European folklore says Krampus roams the streets looking for naughty children to scare about 20 days before Christmas day. Credit: Photo by Manfred Herrmann/Adobe

Every December, Seminole Heights’ Independent Bar & Cafe hosts a free-to-attend party that celebrates drinking, untraditional holiday festivities and St. Nick’s “devilish companion”, best known as Krampus.

Ancient European folklore says that the horned beast roams the streets looking for naughty children to scare about 20 days before Christmas day. The local watering hole honors him with an annual holiday gift market full of local makers, tarot readings by Diana Mystic of the Dark, harp music from Katara’s Seth Adam Lynn, hot mulled wine and lots of flowing beer.

The vendor lineup for Krampusnacht currently includes Microgroove Records, Krystal Ralph Art and Hobo Renaissance alongside a few more that have yet to be announced.

And if you happen to have any horns or hairy costumes laying around at home, feel free to dress up as the half-goat, half-demon and maybe you’ll get a beer on the house.

There’s no cover for Krampusnacht 2023 happening Tuesday, Dec. 5 at Independent Bar & Cafe in Tampa.
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