Advent in Raurisertal: The Time When Krampus, St. Nicholas, and the Perchten Awaken

When the days grow shorter, the magical lights awaken in Raurisertal, and the first snow covers the landscape, that time begins for us at Hotel Alpina which many guests consider the most beautiful time of the year: the Alpine Advent season.
Between tradition, customs, and cozy winter charm, Rauris awakens in a very special blend of tranquility, light, and archaic power.

Rauris lives its customs authentically – and that is precisely what makes a stay at the Alpina an experience that you not only see, but also feel.

From December 18, 2025, you too will have the opportunity to experience living traditions at Hotel Alpina: We are reopening our hotel doors and have a wealth of customs in store for you!

At the end of November, Rauris begins to glow.
The first stars hang in the windows, lights already twinkle along the market street, and at Hotel Alpina, the atmospheric Advent decorations are lovingly arranged.

In the warm hotel ambiance, where the scent of fir branches and freshly baked cookies fills the air, that special pre-Christmas atmosphere is created that makes guests return year after year.

The Krampus in Rauris: The Wild Side of Advent

On the evening of December 5th, accompanied by St. Nicholas, they appear: the Krampusse.
With heavy bells, elaborate masks, and tremendous noise, they parade through Rauris – a custom authentically lived here. They go from house to house with St. Nicholas, driving evil out of Raurisertal. The Krampus in Rauris is recognizable by a carved mask and a sheepskin coat. A red fabric tongue hangs from the mask’s mouth, and the painting of each is different in red, white, or black. Every Krampus mask is unique and often carved by the young men who wear them.

The Rauris Krampusse parade through the streets at the same time every year: on December 5th, 6th, and 7th, they are out and about throughout the valley. And if you listen closely enough, you can hear the loud screams and the ringing of the bells they have tied around their waists. All children, big and small, who were not so well-behaved in the past year, are frightened and admonished by the ‘Toifin’. With birch tree rods in their hands, the particularly naughty children are gently reminded of their good behavior. The Krampus’s rod is an old symbol of admonition – a subtle hint that sometimes small improvements are beneficial.

All information about the customs can be found on our tourism association’s website: https://www.raurisertal.at/de/region/tradition-und-brauchtum

The Pre-Christmas Season in Raurisertal

Besides St. Nicholas, Krampus, and the Perchten, the Rauris Advent markets are among the most beautiful experiences in December. They are a cozy meeting point for families, guests, and locals: with Advent music, hot drinks, regional delicacies, gift ideas, children’s programs & performances. The Advent markets in Rauris take place on three weekends – each starting at 1:00 PM in Voglmaierpark. Especially the last Advent market on December 20, 2025, is particularly interesting for our guests, as we reopen our hotel doors from December 18, 2025, and welcome guests into our cozy rooms and premises.

The Rauris Advent Markets – Pre-Christmas Magic in Voglmaierpark

December 06, 2025 – St. Nicholas Market

• 3:00 PM Arrival of St. Nicholas with his Toifin (Rauris Krampus)
• Culinary delights: Meat fritters, Bosna, chestnuts, Klotzbrot, donuts, stick waffles, hot drinks, and much more.
• Cuisine by: Parents’ Association MS Rauris & VS Wörth
• Exhibitors include:
  • Annette’s little treasures – frankincense
  • A.C. Gems – jewelry
  • ByClara – handmade items

December 13, 2025 – Shepherd & Anklöckler Market

• 3:00 PM Shepherd’s play by VS Wörth
• 5:30 PM Anklöckler Wörth
• from 6:00 PM Brass band
• Culinary delights: Bosna, chestnuts, donuts, stick waffles, hot drinks, alpaca hike with Sabine
• Cuisine by: Die Pützbaum & Schwammert Mötn, Parents’ Association VS Wörth & Kindergarten
• Exhibitors include:
  • A.C. Gems – jewelry
  • Das Wohnherz – lamps & cuddly toys
  • Roswitha Langreiter – felt products
  • Zoe Schindele – wooden products
  • Maria & Thomas Althuber – Swiss pine products

December 20, 2025 – Advent Magic & Shepherd’s Play

• 3:30 PM Shepherd’s play by MS Rauris
• 5:00 PM Anklöckler Rauris
• from 6:00 PM Brass band
• Culinary delights: Leberkäsesemmerl, Kaiserschmarrn, donuts, stick waffles, hot drinks, and much more.
• Horse-drawn carriage ride & carvings
• Tea blend for children at Theresa Sommerbichler in the tourist office
• Cuisine by: Heimatgruppe Rauris, Marina Gerstgraser, VS Wörth
• Exhibitors include:
  • Gabriele Reiter – natural products
  • Hilda Gerstgraser – handmade items
  • Maria & Thomas Althuber – Swiss pine products
  • Martin Strasser – honey

The Advent markets support needy families from Rauris with small donations.

