Cullman, Alabama is best known during the holidays for its cheerful lights, festive markets, and warm small-town charm — but tucked between the Christmas parades and peppermint treats lies one of the most unique seasonal experiences in the region: The Ghosts of Christmas Past Lantern Tours. Hosted by Southern Ghost Girls Tours, this immersive holiday-themed ghost walk blends local history, eerie storytelling, and Christmas nostalgia into an atmospheric nighttime adventure unlike anything else in North Alabama.
A Holiday Tradition with a Haunting Twist
While most Christmas events focus on Santa and sparkle, Ghosts of Christmas Past explores the darker corners of Cullman’s history — illuminated only by lantern light. It’s a journey into the stories behind the city’s oldest streets, the mysteries that linger in historic buildings, and the strange occurrences residents have whispered about for generations.
Rather than relying on jump scares or manufactured frights, the tour leans into authentic local lore. Guests walk through carefully selected sites where unsettling tales meet real history: former businesses with unexplained happenings, century-old structures said to hold restless spirits, and streets where tragedies once cast long shadows.
The “Christmas Past” theme ties in seasonal folklore, classic ghost stories, and the long tradition of Victorian-era holiday hauntings — the same era that gave us Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.
Where the Tour Begins
Each tour group begins at Bennett Home Supply on Highway 31, a starting point chosen not only for convenience but for its proximity to notable historical hotspots. From there, a guide leads participants along a curated route through Cullman's storied areas, weaving tales that are equal parts educational, chilling, and deeply engaging.
Southern Ghost Girls guides are known for their theatrical storytelling style — part historian, part performer, part paranormal enthusiast — which elevates the entire experience from a walk into something closer to a living piece of folklore.
Atmosphere: Festive, Foggy, and a Little Frightening
Participants often describe the tour as feeling like they’ve stepped into a Victorian Christmas card — if the card were etched with shadows.
The experience includes:
🕯️ Lanterns & Low Light
The glow of lanterns creates an intimate, old-world atmosphere. Darkness is not used for fear, but for immersion — letting visitors focus on the subtle details of each location.
📜 Tales That Blend History and the Supernatural
Stories may include:
- Strange noises reported in historic storefronts
- Ghostly sightings tied to early Cullman settlers
- Tales of forgotten holiday traditions
- Accounts of paranormal experiences documented by local residents
Each narrative adds a new layer to Cullman’s past, blurring the line between folklore and fact.
❄️ A Seasonal Edge
Holiday-themed mysteries, winter folklore, and Christmas-related legends add a surprisingly cozy — yet eerie — texture to the night.
What Makes This Tour Stand Out
Cullman offers a wide range of holiday entertainment, from Christmas parades to Christkindlmarkt festivities. But Ghosts of Christmas Past fills a very different niche:
It’s perfect for adults.
Many Christmas events are geared toward families with children, but this one speaks directly to teens and adults who want something atmospheric, mysterious, or even intellectual.
It’s deeply tied to local history.
The stories come from real events and authentic research, making the tour educational as well as entertaining.
It offers a rare blend of spooky and festive.
Participants get the same cozy, nostalgic feel of classic Victorian Christmas ghost stories — a holiday tradition that predates modern Santa-centered celebrations.
If anything, it revives the old custom of sharing ghost tales around the fire during winter — something Charles Dickens made immortal.
A Social Holiday Experience
Many people also love the tour simply because it’s an excellent group outing. Friends, coworkers, date-night couples, and even out-of-town visitors often join the walks to experience Cullman in a fresh way.
It’s a chance to:
- Explore the city at night
- Meet others with a taste for the unusual
- Enjoy an event that encourages conversation and curiosity
- Start (or end) the night with food or drinks nearby
As one might expect, this has become an annual tradition for some locals — a holiday ritual that’s as much about atmosphere as it is about ghostly thrills.
Why You Should Attend
If you’re considering whether the Ghosts of Christmas Past Lantern Tour is for you, ask yourself:
- Do you enjoy history?
- Do you love Christmas but want something unique?
- Do you appreciate eerie stories or paranormal mysteries?
- Are you looking for a memorable seasonal activity that isn’t overcrowded or predictable?
If yes to any of the above, this tour should be on your holiday list.
It’s cozy.
It’s mysterious.
It’s full of fascinating stories.
And it captures a side of Christmas that’s rarely seen today — the reflective, ghostly, fireside-storytelling side.
A Holiday Event Unlike Any Other in Cullman
Ghosts of Christmas Past blends the magic of the season with the intrigue of the unknown, creating an unforgettable walk through history, folklore, and shadowy holiday charm. For those wanting to experience Cullman’s past through a new lens — or anyone craving a memorable evening out during the holidays — the lantern tour is one of the area’s most captivating seasonal offerings.