It’s that time of year again.  Most wonderful?  Hotly disputed (at least, I’m disputing it).  Inescapable?  Pretty much.  Whether you like it or not, we have kids jinglebelling and everyone telling you, “Be of good cheer!”

However.

One Winter holiday event has piqued even this Grinch’s curiosity: Krampusnacht at the Freespace Centre.

That’s right.  We’re celebrating the pagan, cloven-hoofed demon who either beats naughty children with branches, or eats naughty children, or drags them straight to Hell.  Depends who you ask.

(jodi_marx / Pixabay)

On Friday, December 10, the Freespace Soundsystem is hosting the first-ever East Van Krampus Night.  Don ye now your most terrifying Krampus or Saint Nicholas costume and march in a very scary and simultaneously festive parade!

At six o’clock in the evening, the Christmas art market opens for perusal, and then at 6:30 all Krampuses and Saint Nicholas-es will get ready to parade around East Van for an hour, landing back at the Freespace Centre for drinks, tunes, and decorating the Yule Tree.

The outdoor courtyard of the Freespace Centre has a cover in case of inclement weather, and heaters to keep the chill away.  Entrance is by donation with a suggestion of $5, but there will be no discrimination if you’re short on funds.

Freespace Soundsystem Courtyard

(Freespace Soundsystem / Facebook)

Vancouver’s Freespace Soundsystem is an electronic music ‘soundsystem’ – that is, a non-profit organization whose goal is to break down barriers between subscenes and music centres so that people of all kinds can come together and enjoy an event together.

Their hub is the Freespace Centre at 748 E Hastings, and they host all kinds of events at the space.  Improv classes, movie nights, art markets, and even philosophical discussions.

More information on this unique event can be found here.

If you ask me, I’d much rather put on a half-goat, Hell-creature costume than an ugly Christmas sweater.