Whitby Krampus Run festival returns for 10th year

Whitby Krampus Run is returning to the North Yorkshire coast for its 10th year

A celebration of festive folklore is set to take over Whitby this weekend for the 10th annual Krampus run.

In an interpretation of an Austrian tradition, the half demon, half goat figures show up to ensure children are well-behaved before Christmas.

Previous years have seen a parade through the coastal town, but this year's performances will take place around Whitby, with a wet and windy weather forecast meaning some events will take place indoors at Chapel on the Hill.

Local folklore will also feature, including the story of St Hilda banishing evil snakes from the town by throwing them from the cliffs.

Laurence Mitchell, organiser, said: "We are shaking things up this year and its nice to involve the whole town in the celebrations.

"For our 10th celebratory year we are building on what Whitby Krampus Run means - we need to make it relevant to the UK."

For 2024, performances will be dotted around Whitby rather than a single parade

Fellow organiser Elaine Edmonds said the weekend would promise "something different from a commercialised shopping centre Christmas, with a nod to old traditions and finding your old wild self".

Whitby Krampus Run is part-funded by North Yorkshire Council, with the grant spent on a variety of events rather than a single big parade this year.

"Public parades cost a lot of money, people don't realise that you have to pay for road closures, security, first aid, lighting and sound," Mr Mitchell said.

"We would rather spend our resources and the money we get from the council across the whole weekend, rather than an hour or so that can easily be rained off."

Entry to Chapel on the Hill, on Brunswick Street, is free, with stalls from local makers, children's entertainment and Krampus-themed activities.

Krampus is an Austrian tradition used to warn children to behave before Christmas

Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here.