[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":24},["ShallowReactive",2],{"gql:data:hJ4DIVACQd":3},{"blogPost":4},{"title":5,"slug":6,"body":7,"blogCategory":8,"heroImage":11},"How to Turn a Festival of Lights Visit Into a Weekend","how-to-turn-a-festival-of-lights-visit-into-a-weekend","Most people experience the Festival of Lights the same way: on a Saturday night in December, in the car, in about an hour. It's a wonderful tradition, but weekends can bring larger crowds, longer lines and a long drive home afterward. \r\n\r\nStay overnight and you have more time to enjoy all Oglebay has to offer. Drive the route at dusk as the displays come to life, and again at 10 PM when the crowds may be lighter. Or sit back and relax as you ride the heated trolley through the lights. Make time to see Santa's Village, Christmas at the Zoo and holiday shopping at the Hilltop. And in the morning, wake up and enjoy breakfast, a dip in the indoor pool or a relaxing treatment at the West Spa, all a short walk away from your room. \r\n\r\nHere's how to plan it: when to come, where to stay, how to fill two days around the [Festival of Lights](/calendar/event-calendar/festival-of-lights/), and what to pack. \r\n\r\n#### Why a Weekend Beats a Night \r\n\r\n| | One Evening | A Weekend |\r\n|---|---|---|\r\n| **The drive-through** | One loop, usually at the busiest hour | Two or three loops at different hours, including the late one when the road has less traffic |\r\n| **Traffic and waits** | A peak-weekend line in and a long drive home | Pull in at dusk from your room, or wait out the line over dinner and go late |\r\n| **Santa's Village and the zoo** | Usually skipped to save time | A whole evening on foot: skating, shopping, the train, Santa photos, Christmas at the Zoo |\r\n| **Trolley tour** | Hard to squeeze in | Booked ahead, leaving from Oglebay Lodge after dinner |\r\n| **Dinner** | Drive-through on the way home | Trace Chophouse, Skyline Kitchen & Bar. Breakfast buffet the next morning |\r\n| **Daytime** | None | Indoor pool, the West Spa, the shops, the museums, and the ski slopes weather permitting |\r\n| **Pace** | Rushed | Easy, with the lights on until midnight daily |\r\n\r\nYou notice it in small ways. You can leave the driving route when the kids have had enough and go back after bedtime.  \r\n\r\n#### Planning the Weekend\r\n\r\n##### **Pick your dates**\r\nThe festival runs November 5, 2026 through January 3, 2027, nightly from dusk until midnight, holidays included. A few things to know: \r\n\r\n* **Early season, November through the first week of December,** is the quietest. Every display is on, the roads have less traffic and rooms are still available. \r\n* **Mid-December weekends** are the busiest nights of the year. Staying over is the easiest way to beat the traffic: go at 5 PM as the lights come on, or after 9 PM. \r\n* **Sunday through Thursday** arrivals have the lightest traffic, available trolley times and weekday package rates. A two-night minimum stay is required for all holiday reservations. \r\n* **Christmas week** is busy and festive, with Santa's Village in full swing and everyone off work. \r\n* **The first days of January** are a quiet finale. The lights stay on through January 3. \r\n\r\n##### **Choose your lodging**\r\nAll of Oglebay’s accommodations are nestled within the 300-acre Festival of Lights experience, allowing guests to enjoy the magic of the season right outside their door. From cozy cottages to comfortable lodge rooms, there’s a perfect place to stay for every kind of holiday getaway.  \r\n\r\n| Who's Coming | Where to Stay | Why It Works |\r\n|---|---|---|\r\n| **A couple or a family of four** | **[Oglebay Lodge](/stay/lodge/)** | Over 299 rooms, lakeview balconies overlooking the Reflections on Schenk Lake display, an indoor pool, the trolley stop and two restaurants under one roof. |\r\n| **Two or three families** | **[Cottages and Cabins](/stay/cottages-cabins/)** | Two- to six-bedroom cottages with full kitchens and fireplaces, sleeping 8 to 26. Home cooked meals, cocoa by the fire, the lights wrapped around the cottage roads. |\r\n| **A reunion of 20 to 30** | **[Vacation Homes](/stay/vacation-homes/)** | Seven homes sleeping 12 to 30, including three eight-bedroom houses that sleep 30, with stone fireplaces and dining tables built for a holiday. |\r\n| **Families with little ones** | **[Santa Suite Experience](/stay/offers/santa-suite-experience/) or the [North Pole Package](/stay/offers/north-pole-package/)** | A decorated suite overlooking Schenk Lake, or breakfast with Santa arranged through the North Pole Package. |\r\n\r\n##### **Book the extras before you arrive**\r\n* [Trolley tours](/page/drive-through-experience/) leave Oglebay Lodge every hour between 5:30 and 9:30 PM. Reservations open seven days ahead at 304-243-4000, and holiday weekends go first. \r\n* Dinner at [Trace Chophouse](/dine/trace-chophouse/) on a December Saturday is worth reserving early. WV Living named it Best Fine Dining in the Northern Panhandle in 2025. \r\n* [Breakfast with Santa](/page/holiday-dining/) and the Nutcracker performance at Oglebay Lodge run on select dates, so check the festival calendar when you book your room. \r\n* [The West Spa](/explore/spa-wellness/) fills up on weekends. A late-morning treatment is a nice way to recover from a late-night loop of the lights. \r\n\r\n#### A Sample Festival of Lights Weekend\r\n\r\nHere’s a look at how a two-night holiday getaway at Oglebay Lodge might unfold for a family arriving on Friday afternoon. Consider this a starting point for your own holiday adventure, with plenty of flexibility to explore at your own pace. Aside from sunset and your scheduled trolley tour, the weekend is yours to enjoy!\r\n\r\n##### **Friday**\r\n\r\n| Time | What You're Doing |\r\n|---|---|\r\n| **4:00 PM** | Check in, pick up your driving pass, let the kids find the pool |\r\n| **5:00 PM** | Drive the six-mile route as the lights come on, before the line forms |\r\n| **6:15 PM** | Dinner at Skyline Kitchen & Bar with the lake and the lights below you |\r\n| **7:30 PM** | Stroll the Hilltop to explore the animated Welcome Tree, Magical Mansion Light Show, Gardens of Light, and festive holiday shopping |\r\n| **8:30 PM** | Visit SLEIGH, Oglebay’s new holiday pop-up bar, for seasonal cocktails, light bites, and holiday programming |\r\n| **10:00 PM** | A second loop of the driving route, now nearly empty |\r\n\r\n##### **Saturday**\r\n\r\n| Time | What You're Doing |\r\n|---|---|\r\n| **8:30 AM** | Breakfast Experience at Skyline Kitchen & Bar, or Breakfast with Santa on scheduled dates by reservation |\r\n| **10:00 AM** | The [Good Zoo](/explore/zoo/) in daylight, including the indoor habitats, or the ski slopes if weather permits |\r\n| **12:30 PM** | Lunch, then split the afternoon between the pool and the West Spa |\r\n| **3:30 PM** | Holiday shopping at the Hilltop shops and a holiday tour of Oglebay Mansion |\r\n| **5:00 PM** | Santa's Village: ice skating, kid's train, festive food, and photos with Santa |\r\n| **7:00 PM** | Christmas at the Zoo for the laser and light shows and the Wish for Snow experience |\r\n| **8:30 PM** | Dinner at Trace Chophouse by reservation |\r\n\r\n##### **Sunday**\r\nA slow breakfast followed by walk through the [museums](/explore/museums/). If you leave after dark, one last drive out through the lights. Check-out at 11 AM is the only deadline. \r\n\r\n#### What to Pack\r\n**The basics:** \r\n\r\n* Warm layers, hats and gloves for Santa's Village, the zoo and the trolley. December evenings run 25 to 35 degrees. \r\n* Swimsuits for the indoor pool and jacuzzi. \r\n* Boots or waterproof shoes for the Hilltop and Santa’s Village. \r\n* A phone charger for the car. The drive-through soundtrack plays on 1700 AM. \r\n\r\n**Nice to have:** \r\n\r\n* Blankets for the car and the trolley. \r\n* A thermos. Hot chocolate travels well on the second loop. \r\n* Thick socks for skating at Santa's Village. \r\n* Groceries if you're in a cottage, cabin or vacation home with a kitchen. \r\n* A copy of the festival brochure so nobody misses the Nutcracker or Breakfast with Santa. \r\n\r\n#### A Few Planning Notes\r\n\r\n* **Book the room first, then the trolley.