I've always loved spooky season and the holiday season equally, so when I first learned about a scary character who was specific to the Christmas season, I was all-in. Krampus, a horned figure who punishes naughty boys and girls at Christmastime, warmed my cold, black, Christmas-loving heart as soon as I heard of him.
Over the years, I've attended Krampus bar crawls, hosted Krampus-themed holiday movie nights, and even hung miniature versions of the creepy little guy on my Christmas tree. And, I've learned more people love Krampus than you'd think — case in point: KrampusFest, an all-day homage to the horned holiday horror that's been taking place in the Milk District since 2019.
KrampusFest 2025 in the Milk District
KrampusFest takes place this year on Saturday, December 7 in the vibrant cultural hub that is Orlando's Milk District. Based in and around the Plaza Live, KrampusFest goes from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. and is open to all ages for most of the day.
After 6 p.m., however, the party gets decidedly scarier and only naughty children ages 18 and older are allowed. The event is one of the largest celebrations of all things Krampus in the region. Here's what to expect from KrampusFest 2025:
- Live bands and performance art
- A Krampusnauf parade, a parade of in-costume Krampus characters and other spooky things that's worth getting a good viewing spot for
- Local food vendors and festive drinks
- More than 150 local vendors as part of a massive holiday market
- Costume contests (yes, that means it's OK to don your own set of Krampus horns to get in on the fun)
Yes, the event may sound a little weird, but as a long-time Krampus super-fan, I can assure you it'll be weirdly wonderful. In fact, Angie Folks, the executive director of the Milk District, says at its heart, KrampusFest is about embracing the weirdness in us all.
“KrampusFest started as a scrappy idea back in 2019, and it’s become one of our community’s most beloved traditions,” Folks told Orlando Date Night Guide.
“It’s uniquely us — that misfit-friendly spirit the Milk District is known for, but what’s incredible is how far it reaches. Every year we welcome people from all over the state, and even across the country, who feel connected to this vibe and want to be part of it. It’s become a point of unity. People show up thrilled to be there, delighted to belong, and it’s honestly heartwarming and refreshing to see a crowd that big come together over something so weird and wonderful.”
KrampusFest 2025 Tickets and VIP Packages
KrampusFest is free to attend, another perk in the midst of the pricey holiday season. However, the Milk District does accept donations from individuals who wish to help fund the shenanigans.
There are VIP tickets available, too. The Ultimate VIP Package costs $85 per person and includes a limited-edition KrampusFest t-shirt, a stainless steel KrampusFest stein that comes with one free drink and discounted refills, a professional photo with Krampus himself, access to a VIP bar and restrooms, a Milk District sticker, and a paper Krampus horn crown — a $140 total value.
What To Know About Krampus Before KrampusFest 2025
What you need to know about Krampus is that he's a sort of Christmas demon who has two devil-like horns and is half goat, half monster. While Santa Claus comes to reward the nice kids, Krampus comes to punish, and is often depicted beating naughty children or stuffing them into his gigantic sack to take them away with him. Krampus' story has Alpine roots, and he's been terrorizing Austria and other parts of Central Europe for hundreds of years.
Since the event takes place at the Plaza Live, there's free parking available. And, if the venue's parking lot is full, it's also OK to park in the nearby Colonial Plaza Center parking lot. The best option is to register for the free tickets (using this link), so they will receive a “Know Before You Go” email with plenty of info and pro-tips for the event.
Planning to head to KrampusFest 2025 for a daytime outing or a date night treat? We will see you there! My husband and I have special outfits planned, but you'll have to do your homework to know who we're dressed as.
Krampus Movies to Watch
Wanna do your Krampus research in advance of KrampusFest? My husband and I have two must-watch Krampus movies we dig into each year as soon as we put our holiday decorations up.
- Krampus: This 2015 dark-comedy-meets-horror film stars Toni Collette and Adam Scott, and gives a really great overview of the tale of Krampus. It's streaming in lots of places, like Peacock and AMC+, so it's great for a pre-KrampusFest viewing party.
- A Christmas Horror Story: Another 2015 holiday horror film, this one is a series of interwoven stories, one of which lays out all the Krampus lore. You'll find this one streaming on Peacock and AMC+, too, so grab some egg nog and make it a double-feature for your next in-home date night.
