ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Santa Claus isn’t the only Christmas visitor coming to Asheville this holiday season.
The annual Krampus Parade and Night Market will be terrorizing West Asheville with Christmas cheer at 5 p.m. this Saturday, Dec. 7, beginning at House of Black Cat Magic and ending towards 11 p.m. at The Well.
For the uninitiated, Krampus is a Christmas devil that dates back centuries in Alpine folklore. Krampus is a traditional companion to Saint Nick, doling out birch rod blows to naughty children while Nick hands out gifts to the good kids. He resembles an anthromorphic, shaggy-haired goat, with long horns and a snake tongue. He often carries bells, chains and a sack for carting off particularly bad children.
The Krampus Parade invites all of its Krampuses and Saint Nicks to tromp between the two magical establishments, both located on Haywood Road, before the Night Market at The Well, which will feature 10 different Yuletide vendors and a Krampus costume contest.
“At the Night Market, there will be music, and art vendors, and, you know, drinks and snacks and things,” said James Genaro, co-owner of The Well. “Kind of a little Krampus-y party.”
This is the second year that the Krampus market will be at The Well but the first that a parade will go along with it. The expansion of the event at The Well is thanks to their collaboration with Black Cat Magic, which will be kicking off the day’s Krampus events.
“I should mention, earlier in the day the House of Black Cat Magic is going to have a photo booth where you can get your picture taken with Krampus and/or Santa Claus,” Genaro said.
The photo opportunity will begin at Black Cat Magic at 11 a.m. Tickets are $15 for one adult and one child to take a photo with Santa, Krampus and all of the black cats in the Black Cat Magic cat lounge. Additional guests can be added to the photo op for $10 apiece.
For tickets, visit www.houseofblackcatmagic.com/reservations.
The Night Market is for all ages, Genaro says, but its vibe is definitely a spookier version of Christmas cheer.
Take the music, for instance.
“Think a kind of dark Christmas music. Stuff that is the darker side of Winter Solstice and Yule,” Genaro said. “It’s fun. It’s a little spooky, but it’s all very playful.”
Genaro will be dressing up as a Krampus himself.
“I go somewhat less traditional. Sort of grey and white fur,” Genaro described. “It’s got horns. It’s a scary Krampus, but not quite as devilish as some I’ve seen.”
Other costumed Krampuses are invited to compete at the Night Market costume contest for the “crown of bones.”
“There is going to be an actual crown of bones that the House of Black Cat Magic folks are providing,” Genaro said. “There’s also going to be, for the winner, an assortment of gifts from local shops here in West Asheville.”
So who says Krampus isn’t a gift giver too?
For more information about the Krampus Parade and Night Market, visit www.thewellasheville.com.