Krampus

In Salzburg, Austria, Christmas involves both St. Nick and Krampus, a mythological punisher with roots stretching back to late antiquity and many fans in the present-day Central Alps.

If Santa Claus is the good cop of Christmas, then Krampus is the bad one: a creature from European folklore who scares children into behaving themselves, complete with goat horns and gnashing teeth.

A so-called demonic portal opened in Southtown last year. OK, not really. But there was a parade with lots of horned figures, and it’s ready to come back for a second time.

Thursday's Krampus Parade kicks off at 6:30 p.m. at the Blue Star Arts Complex, travels down King William Street, and ends at the Rathskeller Bar. It has drawn some protest from local religious leaders who say the focus this Christmas should be on the kind and generous St. Nick.

Holiday horror is a peculiar — and rich — genre of film. From evil elves to Satanic snowmen, NPR;s Neda Ulaby looks back at the history of ho, ho, ho in horror.