West Virginia has 5 Christmas events for kids we could confirm for the 2026 season, from Santa's Grand Arrival in Barboursville on November 7 to Santa PJ Party in Barboursville, on December 17. 1 of them is free, and every listing links straight to the host. It is one stop on our guide to Christmas events for kids in every state.
The short version
- 5 kids’ Christmas events confirmed in West Virginia for 2026, in Charleston and Huntington
- First: Santa's Grand Arrival, Barboursville, November 7. Runs latest: Santa PJ Party, Barboursville, through December 17
- Free: Santa's Grand Arrival
- Checked on each host’s own page; each listing links straight to it
Below is every event we could confirm, grouped by city, with the date, time, cost and the small things parents ask about (sign-ups, ages, what is included). Looking for a Santa train instead? Those are on our West Virginia Christmas train rides page.
West Virginia Christmas events for kids at a glance
- Kids’ Christmas events
- 5 confirmed for 2026
- Cities
- Charleston and Huntington
- Season
- November 7 to December 17, 2026
- Free events
- 1
- Kinds of events
- Santa visit, holiday parade, holiday crafts and story time with Santa
- Last checked
Plan your December
When each West Virginia Christmas event for kids happens
The first is Santa's Grand Arrival in Barboursville on November 7; the last runs to December 17. Each bar spans an event’s dates, not every hour in them, so check the host’s page for times.
- Santa's Grand ArrivalBarboursville · Nov 7
- Charleston Christmas ParadeCharleston · Dec 10
- Family Gingerbread WorkshopCharleston · Dec 12
- Santa SaturdayCharleston · Dec 12
- Santa PJ PartyBarboursville · Dec 17
Look inside the book
Story time with Santa in West Virginia? Bring Rally home.
Rally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi’s first train ride, hand-painted in real watercolor. It makes a cozy bedtime story after a big day with Santa. Turn a few pages here.
Rally Takes the Train
Eight pages from the book
Turn the page
That's 8 of 25 pages
See who’s waiting at the station
Grandmommy and Papa are at the last stop. Get the full hand-painted book, $16.99 on Amazon.
See the full bookPage 1 of 8
Like it so far? See the full book
25 hand-painted pages, paperback, $16.99 with fast shipping from Amazon.
Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.
Christmas events for kids in Charleston
3 confirmed events for kids in Charleston, soonest first.
Charleston: Charleston Christmas Parade
Holiday paradeCity of Charleston · Charleston
- Host
- City of Charleston (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Downtown Charleston (route to be announced), Charleston, WV 25301
- When
- Thursday, December 10, 2026, 7 pm
- Cost
- Not stated
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
The Charleston Christmas Parade is one of the capital city's favorite holiday traditions, and the city has set the 2026 parade for Thursday evening, December 10, with step off at 7 pm. The evening start means floats and lights are seen after dark, which makes it a festive outing for families with kids.
The city says more details, including the exact route, the parade time schedule and how groups can take part, will be shared as they become available, and the application to march will be announced in the coming weeks. Check the city's parade page closer to the date for the route map so you can pick a viewing spot along the way. The city lists a parade application, guidelines and a route information link on the same page, and questions can be sent to the city's special events office.
Parent tip: The route was not yet posted when checked; look for the Parade Route Info link on the city page before you go. Questions go to SpecialEvents@cityofcharleston.org.
See dates and details from City of Charleston (opens in a new tab)Charleston: Family Gingerbread Workshop
Holiday craftsClay Center for the Arts & Sciences of West Virginia · Charleston
- Host
- Clay Center for the Arts & Sciences of West Virginia (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Clay Center, Avampato Discovery Museum, 1 Clay Square, Charleston, WV 25301
- When
- Saturday, December 12, 2026, 10 am to noon
- Cost
- Pre-registration required; price not yet posted
- Ages
- Families
- Sign-up
- Required ahead of time
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
The Clay Center's annual Family Gingerbread Workshop is a hands-on morning for the whole family. Each registration includes a pre-assembled gingerbread house plus all the candy and icing needed to decorate it, so there is nothing to bring except creativity. Light refreshments and holiday music set the mood while families work on their houses together.
