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Victorian England may be remembered for its carols, holly, and festive cheer—but beneath the flickering glow of candlelight, Christmas was once the season for ghosts. In this chilling holiday episode, we delve into the forgotten tradition of telling supernatural tales on Christmas Eve, long before Halloween claimed the spotlight.

We delve into the Dickens-era fascination with spirits and the supernatural, unraveling why Victorians believed the veil thinned during midwinter. We also travel through some of the era’s eeriest Christmas hauntings, including the classic tale of The Phantom Coach and a final, haunting encounter with The Lady in Black.

Blending historical commentary, folklore, and immersive narrative storytelling, this episode reveals the darker side of Christmas that Victorian families once gathered around the fire to hear. So grab your mulled wine, settle into the lamplight, and journey with us into a winter world where the shadows are long, and the spirits still wander.

Stay curious, stay spooky—and happy haunted holidays.

Condensed Source Breakdown — Haunted Victorian ChristmasHistory.com – “The Forgotten Tradition of Christmas Ghost Stories”

Used for background on why Victorians told ghost stories at Christmas, the connection to older midwinter beliefs, and the decline of the tradition in the 20th century.

Used for context on Dickens’ influence on Christmas ghost storytelling and the popularity of serialized supernatural tales during the Victorian era.

Primary source for the mid-episode narrative retelling and an example of a classic Victorian Christmas ghost story.

Used to support atmospheric details, cultural customs, and inspiration for the final “Lady in Black” narrative.

Used to frame Victorian interest in the supernatural and explain the popularity of ghost stories during the holiday season.

Charles Dickens & Victorian Ghost Fiction J. Sheridan Le Fanu – “The Phantom Coach” (1864) General Victorian Folklore & Winter Hauntings Background on the 19th-Century Spiritualist Movement