The holiday season is often celebrated with traditions of joy, generosity, and storytelling, including the long-standing custom of sharing ghostly tales during Christmastime. As the classic lyric reminds us—“there’ll be scary ghost stories and tales of the glories of Christmases long, long ago”— these chilling narratives have been a part of the season’s folklore for centuries. From eerie apparitions to unexplained phenomena, the season of goodwill has a darker, mysterious side woven into its history. Are they only holiday legends, or real ghosts of Christmas past? On this Friday the 13th, here 13 haunting Christmas tales as chilling as the winter air:

1. The Christmas Eve Phantom. On a snowy Christmas Eve in the early 1970s, a truck driver traveling along Old Grafton Road in West Virginia encountered a mysterious woman in a flowing white gown near a bridge. Offering her a ride, he was unsettled by her silence and icy demeanor. As they approached the bridge, the woman vanished without a trace. Locals later explained that she was the ghost of a young woman who had tragically died near that spot years earlier. Her story varies—some say she was a bride-to-be who perished in a carriage accident on her wedding night, while others claim she was a runaway bride or a victim of foul play. The bridge, steeped in eerie tales, is part of a region known for its haunted locations, including the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum and the Simpson Creek Bridge. Travelers crossing it on Christmas Eve often report strange occurrences, from spectral sightings to inexplicable chills. The story of the Christmas Eve Phantom remains a chilling reminder of the region’s ghostly history, with many believing her restless spirit still roams the road in search of peace.

2. The Mistletoe Bride. The legend of the Mistletoe Bride dates back to 17th-century England, where a joyous Christmas wedding at a grand estate turned into a tragedy. During a game of hide-and-seek, the bride chose what she thought was a clever hiding spot: a large wooden chest in the attic. Tragically, the chest locked shut, trapping her inside. Despite frantic searches by her guests and groom, she was never found. Decades later, the chest was opened, revealing her skeletal remains still in her wedding dress, clutching her mistletoe bouquet. This chilling tale is most often associated with Bramshill House in Hampshire, one of England’s largest and most historic mansions, but similar versions have been tied to other estates such as Minster Lovell Hall in Oxfordshire. Over the centuries, the story became part of Christmas folklore, symbolizing the darker side of holiday revelry. Visitors to these estates have reported creaking attic floors, unexplained cold drafts, and the faint scent of decayed flowers, as though the spirit of the bride lingers. The tale has also inspired literature and art, cementing its place as one of the most haunting Christmas legends in English history.

3. The Phantom Bell Ringers of York. In December 1952, residents near St. Crux Church in York, England, were startled to hear Christmas carols ringing out from the bell tower on cold winter nights. The unsettling twist was that the church's bells had been removed years earlier, leaving the tower empty. The festive melodies, said to be clear and joyous, seemed to float through the frosty air, vanishing as suddenly as they began. Local lore suggests the ghostly carols were the work of past bell ringers, forever tied to their beloved church and its holiday traditions. St. Crux Church itself, with its long and storied history, has been a focal point of York’s rich paranormal heritage. Some believe the spectral sounds reflect a dedication to the season, while others see it as a reminder of lives and customs lost to time. Whatever the explanation, the Phantom Bell Ringers have become one of York’s most haunting holiday mysteries.

4. The Ghostly Choir of St. Paul’s. During the devastation of the London Blitz in 1940, Christmas Eve brought an unexpected and eerie comfort near the ruins of St. Paul’s Cathedral. Passersby reported hearing a heavenly choir singing hymns from the bomb-damaged cathedral, despite it being empty and no services scheduled due to wartime blackouts. The ethereal voices seemed to fill the cold night air, offering a moment of solace amidst the destruction. Some believe the spectral choir was a spiritual manifestation, a symbol of resilience and hope in one of London’s darkest hours. Others speculate it was the spirits of those who had worshiped at St. Paul’s over centuries, returning to offer their prayers. The event remains a poignant and mysterious tale, blending the hardships of war with the enduring power of faith during the holiday season.

5. The Haunted Christmas Tree. In December 2002, a family in Texas brought home a freshly cut Christmas tree, ready to deck it out in holiday cheer. However, their festive plans took a spooky turn when ornaments began shifting on their own, and strange rustling sounds echoed through the house at night. Despite searching the tree for hidden animals or pests, the family found nothing to explain the disturbances. When they shared their experiences, a local historian revealed that their property was near an old burial ground, raising suspicions that the tree might have carried more than just the scent of pine into their home. Whether it was a wandering spirit disturbed by the tree’s relocation or a playful poltergeist drawn to the family’s holiday joy, the mystery remains unsolved. The tale has since become a chilling reminder that even the most cheerful traditions can harbor an unexpected supernatural twist.

6. The Silent Night Shadow. On Christmas Eve 2009, a man in Fairbanks, Alaska, spotted a shadowy figure standing motionless in his snowy backyard. The figure, described as tall and dressed in a long coat and hat, vanished silently when approached, leaving no footprints in the fresh snow. Strangely, neighbors later shared stories of seeing the same eerie figure on Christmas Eve in previous years. The Silent Night Shadow has become a local mystery, with theories ranging from a spectral traveler to an otherworldly being observing the holiday from afar. The absence of footprints and its annual appearance suggest a supernatural presence, one that remains silent and enigmatic. What purpose this figure serves—or why it chooses Christmas Eve to appear—continues to baffle those who have seen it.

