Chilling encounter

Men dressed as devils perform during a Krampus show in the southern Bohemian town of Kaplice, Czech Republic.

In Austro-Bavarian Alpine folklore, Krampus is a horned, anthropomorphic figure who punishes misbehaving children during the winter season. The costume consists of animal skins and masks, with large cow-bells to make loud and frightening noises. Each year people who put on these traditional costumes and masks parade through the streets to scare onlookers. This 1,500-year-old pagan ritual is meant to disperse the ghosts of winter.