Colonial Ghosts of Christmas Past

Take a frightening festive stroll through Colonial Williamsburg, where yuletide traditions passed down through generations come with their ghostly creators, both naughty and nice.

Join Colonial Ghosts of Christmas Past for a dose of holiday chills as you visit historical sites in Colonial Williamsburg known for their Christmas spirit in more ways than one.

5 Star Ratings (based on 65,087 reviews) Read Reviews

Book Your Colonial Ghosts of Christmas Past Today

The moon in the background of Christmas sceneryA Christmas tree in a town square

Colonial Ghosts of Christmas Past

A time known for festive cheer has a dark side in Colonial Williamsburg. Colonial Ghosts of Christmas Past takes you back to a time when the Christmas season was less about the celebrations and more about survival. Uncover stories of Christmas stick-ups, war, and cruelty towards man that offer a glimpse into the harsh realities of The Burg’s dismal past and even more dreary holiday season. From the origins of the Christmas Tree to students gone rogue and Williamsburg’s best-kept holiday secret, Colonial Ghosts of Christmas Past invites you to spice up your festivities and embark on a journey through the side of the holiday you won’t see on Hallmark. Explore what lies beyond the whimsical carols and shiny ornaments, and book the Colonial Ghosts of Christmas Past 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

Book Now

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.

Sirius USA Today Huffington Post Country Living INC Travel Featured on KAYAK! Guides Inside Edition CBS MTV Fox Business New York Post Smithsonian Wall Street Journal Yahoo Boston Globe
Sirius USA Today Huffington Post Country Living INC Travel Featured on KAYAK! Guides Inside Edition CBS MTV Fox Business New York Post Smithsonian Wall Street Journal Yahoo Boston Globe

Reagan Zins

Five Stars

We had a great experience with the Dead of Night ghost tour with our guide Austin! Super cool and spooky info with great storytelling. Austin was supe...

03.14.25

Alyna Tomaka

Five Stars

What an amazing time! Our group had an hour and a half of Patricks hilarious banter and chilling ghost stories. He took us through different haunted a...

03.13.25

Jordan Holland-Mclaughlin

Five Stars

We took our 8th graders to Williamsburg and ended our night with the colonial ghost tour. Our guide Patrick made it so engaging and entertaining for o...

03.12.25

Read All Reviews

Tour Gallery Tour Gallery

Tour Preview: Where You'll Go

John Blair House

Discover the ghostly legacy of the John Blair House, where a Christmas standoff turned into a battle of wills—and spirits. Learn about a group of rebellious college students who took up arms to demand more holiday time, turning Christmas cheer into chaos. Some say the ghosts of those involved still haunt the grounds, whispering the grievances and resentments of the bitter holiday battle.

George Tucker House

Many decades after the first Christmas tree in America was set up at the George Tucker House, the holiday spirit here still carries a few chilling tales. Come along to uncover the harsh realities of colonial winters in Williamsburg, where survival wasn’t always guaranteed. You’ll hear chilling stories of lost souls and eerie spirits, forever tied to the holiday cheer that masked a darker past.

Palmer House

For a building that has stood nearly unchanged since the 18th century, the Palmer House harbors the secrets of Christmases past and all its haunting charm. Expect to dig up the story of Old Colonial Capital’s festive charm and see for yourself how the site of this historic building ties into Williamsburg's haunting holiday traditions.

What is the Colonial Ghosts of Christmas Past Tour About?

For all its charm and grandeur, Williamsburg has a darker, dismal side hidden from unsuspecting visitors. Hardships persisted even in the most cheerful of times, and various locations throughout Colonial Williamsburg bear the emotional scars left by the unfortunate locals who bore the brunt of this harsh era. Follow Colonial Ghosts of Christmas Past on a chilling stroll through the haunted heart of Williamsburg to unravel centuries-old secrets hidden beneath the jolly jingle of Christmas cheer.

Colonial Ghosts of Christmas Past Tour unveils the city’s darkest secrets, where the joy of the season was tainted by death and despair, and the ghosts of those who didn’t make it through now linger, frozen in time. Discover how the historic Governor’s Palace transformed into a field hospital for wounded soldiers during the landmark Battle of Yorktown. The cries of the dying and moans of the wounded patriots may have faded into history, but the ruins of the fire that consumed this grand building a few days before Christmas in 1781 left behind a chilling legacy.

Venture with Colonial Ghosts of Christmas Past to the spot where the American tradition of putting up a Christmas tree started and learn about the struggles and superstitions that shaped the popular Christmas traditions we all know and love today. Yule season may be celebrated as a time of joy and merriment, but in Colonial Williamsburg, it’s shadowed by the mournful wails of those who spent their last Christmas in the cold grip of death. Uncover stories that will give you a different perspective on this holiday favorite – book your Colonial Ghosts of Christmas Past today!

Reasons to Take the Colonial Ghosts of Christmas Past Tour

Icon
You Want to Add Some Thrills to Your Holiday Traditions

Why settle for the usual Christmas activities when you can add an element of suspense to your holiday? Mix your love of the j ... olly season with a dose of mystery and intrigue as you learn about the ghosts of Williamsburg who return during the Christmas season. Get ready for a holiday season filled with feasts, frost, and plenty of ghost stories to warm you up.

Icon
You Want to Uncover the Secrets of Williamsburg’s Haunted Past

While the streets of Williamsburg are beautifully decked out for the holidays, they also hold secrets of spirits who never tr ... uly left. From anguished souls trapped by tragic events to spectral figures wandering their old haunts, these restless souls emerge from the shadows to relive their tragic fates every night, and you’ll uncover the eerie connection between their untold stories and the colonial holiday traditions that continue to shape the season.

