Parade of Christmas Monsters Coming to H Street NE

(Updated at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday. Organizers clarified that while participants may patronize local bars, the fundraiser is not a pub crawl.)

Monsters of all shapes and sizes will soon traipse down H Street NE — in the name of charity.

Revelers will don costumes for the third annual DC Krampusnacht event on Friday, Dec. 5. They’ll parade down the corridor and stop into local bars in homage to Krampus, a horned devil of European folklore who serves as a foil to St. Nicholas.

According to legend, Krampus carried off evil children to drown or eat them. On Krampusnacht, or “Krampus Night,” participants dressed as the devil warn children to behave themselves. Locals Mavi Clay and Piers Lamb started the tradition in the District in 2012 and are preparing for it tonight (Thursday) at the Queen Vic.

“As opposed to wandering down H Street and getting drunk, we’re doing it for a reason,” Lamb said.

Clay and Lamb created the event as a fundraiser for the charity Santa’s Cause DC. Proceeds are used to buy Christmas presents for foster children around the city, Lamb said. Since its inception, Krampusnacht has been one of the largest fundraising drives for the group.

The family-friendly event will begin at 6 p.m. Dec. 5 with a benefit reception at Gallery O on H (1354 H St. NE).

The “Krampuslaf,” or parade, will start at 7 p.m. and travel along H Street from 13th Street NE to 11th Street NE and back. Organizers ask that all participants wear costumes for the walk. The parade will be followed by an after-party at Gallery O on H.

Organizers are meeting at 7 p.m. tonight at the Queen Vic as part of the final planning stages. Volunteers are encouraged to attend.

Photo via Facebook/DC Krampusnacht