Which single day packs in the most of Beckley's holiday season this year? Saturday, December 5. The City of Beckley's downtown Christmas parade steps off that morning at 11. Cookies with Santa follows on Neville Street. That evening, from 5 to 9 p.m., is the final night of Appalachian Coal Town Christmas at the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine.
Everything else on the calendar leads up to that Saturday. The first events open this week at Tamarack, and each one after that sets up the next. Here is the season in order, starting with what opens tomorrow.
November Opens at Tamarack, and the Trees Have a Deadline
United Way of Southern West Virginia's Wonderland of Trees comes back to Tamarack Marketplace for its 18th season, running from Friday, November 6 through Friday, November 20. In a Register-Herald column, United Way executive director Trena Dacal describes how it works. Each participant pays a $175 entry fee and gets a bare tree, which then stays on display at Tamarack for two weeks.
Local businesses, churches, schools, clubs, civic groups and individuals decorate the trees, so walking the display is partly a tour of who's active around Beckley this year. Dacal writes that the designs have ranged "from elegant and traditional trees to whimsical, colorful and wonderfully creative designs."
The last day is the one to plan for. On November 20 the trees go up for a live auction open to the public. That means you can take home a fully decorated tree while the money goes to United Way's work across Southern West Virginia. If your office, congregation or club wants to enter a tree, details are at unitedwayswv.org or by calling 304-253-2111.
The Veterans Day Parade Runs Through the Same Lineup Spots
Five days after the trees go up, downtown holds its first parade of the season. WVVA reports that the Beckley-Raleigh County Veterans Parade Committee's Veterans Day Parade Celebration is Wednesday, November 11, at 11 a.m.
The 2026 theme is "250 Years of Freedom - Honoring Those Who Defend It," which ties the parade to the nation's 250th year. The parade also has a memory walk section. Family and friends of veterans can walk with a photo, a memento or a sign, lining up with the walking units at the Beckley Intermodal Gateway.
Here's how the Veterans Day lineup and awards work:
- Floats and vehicles line up at Park Middle School from 9 to 10:45 a.m.
- Walking units, bands and military vehicles gather from 10 to 10:45 a.m. at Bill Withers Plaza at the Beckley Intermodal Gateway.
- The trophy ceremony happens right after the parade at Bill Withers Plaza, on top of the Beckley Intermodal Gateway Parking Garage. Cash and trophies go to first, second and third place and to the top bands.
Both staging areas come back for the Christmas parade on December 5, with floats at Park Middle School and walkers at the Gateway. The Christmas parade has its own start times, prizes and awards location, all covered below.
The Third Week of November Shifts to Shopping
The week Wonderland of Trees ends, the Beckley-Raleigh County Convention Center at 200 Armory Drive hosts A Southern Christmas Believe in the Magic, a Christmas craft and vendor show. It runs Friday and Saturday, November 20 and 21. Admission is $5 at the door, and children 12 and under get in free.
That makes November 20 the busiest Friday of the month. The tree auction is at Tamarack and the vendor show opens on Armory Drive the same day. If you're hoping to win a tree and also want a first look at the vendor tables, you'll have to choose which one gets Friday and which one waits for Saturday.
Here is November at a glance:
| Date | Event | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Fri., Nov. 6 to Fri., Nov. 20 | Wonderland of Trees, 18th season | Tamarack Marketplace |
| Wed., Nov. 11, 11 a.m. | Veterans Day Parade Celebration | Downtown Beckley |
| Fri., Nov. 20 | Wonderland of Trees live auction | Tamarack Marketplace |
| Fri.–Sat., Nov. 20–21 | A Southern Christmas Believe in the Magic | Convention Center, 200 Armory Drive |
| Fri.–Sat., Nov. 27–28, 5–9 p.m. | Appalachian Coal Town Christmas, first weekend | Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine |
Thanksgiving Weekend Lights Up New River Park
For more than two decades, the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine and Youth Museum has held Appalachian Coal Town Christmas. In 2026 it runs two weekends in a row, November 27–28 and December 4–5, from 5 to 9 p.m. each night.
According to the Visit Southern West Virginia listing, here's what the event includes:
- Guided underground tours beneath New River Park
- Caroling in the church
- Visits with Santa Claus
- Skating on the outdoor ice rink
- The Youth Museum, open with a hands-on exhibit
- Both museum gift shops, selling coal creations, jewelry, sweatshirts, Christmas items and freshly made fudge
- Thousands of lights and decorations across the grounds, plus craft vendors
The underground tours and the ice skating each have a fee. Last year's numbers give you a rough idea. WVVA reported that 2025 Coal Town Christmas admission was $12.50 for adults and $10 for children, with children 3 and under free. The 2025 skating season ran November 21 through December 7, at $7.50 for adults and $5 for children with skate rental included. Those were last year's prices, so check with the city for 2026 before you go. The mine's regular admission, which includes the underground tour, is listed on beckley.gov at $22 for adults and $12.50 for ages 4 to 17.
Because Coal Town Christmas runs two weekends, Thanksgiving weekend is the quieter choice if you're bringing out-of-town guests on Friday or Saturday night. The second weekend shares its Saturday with the parade.
Saturday, December 5, Hour by Hour
The City of Beckley's 2026 Christmas parade theme is "A Candy Cane Christmas." Here's how the day goes:
- 9 a.m. Floats and vehicles start lining up at Park Middle School.
- 10 a.m. Bands and walking units gather at the Beckley Intermodal Gateway Plaza.
- 11 a.m. The parade steps off in downtown Beckley.
- After the parade The awards ceremony takes place at the WVU Tech building on Neville Street during Cookies with Santa.
- 5 to 9 p.m. The last night of Appalachian Coal Town Christmas at the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine.
Families lining the curb should expect one change. WVVA notes that the committee asks entries not to throw candy or objects from floats or vehicles. Entries handing out candy should have someone walking alongside to pass it out. Small kids will see that candy come to them by hand.
For anyone entering, the deadline is Wednesday, December 2, and entry is free. Send the form to Trish Morgan at [email protected]. Trophies cover best overall, five float categories with first and second place in each, and judges' choice awards for walking units, dance and theatre, animal units, classic cars and top bands. Best overall wins $100, and first place in each float category wins $50. The entry form and full details are on the Beckley Events parade page, and questions go to Beckley Events at 304-256-1776.
The afternoon between the parade and Coal Town opening at 5 leaves time for lunch, a nap for little ones, or a stop at home to grab warmer layers before an evening outdoors. When the mine grounds open, it's the last chance this year for the lights, the caroling in the church and the underground tour.
Putting the Weeks Together
The trees open at Tamarack on November 6. Downtown holds its first parade on November 11. The auction and the vendor show share November 20. Coal Town lights up Thanksgiving weekend. Then December 5 brings the parade, Santa and the last Coal Town night into a single Saturday.
A household that marks three dates now has the season covered: November 20 for the auction or the vendor show, either Coal Town weekend for the mine grounds, and December 5 for the parade. Organizations entering a tree or a float have two more dates to remember, the United Way registration and the December 2 parade deadline.
Holiday weekends like these are when family fills the house and the conversation turns to home. If someone at your table asks what your place would be worth today, Mendy Harvey is glad to help you find out, on your schedule and without pressure. When you're ready, start with an instant home valuation, and enjoy the parade on the 5th.
