Looking for something to do in southern West Virginia this coming week? Here are some ideas.
November 28 through December 5: Santa at Crossroads Mall
Santa Claus is coming to Crossroads Mall! He will be set up in the center of the mall in front of JCPenney’s every day until Christmas.
Appointments and additional information are available at whereissanta.com
November 28: Smithers Mega Christmas Market
Mark your calendars for Sunday, November 28! The Smithers Christmas Market will be held at Valley PreK-8 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., giving shoppers the perfect opportunity to find one-of-a-kind gifts for friends and family.
November 28 through December 5: Ice Skating Rink at the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine
The Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine’s Ice Skating Rink will be open every day until December 5, 2021. The rink will be closed on Thanksgiving Day.
Tickets can be purchased inside the Rahall Company Store at the Mine Complex.
The hours are as follows:
Monday through Thursday: 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Sunday: 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
For more information, call the Exhibition Coal Mine at 304-256-1747.
November 28 through December 5: Holiday of Lights in Princeton
West Virginia’s Christmas City comes to life with a favorite pastime: the Holiday of Lights Drive-Thru Light Display in Princeton.
Organizers ask that you please enjoy this light display from the comfort of your car as you drive through Lotito Park. The path through the park is paved.
There is no admission, however, donations are gladly accepted as you exit the Holiday of Lights.
The Holiday of Lights operates from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday from Thanksgiving until January 2.
Please check the event’s page for cancellations due to inclement weather.
November 28 and December 2 through December 5: Christmas at the Fair
Christmas is coming to the State Fair of West Virginia for the Second Annual “Christmas at the Fair Drive-Thru Display.”
Open Thursdays-Sundays beginning on November 26, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., this display will be open to the public for donations only.
Patrons are asked to turn in Gate 5 on 219N next to the horse barns, tune in to our special radio station and enjoy the sights and sounds of Christmas!
November 30: Athens-Concord Holiday Social
Ring in the holiday season with Concord and the Town of Athens! Enjoy cookies, hot cocoa, photos, and letter writing with Santa at University Point
Holiday music from the Conchords and CU’s Band will be performed in the Wilkes Family Chapel at University Point followed by tours, treats, and commemorative ornaments at the President’s House. Carriage Rides will be offered from the President’s House down Vermillion Street, and there will also be food trucks set up in Athens Park.
The event is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. and will be concluded with a Tree Lighting Ceremony.
RSVP here.
November 30: Richwood Christmas Parade
The 2021 Richwood Christmas Parade featuring the Lumberjack Express and SANTA will be on Tuesday, November 30 at 6:30 pm on Main Street.
Santa and the Lovely Lumberjack Ladies will be at the Richwood Fire Station after the parade.
Make sure your little ones (or big ones – who are we to judge) stop by and see Santa!
December 1: Chill in the Ville
Join The Gaines Estate in Fayetteville at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, December 1, for Chille in the Ville. The event will feature a night filled with fun, laughter, live music and delicious drinks.
The house bar will be open to the public.
Learn more here.
December 3 and December 4: Appalachian Coal Town Christmas
Appalachian Coal Town Christmas will be at the Beckley Exhibition Coal mine from 5 to 9 p.m. on November 26 and 27, as well as December 3 and 4, 2021.
Tickets for the festival are $12 for adults and $10 for children.
Guided underground tours, a marshmallow roast, caroling in the church, and the ice-skating rink will be part of the activities offered at the Exhibition Coal Mine during the festival.
Those wishing to skate during the festival must purchase a festival pass.
The entire site will be lit up with Christmas lights and decorations; however, the underground will not be decorated with lights. The gift shop will be open and selling unique coal creations, jewelry, Christmas items, and freshly made fudge.
Craft vendors will also be selling their wares during the event.
December 1 through December 5: Winter Wonderland Light Display
Fayetteville’s Wonderland Display will be available this week. Drive or walk through Fayette County Park to view thousands of lights that create wonderful holiday scenes and displays.
The Winter Wonderland light display will run through December 30 from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily.
Admission is $5.00 per vehicle cash only.
Concessions will also be available.
December 2: Santa Claus at The Ritz Theatre
Santa is coming to The Ritz!
The Concord University ConChords will be singing your Christmas favorites to welcome you to the theatre.
Kids can also write letters to Santa asking all about his job. When he gets back to the North Pole, he’ll answer those letters on Classic Hits98.3FM!
Stop by and see the big guy and stay for the FREE movie starting at 7 p.m.
The Ritz is located at 211 Ballengee Street in Hinton.
December 3: Welch Coal Town Christmas
Friday:
- CoalTown Christmas Bazaar, 11 am. to 5 p.m. at the Jack Caffrey Arts & Culture Center.
- CoalTown Christmas Parade, line up at 6:30 p.m. on Stewart St, with Parade starting at 7:00 p.m. ending at Martha Moore Park.
- Tree Lighting directly after the parade with free hot chocolate, cookies, and caroling.
December 3: Tea with Santa
The Resort at Glade Springs will host Tea with Santa on Friday, December 3, 2021.
