PHILADELPHIA, PA — Holiday cheer takes a sinister turn next month when Lincoln Mill Haunted House opens its doors for “A Twisted Christmas,” a two-night holiday horror event blending yuletide nostalgia with full-blown nightmare fuel. Billed as Philadelphia’s first and only Christmas-themed haunted house, the attraction will run December 12 and 13 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. — and organizers say this year’s experience will be the biggest yet.
Lincoln Mill, located at 4100 Main Street in Manayunk, is expanding the seasonal event with its highest number of scare actors ever: more than 50 performers transforming the historic mill into a dark, distorted winter wonderland. Inside, guests will descend by freight elevator to the basement, navigating a maze of eerie holiday tableaux inspired by the warped psyche of fictional mill owner Viktor Kane, who is said to haunt the property.
According to organizers, Viktor’s descent into madness fuels the storyline, with the villain hallucinating his workers as twisted elves and monstrous winter creatures. Throughout the mill’s lowest levels, traditional Christmas décor — trees, lights, tinsel, stockings — is layered atop the attraction’s already ominous sets, creating an unsettling contrast between festivity and fear.
“This attraction is built on immersive storytelling,” said co-founder Jared Bilsak. “We wanted to keep the Lincoln Mill narrative alive through the holiday season. It only made sense to sprinkle Christmas essence over our haunted house space and offer something new and exciting to the community.”
Bilsak said the team always envisioned merging Halloween and Christmas, two holidays beloved by staff and visitors alike. “Considering our attraction has naturally been designed to be scary, it only made sense that our Christmas experience be a dark, twisted one,” he said, noting the rarity of holiday horror events and the enthusiasm audiences have shown.
The event follows Lincoln Mill’s most successful Halloween season to date, along with growing off-season haunts for Valentine’s Day and the “Halfway to Halloween” celebration. Organizers say upgrades continue year-round, from expanded space to enhanced lighting, sound, and character design. A reconfigured layout ensures no two visits feel the same.
Tickets for A Twisted Christmas are $30 for general admission and $23 for group rates and are available at lincolnmillhaunt.com. Organizers warn the attraction is intended to be “very scary” and may not be suitable for young children.
Visitors are encouraged to explore other Manayunk holiday offerings, including the Manayunk Gets Lit light show and the Manayunk Jolly Trolley. Transportation options include nearby SEPTA Regional Rail stations, bus routes, and rideshare access via a recommended drop-off point at 4050 Main Street.
With future events already in the pipeline — including Viktor’s Valentine on February 13 and 14 and a St. Patrick’s-themed haunt on March 14 — Lincoln Mill shows no sign of slowing its year-round approach to fear.
For those who prefer their Christmas with a chill rather than a cheer, this may be the season’s most unforgettable — and unsettling — holiday experience.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.