Krampus is returning for the holiday season at Universal Horror Unleashed. From November 19, 2026, to January 10, 2027, Universal Horror Unleashed will transform into a twisted winter wonderland, with limited-time characters including Krampus and more wintry monsters from European folklore. 

Holiday Makeover

The event will feature several different holiday-horror scenes, brand-new characters, and a 22-foot black Christmas tree. Many existing characters will be decked out in their holiday finest.

The entirety of the warehouse (minus the haunted houses themselves) will undergo a holiday-horror makeover for the Krampus & Kin event. Multiple times per night, a grand character processional marches through the warehouse, culminating at the 25-foot conifer for a dramatic tree-lighting ceremony.

Krampus Haus

Guests can also dine at Krampus Haus, a pop-up beer garden. The menu includes classic dishes with a holiday-horror twist. Krampus Haus works a little differently than a typical full-service restaurant. When you check in, you’ll purchase a Krampus-themed Dining Pass. That card is redeemable for bites from four different food stalls within Krampus House. You can get one of each item, or go whole-hog and opt for four servings from the same booth. These are their offerings:

• The Chains of Krampus: A Bavarian-style pretzel, served with a side of blonde ale cheese fondue and a mustard dip. What’s strongest: the chains restraining Krampus, the beast himself, or your appetite? 
• Naughty, Naughty: Smoked cranberry-glazed chicken drum pops. Am I crazy, or do these really look like the little legs of naughty children?
• Feast of the Holy Innards: You’ll get the name when you see it. A spiraled Feuerwurst sausage with fire-roasted pepper relish and mustard. 
• Perchta’s Pie: This single-serving fried apple pie turnover comes drizzled with a Bourbon-spiced vanilla bean icing. 

Over at the bar, you can indulge in limited-time, festive cocktails.

• Nice List (non-alcoholic): Cherry juice, apple cider, orange juice, honey, clove, ginger beer with a cinnamon stick. 
• Devil’s Blood: Gin, cranberry juice, cherry liqueur, orange liqueur, and clove-infused honey. 
• Krampus Punch: A glass of Glühwein, or mulled wine — that’s a warm red blend spiced with orange, apple, cinnamon, clove, star anise, and nutmeg.
• Shot Ski: That’s four shots of a shooter made from whiskey, aquavit, lemon, and ginger beer, served on a ski for you and three of your Christmas cronies. 

Immersive Zones

Universal is also rolling out limited-time immersive zones just for the season. 

Frost Bite 

Right when you enter the venue, a chill takes the air. The Vampire Frost Queen’s frozen heart has overtaken the space, and she’s looking for her next victim to carry her through the winter months. The elegant monarch, dripping in black and silver, looks down upon you from her throne. The only thing icier than the temperature is her paralyzing gaze. 

Accompanying the queen are her Vampire Frost Stalker and the Vampire Frost Guard, new to Krampus & Kin for 2026. And watch out for her frostbitten victims staggering about — lest you become one of them yourself. 

Kill Vault Video

What’s better than cozying up to watch a Christmas classic during the holiday season? Watching a Christmas classic filled with murder—that’s what. Lucky for you, Kill Vault Video will be transformed into a rental store filled with your favorite holiday-horror movies. But stay alert, as the video store manager has far more sinister intentions than simply helping you rent your favorite movie.

Home for the Horrordays

Wind your way through the prop graveyard (between The Boiler and Premiere House) and you’ll find yourself in the idyllic holiday house of all your ‘90s Christmas dreams. But something about this one seems…off. That’s because a twin brother and sister have broken into this unsuspecting family’s house and transformed it into their own freakish twist on a Christmas party. And you’re invited to join the festivities!

Who is Krampus?

Krampus is a horned, half-goat, half-demon of German and Central European folklore. His origins date back to the 11th century, but the current iteration of Krampus emerged in the 1800s, with people exchanging “Greetings from Krampus” cards throughout the holiday season.  While St. Nicholas visits children to reward their good behavior with presents, Krampus visits children to punish them for their naughtiness.

Other characters inspired by European folklore will also be at the event:

• Gryla: A sinister Icelandic witch in icy blue robes and an imposing, supernatural presence. 
• Mari Lwyd: Coming from Welsh tradition, this skeletal horse spirit has a haunting, elongated skull and tattered robes. 
• Kallikantzaroi: These goblin-like creatures from Greek folklore have glowing eyes and razor-sharp teeth. 
• Hans Trapp: A weathered woodland figure from Germanic stories, with the energy of a sinister Christmas hunter who’s been in the wilderness for decades. 
• Frau Perchta: An ancient Alpine witch in a dark gown whose elegance masks her threatening power. 

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