“Things are a little different this year because of the North Pole Pandemic. But you’re still invited to experience the ever-popular Tea with Santa,” said event organizers.
“Meet a variety of lovable characters such as Crispy the Gingerbread Man, Frosty, The Grinch, the ever-playful elves and Mr. and Mrs. Claus themselves in this fun, interactive banquet. Decorate cookies and indulge in our famous hot chocolate as well as Holiday Appetizers & Treats to fill your bellies.”
Due to Covid-19, seating for this event will be very limited. Tickets should be purchased early, as they will not be sold at the door.
This event will be held in The Rotunda at The Resort at Glade Springs. Learn more here.
Tea will be held from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. and again from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
December 3: Princeton Christmas Parade “Gifts Under the Tree”
This fun-filled holiday tradition returns to Princeton, and this year’s theme is “Gifts Under the Tree.”
Bring the whole family out to see floats, marching bands, Santa Claus, and an array of performers at the City of Princeton’s Christmas Parade from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Free hot chocolate will be handed out at stations, and floats will be giving away candy to kids.
Find your spot along the parade route, which runs from the intersection of Mercer Street and 5th Street to the Mercer County Courthouse.
Please note, this area of Mercer Street will be closed to traffic starting at 5 p.m. on Dec. 3rd for the parade.
Questions can be directed to Kaitlyn Smith at 304-487-5027 or email k.smith@princetonwv.gov.
December 3 and December 4: Holiday Art Sampler
Join Fayetteville Arts Coalition’s annual Holiday Arts Sampler with local artists selling their wares. The event is Friday, December 3rd, and Saturday, December 4th at the new Love Hope Center for the Arts, located at 100 Rotan Street in Fayetteville, WV.
Kick the shopping event off with vendors on Friday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. with a sip and shop experience. A cash beer and wine will be available.
Unable to make it on Friday, or maybe you forgot someone on your list? Don’t stress! You can shop on Saturday too from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
The event features art offerings, including jewelry, pottery, woodworking, photography, paintings, fiber art, stained glass, and more.
The Holiday Arts Sampler is part of Fayetteville’s Gingerbread Festival weekend.
December 3: Alderson Christmas Parade
The Annual Christmas Parade in Alderson has been scheduled for Friday, December 3 beginning at 7:00 p.m.
Line-up will start at 6:00 p.m. on Virginia Street like the July 4th Parade lines up. It will proceed down Riverview Avenue and across the Alderson Memorial Bridge and disband in front of the Alderson Volunteer Fire Department. Santa will greet children and hear their wishes inside the Alderson Volunteer Fire Department. Treats will be provided by the Alderson Women’s Club.
The Johnson Memorial United Methodist Church, at 104 North Monroe Street across from the Exxon Station will have their Christmas Bazaar in the basement open from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., and free hot chocolate will be served.
December 3: Light up Tech
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Light Up Tech is returning to campus. Help the WVU Tech campus in Beckley ring in the holiday season with Monty, Santa, and (of course) lights!
The event will be held from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on December 3.
December 4: Breakfast with Santa
Step inside a winter wonderland and enjoy a filling, catered breakfast, activities with Mrs. Claus, entertainment throughout the morning, and of course a visit with Mr. Claus himself during Breakfast with Santa at the Chuck Mathena Center in Princeton.
Each child will receive a keepsake photo and a special gift from Santa.
Please register with all members of your party for guaranteed seating. Seats of two to four will be with another party. Seats of six to eight will have their own table. Seating is limited and on a first-come, first-served basis.
This event will follow all local and state mandates in place. Please stay tuned to this event to receive the most up-to-date information.
Breakfast will be held from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Learn more here.
December 4: Christmas Open House
Rustic Lux Décor and Staging in Union will host a Christmas Open House on Saturday, December 4, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The evening will feature Christmas music, holiday shopping and complimentary refreshments.
December 4: Beckley Christmas Parade
Beckley’s Annual Christmas Parade will be held on Saturday, December 4, beginning at 11 am. This year’s theme is Gingerbread Houses Christmas.
December 4: Downtown Lewisburg Christmas Parade
Lewisburg’s annual Christmas parade will begin at noon on Lee Street!
December 4: Rainelle Christmas Parade
Rainelle’s Christmas Parade will begin at 6 p.m. at Industrial Park. This year’s theme is “A Christmas to Remember.”
December 5: Winter Wonderland Fun Run/Walk
The Winter Wonderland Fun Run/Walk is a family-friendly way to get active enjoying the light display at Fayette County Park. This is not a race! You can go at your own pace and make as many running or walking laps around the light display as you like (five laps equals a 5K distance).
This is stroller-friendly and ages six, and under get in free. No pets are allowed, except service animals.
This is a fundraiser for Active SWV and the Fayette County Park. The event is $10 per person (cash or check). The first 50 cars at the gate at 4:45 pm will receive a participant gift box. No reservations are needed.
Wear your ugly sweaters! Get in character, and secret judges will be checking out all the outfits. Awards will be presented, and the opportunity for photos.