A Visitor’s Guide to Christmas in Harpers Ferry
Are you visiting Harpers Ferry during the holiday season? Get ready for a magical experience! The small town of Harpers Ferry is a fabulous year-round destination, but it transforms into a winter wonderland during Christmastime.
Between attending holiday events, experiencing the Downtown lights, and cozying up in your Mountain Mama Cabin rental, we know your Christmas getaway to Harpers Ferry will be one to remember.
We’ve put together the ultimate guide below to enjoying Christmas time in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia.
2024 Christmas Events
Lights on the Lake 2024
- Date: Select nights from November 30 to December 29th, 2024
- Location: 1329 Lakeside Drive, Harpers Ferry, WV
- Website: lightsonthelakewv.com
Lights on the Lake transforms the Mountain Lake Club into a dazzling winter wonderland. The club is full of light displays, Christmas trees, campfires, immersive experiences, and more. It’s the perfect Christmas activity for the whole family to enjoy.
Tickets are on sale starting November 1, and you can find them here. Ticket times are in 15 minute intervals, so be sure to arrive on time to enjoy the light show.
Yuletide Hike Through History
- Date: December 8, 2024, from 11 am to 1 pm
- Location: 171 Shoreline Dr., Harpers Ferry, WV
- Website: wvtourism.com
Looking for a festive way to learn about Harpers Ferry’s history? The Yuletide Hike Through History is the event for you! You’ll have the chance to explore Harpers Ferry National Historical Park during this 2.5-mile guided hike led by local tour guide Chris Craig. The route will take you along the Shenandoah River before climbing a bit of the Appalachian Trail, which has many historical spots along the way.
Yuletide Hike Through History ends in Downtown Harpers Ferry, where there are plenty of festivities awaiting you.
Olde Tyme Christmas Festival
- Date: Opening ceremony. December 6, 2024; following weekend dates include December 7 to 8; December 14 to 15, 2024
- Location: Throughout Harpers Ferry and Bolivar
- Website: experienceharpersferry.com
The Olde Tyme Christmas Festival is the holiday event of the year. This traditional Christmas celebration is a favorite among locals and visitors alike, offering a packed schedule of events starting at the beginning of December.
The festival begins with a special opening night featuring a tree lighting ceremony, living nativity scene, and plenty of caroling. From there, the festival offers a range of activities, including a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the town gazebo, wagon rides, history exhibits, live entertainment, children’s events, and more. Don’t miss the free horse-drawn carriage ride as well.
The Handmade Holiday Market is also part of this multi-weekend event, a great opportunity to find the perfect gift for your loved ones.
Packing for Your Christmas Getaway
December brings dry, cold weather to the Harpers Ferry area, with high temperatures in the 40’s and lows in the 20’s. On average, Harpers Ferry gets an average of 4.5” of snow during the month of December, making it possible to catch a glimpse of snow during your stay.
This chilly yet pleasant weather is perfect for enjoying both indoor and outdoor activities. When it comes to packing, we recommend:
- Warm outerwear
- Thermal base layers
- Gloves, scarves, warm socks, and beanies
- Winter boots
- Bathing suit for your cabin hot tub
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Winter hiking gear
- Lounge clothes to cozy up in your cabin rental
Other ChristmasTime Things to Do in Harpers Ferry
While there are plenty of Christmas events to keep you busy during your Harpers Ferry stay, there are also tons of fun winter activities to enjoy with your family. Here are our top Christmas-time things to do:
1. Go Snow Tubing
Looking for the ultimate winter activity? There’s nothing more exciting than snow tubing! River Riders, a local tubing company, offers snow tubing rides for the whole family to enjoy.
River Riders make their own snow, so there is no need to worry about the snow forecast before your arrival. They offer 1.5 hours of unlimited sledding down their snow tubing hill with up to 12 lanes at a time. After your ride, enjoy a warm cup of hot cocoa and a meal at their on-site restaurant.
2. Roam Downtown Harpers Ferry
Downtown Harpers Ferry, also known as Lower Town, is a magical place to be during Christmas.
The Old Tyme Christmas Festival takes place here, so you’ll find carolers, traditional yule log lighting, and Christmas decorations along the charming streets throughout the month of December.
The historic main street is home to cozy cafes, restaurants, and shops with one-of-a-kind gifts for your loved ones. Tour local museums to learn about Harpers Ferry’s history along the way. Or grab a hot cocoa and enjoy simply strolling the streets of Harpers Ferry.
3. Take A Scenic Overlook Hike
Just because it’s wintertime doesn’t mean the hiking has to stop! In fact, winter is the perfect time to enjoy one of the most popular hikes in Harpers Ferry, the Maryland Heights Overlook.
This 4.5-mile hike offers panoramic views of Harpers Ferry and beyond, especially when the leaves are gone. The trail starts in Lower Town and is part of the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. Expect a moderate hike with an elevation gain of 1,154 feet.
Be sure to wear proper hiking gear for the winter and enjoy the spectacular view of Harpers Ferry, the Potomac River, and beyond.
4. Go Skiing at Whitetail Ski Resort
If you’re looking to add skiing to your Christmas trip itinerary, we recommend taking a day trip to Whitetail Ski Resort. Just a one-hour drive from Harpers Ferry, Whitetail Ski Resort offers beginner slopes, over 900’ of vertical drops, tubing, and more.
There are many options when it comes to skiing here, so be sure to head to their website for more information.
You’ll Love Christmas in Harpers Ferry
As you can see, there’s nowhere quite as magical as Harpers Ferry during the holiday season. Our charming small town goes all out with its annual Christmas festival, offering special activities for people of all ages to enjoy.
From caroling to snow tubing to exploring Downtown Harpers Ferry, you won’t run out of fun Christmas adventures during your visit. Don’t forget to enjoy year-round activities too, like historic museums and hiking with a view.
When you are done exploring, head back to your Mountain Mama Cabin rental and cozy up by the fire. We can’t wait to host you during your Christmas stay in Harpers Ferry.