7. The Ghost of Plum Pudding Hill. Every Christmas night, residents near Plum Pudding Hill in New Hampshire report hearing the unmistakable sounds of sleigh bells and galloping hooves racing down the snowy slope. The festive jingles and thundering hooves seem to echo through the crisp winter air, yet no sleigh tracks or hoofprints are ever found in the snow the following morning. Local lore suggests the sounds belong to the spirit of a bygone sleigh ride, perhaps tied to a long-forgotten tragedy. Some believe it’s a ghostly reenactment of a joyous ride frozen in time, while others whisper of an accident that doomed the sleigh and its passengers to relive their fateful journey every Christmas night. Whatever the cause, the Ghost of Plum Pudding Hill remains a chilling yet oddly festive reminder of the mysteries woven into the holiday season.

8. The Candlelight Apparition. In 1964 Germany, a family experienced an unexpected yet peaceful Christmas Eve visitor—a Victorian-era woman holding a glowing candle. Her serene figure would appear near their fireplace each year, silently observing before fading away. Over time, the family investigated the history of their home and discovered that a 19th-century homeowner was known for her Christmas Eve candlelit vigils, lighting a flame for loved ones who had passed. Rather than fearing the apparition, the family came to view her as a comforting presence, a symbol of the season’s spirit of remembrance and connection. Welcoming her as part of their holiday tradition, they found her visits to be both eerie and heartwarming—a reminder of how the past can linger gently in the present.

9. The Poltergeist of December. In December 1994, a London family found their holiday cheer disrupted by a mischievous poltergeist. Christmas decorations flew off the walls, and presents were mysteriously unwrapped overnight. The disturbances grew more chaotic as Christmas approached, leaving the family unnerved. Seeking answers, they consulted a medium who suggested that the spirit simply wanted acknowledgment during the festive season. To their surprise, the activity stopped abruptly after Christmas morning, as if the spirit’s desire had been fulfilled. While the family never discovered the exact identity or motive of their spectral visitor, they came to believe it was a lonely soul seeking connection during the holidays. The incident left them with an unusual tale to tell—a reminder that even spirits might feel the need to be included in Christmas celebrations.

10. The Christmas Party Spirit. During an office Christmas party in Illinois in 2010, the festive atmosphere was interrupted by an unexpected guest. Several attendees reported seeing a pale figure dressed in old-fashioned clothing standing quietly in a corner of the room. Before anyone could approach, the figure vanished in an instant, leaving behind a wave of unease. The building, which dated back to the early 1900s, already had a reputation for unexplained occurrences. Employees often shared stories of strange sounds and fleeting shadows in the hallways, leading many to believe the ghostly figure was a former employee who couldn’t resist returning to the annual festivities. The Christmas Party Spirit has since become part of the office’s lore, a reminder that even in the afterlife, some traditions are too good to miss.

11. The Yuletide Footsteps. In December 1981, a Maine family began hearing faint footsteps and soft singing coming from their attic each night. The sounds seemed to grow clearer as Christmas approached, leaving them puzzled and uneasy. Upon investigating the attic, they discovered a collection of old toys and faded photographs belonging to a young girl who had lived in the house decades earlier. Records revealed that she had tragically passed away in the 1920s. Believing the girl’s spirit was revisiting her happiest holiday memories, the family found themselves more charmed than frightened by the experience. Even skeptics among them couldn’t deny the bittersweet nostalgia of the sounds, which stopped after Christmas. For the family, the Yuletide Footsteps became a poignant reminder of how the joy of childhood holidays can leave a lasting impression—even beyond life itself.

12. The Phantom Carolers. On a frosty night in December 1975, a woman in Michigan was startled by the sound of Christmas carols being sung outside her door at midnight. Expecting to find a group of carolers, she opened the door to an empty street, yet the ethereal singing continued for several moments before fading away. Her unease grew when neighbors recounted hearing the same ghostly carols over the years. Further investigation revealed a tragic story: decades earlier, a group of local carolers had perished in a winter accident while traveling between homes. Many believe their cheerful voices continue to echo through the area each holiday season, a lingering reminder of their festive spirit. The Phantom Carolers remain one of Michigan’s most haunting holiday tales, blending sorrow with the enduring joy of Christmas music.

13. The Christmas Day UFO. On Christmas night in 2003, a family in Arizona witnessed an unusual and baffling sight while driving home from a holiday gathering. Three bright lights appeared in the night sky, forming a perfect triangle. The lights hovered silently for several moments before moving swiftly and disappearing without a trace. Despite reporting the incident to local authorities, no explanation was ever provided. The event has since been added to the growing list of UFO sightings in the region, with some speculating it could have been a sign of extraterrestrial interest in Earth’s holiday celebrations—or something far more mysterious. The Christmas Day UFO remains an unsolved enigma, adding an otherworldly twist to the season's tales.

These stories remind us that the holiday season isn’t just about jolly traditions—it’s also a time when the past comes alive in mysterious and unexpected ways. Whether it’s a spectral visitor, a lingering memory, or an unexplainable phenomenon, Christmas holds a special place in the realm of the supernatural. So, as you hang your stockings and trim your tree, remember to keep an eye out for things that go bump in the night. After all, the ghosts of Christmas past might be closer than you think.

For more scary ghost stories at Christmas, check out 10 Photos of Unexpected Ghosts and Entities Taken at Family Gatherings, Written Confession: The Ghostly Christmas Choir, and Written Confession: The Haunted Christmas Tree.