The holiday are supposed to be warm, nostalgic, and comforting—but indie horror developers have figured out that twisting those exact emotions is the perfect recipe for fear. Over the last few years, holidays-themed indie horror games have quietly become a subgenre of their own, blending holiday imagery with dread, paranoia, and psychological terror.
These games thrive on the contrast between cozy traditions and something deeply wrong lurking beneath the tinsel. Here are some of the standout indie horror titles that prove the holidays can be terrifying.
Tattletail
Is one of the most iconic winter horror indie games ever made. On the surface, it plays with childhood nostalgia—talking toys, holiday lights, and late-night gift excitement. But that innocence quickly unravels as you’re stalked by something unseen while trying to keep your noisy toy quiet. Its genius lies in tension rather than gore, using sound, darkness, and vulnerability to keep players on edge. It’s proof that subtle horror can be just as effective as monsters.
Christmas Massacre
If you prefer slasher vibes, this one delivers brutal, retro-styled terror. Developed by Puppet Combo, the game leans heavily into PS1-era visuals and grindhouse energy. You’re dropped into a twisted holiday nightmare filled with violence, disturbing imagery, and a sense of moral decay. It feels like a lost VHS slasher tape —ugly, unsettling, and unapologetically mean-spirited.
Krampus Is Home
Folklore lovers should look to Krampus Is Home, which taps into the darker side of winter mythology. Instead of Santa, you’re hunted by Krampus himself, turning the holiday into a survival scenario. The game thrives on slow movement, heavy atmosphere, and fear of being caught. It’s less about combat and more about hiding, listening, and surviving the night.
Slay Bells
Continues the trend of festive slashers but adds a stronger survival-horror focus. Set on Christmas Eve, the game traps players in eerie, desolate environments while a murderous Santa-like figure stalks them relentlessly. Its PS1 aesthetic and limited resources make every encounter tense, reinforcing the feeling that you’re never truly safe.
Christmas Story and Christmas Night
More narrative-driven experiences, these two lean into psychological horror. They start off peaceful and festive, slowly unravelling into unsettling mysteries filled with dread. Instead of relying on jump scares, they focus on atmosphere, storytelling, and the creeping realization that something is deeply wrong with the world you’re in.
Finally, platforms like itch.io are packed with experimental holiday horror titles—short, strange experiences that twist the winter months into something surreal and disturbing. These games often feel like playable nightmares, perfect for late-night sessions or holiday horror marathons.
Together, these indie titles prove that holiday horror isn’t just a gimmick—it’s a powerful genre built on nostalgia, contrast, and emotional subversion. Sometimes the scariest thing isn’t what’s hiding in the dark—it’s seeing something familiar turn against you.
Written by StoneyThaGreat
