Krampusumzug / Krampus Parade (DevilsRun) of Sand in Taufers

The Krampus Parade of Sand in Taufers

The Krampusumzug, also known as the Krampus Parade or DevilsRun, is one of the most anticipated events of the Advent season in South Tyrol. Every year in early December, the center of the municipality of Sand in Taufers (Campo Tures), in the Ahrntal Valley, fills with hellish creatures parading through the crowds in the darkness of the winter evening.

A centuries-old Alpine tradition

The figure of the Krampus is deeply rooted in the folk traditions of the Tyrolean Alps. According to legend, these diabolical beings accompany Saint Nicholas on the night of December 5th to punish disobedient children, while the saint rewards the good ones. Covered in animal furs, horns, and hand-carved wooden masks, the Krampus embody the spirits of winter that are driven away with loud noise before the arrival of the holidays.

Over 450 Krampus in the parade

What makes the Sand in Taufers edition famous is its scale: over 450 Krampus—with some estimates exceeding 500—from all over South Tyrol, Austria, and Germany gather in the village center. The masks, handcrafted from wood, are authentic pieces of local craftsmanship, each one unique. With chains dragged on the ground, deafening cowbells, fire-breathing devils, and mischievous witches, the parade moves through the streets, offering a show that is as evocative as it is adrenaline-fueled.

The evening program

In the afternoon, the festival pavilion offers mulled wine and cookies to warm up the wait. The parade kicks off at 6:00 PM and winds through the center of Sand in Taufers. After the parade, the festivities continue in the pavilion with music and conviviality until late at night.

An event in the heart of the Ahrntal Valley

The parade is part of the Tauferer Advent season, when the village comes alive with Christmas markets and events. Located at the foot of the picturesque Taufers Castle, the municipality of Sand in Taufers, in the province of Bolzano (Trentino-South Tyrol), provides an exceptional Alpine setting to experience one of the most iconic traditions of South Tyrol.