LOUDONVILLE — From mischievous creatures and mysterious visitors to customs that have shaped modern holiday celebrations, Christmas has a history far stranger and more fascinating than many people realize.
The Cleo Redd Fisher Museum will explore these traditions during The Wild Side of Christmas: Old World Legends & Holiday Lore, a free public program on Monday, Nov. 23, at 7 p.m.
Presented by museum curator Kenny Libben, the program will introduce audiences to the folklore and holiday customs of Europe, including the fearsome Krampus, Scandinavian Yule Goats, and other figures that have been part of Christmas celebrations for generations.
While some traditions remain largely regional, others have traveled across borders and oceans, helping shape the Christmas celebrations familiar to us today. From the evolution of Santa Claus to decorated Christmas trees, gift-giving customs, and holiday markets, many elements of the modern Christmas season have roots in centuries-old European traditions.
“Christmas is a wonderful example of how traditions evolve and spread between cultures,” Libben said. “Many of the customs we take for granted today have fascinating histories, while others might seem downright strange to modern audiences.
“Exploring where they came from helps us better understand not just how Christmas was celebrated in the past, but how those traditions continue to influence the holiday today.”
The program also draws on the museum’s international Christmas market tours, which have taken travelers to European communities where many of these traditions remain an important part of local celebrations.
Experiencing historic markets, regional foods, seasonal customs, and holiday folklore firsthand has also helped inspire and shape Loudonville’s own Mohican Christkindlmarkt.
“Our goal with the Christkindlmarkt has always been to create something that feels connected to the traditions of Europe’s historic Christmas markets, rather than simply another holiday shopping event,” Libben explained. “Our travels have given us an opportunity to see how different communities celebrate the season and bring some of that atmosphere and cultural heritage back to Loudonville.”
Beyond the familiar sights and sounds of Christmas, the presentation will examine how regional beliefs, religious traditions, and centuries of cultural exchange created the diverse holiday customs still practiced around the world.
The Wild Side of Christmas: Old World Legends & Holiday Lore will take place Monday, Nov. 23, in the Cleo Redd Fisher Museum Lecture Hall at 203 East Main Street in Loudonville. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., with the presentation beginning at 7 p.m.
The program is free and open to the public. For more information, visit www.crfmuseum.com.
The Mohican Christkindlmarkt is a traditional alpine-inspired Christmas market hosted by the museum and the Loudonville Farmers Market in downtown Loudonville, featuring wooden cabins for vendors, artisan made gifts, imported German gifts, fire pits, food trucks, hot drinks and even Krampus.
The market is held the first two weekends of December, with times and more information available at www.mohicanchristkindlmarkt.com.
About the Cleo Redd Fisher Museum
The Cleo Redd Fisher Museum is located in Loudonville, Ohio. The museum preserves
and shares the history and cultural heritage of the Mohican region through exhibitions,
educational programs, and community events. Admission and public programming are
offered free of charge.
