Around Christmastime, kids look forward to Santa Claus’ visit, but they might not be so excited by a visit from Belsnickel, a raggedy character that doles out punishments as well as rewards. “Some ...

At this point in time, it is generally accepted that the emotion most associated with children at Christmas time is joy. But there was a time, not so long ago, when fear also was among the emotions ...

During this Christmas season, you may have seen someone dressed in animal skins with a canvas bag over his shoulder and switches in his hand at one of Carroll County’s history-related events. It was ...

See with your own eyes on Dec. 3, 4 and 17, and put an end to the myth that Belsnickel was a figment of Dwight Schrute’s imagination 10 years ago on "The Office." Belsnickel is a version of St.

(WHTM) — Everybody knows Santa Claus is the most popular Christmas figure, but there is another, more intimidating gift-giver embedded in Pennsylvania Christmas lore who threatened to beat misbehaving ...

Editor's note: This article was originally published in December 2023. The 2024 Belsnickel Experience was held Dec. 7. From deep inside a room within the Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum came the ...

The Belsnickel is a loud, cantankerous guy, dressed in furs and carrying a bundle of birch switches, who visits children in the weeks before Christmas, asking whether they’ve been nice or naughty in ...

Editor's note: Originally published December 2018. Updated December 2025. Welcome back to “Legends of Lancaster,” an exclusive video series during which LancasterOnline goes in-depth into the lore and ...

While Netflix’s 2018 holiday film, The Christmas Chronicles, didn’t have a clear antagonist—it was more about saving Christmas—the 2020 sequel pits Santa Claus (Kurt Russell) against an elfin ...

POTTSVILLE — Unlike Santa Claus, the Belsnickel doesn’t make a list and check it twice to see which kids were naughty or nice. Nor does he give kids a warning that they should not cry or pout, as ...

(WHTM) — Everybody knows Santa Claus is the most popular Christmas figure, but there is another, more intimidating gift-giver embedded in Pennsylvania Christmas lore who threatened to beat misbehaving ...