West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture & History

December is here and we welcome the holidays with special events and festive decorations. Come see the Great Hall of the Culture Center adorned in holiday decorations, including Christmas trees, nutcrackers, wreaths, and Santa’s sleigh. The Christmas trees are decked out with ornaments from past years’ student art ornament competitions, along with this year’s ornament theme, “Deck the Halls with Santa Claus,” which consists of creations from students across the Mountain State. Another tree is decorated with submissions for the First Lady’s tree, displaying hand-crafted wreath-themed ornaments made by West Virginia artists of all ages. Join the Governor and First Lady on Wednesday, Dec. 4, at 6 p.m., for the annual Joyful Night celebration with the Christmas tree lighting in front of the State Capitol. There will be performances, complimentary refreshments, and more throughout the evening. The Community Serenade band will perform a free holiday concert playing traditional holiday songs in the restored courtroom at West Virginia Independence Hall in Wheeling on Saturday, Dec. 14, at 1:30 p.m. Also, be sure and contact the State Historic Preservation Office this month to receive a free copy of the annual Historic Preservation calendar for 2025. Visit our sites all month long for lots of cheer and holiday inspiration. Keep warm and Happy Holidays!