Ghosts of Christmas Past

A dark christmas tour of new york city

Uncover the darker side of Christmas in Old New York! Join Boroughs of the Dead for a spooky seasonal twist on our classic East Village Ghost Tour as we combine ghost stories and Christmas folklore, all connected through the lens of New York City history.

new york City’s original haunted holiday tour

In the Victorian era, nothing said “Christmas” like sitting around the fire telling ghost stories. But how did this tradition come to be? Was it all the work of Charles Dickens – or are there perhaps other factors that lend a ghostly magic to this darkest time of the year? And how is it all connected to New York City? Find out with Boroughs of the Dead as we delve into the spooky side of yuletide and discover the truly tumultuous history of Christmas on this enchantingly unconventional holiday tour.

Tour Highlights

On this “Christmas ghosts” haunted holiday walking tour of NYC, you will see and discover

• The connections between “Christmas Ghosts” and the colonial Dutch heritage of New York City (whose patron saint is none other than St. Nicholas himself!)
• St. Mark’s in the Bowery Church: where the grave of New Amsterdam’s former governor provides the perfect backdrop for a Christmas ghost story 
• Kleindeutschland: the former “Little Germany” of the East Village, where you’ll learn about the connections between NYC’s historic immigrant communities and holiday traditions still celebrated (and feared!) today
• The terrifying aspects of Yuletide folklore, replete with witches, werewolves, trolls and other monsters from Krampus to Frau Perchta and more!
• Which famous New Yorker utilized Santa Claus as psychological warfare during the Civil War
• The former Astor Library: where you’ll learn how Washington Irving influenced Charles Dickens, and meet a library ghost
• The history of how Christmas Riots, rowdy Wassailing, the old Knickerbockers of Gotham and their “Battle for Christmas” changed the way Americans envision the holiday season forever
• The Merchant’s House Museum: where Victorian Christmas traditions still hold sway today… as do the ghosts! 
• And hear some of our favorite historic NYC ghost stories, told at the holidays in the true old Victorian tradition

This historic holiday ghost tour is perfect for those who love the holidays, hate the holidays, or just want to add a dash of delicious fear to all that enforced cheer!

Please note: this tour takes place outdoors and we do not go inside any buildings, so please dress warmly!

What PEOPLE Are Saying about the Ghosts of Christmas Past Tour

“I went on a Christmas-themed ghost tour of New York City and I definitely felt a chill down my spine.” – Talia Lakritz, Business Insider 

“[Adds] a whole new meaning to holiday spirit.” – New York Times

“This tour was really great. Our guide was a historian who gave us great [insight into] how Christmas was celebrated and how it evolved over the two hundred years of our nation..” – Customer review, TripAdvisor 

“Our erudite and passionate guide took us on a tour that encompasses the history of Christmas, the influence of various waves of migration and ghosts with historical context.” – Customer review, TripAdvisor

Book now!

We keep our group sizes small to ensure a unique and exceptional tour experience for all our guests. Our small-group tours sell out quickly, and this special seasonal tour is only offered around the holidays.

Christmas, Christmas Ghost Tour, Folklore, Holidays, Myths