This holiday season, Sparky’s Holiday Lights returns to the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, along with a few special guests on select nights. The 0 mile light display grows bigger and more beautiful every year. From the comfort and warmth of your car, you can enjoy holiday music from two local radio stations while you and your family take in millions of lights decorating tractors, buildings and grounds around the fairgrounds.
If you want an even more up close experience, for the first weekend of December, you can WALK the grounds and see the lights on foot. And on Thursday, Dec. 4, Krampus Santa Cruz will be on site for one evening only. Wait. Who’s this Krampus character? In Germanic folklore, Krampus is St. Nicholas’s mischievous counterpart. While St. Nick rewards good kids, Krampus keeps tabs on the naughty ones1bringing a little Halloween spirit to the holiday season.
Now a pop culture icon, Krampus stars in movies, parades, and “Krampus Crawls” around the world. His name comes from the German word Krampen (“claw”), he’s half goat and half demon, and he’s typically celebrated on Dec. 51Krampusnacht. In Europe, it’s even tradition to offer him Schnapps!
Here in Santa Cruz, The Fairgrounds Foundation and Sparky’s Holiday Lights are thrilled to welcome Krampus back for his second annual, kid-friendly visit on Dec 4. Last year’s debut was a huge hit with families, photos, and plenty of holiday cheer!
There’ll also be lots of vendors on site again, featuring makers selling Krampus crafts and other related merchandise, including candles, Krampus chocolates, sugar skull succulents, and jewelry. Get your Christmas shopping started early. Food and hot beverages will also be available for purchase.
Krampus Santa Cruz at Sparky’s Holiday Lights takes place on Thursday, Dec. 4 from 5:30 to 9pm. Tickets are available at aghistoryproject.org. Adults are $11.50. Children ages 6-11 are $6. Children under 5 are free.
