ELF MATTERS
krampus 2025
Whitby krampus run
WKR ELF
WKR returns following a full successful 10th celebratory year which included an epic battle with the elements through Storm Daragh. Krampus prevailed and now into the 11th year (ELF) expect more attractions across the town bringing the community together and providing for visitors an alternative magical experience to the festive season.
Expect an event with Fearful Folklore and Festive Mayhem. The streets of Whitby are about to echo once more with bells, chains, and the unmistakable clatter of cloven hooves. Whitby Krampus Run is one of the UK's most striking and atmospheric winter folklore events, The celebration promises to be bigger, bolder, and beastlier than ever before.
Rooted in Alpine tradition and uniquely reimagined for Whitby's old world charm with local folklore and history, the Krampus Run brings to life the darker side of Yuletide. While Saint Nicholas rewards the good, Krampus punishes the naughty-and in Whitby, he does so with style.
Each year, the Whitby Krampus Run has grown in scale and spectacle, drawing in participants and spectators from across the UK and beyond. What began as a grassroots celebration of European folklore has become a powerful community tradition-and a one-of-a-kind winter festival experience.
"Krampus has become part of Whitby's cultural calendar in a way we could never have imagined when we started," says Laurence Mitchell, founder of the Whitby Krampus Run. "It's about folklore, creativity, and a little bit of catharsis at the darkest time of the year. We're proud to see it continue into its second decade." - Adds Co-founder Elaine Edmunds.
Whether you come to cheer, fear, or just marvel at the spectacle, the 11th Whitby Krampus Run invites you to experience a winter tradition like no other.
This year Whitby Krampus Run is thrilled to announce its collaboration, support and sponsorship with the Royal Hotel Whitby, which will play host to the much anticipated Krampus Ball at night and stalls in the day. This partnership marks a significant celebration of local tradition, folklore, and community spirit, as one of Whitby's most iconic venues opens its doors to the wild revelry of Krampusnacht.
Two nights of entertainment at The Royal Hotel.
Friday a chance to meet Krampus and the Krew.
A free evening of entertainment from The Three Wise(ish) men with their close up magic and music from Seven Headed Raven and SYD.31
On Saturday The Krampus Ball, a highlight of the festivities, draws visitors from across the UK and beyond for an evening of music, mischief, and mythological mayhem. Featuring The Tengu Taiko Drummers at Whitby Brewery and The Midsommars and Gadorcræft at The Royal Hotel Ballroom.
The Royal Hotel's commitment to supporting unique cultural events like this ensures a magical and memorable experience for all who attend.
Krampus at the royal hotel
Friday 5th December
Come to the Royal Hotel and meet the Whitby Krampus Run krew. All are willkommen to this free event as we kick off proceedings for WKR ELF in fine style with an evening of music and magic.
Entertainment provided by the Three Wiseish Men and music from Seven Headed Raven and SYD.31.
Free Entry
Seven-Headed Raven is a folk horror trio playing music from and inspired by the Latvian and British folk traditions. Its members are :
Tim Bowen (composer). Tim has played cello with various artists including Chromehoof,
The Anchoress and Jowe Head;
Catherine Gerbrands, who has played saw for the Medieaval Baebes, The Witching Tale, KatieJane Garside’s Liar, Flower project,
David Lance Callaghan a member of Jowe Head’s (Swell Maps) various incarnations; and Liene Rudziša, who plays the traditional Latvian instrument the kokle, and is a member of the London Latvian choir.
Played at our very first Krampus Ball and we are so delighted to have them back. SYD.31 is a devilish horror-punk/industrial-metal project by Dr Magic.
Sounding like The Misfits and Prodigy in a bar brawl. Always fulfilling their punk mantra of ‘Noise Not Music’ Syd.31 is a vocal incitement to riot backed by big beats and Shay Shay’s destructive guitar soundscapes.
Self proclaimed as the Last Punks On Earth, they sound like nothing else this side of Hades.
https://www.facebook.com/Syd31
https://www.youtube.com/@DoctorMagicUK
The Krampus Ball
Saturday 6th December
The Royal Hotel hosts Thee Krampus Ball with a few treats and surprises to be revealed plus the evenings entertainment is brought to you by two of the most exciting acts right now and the heißist ticket in town
Tickets £23.00
With a surprise performance at our St. John's Eve event which left everyone mesmerised twe just had to have The Midsommars return for the Krampus Ball.
A gothic folk vocal ensemble conjuring haunting harmonies, eerie atmosphere, and reimagined traditional songs from around the world. Combining candlelight, storytelling, and immersive visuals, The Midsommars perform intimate, otherworldly sets with strings, ocarinas, and bodhrán drums. Known for their spellbinding presence and raw emotionality, they revive forgotten tales and melodies with a dark theatrical flair.
Think Heilung, Dead Can Dance, Loreena McKennitt, traditional folk with a gothic twist.
