Welcome to Krampusnacht Bremerton 2025!
Krampusnacht Bremerton 2025 – Participant Registration
Welcome to Krampusnacht Bremerton 2025! All costumed performers, non-costumed handlers, and photographers must register to participate in this year’s festival. To ensure a safe, organized, and unforgettable experience, please carefully review the registration details below:
Mandatory Registration & Check-In
Registration Required: Every costumed performer, non-costumed handler, and photographer must complete online registration before participating in the event.
Check-In Location: All participants must check in at the Greater Kitsap Chamber of Commerce prior to the Krampuslauf parade.
ID for Participation: Upon check-in, each participant will receive a numbered cow tag or lanyard, which must be displayed at all times throughout the event.
Enforcement: Participants without their number displayed may be asked to leave by a member of event security, safety personnel, or the Bremerton Police Department.
Photo Submissions Now Available
To help with event security, organization, and parade flow, all participants must submit photos both in and out of costume. Photo uploads are now available with online registration—providing your photos in advance will greatly expedite check-in.
Participation Fees
As the festival grows, so do the costs of production, safety, and entertainment. Beginning this year, we are introducing a participation fee:
Early Registration (on or before September 30, 2025):
Costumed Performers: $20
Non-Costumed Handlers: $10
Photographers: $10
Late Registration (after September 30, 2025):
Costumed Performers: $25
Non-Costumed Handlers: $15
Photographers: $15
New Rules for Non-Costumed Handlers
To maintain the theatrical atmosphere of the Krampuslauf, all non-costumed handlers are required to dress entirely in black, similar to backstage theater crew, so as not to detract from the visual impact of costumed performers.
Costume Guidelines
All costumes must be Krampus-themed and celebrate the tradition of Krampus and complementary seasonal characters.
Strict adherence to historical costume standards is not required, but horns and bells are mandatory to keep the traditional spirit alive.
Participation Rules
All participants are expected to know, and adhere to , the rule of participation. Please watch the rules video and review them prior to submitting your registration.
Krampusnacht Rules
All Krampusnacht Bremerton participants are expected to know, and adhere to, the following rules. Compliance with rules will be monitored and enforced by event security, with support from the Bremerton Police Department. Non-adherence to event rules may result in expulsion from the event, a lifetime ban on future participation, and any legal penalties imposed for criminal behavior.
The Basics.
BE SAFE: know the limitations of your costume, body, health, and surrounding environment. Don’t engage in activity that endangers your personal safety or the safety of others.
NO HITTING: Krampus carries whips and switches. Only strike a fan if they give you consent. Hitting puts you, and fans, at personal risk. Act out the aggression, but don’t make physical contact unless asked or prompted to do so.
ENGAGE THOSE WHO WANT TO BE ENGAGED: Some people are afraid of Krampus and may have underlying conditions of which you are unaware. If an adult is demonstrating behaviors that they don’t want to be approached; don’t approach them.
ENTER WHERE YOU’RE ALLOWED: Only enter known, participating businesses, with a Krampusnacht decal on the front door or window. Even if the owner invites you in, do not enter unless the current year’s decal is displayed. Once on the property, be respectful of the property and don’t cause damage.
Children.
DON’T APPROACH CHILDREN: Allow children to approach you, or have their parents bring them to you. Krampus is a scary creature, but Krampus events are intended to be fun for everyone. Kids frequently warm up when they figure out there’s no threat.
TAKE A KNEE: When approached, consider getting down on the child’s level. Get on one knee, so they can see you in the eyes, and you’ll likely find it’s a way for them to feel more comfortable approaching Krampus.
STEP OUT OF CHARACTER: Dressing up as Krampus is a performance. Children have great imaginations and can have trouble distinguishing theatrics from reality. Consider using your human voice to talk. Maybe allow them to touch the horns on your mask or the fur on your arm.
Protesters.
While unlikely, sadly, some folks prefer reaction over understanding. Consequently, you may encounter some hostility either in the form of formal protest or negative comments from bystanders. When that occurs:
SAFETY FIRST: Never compromise your safety or the safety of others. Remove yourself from the situation as quickly as possible and seek a safe location.
DON’T ENGAGE: Protesters are often looking for conflict and response. The best way to avoid a protester is to ignore them. Do not ever engage with a protester and move away from them. Don’t try to explain, rationalize, or argue. Simply ignore and move on.
BE POLITE: If an interaction is unavoidable, engage with the hostile party with kindness. Do not raise your voice, get angry, or engage in violence. Excuse yourself as quickly as possible and move on to the many more people who are excited to have you present.
Use Of Likeness: During our Kramusnacht event, many photos and videos will be taken by both professional and amateur photographers. You are invited to take all of the photos you would like and use them to promote the event, share with friends, build your own social media following, or keep for fun. A “Use Of Likeness” release agreement is included here to protect the intellectual property of the photographer, purchaser, and to use imagery taken for the promotion of Krampusnacht Bremerton, and related events. As you will be participating in Krampusnacht, it’s important to know that your photograph will be taken and is likely to be used for promotion of future events and activities.
How To Krampus
Get ready to bring your Krampus to life! Watch this short, fun video by Mike Barnet for everything you need to know about "How to Krampus" at Krampusnacht Bremerton. Whether you're a first-time performer or just need a refresher, this video covers the rules, best practices, and a few tips to make sure you’re ready for a night of festive mischief! Don’t miss out on the chance to learn the ropes and join in the fun.
Performer Schedule
“Green Room” opens at the Greater Kitsap Chamber of Commerce’s NEW location at 705 Pacific Ave, Bremerton. Equipment can be stored at this location at your own risk.
3:30 p.m.
Performer check-in begins for ALL participants (performers, handlers, friends, etc.)
3:30 p.m.
Group photo taken at the start of the Krampuslauf, in the street, in front of The Dusty Pug, at 816 Pacific, Ave, Bremerton
5:15 p.m.
Step off for the Krampuslauf parade at The Dusty Pug, at 816 Pacific, Ave, Bremerton
5:30 p.m.
Estimated conclusion of the Krampuslauf parade at 4th St and Pacific Ave
6:30 p.m.
Performers moved to assigned locations at points in the festival
6:30 p.m.
Festival ends
9:00 p.m.
Green Room closes
10:00 p.m.
Registration & Check-in
ALL PARTICIPANTS ARE REQUIRED TO REGISTER
All participants in the Krampuslauf Parade during Krampusnacht Bremerton are required to register in advance. This includes performers, handlers, photographers, and friends. Check-in will take place at the Greater Kistap Chamber of Commerce (705 Pacific Ave, Bremerton) between 3:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. on the day of the event.
At check-in, each participant will:
Confirm their online registration
Have their photo taken in and out of costume, if not submitted with registration
Receive a numbered badge that must be worn throughout the entire event while in costume
Important: Participants without a visible number will be asked to leave by event security.
Photographer: Performers are allowed to bring professional photographers to capture photos during the Krampuslauf. Photographers must also register and check in. Upon registration, photographers will be issued a press pass, which must be worn visibly during the event. Photographers without a press pass will be ejected from the Krampuslauf parade by event security.
Security & Conduct:
Event security, along with the Krampus Bremerton Krampus Krew, will have full authority over the safety and security of the event. If a participant is asked to leave, they must comply immediately. Non-compliance will be escalated to the onsite City of Bremerton law enforcement.
Registration
Please complete your registration below. Note that you will be prompted for payment after submitting your registration.