Explore haunted attractions, theme parks, and vacation spots across Arizona, Southern California, and Las Vegas. From ghost tours and escape rooms to family trips to Disneyland and Universal Studios, dive into reviews and articles on entertainment, nostalgia, and the paranormal. Whether you're chasing thrills or uncovering eerie legends, this blog is your gateway to unforgettable adventures.
Krampus: A Haunted Christmas 2017 – A Twisted Holiday Experience in Phoenix, AZ
Prepare for a chilling holiday horror event as Krampus: A Haunted Christmas comes to Phoenix’s Fear Farm Haunted House on December 8th and 9th! This one-weekend-only haunted house experience offers a terrifying holiday twist, perfect for horror fans looking for an alternative Christmas event in Arizona.
What to Expect at Krampus: A Haunted Christmas
π A Twisted Christmas Tale of Terror: Venture through a Christmas-themed haunted house where Krampus lurks in the shadows, punishing those who have been naughty.
π» Live Holiday Horror Attractions: Expect jump scares, eerie winter scenes, and Christmas nightmares brought to life.
π Meet Krampus: Face the terrifying holiday demon as he roams Fear Farm, snatching up those who dare to enter his lair.
Event Details
π Dates: December 8 - 9, 2017 π Location: Fear Farm Haunted House, Phoenix, AZ π️ Admission: Tickets available online and at the gate.
NOTE: All tickets are valid only for the date that you purchase. There are no refunds or exchanges for unused tickets.
For those who love Halloween and horror-themed Christmas events, Krampus: A Haunted Christmas is a must-see holiday attraction in Phoenix. Dare to enter? Gather your bravest friends and experience a Christmas nightmare like no other!
π₯ Get Your Tickets Before They Sell Out!
Discount TICKETS go on sale at noon on Tuesday, November 14th, 2017
Also open December 8th and 9th at the following locations throughout the US:
13th Floor in Denver, CO
13th Floor in Chicago, IL
Fear Fair in Seymour, IN
Factory of Terror in Canton, OH
Nashville Nightmare in Nashville, TN
House of Torment in Austin , TX
The Legend of Krampus – What Happens if You’re on Santa’s Naughty List? ππΉ
While Santa Claus rewards good children with presents, the terrifying Krampus punishes the naughty ones. This ancient Germanic folklore has become a global holiday tradition, bringing a dark twist to Christmas celebrations.
If you've ever wondered who Krampus is, where the legend comes from, and what happens if you're on his naughty list, keep reading to discover the spine-chilling origins of Krampusnacht, the Alpine Christmas demon, and his role in holiday folklore.
πΉ Who is Krampus? The Christmas Demon of Folklore
Krampus, whose name comes from the Old High German word "krampen" (meaning "claw"), is a half-goat, half-demon figure that appears during the Christmas season to punish misbehaving children.
π Norse Mythology Origins Krampus is believed to be the son of Hel, the goddess of the underworld in Norse mythology. He is linked to pagan winter traditions that pre-date Christianity, symbolizing the dark side of Christmas.
π The Yin-Yang of Christmas: Krampus vs. St. Nicholas
Saint Nicholas (Santa Claus) brings sweets and gifts to good children.
Krampus, on the other hand, beats, kidnaps, or terrifies naughty children.
This dark companion of Santa has been a part of Alpine folklore for centuries, blending pagan rituals with Christian holiday traditions.
π When Does Krampus Come? The Terrifying Krampusnacht (Krampus Night)
According to Germanic folklore, Krampus arrives on December 5th, known as Krampusnacht (Krampus Night).
π What Happens on Krampusnacht?
Krampus roams the streets, carrying bells and chains to terrify onlookers.
He visits homes, leaving bundles of sticks for bad children.
In some legends, he swats misbehaving kids or kidnaps them in a sack.
π The Next Day: St. Nicholas Day (December 6th)
Children wake up to either a reward or punishment.
Good kids receive candy and presents in their shoes.
Naughty kids find coal, sticks, or even a warning from Krampus.
π Krampus Parades & Festivals Today, Krampus celebrations take place across Europe, especially in Austria, Germany, and the Alpine regions. People dress as Krampus and participate in wild, theatrical parades, keeping the scary Christmas tradition alive.
According to Krampus legend, misbehaving children may experience the following:
❌ Light Punishment:
A bundle of sticks (called ruten) left by the fireplace as a warning.
