Christmas isn’t just about holly and mince pies — in Wales, it’s a season for chilling ghost stories and eerie folklore. On the Ghosts and Folklore of Wales podcast, Mark Rees brings these spine-tingling traditions to life with real-life ghost stories, tales of the infamous Mari Lwyd, and Victorian Christmas chaos.
This December, the podcast covered everything from haunted yuletide nights to endless Victorian Christmas parties. If you’re ready to explore the darker side of the festive season, read on… if you dare!
EP82: The Endless Christmas Party — Victorian Wales Gone Wild
Victorian Wales didn’t just celebrate the 12 Days of Christmas — they turned it into 12 Days of Carnage! Music, merriment, and mayhem ruled the season, with rival musicians battling it out in the streets. Bell ringers, carol singers, and waits all fought for the title of the best music makers.
But the most iconic visitor during these festive raucous days? The Mari Lwyd. This horse-skulled creature wasn’t just about good-natured fun — its arrival often descended into chaos and folk horror.
Discover how this beloved tradition walked the line between joyful celebration and riotous revelry.
EP81 Ghost Stories for Christmas: Festive spirits haunt the wilds of Wales
Gather around the fire and prepare for chills! Unlike the ghost stories of Charles Dickens or M.R. James, these tales are no works of fiction — they’re real-life encounters from the wilds of Wales.
- A wife’s terrifying search for her husband on a bleak Christmas Eve.
- A family ghost appearing each festive season with a chilling message from beyond the grave.
These are the stories that haunt Welsh winters, passed down through generations.
EP80: Mysteries of the Mari Lwyd — From Folk Favourite to Folk Horror
Nothing says Welsh Christmas like the Mari Lwyd — a haunting horse’s skull draped in a sheet, ready for a battle of wits and rhyme. This peculiar tradition, often compared to a modern-day “rap battle,” has fascinated and terrified people for centuries.
But did you know that in Victorian Wales, the Mari Lwyd’s antics got so wild that it was almost outlawed? What started as festive fun turned into scenes of pure folk horror.
Join Mark Rees as he uncovers how the Mari Lwyd went from a yuletide favourite to a banned tradition — and why it’s making a chilling comeback today.
EP79: Spirits of the Living — Ghosts of Those Still Alive
What if the ghost you saw wasn’t dead… but still alive? These eerie stories feature apparitions of the living, from lost souls wandering the day to poltergeists causing havoc.
Why do people see these spirits? What messages do they bring? Mark Rees dives into some of the strangest and spookiest encounters Wales has ever known.
Discover More Chilling Welsh Folklore
If these episodes gave you a festive fright, there’s plenty more to explore!
- Subscribe to the Ghosts and Folklore of Wales podcast for weekly chills and thrills.
- Dive deeper into the strange and spooky with Mark’s book, The A-Z of Curious Wales, available now.
In The A-Z of Curious Wales, Mark Rees uncovers Wales’ weirdest customs, ghostly legends, and curious characters. From the mysteries of the Mari Lwyd to Victorian ghost hunters, it’s a must-read for folklore fans.
Click here to order The A-Z of Curious Wales by Mark Rees
Mark Rees — Your Guide to Welsh Ghosts, Folklore, and the Mari Lwyd
Follow Mark for more tales of Welsh folklore, ghost stories, and festive frights!