Icon
You Want to Hear Tales of Haunted Christmas Traditions

From the unfortunate souls of colonists who never made it through a bitter winter to spirits that return to the very houses w ... here they once celebrated Christmas, the holiday season has its share of spooky stories. This tour will introduce you to the dark side of the holiday season, where bloody battles, harsh winters, and deadly diseases create restless spirits that return each December to walk the streets.

Icon
You Want to Explore Colonial Williamsburg After Dark

Sure, Williamsburg is breathtaking during the holidays, but the real magic happens after sunset when the cobblestone streets ... grow quiet, and the shadows come to life. As the town settles into its eerie silence, you’ll feel the temperature drop, and perhaps a whisper from the past will follow you. There’s no better way to experience the town's haunted charm than with a knowledgeable guide from Colonial Ghosts of Christmas Past Tour to show you the way!

Icon
You Want to See Williamsburg’s Holiday Charm Through a Different Lens

Williamsburg’s holiday charm is undeniable, but there’s something extra special about seeing it through a ghostly lens. I ... f you’re looking for more than just Christmas lights and holiday cheer, our Colonial Ghosts of Christmas Past Tour unveils the spooky undercurrent that runs through this city on the eastern side of Virginia. Peek behind the holiday façade and uncover the hidden histories that make this place both magical and mysterious.

You May Also Like

A tour guide holding a lantern

COLONIAL GHOSTS TOUR

Uncover the chilling past of Colonial Williamsburg, where history and hauntings intertwine on a journey through the historic streets.

Meeting LocationTour Meeting Location: In front of the Kimball Theater, at 424 W Duke of Gloucester St, Williamsburg, VA 23185

Tour TimeTour Times: 8PM, 9PM NIGHTLY

Tour LengthTour Length: 1hr to 1hr 15 minutes

Tour WeatherGhost tours are held nightly, rain or shine!

A group listening to their tour guide

ULTIMATE GHOST TOUR

Delve into the darkest corners of this historic town, uncovering the mysteries that lurk in the shadows after hours.

Meeting LocationTour Meeting Location: In front of the Kimball Theater, at 424 W Duke of Gloucester St, Williamsburg, VA 23185

Tour TimeTour Times: Monday through Saturday at 10PM

Tour LengthTour Length: 1.5hr

Tour WeatherGhost tours are held nightly, rain or shine!

Group of people enjoying a drink at a bar

WILLIAMSBURG HAUNTED PUB CRAWL

Sip on signature cocktails while discovering the best local legends, terrifying tales, and haunted locations in one of the oldest towns in America.

Meeting LocationTour Meeting Location: In front of the Kimball Theater, 424 W Duke of Gloucester St. in Merchant's Square at 428 W Duke of Gloucester

Tour TimeTour Times: Daily at 545PM

Tour LengthTour Length: Approximately 2 hours

Tour WeatherGhost tours are held nightly, rain or shine!

A group standing around church

WILLIAMSBURG BLACK HISTORY EXPERIENCE

Discover the remarkable history of the Black experience in colonial America and the resilience of Williamsburg's enslaved inhabitants.

Meeting LocationTour Meeting Location: In front of the Kimball Theater, 424 W Duke of Gloucester St. in Merchant's Square at 428 W Duke of Gloucester

Tour TimeTour Times: Daily at 1PM

Tour LengthTour Length: Approximately 2 hours

Tour WeatherGhost tours are held nightly, rain or shine!

A group standing on a staircase

SECRETS OF COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG

Explore the dark underbelly of Williamsburg, uncovering long-buried secrets of crimes, affairs, and scandalous escapades.

Meeting LocationTour Meeting Location: In front of the Kimball Theater, 424 W Duke of Gloucester St. in Merchant's Square at 428 W Duke of Gloucester

Tour TimeTour Times: Daily at 11AM

Tour LengthTour Length: Approximately 2 hours

Tour WeatherGhost tours are held nightly, rain or shine!

Cans of beer on a table

DRINK WILLIAMSBURG PUB CRAWL

Journey through Williamsburg’s iconic pubs, each with its own unique charm and stories waiting to be discovered.

Meeting LocationTour Meeting Location: In front of: Amber Ox Public House, 525 Prince George St Suite 102, Williamsburg, VA 23185

Tour TimeTour Times: Daily at 3PM

Tour LengthTour Length: Approximately 2 hours

Tour WeatherGhost tours are held nightly, rain or shine!

A group being served food

TASTE OF WILLIAMSBURG - CULINARY TOUR

Indulge your palate on a culinary adventure through Williamsburg’s food culture, from colonial classics to modern twists.

Meeting LocationTour Meeting Location: In front of the Kimball Theater, 424 W Duke of Gloucester St. in Merchant's Square at 428 W Duke of Gloucester

Tour TimeTour Times: Daily at 2PM

Tour LengthTour Length: Approximately 3 hours

Tour WeatherGhost tours are held nightly, rain or shine!

Check out our blog

Ghost in hall of the haunted Fort Magruder Hotel

The Fort Magruder Hotel

A historic hotel set in one of America’s oldest cities is the site where thousands of people lost their lives in battle. Many locals beli... Read More

03.12.25

Haunted library in the Wren Building

The Haunted Wren Building

Apparitions of forgotten soldiers, the sound of footsteps behind you, and the presence of a crypt that is centuries old are just a few of t... Read More

03.01.25

Crawford Road

Crawford Road

Located in the historic town of Yorktown, VA, Crawford Road is an unassuming stretch of blacktop with a graffiti-covered bridge crossing ov... Read More

02.24.25