The workshop runs from 10 am to noon in the Avampato Discovery Museum, and pre-registration is required. The museum notes that registration details are coming soon, so check the event page for when sign-ups open. Santa Saturday follows at noon in the same building, which makes it easy to carry a finished gingerbread house straight over to meet Santa. Museum and cafe hours on Saturdays are 10 am to 5 pm.
Parent tip: Registration had not opened yet when checked, so watch the event page and sign up early.
See dates and details from Clay Center for the Arts & Sciences of West Virginia (opens in a new tab)Charleston: Santa Saturday
Santa visitClay Center for the Arts & Sciences of West Virginia · Charleston
- Host
- Clay Center for the Arts & Sciences of West Virginia (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Clay Center, Avampato Discovery Museum, 1 Clay Square, Charleston, WV 25301
- When
- Saturday, December 12, 2026, noon to 2 pm
- Cost
- Free with museum admission
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Santa Saturday brings Santa to the Clay Center for a two-hour visit in the middle of the day. The museum describes it as a festive family day where little ones can see Santa up close, tell him their holiday wishes and make a few memories, so plan on bringing a camera for photos.
The visit is free with regular museum admission, which means the rest of the Avampato Discovery Museum is open to explore before or after meeting Santa. The same morning, the museum hosts its Family Gingerbread Workshop from 10 am to noon, which requires separate pre-registration, so families can make a full holiday day of it. The Charleston Ballet and West Virginia Symphony also perform The Nutcracker in the Clay Center's hall that weekend.
Parent tip: Museum hours are 10 am to 5 pm on Saturdays. Pair it with the gingerbread workshop that morning if you can get a spot.
See dates and details from Clay Center for the Arts & Sciences of West Virginia (opens in a new tab)Christmas events for kids in Huntington
2 confirmed events for kids in Huntington, including nearby Barboursville, soonest first.
Barboursville: Santa's Grand Arrival
Santa visitFreeHuntington Mall · Barboursville
- Host
- Huntington Mall (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Huntington Mall, Center Court, 500 Mall Road, Barboursville, WV 25504 (near Huntington)
- When
- Saturday, November 7, 2026, 10 am to noon
- Cost
- Free
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Santa's Grand Arrival opens the holiday season at Huntington Mall with a morning of free entertainment in Center Court. The program starts at 10 am with welcomes, dance class performances, a guitar performance, giveaways and the Salvation Army's Red Kettle Campaign kick-off. Santa makes his entrance at 11 am aboard the All Smiles Aboard Trackless Train, and at 11:30 am Huntington Dance Theater presents selections from The Nutcracker.
Children could enter a Ride with Santa contest for a chance to ride alongside him during the arrival, with winners announced November 5. After the arrival, Santa keeps regular mall hours for visits and photos: Saturdays 11 am to 8 pm, Sundays noon to 5 pm and weekdays noon to 7 pm.
Parent tip: Arrive before 11 am to see Santa's entrance. Refreshments are announced near the end of the program.
See dates and details from Huntington Mall (opens in a new tab)Barboursville: Santa PJ Party
Story time with SantaHuntington Mall · Barboursville
- Host
- Huntington Mall (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Huntington Mall, Center Court, 500 Mall Road, Barboursville, WV 25504 (near Huntington)
- When
- Thursday, December 17, 2026, 7 to 8 pm
- Cost
- Not stated
- Ages
- Fun for the whole family
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Huntington Mall's Santa PJ Party is a cozy evening in Center Court built around a Story Time with Santa, when little ones gather to hear a festive tale read by Santa himself. Families are encouraged to wear their favorite holiday pajamas. The Appalachian Bells open with a high-energy holiday handbell routine, and the Huntington Mall Fashion Advisory Board hosts festive crafts for kids.
The Salvation Army provides cookies and warm cocoa, and the night ends with Santa's living room turned into a winter wonderland with an indoor snowfall. The mall notes that events can change without notice, so it is worth checking the page before you head out. The mall sits at 500 Mall Road just off I-64 in Barboursville, a short drive east of downtown Huntington.
Parent tip: The mall's event page says December 17 at 7 pm while its event list shows December 18, so confirm the date with the mall office (304-733-0492) before you go.
See dates and details from Huntington Mall (opens in a new tab)Near a state line? Our guides to Christmas events for kids in Ohio, Christmas events for kids in Kentucky and Christmas events for kids in North Carolina list more confirmed events, and the national search sorts every event by distance from your town.
