Krampus is coming back to Milwaukee’s Historic Brewery District. Milwaukee Krampusnacht 2026 is set for Sunday, Dec. 6, from 2 to 9 p.m. at Best Place and other businesses along Juneau Avenue between Ninth and 11th streets, with a sprawling day of folklore, performances and mischief spread across the neighborhood.
The event's full schedule is laid out on milwaukeekrampusnacht.com, which notes that a general-admission ticket is required to get into most of the festival's spaces. The 2026 event also includes a new pre-party.
A New Pre-Party, Séance and All
According to Wisconsin Frights, the new 2026 pre-party features music, burlesque, tarot readings and a séance.
The main event on Dec. 6 keeps a full slate of programming moving across the district's halls and courtyards. Kid's Krampus Hour runs from 3 to 5 p.m. at Best Place Blue Ribbon Hall, offering families craft activities and visits from Krampus, St. Nick and an Angel, per the schedule posted at milwaukeekrampusnacht.com. Folklore author Chad Lewis follows at 5 p.m. with a free Winter Folklore presentation at Blue Ribbon Hall, seating first come, first served.
Music, Puppetry and a Parade Through the District
The Brew City Shanty Sing takes place in Blue Ribbon Hall at 6 p.m., ahead of the Krampusnacht Parade at 7 p.m. Violinist Wendy Lynn Markus closes out Blue Ribbon Hall's evening at 7:30 p.m. with Afterglow: An Electric Violin Holiday Fantasy, a performance also confirmed on the official schedule.
Over at Amped, located at 910 W. Juneau Ave., the day includes Holiday Horror Movie Trivia at 3 p.m., the Full Frontal Püppetry X-Mas Show at 4 p.m., Tamarind Tribal Belly Dance at 5 p.m. and Milwaukee Alpenbläser at 6 p.m. — the German folk act also listed on the official Krampusnacht schedule. Amped is also where the Krampus Creepytime Village diorama contest runs from 2 to 8 p.m., the same contest the event's own schedule describes as a returning favorite.
Witch's Square and the Hodag Skull
At Witch's Square, situated at Juneau and 10th next to the Great Hall, Grýla's South Pole Sideshow sets up as a pop-up tent running from 2 to 8 p.m. Per Grýla's South Pole Sideshow, the tent is filled with displays related to winter folklore from around the world, including England, Ukraine, Japan, Greece, Iceland and Mongolia.
Witch's Square also hosts the Goth Barge from 4 to 9 p.m., which includes a burn ceremony after the parade.
A White Elephant Swap
Capt. Pabst's Office, tucked in the corner of the Great Hall, hosts the White Elephant Exchange from 3 to 7 p.m., with organizers asking attendees to bring a wrapped gift in the $5-to-$10 range, according to the event's official schedule. Karaoke, food and drink are also part of the day's offerings throughout the district.
Charity Alongside the Mischief
Per the event's own site, organizers hold an annual Toys for Tots drive. Full ticket information and further details are available at milwaukeekrampusnacht.com.
