Friday was a beautiful night for a Krampuslauf or "Krampus run," a holiday activity that draws from Alpine folklore where mischief-makers dress up like horned creatures and caper together through their town. The Portland version of this—a little more costume-forward and kid-friendly—has been meeting up and merrily marching on or around Krampusnacht since 2010.

Despite steady downpour and an impending atmospheric river, the clouds parted at dusk on December 5 for a sherbet-shaded sunset of pink and orange. The crowd that gathered wasn't big, but they had spirit. As they marched along SE Hawthorne, chanting "Krampus carols," game spectators submitted to pretend floggings, admiring the costumed crew.