Festive Krampus Market Showcases Over 30 Artists Sunday At Blue Island Beer Company

BLUE ISLAND, IL — You better not pout because Krampus is coming to town. Krampus Market returns to Blue Island Beer Company from noon to 5 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 7. Bringing a curated lineup of nearly 30 artists, makers and small businesses. Presented by Blue Island Beer Company in partnership with John E. Streetz of the Streetz Artz Alliance, this indoor market blends creativity, culture, and craft beer into one festive community event. Admission is free and open to all ages.

Located at 13357 Old Western Ave, the brewery will transform its taproom and brewhouse area into a lively holiday marketplace. While this year’s layout is more compact, organizers have maximized the space by encouraging artists to build vertically with shelves and risers, resulting in a dense concentration of unique, handmade goods.

Krampus is a horned figure from Central and Eastern Alpine folklore, known as a shadowy counterpart to St. Nicholas and associated with reminding children to behave through fright rather than reward. In recent years, Krampus-themed markets have grown in popularity across the United States, celebrated for their blend of dark humor, alternative holiday spirit, and artistic expression.

The Blue Island Krampus Market embraces this tradition with artists whose work spans eerie, whimsical, cute, and macabre styles.

Curated by Streetz, the event showcases artists working in gothic decor, fantasy creations, gourmet foods, jewelry, soft sculptures, and countless other handmade specialties. Many returning favorites and new talents alike have created exclusive Krampus-themed items for this event.

Featured artists include CatWitch Designs, known for soft-sculpted dragons, Krampus, unicorns, and special edition Tragedy Anne dolls. The Craftholes offer rescued vintage dishes refreshed with hand-painted phrases ranging from clever to delightfully obscene. Metta Clay specializes in fantasy-inspired jewelry and decor, including hand-sculpted necklaces and realistic monster-mouth plaques that appeal to anyone who enjoys beautiful and unsettling artwork.

Ten Cups Tarot returns as the market’s resident tarot reader, offering intuitive readings and their popular “Tarot To Go” gift option inside the brewery’s central cul-de-sac area.

The event also welcomes back Jennifer Benson of Power Metal Cosplay, who will once again portray Krampus. Benson, a veteran stage performer and trained singer, will debut a new Krampus look for 2025. Guests can find the Krampus photo area in the main taproom near the brewery’s custom Krampus bench.

“I was very happy to get a call from Alan Cromwell to do Krampus again this year. And even more excited to have Jennifer Benson back,” Streetz said. “The Krampus bench will be in the main taproom, where music usually plays.”

Artists participating in the market include Adara Selene Creations, Black Soul Artz, CatWitch Designs, Cin's Crafty Creations, Creep Sew Creations, Dark Fey Arts, FrankenWerks Studios, Geekbit Creations, Good Spirits Vintage, Jeannine's Jems, Jerry's Jerky, L&W Crystals, Masterclass Savory Sweet Foods, Metta Clay, Raven Feathers and Bat Wings, Reneegade Art, Serpent and Flame Candle Company, Sweet Ghoul, Ten Cups Tarot, The Craftholes, Unique Creations By Rachel, Wanna Pickle Gourmet Foods, WhistleNotes Perfumery, and Wolf Den Gaming.

Visitors are encouraged to explore the surrounding downtown Blue Island before or after the market. Popular stops include Retroz Pizza, Natural Law Cocktail Club and Eatery, Rock Island Public House, and El Cortez Taqueria and Tortilleria, all located along Old Western Avenue.

Rock Island Public House will be hosting its own Holiday Market during the same hours, making it easy for visitors to enjoy both events. Jerry’s Jerky, preparing for their official opening, will be on-site inside Blue Island Beer Company offering their well-loved jerky varieties.

While this year’s market is slightly smaller, organizers emphasize that the quality, variety, and community spirit remain as strong as ever.