Ready for the return of the Krampus
Robin Hood’s forest is preparing for the return of a creature straight out of European folklore.
In fact, there will be a whole weekend of fun with the Whitby Krampus Run back among the Ancient Oaks of Sherwood.
The Krampus is a figure associated with winter in the Alpine regions of Central Europe.
And while their appearance and reputation may be a little on the scary side, this branch of the Krampus family see their visit to Sherwood as promoting the importance of British woodlands for wildlife.
Sherwood Forest is one of more than 200 nature reserves across the UK and overseas managed by the country’s largest conservation organisation, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), in partnership with Nottinghamshire County Council, the Woodland Trust, Thoresby Estate and the Sherwood Forest Trust.
The 450-acre wood pasture is part of Nottinghamshire’s only National Nature Reserve and a protected Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Area of Conservation, designated for its Ancient Oak trees and population of rare invertebrate species.
It is also home to the iconic Major Oak, one of the UK’s largest and oldest oak trees, estimated to be as much as 1,200 years old.
What started as an annual winter visit to the forest came courtesy of the Whitby Krampus Run’s links with Sherwood Forest volunteer Richard Townsley, who plays the role of The Sheriff of Nottingham, leading guided tours of the Forest and other events throughout the year.
On Saturday 17th January, the Krampus will be out in the forest for visitors to meet and to take part in a twilight lantern parade from the iconic Major Oak, in the heart of Sherwood Forest back to the Visitor Centre at the edge of the historic village of Edwinstowe.
On Sunday 18th January, the Sheriff of Nottingham and the outlaws, including Robin Hood and Maid Marian, will take part in a traditional wassailing ceremony to bless the health of the forest’s trees, and the Krampus will then depart their leave of the forest.
There will be performances of traditional dance and music to celebrate the blessing and to see the Krampus on their way.
The event has grown and grown in popularity of over the past few years with hundreds of visitors heading to the forest for the weekend to see the Krampus, the Outlaws and the Sheriff together in stunning Sherwood Forest.
Jess Dumoulin, RSPB Visitor Experience Manager for Sherwood Forest, said:
“The Whitby Krampus Run really has made Sherwood Forest a second home after Whitby itself, and we’ve been delighted that their visit is now a firm fixture on the calendar here.
“It’s wonderful to have some fun in the dark and cold days just after Christmas, and it really is an event which is popular with the whole family.
“It brings people to this very special place, which these days is a nature reserve being lovingly restored for wildlife, including species which are found in few other locations in the UK.”
Previously, it had only been a winter visit, but it won’t be a whole 12 months before they are back in this part of Nottinghamshire.
That’s because the Krampus Run has also started making appearances at the forest’s Robin Hood Festival which takes place every August.
2026 marks the 40th Festival, which dates back to the 1980s, and will feature two days of Medieval jousting from the Knights of Nottingham, a weekend devoted to characters from fantasy fiction, and a grand finale August Bank Holiday showdown involving Robin Hood and his Sherwood Outlaws.
There is also storytelling, falconry, historical re-enactment, comedy, music, magic and much, much more. Full details of this year’s Robin Hood Festival are due to be announced shortly.
For more information about the Return of the Krampus this January, go our Events page
