Krampusnacht brings demon revelers and Sleigher to Downtown's Market Square

Market Square in Downtown Pittsburgh was filled Wednesday night with holiday revelers, many dressed as demons, at the third annual Krampusnacht where an obscure Christmas-themed character from German folklore who’s known to dole out more punishment than presents, was celebrated.

People gathered at the Christmas Village in Market Square to view the Krampus parade and a performance by the Krampus band, Sleigher, a six-piece band that plays traditional holiday tunes with heavy metal attitude.

Krampus is a mythic cloven-footed figure known to appear on Dec. 5, who acts as an anti-Santa, punishing the naughty and sparing the nice.

Krampus is said to carry bundles of birch branches to whip the bad children and a basket or sack to carry away the worst.

Andrew Russell is a Tribune-Review staff writer.