It's that special time of year, the time for putting jolly Christmas decorations all over the house, baking cheery holiday treats, buying everyone the perfect gift, putting the finishing touches on your Krampus costume, listening to all those classic Christmas carols and ... oh, what's that? What the holly jolly hell is a Krampus, you ask? Sorry, got a little ahead of myself.

For those who missed the 2015 horror comedy of the same name or haven't read up on their Eastern European folklore, Krampus is a half-goat, half-devil Christmas monster who would punish misbehaving children during the holiday season. The legend was born centuries ago, but today, the hoofed holiday hellion is having quite the moment, with several Eastern European countries – and now even some U.S. cities – hosting Krampusnacht celebrations, with parades of furry monsters rampaging down streets and scaring children into being good.

And now the Krampus craze has come to the Cream City, as the Milwaukee Paranormal Conference will host the city's first annual Krampusnacht on Tuesday, Dec. 5, at Lakefront Brewery.

The event will run from 7 to 10 p.m., with live vintage blues and standards music from Sweet Shieks, polka songs from The Squeezettes, a photo booth featuring both St. Nick and Krampus, a sock and underwear drive for Milwaukee Women's Center, a white elephant gift exchange, food and drink from Lakefront Brewery, local craft vendors ... and, at the center of it all, a Krampus parade, featuring Krampusse (which, according to the Paranormal Conference's official page, is the correct pluralization) from all over and of all types marching down the route scaring kids and adults alike.

_{(PHOTO: WikiCommons/Horst A. Kandutsch)}

It's not all spooky snowy scares, however, as angels will hand out candy as well along the way, and the Ugly Sweater Orchestra will provide the music for the festive march.

For those wanting to join the Krampus crew, the parade is open to all who want to join – whether as a devilish Krampus, as an angel or as some other folklore creation. For those wanting help on their outfit, there will even be a special Krampus build day hosting by Riverwest Public House on Sunday, Nov. 26, from noon until 5 p.m. for those who want to work on their costume, share materials and notes, and just meet-and-greet with their fellow holiday demons. For more information on joining the parade, click here. 

As for those who just to spectate, however, the first annual Krampusnacht is a free event. For more information, visit Milwaukee Paranormal Conference's website – and get ready to get scared into being good this holiday season.