There’s no place like hell for the holidays. At least, that’s what we believe at Universal Horror Unleashed, the year-round immersive horror experience in Las Vegas. So that’s why we’re bringing the fiend of festivities himself, Krampus, back to Sin City for the holiday season. Here are the need-to-knows about Krampus & Kin 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.
- 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.
- Guests can dine at Krampus Haus, a pop-up beer garden. The menu includes classic dishes with a holiday-horror twist.
Some people have visions of sugar plums dancing in their heads on Christmas Eve. Others have nightmares. If you’re the second type, read on to learn everything you need to know about Krampus & Kin’s triumphant return to Universal Horror Unleashed.
Who is Krampus?
Think of Krampus as the anti-Santa. Krampus is a horned, half-goat, half-demon of German and central European folklore. (I said what I said.) His origins date back to the 11th century, but the current iteration of Krampus we know (and love?) today emerged in the 1800s, with people exchanging “Greetings from Krampus” cards throughout the holiday season.
While St. Nicholas (a.k.a., Santa) visits children to reward their good behavior with presents, Krampus visits children to punish them for their naughtiness. If you thought getting coal in your stocking was bad, just you wait for what Krampus has in store.
Krampus & Kin Are Coming to Town
The holiday season is the darkest time of the year, and Universal Horror Unleashed takes that quite literally. The entirety of the warehouse (minus for the haunted houses themselves) will undergo a holiday-horror makeover for the Krampus & Kin event. Think: a twisted winter wonderland, with eerie takes on Christmas standards filling the air and festive-freakish overlays at the Universal Horror Unleashed bars and restaurants.
But the reason for the season, the man — I mean, the half-goat, half-demon — of the hour: it’s Krampus. Pass The Boiler bar, walk through the horrifying Christmas house (more on that below) and you’ll see a towering black holiday tree glistening in the darkness. Multiple times per night, a grand character processional marches through the warehouse, culminating at the 25-foot conifer for a dramatic tree-lighting ceremony.
It’s in this zone that you can meet Krampus (if you dare). The towering holiday demon is dressed in chains and tattered winter robes. But keep your eyes open for other characters inspired by European folklore here with Krampus. They are:
- Gryla: A sinister Icelandic witch in icy blue robes and an imposing, supernatural presence.
- Mari Lwyd: Coming from Welsh transition, 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.
Holiday Feasting, With a Dark Twist
What better way to celebrate Krampus than with a beer hall? For the holiday season, Jack’s Alley will be transformed into Krampus Haus. Imagine a classic, Biergarten, but with a distinctly sinister edge and a twinkle of macabre holiday spirit.
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.
The beer garden has open bench-style seating, so you and your crew can cozy up wherever you’d like with your evil eats. Over at the bar, you can indulge in limited-time, festive-yet-freakish cocktails. Consider these beverages spawn-of-Satan approved!
- 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.
- Nice List (non-alcoholic): Cherry juice, apple cider, orange juice, honey, clove, ginger beer with a cinnamon stick.
Enjoy this holiday feast like it’s your last meal on Earth. With Krampus looming around the corner, it just might be.
Delight in More Holiday-Horror Moments
It’s the most wonderful terrifying time of the year. And while Krampus might be the star of the event, there are several other holiday-horror zones to explore at Universal Horror Unleashed. While some familiar characters will reveal their holiday alter egos (we’ve all got one), 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 is 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 (in-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!
If you’re dreaming of a fright Christmas, Universal Horror Unleashed awaits.
Excited to get into the holiday spirit with Krampus & Kin at Universal Horror Unleashed? Let us know in the comments below.