Driving through elaborate holiday light displays is a tradition that never gets old. Here are a few of our favorites from every corner of the state from Mason to Mercer Counties.

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This story was originally published in the Winter 2015 issue of West Virginia Living. It was updated in December of 2021. To subscribe, visit wvliving.com

Bluefield

Bluefield Holiday of Lights Festival

The Holiday of Lights display and Christmas Village festivities take place at the Bluefield City Park on Stadium Drive from November 26 to January 2. Sunday through Thursday, 6 to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 6 to 10 p.m.

New displays have been added to this 40 plus acres of 1,200,000 twinkling lights. On December 5 from 5 to 5:45 p.m, walkers can stroll through the park and enjoy a unique perspective. West Virginia Christmas City

Elkview

Aaron’s Fork Road

Getting to this light display on Aaron’s Fork Road is half the fun. Located off I-79 in Elkview, Kermit and Joann Tyree transform their family farm into a winter wonderland with more than 500,000 lights that rivals some of the more well known displays. Kermit even dresses up like Santa and hands out candy canes! From Elkview exit off I-79, drive seven miles on Aaron’s Fork Road.

Fairmont

South Fairmont Rotary Club’s Annual Celebration of Lights

Drive through Morris Park’s 1.3 miles of Christmas displays on Thursday through December 28, 6 to 9 p.m. There are even special walkers’ nights on Wednesdays. Cost is $10 per carload or $5 per walker over the age of 12. You can buy tickets in advance online at celebrationoflightswv.com.

Point Pleasant

Krodel Park Christmas Fantasy Light Show

With new additions each year, this unique light display in Point Pleasant includes Santa Claus, a sternwheeler, the Mothman, and a twenty-foot windmill. Visitors drive through the park to view the lights. No admission fee. Open nightly from November 20 to December 31, 2015, 5:15 to 9:15 p.m. masoncountytourism.org

Point Pleasant

WV State Farm Museum’s Light Show

From December 5 until December 20, every tree, shrub, and building is decorated at the Farm Museum, located at 1458 Fairgrounds Road, with more than 3 million lights. Open nightly from 6 to 9 p.m., you can check in with Santa Claus in the Country Store and grab a cup of free hot chocolate and cookies for kids in the Country Kitchen. Admission is free. wvfarmmuseum.org

Wheeling

Oglebay’s Winter Festival of Lights

Oglebay’s Winter Festival of Lights is the granddaddy of all light displays. From now until January 9, 2021, visitors can view the Winter Festival of Lights nightly from dawn to dusk. Visitors will be treated to 80 awe-inspiring displays—including cartoon caricatures and an enormous polyhedron star consisting of more than 2,000 lights—along the six-mile driving tour. Trolley tours are also available and offered several times each night beginning at Wilson Lodge.

“The Winter Festival of Lights at Oglebay has been bringing smiles to young and old for 30 years and we are delighted that so many have made the annual light show a holiday tradition,” said Caren Knoyer, Marketing Director at Oglebay Resort & Conference Center. “The Festival of Lights started in 1985 with just five light displays and has grown into one of America’s largest holiday light shows with more than 80 displays and a million lights over 300 acres. We look forward to the next 30 years!”

The renowned light display has received numerous awards and recognitions, including a spot on the American Bus Association’s Top 100 Events in North America and AOL Travel’s 10 Best Christmas Light Displays in the U.S. oglebay.com/lights