Colonial Ghosts of Christmas Past

Colonial Ghosts brings back ghost stories for Christmas with a spine-chilling ghost tour through Colonial Williamsburg’s most cheerfully haunted locations.

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Join Colonial Ghosts of Christmas Past for a glimpse into a world where yuletide greetings mix with chilling spirits from darker times. Discover the eerieness that once dominated Christmas on this spirited, haunted holiday tour of Williamsburg.

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Book Your Colonial Ghosts of Christmas Past Today

A Christmas tree under a beautiful night sky

Colonial Ghosts of Christmas Past

Before Halloween became the preferred holiday for horror, Christmas was the premier season for ghost stories and spooks. Colonial Ghosts of Christmas Past resurrects this age-old tradition, stepping back in time to the 1800s to offer a glimpse into celebrations that are far from what is seen today. Get a firsthand look into the darkness that once shrouded the holiday in sadness and despair and was known as a time of disease and death. Discover what a colonial Christmas looked like in these morbid times and visit locations that are the birthplaces of some of the nation’s most popular traditions. It’s a creepy Christmas with Colonial Ghosts - book your tour today!

Meeting location: All tours meet at The Kimball Theatre by the Christmas Tree at 428 W Duke of Gloucester St, Williamsburg, VA 23185

Starting Time:

Pet Policy: Pets are welcome!

Alcohol Policy: No Drinking Permitted

Adults Only: Yes

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Where to Meet, Park, and Directions

All tours meet at The Kimball Theatre by the Christmas Tree at 428 W Duke of Gloucester St, Williamsburg, VA 23185

We recommend parking near Duke of Gloucester Street. To see options, click below. Use parkme.com for more parking locations.

Alexandra Böhler

(Translated by Google) The tour was great, the tour guide had an enormous amount of knowledge and you could tell that he really cared about sharing ev...

01.10.25

Abbie Windsor

My husband and I enjoyed the 2 hour tour. Our guide was Austin, he did a great job! Highly recommend for history buffs or anyone who likes the paranor...

01.01.25

Pat S.

What a great tour! Lots of great stories. It was fun but spooky walking colonial Williamsburg at night. Patrick was a fantastic guide.

10.25.24

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Tour Preview: Where You'll Go

John Blair House

T’was two weeks before Christmas, and all through John Blair’s House, not a creature was stirring until Reverend James Blair found out his students were “barring out,” demanding an extra week off for Christmas. Hear the true story of the group prepared to literally kill for a vacation, and find out what happened when Blair and two servants tried to put a stop to it.

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George Tucker House

Putting up the Christmas tree is one of the best activities of the holiday season, and Colonial Ghosts is about to take you to the home that started it all. Welcome to the George Tucker House, where Mr. Tucker’s children were introduced to this holiday staple by a colleague of George’s, and it became a national treasure from that point on.

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Palmer House

Lying is one of the various ways that kids find themselves on Santa’s naughty list. But what about a house that happens to be known for housing one of Colonial Williamsburg’s biggest lies? Venture to the Palmer House, where you’ll uncover the origin of the town’s Christmas decorations and why it’s one of Williamsburg’s biggest kept secrets.

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What is the Colonial Ghosts of Christmas Past Tour About?

Did you know that Christmas was originally a time for terrifying tales told around a fire? Before Hallmark capitalized on the holiday, Christmas was a dreary event, occurring in one of the most dangerous times of the year. Disease and death ravaged small towns and affected those who were underprivileged, leaving little reason to celebrate.

To pass the time and survive the seemingly endless nights, families gathered around the fireplace and shared stories of spirits and frights. In fact, one of the most popular holiday narrations today was spawned from this dismal era: A Christmas Carol. Charles Dickens understood the assignment, and his tale of a greedy man visited by three ghosts continues to be a holiday staple, with a reimagined version for every generation.

Of course, this popular tale is fictional. Colonial Ghosts introduces you to the true creepy tales of Williamsburg’s turbulent times and why a season known for Santa is also synonymous with spirits. Visit some of the city’s oldest homes and learn why their former ghostly owners choose Christmas for their most terrifying shenanigans. Uncover the origins of traditions that made their way across the nation and appalling history, such as how the holidays were used to maintain control over the enslaved.

Prepare for an exploration of Christmas like you’ve never seen before and discover what the holiday truly meant for the early locals of Colonial Williamsburg. Book your Colonial Ghosts of Christmas Past today!

Reasons to Take the Colonial Ghosts of Christmas Past Tour

You want to do something different this holiday season

Light shows, parades, and visiting Santa are some of the many activities that people look forward to every holiday season. Bu ... t sometimes, it’s fun to change it up and do something that’s just for the adults. Colonial Ghosts of Christmas Past is the perfect alternative to the typical holiday events we participate in year after year. Get into the holiday spirits with Williamsburg’s spirits and book a tour today!

You’re a sucker for a good ghost story

In the olden days, Christmas used to be a time of terrifying tales. It sounded like a good time to us, so we brought back the ... tradition and enhanced it with stops at the haunts of Williamsburg, known for their holiday cheer and the spirits that partake in it. Get the scoop on what Christmas was really like in colonial times on the Colonial Ghosts of Christmas Past tour!

You want to learn more about some of your favorite holiday traditions

The Colonial Ghosts of Christmas Past tour takes you to the locations where some of your favorite holiday pastimes originated ... . Did you know Christmas trees got the very start in Williamsburg? This tidbit and more will be unveiled on this thrilling holiday tour!

You want the full Christmas experience while you’re in Williamsburg

If you’re in town for the holidays, you’re here at a good time! Beyond the beauty of this colonial town, there’s no sho ... rtage of things to do. Add taking a tour with Colonial Ghosts of Christmas Past to your list. You’ll get a holiday history lesson filled with visits to locations where these events took place, and learn more about this joyous season, and the darkness behind it.

You want to make this a holiday to remember

Christmas comes but once a year. Why not make it the best ever and take in everything you can about the holiday season? Book ... the Colonial Ghosts of Christmas Past to learn more about the nation’s favorite holiday and the traditions we all know and love. This year, make it a holiday season to remember - book your tour today!

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Colonial Ghosts of Christmas Past

Book Your Colonial Ghosts of Christmas Past Today

Tour Preview: Where You'll Go

What is the Colonial Ghosts of Christmas Past Tour About?

Reasons to Take the Colonial Ghosts of Christmas Past Tour

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