A story for the drive home
A morning with Santa or an evening of holiday stories tends to end the same way: tired kids, a long drive and one more book before bed. Our picture book follows Rally the corgi on his first train ride to see his grand-paw-rents, and every page is painted by hand. If your family is spending December missing someone, it was written for that too. For the car, print our free corgi and train coloring pages.
A bedtime story after seeing SantaRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi’s first train ride, hand-painted in real watercolor by Leslie Dunn. $16.99 on Amazon, ages 0 to 8.
Buy on AmazonWest Virginia Christmas events for kids: questions parents ask
What Christmas events for kids are in West Virginia in 2026?
We confirmed 5 Christmas events for kids in West Virginia for 2026 on each host’s own page: Santa's Grand Arrival in Barboursville (November 7), Charleston Christmas Parade in Charleston (December 10), Family Gingerbread Workshop in Charleston (December 12), Santa Saturday in Charleston (December 12) and Santa PJ Party in Barboursville (December 17). Every one is listed below with times, cost and a link to the host.
What Christmas events for kids are in Charleston, West Virginia?
For families in and around Charleston, the confirmed Christmas events for kids this season are: Charleston Christmas Parade (Thu, Dec 10, steps off at 7 pm, not stated); Family Gingerbread Workshop (Sat, Dec 12, 10 am to noon, pre-registration required; price not yet posted); Santa Saturday (Sat, Dec 12, noon to 2 pm, free with museum admission). Details and the host’s link for each are in the Charleston section of this page.
What Christmas events for kids are in Huntington, West Virginia?
For families in and around Huntington, the confirmed Christmas events for kids this season are: Santa's Grand Arrival (in Barboursville, Sat, Nov 7, 10 am to noon; Santa arrives at 11 am, free); Santa PJ Party (in Barboursville, Thu, Dec 17, 7 to 8 pm, not stated). Details and the host’s link for each are in the Huntington section of this page.
Are there free Christmas events for kids in West Virginia?
Yes. 1 of the 5 events here are free: Santa's Grand Arrival in Barboursville. Some free events still ask you to register, so check each listing.
Where can kids see Santa in West Virginia this December?
Santa appears at Santa's Grand Arrival in Barboursville (November 7), Santa Saturday in Charleston (December 12) and Santa PJ Party in Barboursville (December 17). Times and booking rules are in each event’s listing above.
Where are there Christmas story times for kids in West Virginia?
Holiday story times on this page: Santa PJ Party in Barboursville. Library story times are usually free; story times with a meal or show are ticketed.
How much is Santa's Grand Arrival in Barboursville?
Free. Santa's Grand Arrival is on Saturday, November 7, 2026, 10 am to noon at Huntington Mall, Center Court. Confirm on the host’s page before you go.
How much is Charleston Christmas Parade in Charleston?
Not stated. Charleston Christmas Parade is on Thursday, December 10, 2026, 7 pm at Downtown Charleston (route to be announced). Confirm on the host’s page before you go.
How much is Family Gingerbread Workshop in Charleston?
Pre-registration required; price not yet posted. Family Gingerbread Workshop is on Saturday, December 12, 2026, 10 am to noon at Clay Center, Avampato Discovery Museum. Confirm on the host’s page before you go.
How much is Santa Saturday in Charleston?
Free with museum admission. Santa Saturday is on Saturday, December 12, 2026, noon to 2 pm at Clay Center, Avampato Discovery Museum. Confirm on the host’s page before you go.
How much is Santa PJ Party in Barboursville?
Not stated. Santa PJ Party is on Thursday, December 17, 2026, 7 to 8 pm at Huntington Mall, Center Court. Confirm on the host’s page before you go.
Are there Christmas train rides for kids in West Virginia?
Yes, but they have their own guide. Santa trains and holiday train rides are listed in our West Virginia Christmas train rides guide, so this page sticks to story times, Santa visits and other events off the rails.
How do you confirm these events?
We list an event only after we find this season’s date on the host’s own website or an official city or tourism calendar. We last checked every listing on November 2, 2026. Hosts change details, so always confirm on the host’s page before you go.
Event names belong to their hosts. Rally Takes the Train is a family picture book and is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by any host listed here. Confirm dates, times and prices on each host’s own site before you go.
