Where Are the Christmas Horror Games?

Mariah Carey’s annual signal that it’s okay to start celebrating Christmas is here! Some people think it’s too early to get festive, but I’ve already put up my Christmas lights – I’m not waiting!

I was hoping to get into the holiday spirit by playing a spooky Christmas game in November, as a way to enjoy the last of autumn. I’ll probably end up replaying Silent Hill f, but it struck me that there aren’t many Christmas games out there, and even fewer that are actually scary.

I’m surprised there aren’t more games specifically about Christmas. Most Christmas games focus on classic, cheerful themes, like ‘The Grinch Christmas Adventures.’ While many games can feel festive and help you get into the holiday spirit – ‘Skyrim’ is a great example with its immersive winter world – they don’t usually actually take place during Christmas time.

It got me thinking: why aren’t there more Christmas-themed games, especially horror games? And what would a truly scary Christmas horror game even look like?

Have Yourself A Scary Little Christmas

A Ground Ripe With Horror Ideas

Just to be clear, some games do feature Christmas or take place around the holidays – like Batman: Arkham Origins, The Division, Dead Rising 4, and Spider-Man: Miles Morales. However, there aren’t a lot of them, which means players often struggle to find enough seasonal games to play throughout November and December.

Both Still Wakes the Deep and Parasite Eve are horror games set around the holidays, but surprisingly, many horror fans haven’t even heard of them. They’re both a bit niche – one’s an independent favorite and the other a cult classic – so they often get overlooked by players who stick to more popular titles. I’m always surprised by how many people are unfamiliar with them when I mention either game.

Christmas has a long history with spooky stories – think of the ghosts in ‘A Christmas Carol’ – but surprisingly, there aren’t many horror video games that explore this connection. It’s odd! Imagine how terrifying a game could be, blending classic Christmas ghost stories with tales of Christmases past. I kept picturing it, so I had to say something.

Even familiar Christmas songs can feel unsettling – songs like “Carol of the Bells” and “O Holy Night” are lovely and emotional, but they’re also often used in scary holiday movies. Because Christmas already has such a strong atmosphere, it’s surprisingly easy to build a horror game around it, and there are many different ways to do so.

I get it, I really do. Some people are probably thinking, ‘Ugh, this is just trying to cash in on old memories!’ And yeah, Christmas is usually all about feeling good and being happy, right?

That makes it clear your standards for scary games are pretty low. These aren’t real problems, especially considering how many horror games have successfully used this style and idea before.

Nostalgic Fear Isn’t New

Beauty In Terror Is More Than Possible; It’s Phenomenal

For the last ten years, video games have heavily relied on players’ fond memories, and they’ll likely keep doing so as long as it proves profitable. This is especially true in the horror genre, where remakes and remasters often succeed by recreating a familiar atmosphere. While some attempts, like those in the ‘mascot horror’ subgenre—think games like Poppy Playtime—are clearly just designed to make money off your nostalgia, they’ve still become incredibly popular.

People often feel a strong pull towards the past, and we frequently find ourselves lost in our own memories. Christmas, for many, is particularly nostalgic, filled with cherished recollections. I personally remember fondly playing Mario with my siblings during the holidays – and I suspect many others have similar, treasured memories. This craving for the past is something horror games could really tap into and build upon.

The idea of finding beauty within horror isn’t new – games like 2025’s Silent Hill f have already proven how powerfully it can be done. I’ve played a lot of horror games, but Silent Hill f is uniquely stunning. It transforms even disturbing scenes into art through things like vibrant flowers, blood-red vines, and atmospheric lighting. We could achieve a similar effect with a Christmas setting, swapping those elements for snow and twinkling lights.

It’s easy to overlook that Christmas is deeply rooted in religion, and many horror games casually incorporate blasphemous elements. Throughout history, fears tied to religion and trauma have been common in folklore, as the potential consequences of offending a higher power often represent people’s greatest anxieties. With its blend of pagan and Christian traditions, Christmas offers a rich setting for these kinds of frightening themes, making it an ideal backdrop for scary games.

We often think of Christmastime as a cozy escape from the harshness of winter. But what if, instead of shielding us from winter’s difficulties, it actually complements them?

Christmas Is Distinct From Winter Horror

Blinded By The Lights

Just to clarify, I’m really looking for horror games specifically tied to Christmas. We already have a lot of games with winter themes, but those don’t feel quite the same. Many of them are just cold and bleak, lacking any Christmas spirit – it feels more like a depressing January. There are plenty of games where winter itself is the threat, but they’re missing that cozy, festive feeling, and are just endlessly cold and white.

If I wanted a heartless snow with more Scrooge than holiday cheer, I’d just step outside.

You can really feel the difference between the cozy atmosphere around Christmas, especially as a child, and the bleakness of winter after the holidays are over and everything’s put away. While that stark contrast can be scary, I’m hoping to create a horror game that actually includes that feeling of warmth and nostalgia – not just cold dread.

A Christmas-themed horror game could be really special, blending festive cheer with genuine scares. While games like Crimson Snow have explored this idea, they’re typically smaller, independent projects. You often find the most original concepts in indie games, as big-budget titles tend to steer clear of holiday settings. I enjoy indie games, but I’m hoping for a longer, more substantial horror experience.

It’s surprising there aren’t more horror movies set during the holidays. While it’s not Halloween, you’d think the genre, known for its originality, would have explored Christmas-themed horror more often. It seems strange that so few exist, considering how many creative ideas horror usually embraces.

It’s hard to say why we don’t have a Santa-themed game. Perhaps developers are worried about legal issues, or maybe there just wasn’t enough demand. It could also be technically difficult to create. Or, it’s possible they simply haven’t prioritized it – and I hope that changes soon.

I’ll keep searching for Christmas-themed ghost stories, hoping it leads to an amazing discovery. If not, it’ll be a disappointing waste of time – but I’m optimistic it won’t come to that!

2025-11-13 17:10