Austria: St. Nicholas and Krampus rides
Austria has one of Europe’s most dramatic Christmas traditions, and horses play an important role in it. On December 5th (Krampusnacht – Krampus Night), communities across Austria celebrate with parades featuring St. Nicholas and Krampus, his fearsome companion. St. Nicholas, dressed as a bishop, rides through villages on a beautiful white or grey horse, rewarding good children with treats. Meanwhile, Krampus – a horned, hairy creature from Alpine folklore – runs through the streets with his companions, playfully scaring naughty children.
The horse who carries St. Nicholas is chosen for his calm, gentle nature and his ability to remain steady despite the chaos around him – there are crowds, people in scary costumes, noise, and excitement. These horses are treated with enormous respect and care. They’re often blessed by the local priest before the parade, and their tack is specially decorated with greenery, bells, and festive ribbons.
Did you know?
In some Austrian (and German) regions, particularly in rural mountain areas, farmers still bring their horses to church on St. Stephen’s Day (December 26th) for a special blessing. The horses, decorated with ribbons and wearing their best tack, stand patiently while the priest blesses them and asks for their health and safety in the coming year. This tradition, called Leonhardiritt in some areas, honours the connection between farming communities and their working horses.
After the blessing, there’s often a procession around the village, with horses and riders in traditional costume. It’s less a parade and more a moving thank-you ceremony – a way for communities to acknowledge how much they rely on their horses and to commit to caring for them well. Many families then return home for a special Christmas meal where they toast their horses’ health and share stories about their four-legged family members.
