How are the Heinzelmännchen related to the Elves and the Shoemaker?

Many associate rats with portents of doom or incoming bad luck. But how else do they appear in folklore and superstition?  Find out more about them in this episode! See the images on the blog post h...

18 Jan 202020min

Bats are fascinating creatures and they're helpful to humans. But they fall foul of old folklore and superstitions about them - people once saw them as witches' familiars or evil death omens.  Find o...

11 Jan 202018min

The presents have long been opened. No one can find anything decent to watch on TV. It feels weird to still say 'Merry Christmas' so we've all switched to saying 'Happy New Year' instead. But no matte...

4 Jan 202018min

It's almost the turn of a new year, and while many of us are thinking of setting resolutions for the year ahead, others are planning how to make it the 'best year ever'. Have you considered turning t...

28 Dec 201914min

Telling ghost stories at Christmas is a time-honoured tradition, from Charles Dickens and his Christmas Carol, to the BBC adaptations of MR James ghost stories!  So here at Fabulous Folklore, I figur...

21 Dec 201923min

Mistletoe seems a natural part of modern Christmas decorations. But why has it become linked with kissing during the festive period? Find out in this week's episode. See the images on the blog post a...

14 Dec 201914min

Holly and Christmas go together like bacon and eggs...but where did the links first come from? And who is the Holly King, who must battle the Oak King? Find out in this week's episode! See the images...

7 Dec 201916min

Krampus, sometimes seen as the Anti Santa, emerged into the mainstream in 2015 with his own movie. But who is he and how is he linked to Christmas? Find out in this week's episode! See the images on ...

30 Nov 201914min