Locals dressed as “Perchten”, a traditional demonic creature in German and Austrian Alpine folklore, parade through the town center during the annual “Rauhnacht” gathering on January 5, 2017 in Waldkirchen, Germany. The “Rauhnaechte” nights are the time in between Christmas and Epiphany when winter is at its darkest and its evil spirits most prevalent. January 5, the last night before Epiphany, marks the end of the period, and in a tradition dating back to 1725 locals in Waldkirchen dressed as Perchten, witches, devils and other demonic beings parade through the streets in a final show of force before they retreat to let winter ebb. (Photo by Johannes Simon/Getty Images)





Locals dressed as “Perchten”, a traditional demonic creature in German and Austrian Alpine folklore, parade through the town center during the annual “Rauhnacht” gathering on January 5, 2017 in Waldkirchen, Germany. (Photo by Johannes Simon/Getty Images)





Locals dressed as “Perchten”, a traditional demonic creature in German and Austrian Alpine folklore, parade through the town center during the annual “Rauhnacht” gathering on January 5, 2017 in Waldkirchen, Germany. (Photo by Johannes Simon/Getty Images)





Locals dressed as “Perchten”, a traditional demonic creature in German and Austrian Alpine folklore, parade through the town center during the annual “Rauhnacht” gathering on January 5, 2017 in Waldkirchen, Germany. (Photo by Johannes Simon/Getty Images)





Locals dressed as “Perchten”, a traditional demonic creature in German and Austrian Alpine folklore, parade through the town center during the annual “Rauhnacht” gathering on January 5, 2017 in Waldkirchen, Germany. (Photo by Johannes Simon/Getty Images)





Locals dressed as “Perchten”, a traditional demonic creature in German and Austrian Alpine folklore, parade through the town center during the annual “Rauhnacht” gathering on January 5, 2017 in Waldkirchen, Germany. (Photo by Johannes Simon/Getty Images)





Locals dressed as “Perchten”, a traditional demonic creature in German and Austrian Alpine folklore, parade through the town center during the annual “Rauhnacht” gathering on January 5, 2017 in Waldkirchen, Germany. (Photo by Johannes Simon/Getty Images)





Locals dressed as “Perchten”, a traditional demonic creature in German and Austrian Alpine folklore, parade through the town center during the annual “Rauhnacht” gathering on January 5, 2017 in Waldkirchen, Germany. (Photo by Johannes Simon/Getty Images)





Locals dressed as “Perchten”, a traditional demonic creature in German and Austrian Alpine folklore, parade through the town center during the annual “Rauhnacht” gathering on January 5, 2017 in Waldkirchen, Germany. (Photo by Johannes Simon/Getty Images)





Locals dressed as “Perchten”, a traditional demonic creature in German and Austrian Alpine folklore, parade through the town center during the annual “Rauhnacht” gathering on January 5, 2017 in Waldkirchen, Germany. (Photo by Johannes Simon/Getty Images)





Locals dressed as “Perchten”, a traditional demonic creature in German and Austrian Alpine folklore, parade through the town center during the annual “Rauhnacht” gathering on January 5, 2017 in Waldkirchen, Germany. (Photo by Johannes Simon/Getty Images)





Locals dressed as “Perchten”, a traditional demonic creature in German and Austrian Alpine folklore, parade through the town center during the annual “Rauhnacht” gathering on January 5, 2017 in Waldkirchen, Germany. (Photo by Johannes Simon/Getty Images)