Looking for some holiday counter-programming, especially something on the darker side? Well, look no further because Krampus is here. More specifically, at the Alpine Village in Torrance, where some very old European folklore is becoming a new alternative holiday tradition.

It might look like something out of a horror movie, but the Krampus Ball is part of a holiday celebration centered around Krampus, the half-goat, half-demon that, according to Central European folklore, comes to punish naughty kids at Christmas time. Although Krampus celebrations appear throughout the United States, Los Angeles has some of the bigger events thanks Al Ridenour.

Ridenour is somewhat of a Krampus scholar and this is the six year he's organized events in Los Angeles.

“Christmas that we know has a lot of pagan elements in it,” said Ridenour. “And the Krampus is a perfect example. He's actually a synthesis of Catholic belief and sort of local pagan customs.”

Ridenour wrote a definitive book on Krampus, and he's also an artist.

“A number of the masks and suits in our troop, I did make.”

These annual events give Ridenour and his Krampus-loving community a chance to flex their creative muscles.

“I think everybody here likes horror movies and the dark creepy stuff,” said Jim Lenahan, one of the Krampus performers. “So why is a horror movie fun to go to? Because you know it's not real. It's not going to really get you. There's the good and the bad. The Ying and Yang, you know, so we're the dark side.”

 

 

Of course, many local artists were on hand to sell their Krampus-related merchandise.

“It's not sinister like in a malicious way,” said artist Michelle Prebich, who sells her artwork at the ball. “It's just kinda like, be good!”

Krampus fans are a very loyal bunch, and although the “Krampus attack” was the highlight of the evening, there was also food and drink, live music and, of course, an appearance from good old St. Nick.

“They're a team,” said Ridenour. “They're here working on the same project, they just work on opposite sides of that project which is keeping the kids well behaved.”

While Krampus might not be for everybody, for those looking for something a little different for the holidays, it is best to be naughty.