Throughout towns in the Alpine regions of central Europe, a Christmas tradition is alive and well that has children running for their beds, and not with the expectation of presents on Christmas day.

The Krampus is a creature from Germanic folklore that accompanies St Nicholas as he goes from house to house, punishing naughty children, while St Nick rewards the good ones.

As with St Nicholas, the Krampus is thought to have evolved from pre-Christian Yuletide traditions, and as far back as the 1600s he has formed part of Christmas celebrations in Austria.

Today in Austria, young men dress in demonic Krampus costumes that feature a hand-carved wooden mask with animal horns, a suit made of sheep or goat skin and a belt with cow bells attached. They roam through the streets terrifying children on Krampusnacht.

Krampusnacht occurs on various nights throughout central Europe, and regularly features torch-lit parades, drinking and revelry.

A member of the Haiminger Krampusgruppe dressed as the Krampus creature attacks a cart where a delinquent little boy is captive on the town square during their annual Krampus night in Tyrol. ( Sean Gallup: Getty Images )

A member of the Haiminger Krampusgruppe dressed as the Krampus creature arrives prior to the annual Krampus night in Tyrol in Haiming, Austria. ( Getty Images: Sean Gallup )

In the western Austrian village of Heitwerwang, 90 kilometres west of Innsbruck, the Krampus is known as Perchten. The annual parade through the town in November is designed to disperse the ghosts of winter. ( Reuters: Domonic Ebenbichler )

A participant dressed as the Krampus creature in search of delinquent children approaches a little boy during Krampus night in Neustift im Stubaital, Austria. ( Getty Images: Sean Gallup )

The Krampus features in many depictions, and has been a popular feature on greetings cards since the 1800s.

A photo collage from the early 20th Century showing the Krampus, a mythical creature that punishes children at Christmas, stealing some babies. ( Wikimedia Commons )

A postcard depicting the Krampus, a mythical creature that accompanies St Nicholas at Christmas and punishes naughty children. ( Wikimedia Commons )