** The room sets your dates. Trolley reservations open a week out and go fast on December weekends. \r\n* **Drive the route early or late.** Sunday through Wednesday evenings are the lightest. On any night, 5 to 6 PM and after 9 PM are the quiet windows. \r\n* **Save the walking for the second night.** Santa's Village and Christmas at the Zoo are more fun once the drive-through is already checked off. \r\n* **Bring the dog.** Designated pet-friendly lodging is available for a $50 non-refundable fee per stay, limit two dogs per reservation. \r\n* **Leave Sunday after dark.** The route is open nightly, so a day of exploration and dinner on property means one more loop on the way out. \r\n* **Think about the early season.** Every display is on from opening night, November 5, and the park is at its quietest before Thanksgiving.\r\n\r\nTo plan a Festival of Lights weekend at Oglebay, visit oglebay.com/stay/offers/festival-of-lights-package/. \r\n\r\n#### FAQs\r\n\r\n**Is the Festival of Lights worth staying overnight for?** \r\nIf you're driving more than an hour, yes. And if you want more than the driving route, yes. An overnight adds Santa's Village, the zoo, the trolley and the Hilltop, plus a second loop of the lights with no line. \r\n\r\n**How many nights should I stay?**\r\nTwo nights covers everything without rushing. One night works for a couple or a small family who mostly want the drive-through, the trolley and dinner.  A two-night minimum is required for all holiday stays.  \r\n\r\n**What is the quietest time to see the lights?**\r\nMonday through Wednesday evenings, and 5 to 6 PM on any night. Overnight guests can also go after 9 PM, once most day visitors have left. \r\n\r\n**Can I see the lights from my room?** \r\nMany Lodge rooms have balconies overlooking  the Reflections on Schenk Lake display, and some cottages and vacation homes sit along the lit roads of the park. Book in the premium Lakeview wing for rooms with a view. \r\n\r\n**What does the Festival of Lights Package include?**\r\nA one- or two-night Lodge stay, the Breakfast Experience at Skyline Kitchen & Bar, a Festival of Lights driving pass, a limited-edition ornament, and access to the  nightly hot chocolate reception, live music, and exclusive holiday programming. Rates are per night, based on double occupancy, and a two-night minimum is required for all holiday stays. ",{"name":9,"slug":10},"Travel & Getaways","travel-getaways",{"id":12,"alt":13,"caption":14,"assetUrl":15,"assetUrlXs":16,"assetUrlSm":17,"assetUrlMd":18,"assetUrlLg":19,"assetUrlXl":20,"assetUrlXxl":21,"width":22,"height":23},"3927","Two women in festive sweaters raise their drinks in a cozy, decorated bar, while a smiling bartender serves in the background.",null,"https://oglebay.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/3927/Oglebay_FOL_SLEIGH.jpg","https://oglebay.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/3927/xs_Oglebay_FOL_SLEIGH.jpg","https://oglebay.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/3927/sm_Oglebay_FOL_SLEIGH.jpg","https://oglebay.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/3927/md_Oglebay_FOL_SLEIGH.jpg","https://oglebay.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/3927/lg_Oglebay_FOL_SLEIGH.jpg","https://oglebay.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/3927/xl_Oglebay_FOL_SLEIGH.jpg","https://oglebay.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/3927/xxl_Oglebay_FOL_SLEIGH.jpg",2572,1590,1794524949125]