This is the story of West Virginia’s own Bad Santa.
WHILE SIMILAR FIGURES HAVE MADE THEIR WAY INTO MODERN POPULAR CULTURE—Krampus, anyone?—Belsnickel is a name you probably haven’t heard outside of small communities in the Potomac Highlands.
Belsnickel is an old German folk character who was often known to accompany St. Nicholas in visiting children during the holiday season. However, Belsnickel, unlike his upbeat counterpart, wasn’t exactly jolly. Appearing in old rags and garments—or furs, depending on the version of the tale—he was said to have a dark, foreboding presence, one that allowed him to become a figure used by parents to rein in unruly children. To the wellbehaved, he gave candies and other small gifts. The naughtier kiddos weren’t as lucky, and were often said to receive a sharp rap from the switch he carried with him.
In the 1700s, as German immigrants settled into West Virginia, primarily in what we now know as Germany Valley, they brought many stories, traditions, and other pieces of their culture with them into the Appalachian Mountains—and many have survived in some form to this day all across the state, including Belsnickel. Over time, the story transitioned into action, with the practice of “belsnickeling” becoming popularized throughout the community. Participants would dress up in old clothes or costumes and don masks, disguising themselves before going door to door. Some participants would cause a bit of mischief—lighting fireworks or causing a ruckus—before moving on to the next home. Others brought candy to pass out to those who welcomed them in. Some accounts mention the homeowners trying to guess the identity of the masked belsnickelers, giving them treats of their own if they guessed incorrectly.
While the practice has mostly fallen out of fashion in the state, some today remember it, a testament to the bright culture and heritage to be found within our hills.
READ MORE ARTICLES FROM WV LIVING’S WINTER 2025 ISSUE
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