A rainbow tunnel of lights, 19th century Santas, 60-foot Christmas trees and town-wide parades — West Virginia does not mess around when it comes to Christmas. If you’re looking to shed your inner Grinch, there’s no better place to restore that kid-like Christmas wonder than the Mountain State. Here’s where to get your fill of holiday cheer.
Wheeling, West Virginia, United States
Millions of lights cover more than three hundred acres of ground at Oglebay Resort & Conference Center every November and December for a Christmas light show to top all Christmas light shows. Dreamt up by a Dutch lighting expert and the late long-time Wheeling Park Commission creative director Robert J. Otten, this dazzling show is the sweetest eye candy a festive soul will ever feast on. With over eighty displays that span over six miles, you’ll drive through rainbow tunnels past glowing carousel horses and an enormous, 2,000-light star scene that sits on Oglebay’s highest hilltop.
Shepherdstown, West Virginia, United States
Shepherdstown does not take Christmas lightly: from late November to late December, this tiny town jam packs the cheer in weekend events from chili and cornbread dinners to carriage rides to community hymn singing to bonfires. Mrs. Claus herself will read you the story of Christmas before you head to the corner of King and German Streets to literally roast chestnuts. It’s a scene out of your wildest Christmas dreams.
Every year, the town turns up the cheer with a parade where Grinches spin candy-cane hula hoops, drum corps and marching bands play Christmas songs, high-stepping horses draw carriages and puppies shake collars full of bells. After the parade, you can catch Santa at the Historic Shepherdstown Museum.
Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, United States
Party like it’s 1869 this Christmas at Harpers Ferry, a 19th century village that goes all out for the most wonderful time of the year. You’ll have to be on your best behavior – Mr. and Mrs. Claus themselves can be seen walking the cobblestone streets in period garb during Old Tyme Christmas, which takes place the first weekend in December.
From puppet shows to horse and buggy rides, there’s not much that this historical village doesn’t offer during this festive weekend. You’ll leave with arms full of balloon animals, ears full of tunes from local carolers and tuba brigades, shopping bags full of handmade pottery and old-time candy, and a heart bursting with holiday cheer.
During the Holidays, many Lewisburg visitors choose to stay just outside of town at The Greenbrier, a mountain resort chock full of grandeur, where Mrs. Claus can be found in a Christmas shop and Santa helps light up a 60-foot Christmas tree to the tune of carolers every Sunday.
Voted one of the Coolest Small Towns in America, Lewisburg is a must-visit if you’re into a laidback hot-cocoa sipping, window-shopping kind of holiday cheer. Adorable year round, its Main Street is something special during the Christmas season when shops and restaurants deck out their windows in lights and decorations. To kick off the cheer this year, Lewisburg is hosting a holiday open house, where street performances, carriage rides, and snacks and treats inside the stores will get you in the spirit.
With some of the most impressive mountains in America, it’s no surprise that West Virginia would be home to some world-class skiing, but there’s one resort that’s so incredible it’s nicknamed the “mountain in the sky”. Tucked inside the Allegheny Mountains, the Snowshoe Mountain Resort isn’t just one of the country’s top skiing destinations, it’s a home base for your exploration of 11,000 acres of pure West Virginia wilderness. In fact, Snowshoe has more open terrain than any other ski resort in the Southeast!
Not only are there 57 ski trails across 3 ski areas, but Snowshoe also has a full fleet of 4-seat, enclosed and heated Polaris RZRs that allow you to plunge into the backcountry for an experience you won’t get anywhere else.There’s also zip lining, golfing, hiking, and even a massive activity center just for the kids. It’s full of climbing walls, inflatables, and believe it or not, a Sasquatch hunt. No joke.