Everytime we see Galdorcræft perform they blow us away and this year its going to be exceptional
Galdorcræft is a Dark Neo Folk band hailing from Staffordshire, UK, formed in 2020 by the creative core of Kliff Moon, Marie Moon, and Matthew Wudotun. Their distinctive sound seamlessly merges ancient and contemporary instruments, drawing deep inspiration from history, the natural world, and the pantheons of old.
Galdorcræft's music is a captivating fusion of ritualistic expression and imaginative intent, where intricate rhythms, evocative melodies, and powerful vocals converge to craft a unique and magick-infused auditory experience.
Krampus at WHITBY BREWERY
Saturday 6th December
Whitby Bewery kicks off Saturday evenings entertainment with the spectacular Tengu Taiko Drummers
Free Entry
Thunder in Motion. Spirit in Sound.
Feel the pulse of ancient Japan surge through every beat—Tengu Taiko Drummers deliver a breathtaking fusion of rhythm, movement, and tradition that ignites the senses and captivates the soul.
Named after the mythical Tengu—legendary guardians of the mountains known for their power and mischief—this ensemble brings fierce energy and refined artistry to the stage, channeling centuries of Japanese drumming tradition into heart-pounding performances. Hailing from York and rooted in traditional Japanese taiko fearlessly modern in execution, Tengu Taiko has electrified audiences at international festivals, cultural events, and concert halls alike.
Saturday 7th December
Free Entry
Whitby Bewery will host the closing ceremony and will include entertainment and music from Petrol Hoers
Formed in 2013, Petrol Hoers is the pioneer of the “digital horsecore” genre mixing extreme electronica, metal guitars and absurdist comedy.
“Petrol Hoers is one of the oddest and most original artists its ever been my pleasure to come across in the last 15 years of BBC Introducing”
-Tom Robinson – BBC Introducing Mixtape
Fish & Ships
Solstice / Ivan Kupala
Made In Whitby
Fantasty Forest
Wuthering At Haworth
Sherwood Fantasy
Huldrafest
John Barleycorn
Papplewick
Mordechai Katz Lecture
WKR ELF
Made In Whitby Christmas
17th - 18th May
23rd June
3rd - 4th July
18th - 20th July
27th July
9th - 10th August
6th September
19th September
15th - 16th November
22nd November
5th - 7th December
13th -14th December
OUR 2025 SCHEDULE
The Annual Mordechai Katz Lecture
Featuring guest : author - SARAH CLEGG
Talk at YHA Whitby Saturday 22nd November 6.30pm Bring your copy of ‘The Dead Of Winter’ or get one from The Whitby Bookshop to be signed. Ideal gifts for the festive season for those who want to delve deeper.
As part of this year’s Whitby Krampus Run festivities, we are delighted to welcome Sarah Clegg, historian, storyteller, and author of the acclaimed Women’s Lore: 4,000 Years of Sirens, Serpents and Succubi and the haunting The Dead of Winter.
Sarah’s work journeys deep into the shadowlands of myth and history. Women’s Lore uncovers powerful female figures who have haunted human imagination for millennia, from Mesopotamian demons and spectral mothers to sirens and succubi, while The Dead of Winter explores the human stories and ancient beliefs entwined with death, darkness, and the turning of the year.
Her talk will weave these themes together, shining a light on the myths that rise in midwinter and revealing how their echoes still resound through seasonal traditions like the Krampuslauf. Combining scholarship with vivid storytelling, Sarah brings ancient voices to life and reminds us why the coldest season has always belonged to spirits, monsters, and the strange power of story.
Sarah’s book ‘The Dead of Winter’ has been serialised for BBC RADIO 4 as ‘Book of the Week’ and is now just been published in paperback.
Tickets available now £5.00 - profits got to Rudy Vet's Bills Fund
https://www.universe.com/.../the-annual-mordechai-katz...
PAPPLEWICK PUMPING STATION
15th - 16th November
Whitby Krampus run return to Papplewick Pumping Station
THEE JOHN BARLEYCORN MASSACRE
SHERWOOD FOREST
FANTASY FOREST
SAINT JOHN'S EVE
at Whitby Brewery
Here at Whitby Krampus Run we have St John's Eve / Ivan Kupala / Midsummer celebrations. The weeks leading to the Solstice are especially magical. We mark the solstice on 21st itself but this year are celebrated on 23rd June - St John's Eve. This is the date of traditional folk celebrations of Midsummer across Europe ( including Sweden )
And these celebrations can go on until 6th July according to Slavic traditions which is worth considering to prolong this exuberant time before the harvest.
At Whitby Brewery joyous activities, a special surprise and joy for this Midsummer from The Midsommars,Dan Sumption and Crab and Bee ( Helen Billinghurst and Phil Smith )
FISH & SHIPS 2025
IMBOLC
at Whitby Brewery
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