A Celebration That Stays in Your Heart

Whether it’s the Krampus run, St. Nicholas, Perchten, the Advent market, or simply a quiet evening stroll in the snowfall –
the Christmas season in Raurisertal is full of small wonders.

And at Hotel Alpina, this time becomes more than just a holiday: It becomes a warm, genuine, unforgettable Christmas feeling.

✨Christmas Magic at Hotel Alpina – Your Celebration in the Mountains with Your Loved Ones✨

If you cannot experience the Advent season in Raurisertal, we have a very special Christmas offer for you: We give you up to -15% off your stay during the Christmas season.

Christmas Magic in the Mountains

valid from December 18, 2025, to December 28, 2025

• Overnight stay at Hotel Alpina with pampering half-board
• 1 afternoon with punch and Christmas cookies and communal Christmas tree decorating
• Gala dinner on Christmas Eve with welcome drink in a festive setting
• Large breakfast buffet with a regional delicacies corner
• Daily afternoon snack for a refreshment in between
• 6-course evening choice menu, local delicacies, various themed buffets (daily salad buffet, cheese board)……
• Including National Park Winter Card
• Tips for great activities in the beautiful Hohe Tauern National Park for your unique holiday
• Free use of all Alpina extras such as the indoor pool, infrared cabin, saunas and much more…
• Free use of the fitness room with new Techno-Gym equipment
• Free sleds from the hotel for borrowing

Discover your winter-Christmas offer here: https://www.hotel-alpina-rauris.at/angebot/weihnachtszauber-in-den-bergen/

Rauris Perchten Procession – January 6, 2026

If you want to experience the Rauris Krampus outside of the Advent season, you can get a taste of Rauris customs again on January 6. On January 6, 2026, the traditional Rauris Perchten procession will take place. The number and diversity of participating Perchten are truly impressive: from Hans Wurscht, who leads the procession, to Schön- and Tafelperchten, Dachsmandl, Korbmandl and -weibl, Ölträger, Kaminkehrer, bears with drivers, the Habergeiß, Zapfenmandl, Bamwercher, Frau Percht with her two faces, all the way to the well-known Rauris Toifin and Schnabelperchten. The silver crown is carried by the miners.

The Perchten masks were faithfully recreated with loving craftsmanship. After two years of research and preparation, the Perchten procession was staged for the first time since the end of the 19th century in 2015 and takes place every two years here in Rauris.

Experience Winter in Raurisertal

Do you want to experience the Perchten procession with the Schön- and Schiachperchten, like the Rauris Krampus, up close?

Our Winter Experience Package is made for you: From January 4, 2026, not only fully experience the Perchten procession, but also discover the magic of Raurisertal in other ways:

Winter Experience

valid from January 4, 2026, to March 29, 2026

Inclusive Services & Highlights:

• 4 nights in a cozy double room (Sun to Thu)
• Alpina pampering 3/4 board with breakfast buffet & evening choice menu
• 1 x Gala Dinner with welcome Prosecco
• Free use of our wellness area with sauna, infrared cabin & relaxation room
• Including free detailed program (see below)

Detailed program of the “Winter Experience” package

Monday Tobogganing at the end of the Rauris Valley
Meeting point: 9:40 AM Hochalmbahn parking lot – Bus ride with the cross-country ski bus to Bodenhaus parking lot,
then by sled taxi to the Naturfreundehaus at the end of the Kolm Saigurn valley including 1 free hot drink + rental sled,
afterwards, independent descent by sled to Bodenhaus parking lot and return with the cross-country ski bus

Monday at Hotel Alpina = Sauna evening from 7:30 PM to 10:00 PM

Tuesday Horse-drawn Carriage Ride + Forest Bathing
Meeting point for horse-drawn carriage ride: 10:00 AM, departure at Seidlwinklstraße playground to Landgasthaus Weixen with option for lunch and return
Duration: approx. 3 hrs. (1.5 hrs. pure driving time)
Afterwards at 2:00 PM Winter Forest Bathing – Experience mindfulness & nature in Krumltal.
Meeting point: 2:00 PM, Krumltal parking lot in Bucheben
Duration: approx. 2 hrs.

Wednesday guided snowshoe hike with the National Park Ranger Team
Meeting point: 9:40 AM, Hochalmbahn parking lot—Bus ride with the cross-country ski bus to Bodenhaus parking lot
From there, guided snowshoe hike and return with the cross-country ski bus
Duration: approx. 4.5 hours (pure walking time: 2.5 h)

Book or inquire now: https://www.hotel-alpina-rauris.at/angebot/winter-erleben/