Adventure Advisory: Parades, Parties and Plays
The Adventure Advisory, prepared and distributed by Wild, Wonderful West Virginia (GoToWV), highlights some of the many activities happening across the Mountain State. Additional listings are posted at www.GoToWV.com. Event organizers and promoters are encouraged to submit items electronically at https://GoToWV.com/partners/.
Dec. 3-5: Yuletide in the Park, Hurricane
304-562-0518; helen@putnamcountyparks.com; www.putnamcountycvb.com
Valley Park in Hurricane hosts an old-fashioned celebration with horse-drawn wagon rides, caroling, visits with Santa, Reindog Parade, Rock Around the Christmas Tree dance, Victorian Christmas, wreath-making class, and a live nativity. Hours vary.
Dec. 3: Carnegie Hall Presents the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra—“Home for the Holidays,” Lewisburg
304-645-7917; office@carnegiehallwv.org; www.carnegiehallwv.org
Hear your favorite holiday music complete with the special touches and unique arrangements only Maestro Cooper and the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra can provide. Hours are 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Dec. 4: Christmas Parade and Shopping, Marlinton
800-336-7009; crose@pocahontascountywv.com; www.pocahontascountywv.com
Get into the spirit of Christmas, enjoy the parade and watch Santa arrive in Marlinton. Do some shopping and visit the local craft show while enjoying the Christmas decorations.
Dec. 4-5: Appalachian Coal Town Christmas, Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine, Beckley
304-256-1747; info@beckleymine.com; https://www.beckley.org/exhibition_coal_mine/index.html
Activities include underground mine tours, a marshmallow roast, horse-drawn carriage rides, caroling and an ornament workshop. The gift shop will be open for holiday shopping. Hours are 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. each night and the all-inclusive cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children.
Dec. 4-6: The Season of Comfort and Joy, Stonewall Resort, Roanoke
888-278-8150; www.stonewallresort.com
Weekend activities and entertainment include live music, refreshments, storytelling by Mrs. Claus, caroling, ornament workshops, a trip on the Polar Express Train Ride, Saturday Breakfast with Santa and Sunday Brunch with Santa.
Dec. 5: Charles Town – Ranson Christmas Parade, Charles Town and Ranson
304-725-2311; 304-724-9250; www.charlestownwv.us; www.ransonwv.us
A favorite among locals, visitors will also enjoy the talent and creativity displayed with an array of floats, marching units, and local organizations. Spectators can enjoy the parade along Mildred Street to Washington Street.
Dec. 5: “Christmas with The Mark Trammel Quartet and The Whisnants” Gospel Concert, Milton Performing Arts Center, Milton
304-654-1339; gregmeadows@iglide.net; https://www.miltonpac.com/
Mark Trammell Quartet is a Southern Gospel Quartet founded by Mark Trammell. With more than 40 years of traveling behind them, The Whisnants have performed all across the nation and around the world. Doors open at 6 p.m. with the concert beginning at 7 p.m.
Dec. 5: Heritage Farm’s Way Back Weekend Holiday Market, Huntington
304-544-6948; info@heritagefarmmuseum.com; https://www.heritagefarmmuseum.com/
Heritage Farm showcases West Virginia’s best artisans of woodworking, spinning, creating soap and lotions, pottery, blacksmithing and more. You can find a rare and valuable gift made by “homegrown” Appalachian artisans to share with your loved ones. Hours are 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Dec. 5: Fort Randolph’s Christmas on the Frontier, Krodel Park, Point Pleasant
304-675-7933; chesson1774@suddenlink.net; www.fortrandolph.org
Historic Fort Randolph was built as a refuge against Indian attacks and played an important part in the Revolutionary War. Come and celebrate the season the way the people on the frontier did as re-enactors conduct demonstrations and tours. Admission is free.
Dec. 5: St. Albans Historic Christmas Homes Tour, St. Albans
304-727-5972; stalbanshistory1@aol.com; https://stalbanshistory.com/homes-tours.html
Tours begin at the Historical Society building at 6 p.m. at 404 Fourth Ave, adjacent to the C&O Depot. A map and brochure will be provided for this self-guided tour of several historic homes and buildings. Hours are 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. Cost is $5 students and $8 adults.
