Festival of Lights Weekend Getaway Guide at Oglebay

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.

Stay 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.

Here's how to plan it: when to come, where to stay, how to fill two days around the Festival of Lights, and what to pack.

Why a Weekend Beats a Night

Enjoy the Lights at Your Own Pace
A single evening can mean driving through the lights during peak hours. With a weekend stay, you can explore the route more than once, catch the displays as they come to life at dusk, or head out later in the evening when traffic may be lighter. The Festival of Lights shines nightly until midnight, giving you plenty of flexibility.

Make Time for Holiday Attractions
Instead of choosing between the drive-through and other holiday experiences, enjoy both. Spend time at Santa's Village with ice skating, train rides, shopping, and Santa photos. Visit Christmas at the Zoo and explore the festive attractions throughout The Hilltop.

See the Lights from a Different Perspective
Give yourself time to experience the Festival of Lights aboard a heated trolley. Reserve your tour in advance and enjoy a relaxing ride through the illuminated displays without having to drive.

Slow Down and Enjoy Dinner
Skip the rushed meal on the way home. Enjoy dinner at Trace Chophouse or Skyline Kitchen & Bar, then start the next morning with breakfast before heading out to explore more of Oglebay.

Explore Beyond the Holiday Lights
A weekend gives you time to enjoy Oglebay during the day, too. Take a dip in the Lodge's indoor pool, book a treatment at The West Spa, browse the shops, explore the museums, or hit the ski slopes when weather permits.

Less Rushing, More Time Together
The biggest benefit of staying overnight? There's no need to fit everything into a single evening. With accommodations right at Oglebay, you can explore the lights, enjoy holiday activities, and return to your room whenever you're ready.

Planning the Weekend

Pick your dates
The festival runs November 5, 2026 through January 3, 2027, nightly from dusk until midnight, holidays included. A few things to know:

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Christmas week is busy and festive, with Santa's Village in full swing and everyone off work.
• The first days of January are a quiet finale. The lights stay on through January 3.

Choose your lodging
All 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.

For Couples and Families of Four: Oglebay Lodge
Oglebay Lodge is a convenient choice for couples and smaller families who want to stay close to the holiday activities. With more than 250 guestrooms, including many with balconies overlooking the Reflections on Schenk Lake light display, the Lodge puts you right in the middle of the festivities. You'll also have access to an indoor pool, nearby trolley departures, and two restaurants—Trace Chophouse and Skyline Kitchen & Bar—without having to venture far from your room.

For Two or Three Families: Cottages & Cabins
If you're traveling with extended family or a group of friends, Oglebay's Cottages & Cabins offer more space and privacy. Two- to six-bedroom cottages accommodate groups of 8 to 26, with full kitchens and fireplaces that make it easy to prepare meals and spend evenings together. Picture hot cocoa by the fire after a drive through the Festival of Lights, with illuminated displays winding along the nearby cottage roads.

For Holiday Reunions of 20 to 30: Vacation Homes
Planning a larger gathering? Oglebay's Vacation Homes offer room for everyone under one roof. Seven homes accommodate groups of 12 to 30, including three eight-bedroom properties that sleep up to 30 guests. With stone fireplaces, spacious living areas, and dining tables large enough for a holiday meal, these homes are a practical option for family reunions and group celebrations.

For Families with Young Children: Santa Suites & Holiday Packages
Families traveling with little ones may want to consider the Santa Suite Experience or North Pole Package. The Santa Suite Experience features a festively decorated Lodge suite overlooking the Reflections on Schenk Lake light display, while the North Pole Package offers a holiday stay with Breakfast with Santa. Both add a special touch to a weekend centered around the Festival of Lights.

Book the extras before you arrive

• Trolley tours 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.
• Dinner at Trace Chophouse on a December Saturday is worth reserving early. WV Living named it Best Fine Dining in the Northern Panhandle in 2025.
• Breakfast with Santa and the Nutcracker performance at Oglebay Lodge run on select dates, so check the festival calendar when you book your room.
• The West Spa fills up on weekends. A late-morning treatment is a nice way to recover from a late-night loop of the lights.