Holiday Activities Around SWPA

OVERLY’S COUNTRY CHRISTMAS – GREENSBURG, PA

Celebrate the season at Overly’s Country Christmas, a nonprofit organization mainly operated by volunteers who are committed to creating holiday memories with a unique, walk-around Christmas Village, filled with an array of old-fashioned traditions and treats. Sing carols around the bonfire, revel in the model train display, have your picture taken with Santa (in the days before Christmas), take a horse-drawn wagon/sleigh ride or shop for gifts in the C. Edgar & Sons General Store plus much, much more as you experience the warmth of this traditional Christmas Village! Overly’s is open November 22 through December 30.  FMI, visit www.overlys.com. 

 

CELEBRATION OF LIGHTS – FAIRMONT, WV

Local individuals, families and businesses sponsor over 475 lighted holiday displays  that decorate the road and bring holiday cheer around Morris Park in Fairmont. Many people and groups volunteer their time to help with the set up and operation of Celebration of Lights event. Each year, over 1,000 hours of volunteer time is dedicated to producing this event for the public. This event is an annual fundraiser for the United Way of Marion and Taylor counties and is sponsored by the Rotary Club of South Fairmont. The Celebration of Lights begins on November 22 and ends December 28. FMI, visit www.celebrationoflightswv.com.

 

OGLEBAY’S WINTER FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS – WHEELING, WV

Beginning in 1985, the Winter Festival of Lights has grown into one of the nation’s largest holiday light shows, attracting more than one million visitors each year. Identified as one of the top light displays in the United States by countless travel companies and national publications, the Winter Festival of Lights features three hundred acres of twinkling lights over a six-mile drive. The dazzling display includes ninety lighted attractions boasting more than one million energy-efficient LED lights. Now guests can experience this time-honored tradition in a whole new way with 3D ‘Sleigh Bans’ which transform every point of light into a magical display! You can visit Oglebay from Nov. 7 – Jan. 5. FMI, visit oglebay.com.

 

PHIPPS’ WINTER FLOWER SHOW & LIGHT GARDEN – PITTSBURGH, PA

For 126 years, Phipps has been a beloved family tradition, and their upcoming Holiday Magic! Winter Flower Show and Light Garden is their best and brightest yet, with over ten acres of gardens and lights to explore! This year’s theme – Festival of Trees – features a tree carousel, poinsettia trees, a floating forest, topiary reindeer and a rainbow glow tree. From a mesmerizing tunnel of lights to icy prism towers, a fountain of lights and more, Phipps’ Victorian glasshouse and glowing outdoor gardens will delight guests of all ages with stunning illuminated botanical exhibits, whimsical props and unique light displays. Family Fun Days and Evenings provide a fun learning experience for children, and Santa will be stopping by on select dates. FMI, visit www.phipps.conservatory.org. 

 

CATHEDRAL OF LEARNING’S NATIONALITY ROOMS – PITTSBURGH, PA

Celebrate the holidays with the Cathedral of Learning in Pittsburgh. The Nationality Rooms are open during the holiday season and decorated for the holidays. The Rooms will be decorated beginning November 9 through January 18.  FMI, www.nationalityrooms.pitt.edu.

 

PENNSYLVANIA TROLLEY MUSEUM – WASHINGTON, PA

Pennsylvania Trolley Museum’s stockings are hung by the trolleys with care and with the knowledge that Santa Claus will soon be there! The merriest man himself will be visiting the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum during their annual Santa Trolley on December 14 & 15, running from 9am-5pm with the last trolley departing at 4pm. Guests will have the opportunity to climb aboard a restored streetcar that will transport them around the museum’s 2 mile track. Santa’s happy to have visitors take his picture, so make sure to bring your camera. The holiday spirit will be all throughout the air and your bellies will be filled with complimentary hot chocolate and cookies. While there, visit the Lionel toy train layout, see the wonderful LEGO display, and make a holiday craft. FMI, visit www.pa-trolley.org.

About Danielle Nyland

Current Position: Editor and Social Media Manager of GreeneScene Community Magazine. Danielle Nyland is a local photographer, artist, and writer. She is a Greene County native and currently lives in Nemacolin with her husband, Daytona, two sons, Remington and Kylo, and an English bull terrier, Sparky. Danielle has a background in graphic design, web publishing, social media, management, and photography. She graduated American Public University with an associate degree in web publishing and Bellevue University with a bachelor degree in graphic design. She has also attended the New York Institute of Photography. Before joining the team, she worked in retail and as an instructor at Laurel Business Institute. Outside of her work with the GreeneScene, she enjoys painting and drawing, photography, and loves reading books and watching movies – especially the scary ones! Danielle has been photographing and writing about local history and events since 2010 as part of the SWPA Rural Exploration team. She’s active in local community events and committees. She’s a board member with Flenniken Public Library and is on the committees for the Sheep & Fiber Festival, 50’s Fest & Car Cruise, and Light Up Night.