Krampus Parade

A night of fire in the heart of the Val di Fassa

The Krampus Parade in Pozza di Fassa is one of the most anticipated and evocative winter events in the Val di Fassa. Each edition transforms the center of the village, in the municipality of San Giovanni di Fassa-Sèn Jan (Province of Trento, Trentino-Alto Adige), into an open-air theater where over four hundred Krampus invade the streets on a late November evening. The Strada de Meida is closed to traffic and lit only by bonfires and torches, creating a dark, mesmerizing atmosphere that draws thousands of spectators.

Who are the Krampus?

According to ancient alpine tradition, Krampus are half-animal, half-devil figures tasked with punishing naughty children while Saint Nicholas rewards the good ones. Wrapped in heavy fur costumes and armed with chains, cowbells, and whips, they wear long horns and finely carved wooden masks with sharp teeth. In Pozza di Fassa, the parade is deeply tied to the figure of Saint Nicholas, the village's patron saint, celebrated on December 6th: the "devils" symbolically accompany his arrival during the evenings around the start of December.

Groups and origins

The event is organized by the I Krampus da Poza association, a group of local enthusiasts, with the support of the events committee. Numerous groups from Trentino-Alto Adige, Veneto, and Austria participate in the parade. Among the local groups and those from neighboring valleys are the Teufel da Soraga and the Krampus da Cianacei, along with other companies from the Val di Fassa and Val di Fiemme.

• Route: Starts from the square of the Church of Saint Nicholas, descends along the Strada de Meida to Piaza de Comun, ending at the event pavilion.
• Setting: Streets closed to traffic, illuminated by bonfires and torches, with safety barriers along the entire route.
• Side events: Stands with mulled wine, food and drinks, live music, and a Krampusparty to follow.

A biennial tradition

The grand parade in Pozza di Fassa is held every two years, a choice made to maintain high organizational enthusiasm and event quality. The fifth edition took place in 2017, featuring about a thousand participants from over thirty groups; the eighth grand parade was held in 2025 with more than four hundred Krampus. During the "off" years, the Krampus tradition remains alive in the valley with smaller outings and the devils descending on the ski slopes in the days around December 6th.

An identity-defining event for Val di Fassa

More than just a masked parade, the Krampus Parade is a moment of strong identity for the Ladin community of Fassa: a ritual that weaves together the sacred (Saint Nicholas) and the profane (the devils), fear and celebration, drawing a large audience from all over Trentino-Alto Adige and beyond to the municipality of San Giovanni di Fassa-Sèn Jan. Admission is free, and the event is suitable for those seeking an authentic experience of alpine folk traditions.