Every year around Christmas, Vashon Islanders notice glowing balls of light in the island’s deepest, darkest forests. Some say a tragedy happened. Others believe it’s all folklore. Get the scoop on this local legend after the jump.

The Phantom Lights of Vashon Island is one of the most enduring spooky Christmas tales in the Puget Sound region. The story blends elements of tragedy, mystery, and folklore, creating an atmospheric legend that intrigues residents and visitors.

The Legend

So, the local tale goes something like this …

In the late 1890s, a homesteader family moved to a remote part of Vashon Island to build a new life. The family—father Thomas, mother Lillian, and their two children, Amelia and Edward—lived in a modest cabin nestled deep in the island’s forest. They were known to be reclusive but kind, occasionally traveling to town for supplies.

One fateful Christmas Eve, a fierce storm came roaring in. It blanketed the island in snow and cut off the access to town. Neighbors reported hearing strange noises from the direction of the family’s cabin—what sounded like screaming and cries for help—but the storm made a rescue impossible. When the weather finally cleared days later, a search party ventured to the cabin, only to find it empty.

The family’s belongings were undisturbed, a Christmas tree stood adorned with handmade decorations, and gifts lay unopened beneath it. There were no signs of violence, only a single set of footprints leading into the forest. The search party followed the tracks, that ended in a clearing. No bodies were ever found, and the authorities declared the family as missing.

The Phantom Lights

Shortly after the disappearance, reports of mysterious lights began to emerge. Locals traveling through the forest at night would see glowing orbs floating between the trees, flickering like lanterns or candles. These lights are most often seen during the holiday season, particularly on or around Christmas Eve.

Witnesses describe the lights as:

• Softly glowing: The lights are typically pale white, blue, or yellow, casting a faint glow on the surrounding trees.
• Searching: They move through the forest in a way that seems deliberate, as if searching for something.
• Elusive: When approached, the lights vanish, only to reappear further away.

Some believe the lights are the souls of the family, trying to find their way home. Others speculate the lights are a natural phenomenon, like bioluminescent fungi or swamp gas, although it’s odd that these lights only appear during the holiday season.

Note: Glowing fungi is known to grow in and around the island, but I’m not so sure it would grow in winter. As for swamp gas, well, I think it’s possible. Whenever you have waterlogged decaying plant material, you could have swamp gas.

Encounters

Locals have shared their stories about the phantom lights for decades. Here are the most recounted encounters:

The Lost Traveler: In the 1930s, a man claimed the lights guided him back to a trail after he became lost in the forest during a snowstorm. He swore he saw the faint outline of a woman holding a lantern leading the way.

The Christmas Picnic: In the 1970s, a family spending Christmas on the island reported seeing the lights circling their campsite. When they packed up to leave, the lights followed them until they reached the edge of the forest, then disappeared.

A Skeptical Visit: In 1995, a group of teenagers exploring the area with flashlights to debunk the legend reported being surrounded by the lights. Their flashlights flickered and went out, leaving them in darkness as the orbs hovered nearby. Terrified, they ran back to their car and refused to return.

The Phantom Lights Now

Today, the Phantom Lights of Vashon Island are a mix of local lore and tourist curiosity. Some paranormal enthusiasts visit the island every December, hoping to catch a glimpse of them. However, the lights remain elusive, and those who see them often describe the experience as hauntingly beautiful rather than terrifying.

The legend has become a cautionary tale, reminding folks of the dangers of isolation during harsh winters and the mysteries of the deep, dark forests that surround them.

Although, I got to say, you’re only one cell phone call away from help nowadays. Still, it’s a good spooky story to tell on cold winter nights.

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If you’ve encountered the lights, please let me know in the comments. I think I’ll do an expedition to find them this holiday season.

Thanks for reading Ghostly Activities. Much appreciated. Take care!