10 Scariest Christmas Haunted Houses

'Tis the season for psychotic Santas and axe-wielding elves. Ho ho ho.

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December 13, 2019

By: Erin Gifford

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The Holiday Season Brings Good "Fear"

Haunted house attractions are no longer relegated to Halloween. Scares and screams are in high demand year-round, and Christmas haunted houses have become huge money-makers. Chainsaw-wielding snowmen and nefarious elves have become staples of horrifying holiday narratives, alongside Krampus, the mythical half-demon, half-goat creature of Christmas nightmares. For holiday scares, screams, twists and terrors, here are the Christmas haunted houses to add to your go-to list this holiday season.

Wreck the Halls (Texas)

At the Dark Hour Haunted House in Plano, Texas, get ready for Wreck the Halls in December. This year, it's a clash to the death between revenge-seeking toys brought to life by a genie and an army of malevolent elves led by none other than Krampus himself. It's a battle royale you won't want to miss. You'll be stuck in the middle, forced to choose sides as the battle rages on in the middle of a gory winter wonderland.

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The Fright Before Christmas (West Virginia)

The Fright Before Christmas in Daniels, West Virginia, will terrify you in four terrifyingly distinct ways throughout this insidiously scary multi-theme haunted attraction. Here you'll find evil elves, spine-chilling snowmen, even Santa himself. Well, a resident psycho mass-murderer dressed as Santa Claus. Intent on spreading Christmas fear, this fellow is more menacing than merry. Mythical holiday beast, Krampus, will be on hand in search of naughty children to punish and stuff into his sack. Snap a selfie with this half-goat, half-demon creature if you dare.
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Krampus: A Christmas Horror Story (Missouri)

There's a very good chance that Ralphie may shoot your eye out at Krampus: A Christmas Horror Story in St. Louis, Missouri. Here you'll find Santa Claws and his maniacal elves, as well as a sinister (and chainsaw-wielding) character that bears resemblance to Frosty the Snowman. Even the 48-second trailer is terrifying. You may want to sleep with one eye open after watching the promo for the scariest Christmas haunted house in St. Louis. As an add-on, there's a separate escape room experience at this haunting attraction.

Frightmare Before Christmas (Illinois)

A winter tradition was born three years ago in Moline, Illinois (an area commonly known as the Quad Cities), thanks to the Frightmare Before Christmas. Created by award-winning scare makers at Factory of Fear, this Christmas haunted house brings more fear than cheer thanks to chilling characters, like Twitch Klaus and the Grinchman. Krampus will be on hand for photo ops for those who dare test whether they've been merry or mischievous this year. Save $3 at the door when you bring a new and unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots.

Haunted Evil Christmas (Michigan)

Serious scares await at the largest haunted attraction in Saginaw, Michigan. Factory of the Dead's Haunted Evil Christmas is back and more terrifying than ever thanks to sabotaging snowmen, evil elves and, of course, a demonic Krampus. This (supposedly) mythical creature will be on hand to take care of anyone who made Santa's naughty list this year. Go at your own risk, particularly if there's a chance you might not be on the nice list. Terrifying twists and nightmare-inducing turns await at this Christmas-themed haunted house.

Frightmare Before Christmas (Connecticut)

You may be too scared to scream at Frightmare Before Christmas in Stratford, Connecticut. Created by Fright Haven, this year's holiday-themed fright fest boasts two new attractions. The first, "Dead End Manor: No Home for the Holidays," scares with a terrifying peek into one family's Christmas Eve gone horrifyingly wrong. The second, "The Factory," is a bone-chilling tour of Santa's workshop, which naturally has been taken over by overworked, malicious elves. Reject toys are on hand, too. They're fired up and ready to make you scream.

Krampus: A Haunted Christmas (Tennessee)

At Krampus: A Haunted Christmas in Nashville, Tennessee, get ready to scream when the dainty hand bell rings. That's when Krampus unboxes his latest scaremonger, Behll the Ghoul of Christmas. Once a relatively normal girl with a decidedly rotten core, Krampus gave her the power to frighten all those on the naughty and nice lists. There's no question, you will be seriously scared inside this haunted attraction. As an optional add-on, a full-contact evil clown experience adds to the terror at this gruesome holiday haunted house.

Happy Horror Days (Pennsylvania)

At Happy Horror Days in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, you'll be scared to death at two nightmare-provoking holiday experiences. In the first, you're invited to a spirited holiday party gone terrifyingly wrong at the Hill Family Mansion. Once the intense fear releases its grip on you, prepare for the never-ending torment of Santa's wicked little helpers. The killer elves are out to get you. Get out of this intensely frightening Christmas-themed haunted house, if you can.

Bayville Haunted Christmas (New York)

He sees you when you're sleeping. He knows when you're awake. No, not Santa. It's Krampus, the terrifying horned creature that roams the world in search of ill-behaved girls and boys during the holiday season. You'll find him at Bayville Haunted Christmas in Bayville, New York. He's beyond scary and he's the center of attention at one of three gruesome Christmas haunted houses. Make it an evening filled with holiday fear by upgrading to include a three-course dinner.

Twisted Christmas (Texas)

There's far more fear than cheer at Scream Hollow's Twisted Christmas in Bastrop, Texas. It's the quirkiest, scariest, most frightening holiday haunt in Central Texas. You'll be scared at three haunted experiences featuring Bad Santa, the Grinch and, of course, Krampus. Look for a Krampus parade that takes place nightly at 7 p.m. Tell Bad Santa what you want for Christmas. You can even sit on the Grinch's lap. Definitely quirky. For those who prefer s'mores to scares, a cheerful bonfire, hot cocoa and live holiday music entertain as well.

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10 Scariest Christmas Haunted Houses

Related To:

Shop This Look

The Holiday Season Brings Good "Fear"

Wreck the Halls (Texas)

The Fright Before Christmas (West Virginia)

Krampus: A Christmas Horror Story (Missouri)

Frightmare Before Christmas (Illinois)

Haunted Evil Christmas (Michigan)

Frightmare Before Christmas (Connecticut)

Krampus: A Haunted Christmas (Tennessee)

Happy Horror Days (Pennsylvania)

Bayville Haunted Christmas (New York)

Twisted Christmas (Texas)

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