Holiday Guide
Twinkling light displays, small-town parades and holiday trains make the Mountain State a magical place to celebrate the season.
From late November through early January, West Virginia's towns and resorts deck themselves out for the holidays. Drive-through light shows, candlelight walks, festival parades and Santa trains give families plenty of reasons to bundle up and get out.
Many of the biggest displays are anchor attractions in their own right, and icy roads in the high country mean you should check conditions before heading into the mountains. Confirm dates and hours with each venue, since schedules change yearly.
Wheeling · Oglebay Resort
One of the largest holiday light shows in the nation, spanning six miles of drive-through displays across Oglebay Park. The resort also offers trolley tours, a Christmas lights garden and family activities through the season.
Bluefield · citywide
A beloved southern West Virginia tradition at Lotito City Park, with more than a million lights arranged in themed scenes along a driving route. It's a highlight of the coalfields' holiday calendar.
Charleston · Capitol Complex
The gold-domed Capitol grounds glitter with holiday lights and a towering tree through December. Downtown Charleston adds a holiday parade, window displays and riverfront festivities.
Huntington · downtown
The Ohio River city hosts holiday markets, a lighted parade and family programming around Pullman Square and the Keith-Albee district.
West Virginia's railroad heritage shines at Christmas. Excursion trains and scenic railroads run special holiday trips through the mountains, and several communities stage Santa trains that sell out well in advance. Book early if a train ride is on your list.
In the high country, resorts like Snowshoe Mountain and Canaan Valley pair early-season skiing with holiday celebrations, torchlight parades and cozy lodge events. State parks offer cabin stays, hayrides and New Year's getaways.
Some of the best holiday memories come from small towns that go all out. Lewisburg lights its historic downtown, and Thomas and Davis bring a cozy highland vibe with shop windows, warm drinks and nearby ski slopes.
Across the state, Main Street associations coordinate open houses, tree lightings and carriage rides, so check a town's local calendar wherever you plan to stay.
Almost every West Virginia county seat holds a holiday parade in late November or early December. Expect marching bands, illuminated floats, vintage fire trucks and a visit from Santa. Larger parades roll through Charleston, Huntington, Wheeling and Morgantown.
Parades are free and family-friendly, but arrive early for parking and dress for cold mountain evenings.
Wheeling drive-through display.
Nov–Jan
Bluefield city park lights.
Dec
Tree lighting and parade.
Dec
Markets and lighted parade.
Dec
Holiday slope celebrations.
Dec–Mar
Craft fairs and pop-up shops.
Dec
Rail excursions for families.
Dec
Main Street celebrations.
Nov–Dec
The Oglebay Festival of Lights in Wheeling is the largest and best known, with a six-mile drive-through route and one of the biggest shows in the country.
Most displays open around Thanksgiving and run through early January. Some resorts and parks light up earlier, in mid-November.
Yes. Scenic and heritage railroads run special holiday excursions, and several communities host Santa trains. These often sell out, so reserve seats early.
Mountain roads can be snowy and icy, so check forecasts and road conditions before you go. Carry an emergency kit and allow extra travel time at higher elevations.
Discover WV Today is an independent guide to West Virginia travel, covering seasonal events, small towns, parks and getaways across the Mountain State. Learn more about us.
