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Krampus Run goes ahead despite storms on the coast

Baxter Photography Four people dressed as Krampus, a horned beast, wearing furs and masks and drumming in a street in Whitby Baxter Photography
Performances took place in the town despite the wet and windy weather

Weather warnings and Storm Darragh failed to damped the spirits of those who turned out to see the 10th annual Whitby Krampus Run festival.

The celebration of festive folklore is an interpretation of an Austrian tradition, where half-demon, half-goat figures show up before Christmas to make sure children behave themselves.

Most of the events planned on Saturday were brought indoors, with workshops and performances taking place at Chapel on the Hill.

Krampus did brave the weather later on however as people - many dressed as the mythical figure - marched down Baxtergate.

Baxter Photography A parade of people dressed as a half goat half demon figure called Krampus in Whitby town centre Baxter Photography
Performers took to Brunswick Street in Whitby to entertain onlookers
Baxter Photography Two people in masks perform as part of the Krampus festival. One is in black with a long beak mask and another is in fur with a white mask and horns.Baxter Photography
An event planned at Whitby Abbey on Sunday had to be cancelled due to winds

Organiser Laurence Mitchell said a photoshoot event planned at Whitby Abbey was cancelled on Sunday, as the Abbey was closed due to high winds.

He said: "We shall try to venture forth for a procession around Cholmley House to the Whitby Brewery around 3.30pm if it is a little calmer."

He said there would be live music performances from 16:00 GMT until 19:00 GMT from the Tengu Taiko Drummers and Westenra.

On Saturday, a sunset drumming event planned due to take place at the Whalebone Arch on Saturday was cancelled, as was a planned fire performance.

Baxter Photography A group of people dressed up for Whitby Krampus Run festival perform in the street, wearing horns, fur and masks and banging drums Baxter Photography
The event, now in its 10th year, brings together Whitby's folklore with the Austrian Krampus traditions
Baxter Photography A crowd of people watch performances in a street by a person dressed in a white fur suit with horns and white face paint.Baxter Photography
The event is now in its 10th year and celebrates festive folklore

"Wind and rain also aren't the best combination for Mister Fox's fire performance, so instead they will be doing a raid and indoor dance at the Chapel on the Hill," he said.

Speaking ahead of the festival, he said: "We are shaking things up this year and it's nice to involve the whole town in the celebrations.

"For our 10th celebratory year we are building on what Whitby Krampus Run means - we need to make it relevant to the UK."

Organisers incorporated local folklore into the weekend's events, including the story of St Hilda banishing evil snakes from the town by throwing them from the cliffs.

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Baxter Photography A room filled with people sat at tables celebrating the Krampus festival, some dressed up in fur with horns and blood splatters Baxter Photography
Celebrations were brought indoors because of Storm Darragh
Baxter Photography A person in a Krampus mask with white fur, horns, red eyes and a long tongue Baxter Photography
Many people joined in events in Whitby on Saturday and Sunday
Baxter Photography A woman dressed as Krampus in brown fur with horns and face paints, and holding a skull Baxter Photography
Krampus is a demonic figure who comes to keep children in line
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