Krampus Karnival: The Bizarre, Odd, & Curious Traditions of Christmas | December 19
It’s the final weekend for Christmas Traditions in St. Charles, and Friday evening hosts the oddballs at the Krampus Karnival. It’s a “more merry than scary” trip around the world with Christmas misfits such as Krampus, Frau Perchta the Christmas Witch, Gryla the Icelandic Ogress, Mari Lwyd the skeleton horse from Wales, the Greek trolls known as Kallikantzaroi, and Iceland’s Jólakötturinn, the Yule Cat. 6–8:30p.m. Katy Depot, Frontier Park, St. Charles.
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Krampus Haunted Holiday | December 20
The jolly old elf might get most of the press this time of year, but Krampus—the half-goat, half-demon child torturer from European folklore—also sees you when you’re sleeping and knows when you’re awake. The Scarefest suite of spooks is the reigning champion of Halloween horror, of course, but it offers a few dreadful one-offs throughout the year. Brave its morbid holiday offering featuring Krampus and his pals Santa Claws, Beastly the Snowman, some killer elves, and other nasties. 6:30–9:30 p.m. Tickets start at $35 with add-ons and special experiences available. The Darkness, 1525 S. 8th.
Odd Yule Market and Goth Garage Sale | December 20 & 21
The Crack Fox hosts “last-minute panic shopping at its best” this weekend. The event draws inspiration from the Welsh Christmas creepy known as Mari Lwyd, a horse skull on a pole, as well as Iceland’s Yule Cat, a vicious people-eating feline who feeds during the holiday season. Local vendors offer oddities and curiosities for the weirdo on your nice list. 6–10 p.m. Sat, noon–6 p.m. Sun. The Crack Fox, 1114 Olive.
Santa’s Slaughterhouse | December 20
The Haunt Bar transforms into Santa’s workshop, but something’s gone horribly wrong. Watch out for feral reindeer and unstable elves as you enjoy the evening in your finest “festive nightmare horror attire” and sing Scaryoke. 9 p.m.–midnight. 8 p.m. The Haunt Bar, 5000 Alaska.
Steal Yo’ Gift Bingo | December 21
Better to give than to receive? Bah! Humbug! Steal Yo’ Gift Bingo mixes card-daubing with a no-holds-barred version of a White Elephant exchange. Win a bingo card, and receive a very silly present, but face theft—er, compulsory trading—from your fellow winners. One of the gifts is a pair of tickets to the upcoming Lynyrd Skynyrd x Foreigner tour, so choose wisely. 3 p.m. Tim’s Chrome Bar, 4736 Gravois.
Horror for Hanukkah | December 21
Take in century-old German Expressionist horror for the penultimate night of Hanukkah. The Golem: How He Came Into the World looks at the origin story of the golem, a being from Jewish folklore made of clay and at the command of its creator—a protector who occasionally gets frighteningly off track. 5 p.m. $5. Arkadin Cinema, 5228 Gravois.
