There are so many fun, festive things to do during Christmas in West Virginia… but here’s one that probably isn’t the first option to come to mind when you’re musing about what to do and see locally in the month of December: you can take a trip to visit some reindeer!
Editor’s Note: Unfortunately, since the time of original publication, the reindeer event at Oglebay has since closed.
For some unknown reason, in every scientific study we’ve ever seen on the subject, the probability of overhearing a conversation about reindeer spikes suddenly and drastically during the month of December. In the almost inevitable event that you overhear one such conversation, what immediately springs to mind? Perhaps you think of a massive beast roaming the wilds of Scandinavia…
Robin McConnell/Flickr
…or maybe instead your mind goes to something more like this, bedecked with red and green and white accents.
Brickset/Flickr
Either way, whether you’re a wildlife lover or a big fan of Santa and his cohorts, you need to visit the reindeer exhibit at the Oglebay Good Zoo in Wheeling.
Oglebay Good Zoo/Facebook
That’s right, Oglebay Good Zoo, located right here in West Virginia, has a real, live reindeer herd that you can view as you stroll through their wildlife displays! Or, even better, you can choose to participate in the “Santa’s Reindeer Training School” animal encounter…
Oglebay Good Zoo/Facebook
…and actually pet and feed these magnificent animals yourself. This is one of the most exciting holiday events in West Virginia in our opinion. Interacting with a live reindeer is such a rare treat.
Oglebay Good Zoo/Facebook
But do it soon, because it won’t be long until these furry beasts will get a call from Santa, letting them know it’s time to help carry him and his cargo on the long, Christmas Eve journey from pole to pole!
AustinMini 1275/Flickr
To learn more about visiting the Oglebay Good Zoo around Christmas time in general or joining Santa’s Reindeer Training School in particular, visit the zoo’s website. And for more Holiday joy at the zoo visit the Oglebay Christmas lights!
Robin McConnell/Flickr
Brickset/Flickr
Oglebay Good Zoo/Facebook
AustinMini 1275/Flickr
Have you thought about booking an animal encounter at Oglebay Good Zoo before? Which animal would you choose to see up close if not the reindeers? Oh, and don’t forget that experiences like a trip to Oglebay Good Zoo make great Christmas gifts!
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Address: Oglebay Good Zoo, 345 Zoo Cir, Wheeling, WV 26003, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Holiday season in West Virginia November 05, 2022 Sara Dager Which Christmas lights displays in West Virginia are the best? The Christmas lights displays in West Virginia really are something to treasure. While we can’t name one that we think is the best, there are a few options that stand out among the others. The Festival of Trees in Parkersburg is an indoor event (perfect for those of us who get chilly easily) featuring hundred of intricately decorated trees. If you arrive for opening day there is a character breakfast. For a drive through event try the Festival of Lights in St. Albans for a multitude of dazzling displays. If that’s not enough you can always gas up the car for our West Virginia Christmas lights road trip. It’s nine stops worth of Christmas magic! Can you ride any Christmas trains in West Virginia? A ride on a train is already so special, and it becomes even more so when its got a good theme. There are a couple of exciting Christmas trains in West Virginia that kids and kids at heart will fall for. Our favorite however is the North Pole Express offered by the Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad. This train has so much to offer for a seventy five minute ride! Before you leave there is a barn with activities, chances to write letters to Santa, and even a nativity with live animals. Once you get on the train there is milk and cookies to snack on, story telling, and Christmas carols. Perhaps most importantly, once you reach the “North Pole” Santa will board the train and hand out gifts to all the kids on board! Are there any Christmas towns in West Virginia? There are a few different charming Christmas towns in West Virginia. In Hurricane West Virginia, there is a Christmas lights extravaganza called Yuletide in the Park, a huge Christmas parade, and a tree lighting ceremony. This town loves the holidays so much, as does Shepherdstown. At their annual holiday festival you will feel like you’ve traveled back in time to see demonstrations of toys from the civil war era, as well as carriage rides, a parade, and caroling!
The OIYS Visitor Center
Holiday season in West Virginia
November 05, 2022
Sara Dager
Which Christmas lights displays in West Virginia are the best? The Christmas lights displays in West Virginia really are something to treasure. While we can’t name one that we think is the best, there are a few options that stand out among the others. The Festival of Trees in Parkersburg is an indoor event (perfect for those of us who get chilly easily) featuring hundred of intricately decorated trees. If you arrive for opening day there is a character breakfast. For a drive through event try the Festival of Lights in St. Albans for a multitude of dazzling displays. If that’s not enough you can always gas up the car for our West Virginia Christmas lights road trip. It’s nine stops worth of Christmas magic! Can you ride any Christmas trains in West Virginia? A ride on a train is already so special, and it becomes even more so when its got a good theme. There are a couple of exciting Christmas trains in West Virginia that kids and kids at heart will fall for. Our favorite however is the North Pole Express offered by the Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad. This train has so much to offer for a seventy five minute ride! Before you leave there is a barn with activities, chances to write letters to Santa, and even a nativity with live animals. Once you get on the train there is milk and cookies to snack on, story telling, and Christmas carols. Perhaps most importantly, once you reach the “North Pole” Santa will board the train and hand out gifts to all the kids on board! Are there any Christmas towns in West Virginia? There are a few different charming Christmas towns in West Virginia. In Hurricane West Virginia, there is a Christmas lights extravaganza called Yuletide in the Park, a huge Christmas parade, and a tree lighting ceremony. This town loves the holidays so much, as does Shepherdstown. At their annual holiday festival you will feel like you’ve traveled back in time to see demonstrations of toys from the civil war era, as well as carriage rides, a parade, and caroling!
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
The Christmas lights displays in West Virginia really are something to treasure. While we can’t name one that we think is the best, there are a few options that stand out among the others. The Festival of Trees in Parkersburg is an indoor event (perfect for those of us who get chilly easily) featuring hundred of intricately decorated trees. If you arrive for opening day there is a character breakfast. For a drive through event try the Festival of Lights in St. Albans for a multitude of dazzling displays. If that’s not enough you can always gas up the car for our West Virginia Christmas lights road trip. It’s nine stops worth of Christmas magic!
Can you ride any Christmas trains in West Virginia?
A ride on a train is already so special, and it becomes even more so when its got a good theme. There are a couple of exciting Christmas trains in West Virginia that kids and kids at heart will fall for. Our favorite however is the North Pole Express offered by the Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad. This train has so much to offer for a seventy five minute ride! Before you leave there is a barn with activities, chances to write letters to Santa, and even a nativity with live animals. Once you get on the train there is milk and cookies to snack on, story telling, and Christmas carols. Perhaps most importantly, once you reach the “North Pole” Santa will board the train and hand out gifts to all the kids on board!
Are there any Christmas towns in West Virginia?
There are a few different charming Christmas towns in West Virginia. In Hurricane West Virginia, there is a Christmas lights extravaganza called Yuletide in the Park, a huge Christmas parade, and a tree lighting ceremony. This town loves the holidays so much, as does Shepherdstown. At their annual holiday festival you will feel like you’ve traveled back in time to see demonstrations of toys from the civil war era, as well as carriage rides, a parade, and caroling!