A lump of coal in their stocking instead of presents.
❌ Moderate Punishment:
A gentle swat with birch branches as a reminder to behave next year.
❌ Severe Punishment:
Abduction! Krampus throws naughty children into a sack and carries them to the underworld.
Some stories claim he drowns, eats, or enslaves the worst offenders.
π’ Pro Tip: If you see Krampus approaching on December 5th, you better have been good this year!
π₯ How Krampus Changed Over Time – From Horror to Holiday Tradition
Krampus was banned by the Catholic Church for many years because his appearance resembled the devil. However, he never disappeared completely, and in modern times, his legend has softened:
✔️ Krampus became a holiday character similar to "Elf on the Shelf" – instead of punishing kids, he reminds them to behave. ✔️ The lump of coal tradition replaced physical punishment as a way to warn children. ✔️ Krampus parades and Christmas markets now celebrate him as a fun, spooky part of the holiday season.
π Krampus in Pop Culture & Horror Movies
Krampus has gained popularity in modern media, appearing in movies, books, and TV shows:
π¬ Krampus (2015) – Horror Movie:
This Christmas horror film follows a family haunted by Krampus after they lose the holiday spirit.
The movie showcases Krampus’ terrifying presence, complete with his demonic minions and dark magic.
πΊ Krampus in TV Shows & Cartoons:
American Dad! – Krampus appears as a misunderstood anti-hero.
The Venture Bros. – Features a comedic version of Krampus.
Supernatural (Season 3, Ep. 8) – Krampus-like figures kill bad people at Christmas.
Many haunted Christmas experiences now feature Krampus as a winter horror villain.
Halloween Horror Nights and Scary Christmas events often include Krampus-themed mazes.
π’ Fun Fact: In some cultures, people send Krampus-themed Christmas cards called "Krampuskarten" to remind friends and family to stay off the naughty list.
π Naughty or Nice? Krampus vs. Santa Claus – The Ultimate Showdown
π¨ Moral of the Story: Be good all year, or Krampus might come for you!
π Final Thoughts – Is Krampus Just a Myth or a Warning?
The legend of Krampus reminds us that Christmas isn’t just about presents—it’s about behavior, tradition, and balance. Whether you believe in Krampus or not, his story has stood the test of time, evolving from a terrifying Christmas demon to a beloved holiday folklore icon.
π Will you be celebrating Krampusnacht this year? Or are you hoping to stay on Santa’s nice list? Let us know in the comments! ππ πΉ
Universal Studios Hollywood 2016 Halloween Horror Nights - Krampus
You better watch out, You better not cry, You better not pout, I'm telling you why: Krampus is coming to town!
Universal Studios Hollywood Halloween Horror Nights collaborated closely with 'Legendary Pictures' and filmmaker Michael Dougherty to bring you a terrifying Krampus encounter. This Halloween Horror Nights Maze is inspired by the 2015 film and brings a Dark Christmas themed scare.
Krampus (Released December 2015) was rated PG-13, ran 1 hour and 38 minutes and was a mix of Comedy, Fantasy and Horror. The plot revolves around a young boy's dysfunctional family over the Christmas holiday. Young Max (Emjay Anthony) becomes disillusioned and his lack of festive holiday spirit unleashes the wrath of Krampus. Christmas holiday icons take on a monstrous life and lay siege to the fractured family's home, forcing them to fight for each other if they hope to survive.
Most everyone knows the story of Santa Claus and how he brings toys to good little children on Christmas Eve. What is lesser known is what happens to the naughty children who don't make Santa's list. Who visits them on Christmas Eve? What "gifts" are brought to them?
The Krampus Halloween Horror Nights Maze at Universal Studios Hollywood takes an Old World Christmas legend based on the 2015 hit film and shows you what happens when you make the naughty list. Krampus and his nasty little helpers have come to terrorize those who lost the Christmas spirit.
It will be a lesson you will never forget, if you can survive it.
Review
Like the 2015 Dark Christmas Halloween Horror Night Scare Zone, Krampus adds a fun and interesting twist to the normally jolly holiday.
As you approach the Krampus haunted house/maze, you find yourself entering the Engel family home decorated with Christmas lights, icicles, and the foreboding effigy of Krampus standing on the rooftop. A frozen mailman walks back and forth in front of the house giving you a photo op before you enter.
