The Winter’s Jest seasonal event adds a darker holiday twist to Phasmophobia, and Krampus is at the center of it. Unlike regular ghosts, Krampus is not guaranteed to appear in every contract, and even when he is active, spotting him takes a bit of planning. If you want to see this special ghost model before the event ends, here’s exactly how to find Krampus in Phasmophobia, explained clearly and step by step.
When Krampus Is Available
Krampus only appears during the Winter’s Jest event, which runs for a limited time each year. Outside of this event window, he cannot spawn at all. As long as Winter’s Jest is live (December 16, 2025, to January 6, 2026), Krampus will rotate across specific maps daily, meaning availability changes every day.
This makes timing important. If you load into a non-event map, Krampus will never appear there, no matter how long you investigate.
How to Know Which Maps Have Krampus
Each day, only four maps are selected for Winter’s Jest. These maps are clearly marked in the lobby.
Before starting a contract:
- Go to the map selection board in the lobby.
- Look for maps marked with a present icon.
- Only maps with this icon can spawn Krampus and other Winter’s Jest features.
If a map does not have the present icon, it has reverted to its normal version, meaning Krampus, Krampus boxes, and Naughty-or-Nice List items will not spawn.
All Maps Where Krampus Can Appear
Krampus rotates between the following locations during the event:
- 10 Ridgeview Court
- 6 Tanglewood Drive
- 13 Willow Street
- 42 Edgefield Road
- Bleasdale Farmhouse
- Grafton Farmhouse
- Camp Woodwind
- Maple Lodge Campsite
- Point Hope
- Nell’s Diner
Only a few of these maps are active on any given day, so always check the lobby map board before starting a contract.
How to Actually See Krampus In-Game
Getting into the right map is only half the challenge. Krampus does not automatically appear just because the location is correct.
See also: Phasmophobia Weekly Challenge Mode (Dec. 14–21): Deja Vu Explained
Ghost Events Are Not Reliable
Krampus can appear during standard ghost events, but these are random and inconsistent. You might complete an entire contract without ever seeing him this way.
Hunts Are Guaranteed but Risky
A ghost hunt will always reveal the ghost model, including Krampus if he is the active ghost. However, hunts are extremely dangerous and not ideal if your goal is simply to see Krampus safely.
The Guaranteed Method: Summoning Circle
The Summoning Circle is the only reliable way to force Krampus to fully manifest.
Important notes:
- The Summoning Circle is a Cursed Possession.
- Activating it immediately triggers a hunt.
- This method is very dangerous in standard contracts.
For safe viewing, it is strongly recommended to:
- Use a custom difficulty.
- Enable Friendly Ghost.
- Activate the Summoning Circle once it is fully lit.
This guarantees you will see Krampus without risking a team wipe.
What Krampus Looks Like
Krampus uses a unique ghost model that stands out from standard spirits:
- Goat-like appearance
- Large horns
- Glowing white eyes
- Heavy, imposing silhouette
Despite the intimidating look, his behavior follows normal ghost rules.
Does Krampus Have Special Abilities?
No. Krampus does not have unique gameplay mechanics.
Although he is visually tied to:
- Krampus jack-in-the-boxes
- The Naughty-or-Nice List
- The sack of gifts
He does not interact with these systems directly. From a gameplay perspective, Krampus behaves exactly like a normal ghost with a seasonal appearance.
What Ghost Type Can Krampus Be?
Krampus is not a separate ghost type. He can be almost any standard ghost in Phasmophobia, with two important exceptions.
Krampus cannot be:
- Banshee
- Dayan
This restriction exists because Krampus always uses a male ghost model, and both Banshee and Dayan are female-only ghosts with female names.
Aside from these exclusions, all normal ghost evidence rules apply, so you still need to identify the ghost type as usual.
How Long Krampus Stays in the Game
Krampus is only present while Winter’s Jest is active. Once the event ends, he is removed entirely.
The good news is that Winter’s Jest is an annual event, meaning Krampus will return in future years even if you miss him this time. Play Now!
