by Miami, Florida — One of the nation’s top-rated haunted attractions is pushing fear beyond Halloween, as HorrorLand debuts its first-ever holiday-themed experience — a dark, twisted event inspired by European folklore and Christmas nightmares.
Since launching in 2020, HorrorLand has earned national attention for its immersive scare productions. Now, the South Florida attraction is expanding its reach with a limited-run holiday haunt that blends festive visuals with high-intensity horror.
A dark twist on Christmas tradition
The seasonal expansion introduces visitors to Krampus, a horned, demonic figure from Central European folklore believed to punish those who abandon the Christmas spirit.
According to event creator Luna Santo, the concept was chosen to offer something completely unexpected for Miami audiences.
“He basically punishes you for not believing in Christmas or losing that Christmas spirit,” Santo said.
“He came to Miami to teach us what could happen.”
The result is a holiday experience that flips traditional cheer on its head, replacing warmth and nostalgia with fear and adrenaline.
From jungle park to winter nightmare
The event takes place at Jungle Island, which was transformed in just three weeks into what Santo describes as a “winter wonderland of nightmares.”
Visitors encounter:
- Eerie, twisted Christmas trees
- Sinister elves
- Actors portraying the half-goat, half-demon Krampus
Despite South Florida’s warm climate, the environment is designed to feel cold, chaotic, and unsettling — a sharp contrast to the usual holiday atmosphere.
“Let’s bring Krampus,” Santo said. “He’s new, something completely different, and we wanted to get people excited.”
High-energy scares and interactive horror
Like HorrorLand’s Halloween events, the holiday haunt leans heavily into fast-paced, interactive scares rather than passive walk-throughs.
Guests can expect:
- Chase scenes
- Sudden scare moments
- Physical effects, including being sprayed and pelted with snowballs
“You’re going to be running, chased, sprayed, and they’ll even throw snowballs at you,” Santo said.
The experience is designed to keep visitors constantly moving, reacting, and fully immersed from start to finish.
Frightening — but fun
Attendees exiting the attraction described the event as intense, frightening, and entertaining, praising the creative blend of holiday imagery and traditional haunted-house terror.
Read Also: Woman Arrested After Razor Blades Found Hidden Inside Bread at Mississippi Walmart Stores
Organizers say the goal isn’t just fear, but memorable fun — giving thrill-seekers a new way to celebrate the season beyond lights and carols.
Limited-time event through Dec. 21
The Krampus-themed HorrorLand event runs Thursday through Sunday nights, with the final night scheduled for December 21.
Because this marks HorrorLand’s first holiday expansion, organizers say attendance interest has been strong, and guests are encouraged to plan ahead.
With this seasonal experiment, HorrorLand is testing whether fear has a place alongside festive cheer — and early reactions suggest that holiday horror may be here to stay.
Would you try a Christmas-themed haunted attraction? Share your thoughts in the comments.