The maze takes place inside a version of the Engel house and yard, with smells of pumpkin spice and pine throughout the maze adding to the effect. Fog is a common element in many of Krampus’ scenes, add that to the dark nature of some scenes and you have practically zero visibility, a frightrning effect as you anticipate what will happen next. The foreboding atmosphere can, at times, be even scarier than seeing the monster jump out.
This honestly was our favorite haunted house and we went twice. The maze does well in replicating scenes from the movie and you won't always find a scare, but the detail is wonderful. So many of Krampus’ minions are present, including the evil gingerbread horde, as well as the man eating jack-in-the-box with a have eaten woman reaching for your help.
Like The Exorcist Maze, there is heavy use of animatronics, puppets and props throughout Krampus, transforming the well know Christmas season into a twisted and corrupt versions. A definite highlight is the attic scene with the Christmas tree angel. Along with props, live actors also appear throughout the experience, though sometimes predictable, not always.
The Origins, History, and Global Traditions of Santa Claus π
Did you know that Santa Claus has more than one Christmas Eve? Due to time zones and the rotation of the Earth, Santa actually has 31 hours to deliver presents if he travels east to west. Additionally, Eastern Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas Eve on January 6th, giving Santa a second round of deliveries!
Santa Claus, also known as Saint Nicholas, Father Christmas, and Kris Kringle, is one of the most beloved holiday figures worldwide. But where did his legend begin? Let’s explore the origins, history, and global traditions of Santa Claus.
π Santa Claus Around the World
π Santa is known by many names globally, including:
Saint Nicholas (Western Europe & Christian traditions)
Père Noël (France)
Weihnachtsmann (Germany)
Babbo Natale (Italy)
Ded Moroz (Russia & Eastern Europe)
Papai Noel (Brazil & Portugal)
Julenissen (Scandinavia)
π Not All Children Receive Gifts from Santa! Santa only delivers gifts to children who believe in him, which means that approximately 50-55% of the world’s children—primarily in Christian communities—expect a visit. In some cultures, gift-giving traditions differ:
π Poland:St. Nicholas Day (December 6th) is a day for gifts from ΕwiΔty MikoΕaj (St. Nicholas).
π Spain & Latin America:Gifts are exchanged on January 6th for Three Kings’ Day (DΓa de los Reyes Magos).
❄️ Russia & Ukraine: Santa-like figure Ded Moroz (Grandfather Frost) delivers gifts on New Year’s Eve instead of Christmas.
π The Origins of Santa Claus – From Saint to Mythical Gift-Giver
The story of Santa Claus traces back to Saint Nicholas, a 4th-century bishop from Myra (modern-day Turkey). Known for his generosity and devotion to children, his legend spread throughout Europe, making him the Patron Saint of Children and Travelers.
✨ Key Moments in the Evolution of Santa Claus:
12th Century: The Feast of St. Nicholas (December 6th) was officially established as a day of gift-giving and charity.
Protestant Reformation (16th Century): While devotion to Saint Nicholas declined in much of Europe, Dutch traditions of Sinterklaas survived.
17th Century:Dutch settlers brought "Sinterklaas" to America, where the name evolved into Santa Claus.
1822:Clement C. Moore’s poem‘A Visit from St. Nicholas’ (a.k.a. The Night Before Christmas) shaped the modern image of Santa:
“He had a broad face and a little round belly”
“He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf”
19th & 20th Centuries: Santa’s red suit and sleigh-pulled reindeer became iconic, thanks to Coca-Cola ads and Christmas illustrations.
Not all holiday traditions are cheerful! In Austrian, German, and Alpine folklore, Krampus is a horned, demonic figure who punishes naughty children while Santa rewards the good ones.
π₯ Krampusnacht (Krampus Night) on December 5th is a spooky Christmas tradition where people dressed as Krampus parade through the streets, scaring misbehaving children before St. Nicholas arrives on December 6th.
π Santa’s Christmas Magic – Myth or Reality?
Santa’s legend continues to evolve, blending history, folklore, and pop culture. Whether you believe in the real Saint Nicholas, embrace the magic of Santa’s Christmas Eve deliveries, or enjoy the spooky tales of Krampus, there’s no denying the enduring power of holiday traditions.
π Want to learn more about holiday legends and global Christmas traditions? Stay tuned for more festive history and folklore!