Dec. 5-6: Annual Victorian Christmas Home Tour and Tea, Juliana Street, Parkersburg
304-422-9861; jcsmith33511@yahoo.com; www.juliannsquare.org (MOV)
Saturday tours of five historic homes will be led by guides in period attire, homeowners will share the history of their homes, and guests will attend a lavish dessert tea for $15. The Sunday tour is self-guided (no tea); tickets ($10) will be sold at each house.
Dec. 5-6 and 12-13: Colonial Christmas at Adam Stephen House, Martinsburg
304-267-4434; 304-264-8801; www.TravelWV.com
Observe holiday activities of colonial life in the historic house decorated with evergreens, live holiday music, and light refreshments. Hours are 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Dec. 5: Santa Bazaar, Franklin
304-358-3884; pendletoncoc@frontier.com; Pendletoncvb@visitpendleton.com; www.pendletoncountywv.org; www.visitpendleton.net/
Activities include a Santa parade and photos, free kid’s lunch, Christmas vendors and much more.
Dec. 11-12: Christmas at Cass, Cass Scenic Railroad State Park, Cass
304-456-4300; www.cassrailroad.com
The Cass Company Store is open. Pocahontas County Artisans Co-Op will be selling West Virginia handmade gifts. Last Run Restaurant will host a Holiday Bazaar & Open House featuring Blue Roof Caterers homemade candies, cookies, cakes and more.
Dec. 4, 5, 11, and 12 @ 8 p.m. and Dec. 6 @ 3 p.m.: Towngate Theatre Presents: “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” by Barbara Robinson, Wheeling
304-242-7700; towngatecustomerservice@oionline.com; https://www.oionline.com/calendar2/index.php?eID=1682
In this hilarious Christmas classic, a couple struggling to put on a church Christmas pageant is faced with casting the worst children in the history of the world, the Herdman kids. The mayhem that ensues may just turn an average Christmas pageant into the best one ever!
Dec. 11-20: West Virginia State Farm Museum’s Christmas Light Show, Point Pleasant
304-675-5737; wvsfm@wvfarmmuseum.org; https://www.wvfarmmuseum.org/
The Christmas Light Show features more than three million lights. Santa Claus will visit nightly and the Country Kitchen will provide free hot chocolate and cookies for the kids. Admission is free (donations accepted). Hours are 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. nightly.
Dec. 12: Bramwell Christmas Tour of Homes, Bramwell
304-248-8381; bettylgoins@gmail.com; https://www.bramwellwv.com/townevents.html
Step back in time to the 1890s as costumed interpreters share stories of a bygone era. Tickets may be purchased the day of the tour at the Bramwell Presbyterian Church. Admission is $15 per person (no advance ticket sales). Reservations are not required. Hours are 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Dec. 12: Feast of the Seven Fishes, Fairmont
304-366-0468; kate@mainstreetfairmont.org; www.mainstreetfairmont.org
This festival celebrates the Italian Christmas Eve tradition of eating seven or more fish dishes. It’s a one-day event with food, shopping, music, fish, and a street market. The festival is free and open to the public.
Dec. 15: “A Christmas Carol,” Chuck Mathena Center, Princeton
304-425-5128; 877-425-5128; deb@cmcwv.org; candace@mccwv.org; https://www.chuckmathenacenter.org/
This large-scale production celebrates a classic tale with traditional Christmas carols, stunning scenery, and fabulous costumes. Hours are 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. Admission is $27 for adults and $22 for students.
Real. Excitement * Real. Family Time * Real. Mountain Flavor * Real. Adventure * Real. Fun * Real. Wild, Wonderful West Virginia. You can find it here. Call 800-CALL WVA or visit GoToWV.com. Share your Real. West Virginia stories on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram with #GoToWV and #RealWV.
This post was last updated on November 16, 2015