the parade with extra crunchy brass band, Tamarind tribal belly dance and the Mari Lwyd Rap Battle (Dr. Meffenstein and his Mari Lwyd vs Puerto Wiccan, Jon Henry and Super Ego, presenter: Darrin Alston jr.)
The Great Hall will have donation boxes for the Toys for Tots campaign and there will be a white elephant exchange in Captain Pabst’s office in the Great Hall. (Bring a novelty gift for a child or teen and a quirky, ridiculous gift for the white elephant swap.)

Best Place St. Nick’s Speakeasy (under Great Hall)
Tarot readers and Milwaukee Theremin Society will perform at 5 and 6 p.m

King’s Courtyard (via Gift Shop)
4:00 PM: Milwaukee Theremin Society
4:30 PM: Heavy Metal Krampus I
5:00 PM: Wend O’Lynn
6 p.m.: Circus Dark Arts

Best place Blue Ribbon Hall
Activities sponsored by Northwoods Bricks
3.30 pm: Children’s cramp hour
5 p.m.: “Wisconsin’s Legendary Monsters,” hosted by Jeff Finup (Badgerland Legends)
5:30 PM: Krampuskarting workshop (make your own Krampus-themed Christmas cards! Sponsored by OnMilwaukee and QWERTYFEST MKE)
7:30 PM: German pub party with Milwaukee Alpenbläser

Pilot project (1128 N.9th St.)
Open for food and drinks. Pilot Project collaborates with Krampusnacht for a special brew: Wee Heavy Horns. Wee Heavy Horns Pilot Project Market has more than 15 suppliers. The WMSE Yeti Lounge & Barrel Rooms will feature additional vendors, the official Milwaukee Krampusnacht merchandise booth and a special gaming session with local role-playing game makers.

Barley Room (1125 N. 9th St.)
More than 30 vendors at the US Science & Surplus Barley Room Market, and this year Best Place has a pop-up bar with a special drink called ‘Krampusschlap’. Remark: American Ghost Walks ghost tour bus leaves and drops off outside the Barley Room.

A full list of suppliers can be found here: Vendors 2024 – Milwaukee Krampus Night 2024: Sunday, December 1

Amped (910 W. Juneau Ave.)
Serving food, drinks and karaoke.
4 p.m.: The Full Frontal Püpets present: A Xmas Xarol
5 p.m.: Krampus Court (improvisational comedy)
6 p.m.: The Full Frontal Püpets present: A Xmas Xarol

Warning: Both A Xmas Xarol and Krampus Court contain “adult humor.”
Plus the Krampusnacht Creepy Holiday Village diorama contest and outdoor Yule Cat Alley karaoke.

On Tap (1203 N. 10th St.)
Open for food and drinks.
Patio: Goth Barge DJs
Spooky Frog Scavenger Hunt (Buy your map for $5, find the 9 locations on it, and receive a stamp at each location for a special prize.)

10th Street Market outside On Tap / Brewhouse Inn
Outdoor vendors, plus food trucks.

Preservation Park (next to Best Place)
Unorthodox Entertainment Company presents “Christmas in the Dollhouse Escape Room.”

American Ghost Walks Krampus Parade – a must see!
Taking place on Juneau Avenue at 7pm.

Milwaukee Krampusnacht tickets are available here.