Celebrate the Holidays in the Alleghany Highlands

A Season Filled with Cheer

Each year, the region comes alive with festive events, markets, concerts, parades, and family-friendly activities — all captured beautifully in our Hometown Holidays brochure. It’s the perfect guide for planning a weekend getaway or a longer stay, with celebrations happening from late November all the way through Christmas.

You’ll find everything you need for a memorable visit: cheerful holiday strolls, special performances, community traditions, and plenty of opportunities to shop local and support the artisans, makers, and small businesses that give our communities their character.

From cozy indoor events to outdoor experiences surrounded by the beautiful Allegheny Mountains, the season offers a little something for everyone.

Twinkling Lights Across the Highlands

The magic of the season is in full swing and shining across the Alleghany Highlands — and we can’t wait for you to experience it!

From twinkling trails to glowing gardens, here’s where you can enjoy holiday lights (for free!) in the coming days and weeks:

Twinkling Trail – Covington

The City of Covington’s Twinkling Trail at the Jackson River Sports Complex is officially lit up for the season! This drive-through display has quickly become a holiday favorite — pack the car, grab some hot cocoa, and enjoy the glow. Lights are cut on daily at 6pm.

Garden Illumination – Clifton Forge School of the Arts

Enjoy a charming, light-filled stroll through the School of the Arts’ beautiful garden. First illuminated during the recent Kriskindlmarkt festival, this cozy walkway glows with festive lights and now connects directly to the illuminated Sensory Trail, creating a seamless and scenic holiday walk through beautiful Clifton Forge.

Sensory Trail Lights – Clifton Forge

The peaceful and creative Sensory Trail behind the School of the Arts will be illuminated by December 4th, creating a quiet, walk-through light experience for all ages. Pairing this light walk with the Garden Illumination is the perfect on-foot Christmas light viewing experience!

And there is MORE…

Lights, wreaths, storefront displays, and decorations will be popping up throughout our downtowns — making the entire Alleghany Highlands feel merry and bright.

If you love Christmas lights, this is your season. Each year, our towns and neighborhoods take great pride in decorating — and some displays have become beloved annual attractions.

Whether you’re enjoying a peaceful walk through a downtown light display or taking an evening drive to explore neighborhoods that go all-out, the glow of the holidays is never far away.

Families especially love the variety — from classic white lights and historic decorations to bold, whimsical setups that make kids’ eyes light up.

It’s the kind of small-town scene that feels straight out of a holiday movie.

Cozy Moments & Mountain Scenery

Beyond the lights and events, winter in the Alleghany Highlands has a quiet magic of its own. Scenic trails, frozen waterfalls, covered bridges, and mountain overlooks offer peaceful spaces to enjoy the crisp air and slower pace of the season.

It’s the perfect time for:
• A scenic morning hike followed by a warm drink at a local café
• Browsing shops and galleries for unique holiday finds
• Staying at a charming B&B and waking up to a mountain sunrise
• Enjoying a relaxed dinner before heading out for a holiday event or Christmas light viewing

The natural beauty of the region pairs perfectly with the warmth of the holiday season.

A Community That Welcomes You In

What truly sets the Alleghany Highlands apart this time of year is the feeling of community. Our holiday celebrations are shaped by people who pour their hearts into making this season meaningful — business owners who decorate their storefronts, volunteers who plan events, neighbors who come together to spread cheer.

Visitors often tell us that the Highlands feels like a place where the holidays still mean something — where traditions matter, families gather, and simple joys shine brightest.
That sense of belonging is what makes a holiday getaway here feel so special.

Plan Your Holiday Visit

Whether you’re here for a parade, a weekend of shopping and lights, or a peaceful winter retreat, the Alleghany Highlands is ready to welcome you.

Before you come:

• Check out the Hometown Holidays Guide for a full schedule of events and happenings
• Bundle up — the mountains bring a crisp winter chill
• Leave room in your plans for spontaneous moments and hidden gems

No matter how you celebrate, we hope your visit fills you with the warmth and wonder of the season.

We can’t wait to share the magic with you.

Start planning your adventure today at VisitAlleghanyHighlands.com, where you’ll find places to stay, things to do, and upcoming events to make the most of your getaway.