Haunted Walk tour guides have been sharing the disturbing (yet weirdly charming) European tradition of Krampus since 2013 on our Nightmare Before/After X-Mas tours. In recent years, more and more people have become interested in Krampus, the demon-like creature who appears in European villages every December 5th to take away the most naughty children in his wicker basket to be trampled, eaten or carried off to Hell.
This year, we have made it our mission to become the city’s Krampus headquarters! Our gift shop is filled Krampus-themed items from socks, to candy canes, and even tree toppers for all the “naughtiest” people on your list. Our gift shop is open from Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm and from 4pm to 8pm on Saturdays.
On Tuesday, December 5th we will celebrate Krampusnacht or Krampus Night, with the launch of our “Nightmare Before/After Xmas” tours, which will explore the darker side of the festive season. Guests will hear about strange and frightening holiday traditions from around the world and gather in close as our guides share creepy Christmas-themed ghost stories. The majority of the tour will take place inside the spooky Bytown Museum, one of Ottawa’s oldest and most haunted buildings. Once inside, guests will learn why some Haunted Walk tour guides are too scared to give tours of the museum after dark – even at Christmas time!
These special “Nightmare Before/After Xmas” tours will run on the evenings of December 5, 9, 16, 23, and December 27-30, departing from the Haunted Walk ticket office at 46 1/2 Sparks Street. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit hauntedwalk.com/ottawa-tours.
