Krampus Costume
Bring the dark side of Alpine Christmas folklore to life.
Krampus is the horned, half-goat figure from Central European folklore who punishes misbehaved children during the winter season. This striking costume is a popular choice for dark holiday festivals, Krampuslauf events, and horror-themed Halloween parties. The look centers on a beastly horned mask, a heavy fur-trimmed coat or full-body fur suit, chains, and a bundle of birch branches.
- Difficulty
- Advanced
- Time
- ~60 min
- Budget
- $80–300
Try it on
See yourself as Krampus
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What you need for a Krampus costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Krampus costume — one box instead of 6 pieces.
Horned Mask
A detailed latex mask featuring long, curved goat horns, pointed ears, and a menacing expression with a long red tongue.
DIY: Attach large lightweight plastic goat horns to a headband and apply heavy dark face paint.
Fur Coat or Suit
A heavy, distressed grey or black long coat trimmed with thick faux fur, or a full-body dark faux fur suit.
DIY: Glue patches of dark faux fur onto an old oversized dark trench coat.
Birch Rods
A bundle of real or faux birch branches tied together with twine to carry as a prop.
DIY: Gather small, thin twigs from your yard and tie them tightly together with brown twine.
Rusty Chains
A length of lightweight plastic chains painted to look like rusted iron, worn draped over the shoulders.
DIY: Paint a plastic toy chain with brown and orange acrylic paint to simulate rust.
Cowbell Belt
A large, rustic metal cowbell attached to a thick leather belt worn around the waist.
DIY: Hang a decorative metal bell from a standard thick brown leather belt.
Claw Gloves
Dark, hairy gloves with long, pointed black claws or fingernails.
DIY: Glue black plastic fingernails to the tips of old black knit gloves.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Krampus costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the dark faux fur suit or the heavy fur-trimmed coat over dark pants and boots.
- 2
Fasten the thick leather belt around your waist, ensuring the heavy cowbell hangs prominently in the front or side.
- 3
Drape the plastic rusty chains over your shoulders, securing them so they clink as you walk.
- 4
Put on the hairy claw gloves to conceal your hands.
- 5
Carefully fit the horned Krampus mask over your head, adjusting the eyeholes for maximum visibility.
- 6
Grasp the bundle of birch rods in one hand to complete the menacing folklore look.
Makeup & hair
If using a half-mask or face paint instead of a full mask, apply dark grey and black face paint around the eyes and mouth, and wear a long, messy black wig draped over your shoulders.
Krampus for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair up with someone dressed as a traditional Saint Nicholas in red and white bishop robes.
- group
- Gather a troop of Krampus beasts led by a single Saint Nicholas for a traditional Alpine 'Krampuslauf' procession.
- kids
- A simplified version with a soft furry jumpsuit, small clip-on horns, and a tiny bundle of felt branches.
- Plus size
- A loose-fitting, oversized dark fur robe or open-front distressed velvet coat provides a comfortable and imposing silhouette.
- pet
- A dark furry dog sweater paired with a lightweight headband featuring soft, small plush horns.
Tips
- Masks can get hot and limit vision; take regular breaks and ensure your eyeholes are wide enough for safety.
- Use lightweight plastic chains instead of real metal to save your shoulders from fatigue during long events.
- Wear sturdy, dark leather boots to match the rugged, Alpine aesthetic of the character.
Krampus costume FAQ
- What does Krampus carry?
- Krampus traditionally carries a bundle of birch branches (called a ruten) to swat misbehaved children, rusty chains, and a large cowbell to announce his arrival.
- How do you make a DIY Krampus costume?
- You can create a DIY version by attaching large plastic goat horns to a headband, wearing a shaggy black or grey faux fur coat, draping plastic chains over your shoulders, and carrying a bundle of twigs from your yard.
- Is a Krampus costume suitable for warm weather?
- Because of the heavy fur and full latex masks, Krampus costumes are very warm. If wearing one in warm weather, opt for a lightweight fur-trimmed vest instead of a full suit and use face paint instead of a full mask.
Did you know? In Austria and Germany, traditional Krampus runs (Krampuslauf) feature hundreds of people in elaborate, hand-carved wooden masks and heavy animal skins parading through the streets.