Events

Runs until Wednesday, December 30th, 2026

Our red lights are going up, and so are our holiday spirits! Join us at Hessen Haus this holiday season as we celebrate the German tradition of Krampus with a festive twist.

Hessen Haus celebrates German culture and customs year-round, and this Holiday pop-up continues to be a natural extension of that. While Krampusnacht is officially on December 5, the holiday experience returns from November 16 through December 31 at Hessen Haus. 

Expect Krampus sightings for photos on select nights, festive food and drink features, and plenty of holiday mischief!

Hessen Haus is partnering with the Iowa European Cultural Connection on their longtime event The Christkindlmarket as their Parade Sponsor on Thursday, December 3 and Saturday, December 12 at 7 pm. We are also working with Slaughterhouse Haunted Attraction to help embrace the eerie later in the evenings. The event will be kid friendly daily until 7 pm. 

Join us on Sunday, December 13 for a kid friendly lunch to meet Krampus and get photos from 11 am - 1 pm! 

So gather your naughtiest friends, raise a stein, and get ready to celebrate the season the German way. Cheers to a Kramp-ish Christmas!

EVENTS

November 16 - Krampus Kick-off Event

December 3 - Christkindlmarket Parade at 7 pm - Followed by the official After Party at Hessen Haus

December 5 - Official Krampusnacht

December 12 - Christkindlmarket Parade at 7 pm - Followed by the official After Party at Hessen Haus

December 12 - Reinbeer Games: Christmas PJ Party Trolley Night with Charters on Vine https://chartersonvine.com/event/reinbeer-games-christmas-pj-party-trolley-night/ 

December 12 - Slaughterhouse Haunted Krampus Speakeasy After Party

December 13 - Kramp-ish Kids Party - with Krampus appearance

December 19 - Christmas Bar Crawl https://crawlwith.us/desmoines/christmas/

December 19 - Naughty or Nice: Ugly Sweater Trolley Party with Charters on Vine https://chartersonvine.com/event/naughty-or-nice-ugly-sweater-trolley-party/

December 25 - Closed for Christmas

December 31 - Final Kramp-ish Christmas Date

“Then let us go and be terrible.”

― Brom, Krampus: The Yule Lord

Celebrate the New Year with us and join us on New Year's Eve!