Plan Your Downtown Holiday Experience in Wheeling

WHEELING, W.Va. – November 12, 2025 – Downtown Wheeling is bringing back its holiday City of Lights experience this year with a sparkling new twist, an initiative to engage residents, attract tourists, and support local businesses throughout Wheeling.

This year’s City of Lights features a refreshed logo and a new installation of illuminated snowflakes along Main and Market streets, creating a welcoming environment during the peak shopping and travel season. The lighting enhancements join other new attractions, including cool Dine-in Igloos on the WesBanco Arena patio, and a live Christmas tree on Market Plaza sponsored by Duplaga’s Top Notch Landscaping, which will light up on Nov. 19 along the original route of the 40th Annual Main Street Fantasy in Lights Parade on Nov. 21, as well as many other festive events. Together, these additions are intended to increase foot traffic and encourage patronage at downtown restaurants and retail establishments, complementing the downtown streetscape improvement project.

Whether you call Wheeling home or are returning for the holidays, this season is an invitation to create your own holiday experience. From exciting new attractions to time-honored traditions, Downtown Wheeling offers something for everyone. Residents and visitors are encouraged to shop, dine, and attend seasonal events. The interactive holiday quiz at https://weelunk.com/shopsmall/ helps users create a personalized itinerary tailored to individual interests. Whether that’s finding local gifts, mapping out festive activities, or discovering the best spots to eat and shop.

“The holiday season in downtown Wheeling holds great memories for so many people. Thanks to the hard work and generosity of so many, we have the opportunity to reignite that spirit of joy within our Main Street community. This is an invitation for all of us to support our small businesses in a big way this year,” said Scott Schenerlein, executive director of Wheeling Heritage.

“Downtown is the heartbeat of a destination.Unique businesses and experiences that leave a lasting impression on not only those that live here but those who visit as well. We are so excited to partner with so many people bringing the City of Lights excitement back, pairing this with the Festival of Lights as a tourism driver,will truly bring holiday magic.”Olivia Litman, marketing director for Visit Wheeling, WV.

A variety of events take place throughout the season. Small Business Saturday on Nov. 29 continues to be a major driver for local commerce, with downtown shops, Centre Market vendors, makers, and restaurants offering specials, pop-ups, and extended hours. The broader holiday calendar includes Oglebay’s Festival of Lights (Nov. 6–Jan. 4), Symphony on Ice (Dec. 4), Handmade Holiday at the Wheeling Artisan Center (Dec. 6), and numerous other markets and performances.

As a Main Street America community, Wheeling benefits from strong collaboration among the City of Wheeling, the Fantasy in Lights Parade Committee, Regional Economic Development Partnership(RED), Visit Wheeling, WV (CVB), Wheeling Area Chamber of Commerce, and Wheeling Heritage. This partnership supports small businesses, attracts visitors, and strengthens tourism, contributing to Wheeling’s ongoing economic growth.

For additional information, contact Wheeling Heritage at (304) 232-3087 or info@wheelingheritage.org.

About Wheeling Heritage:

Wheeling Heritage is a catalyst for the revitalization of Wheeling. Through historic preservation, community development, and the arts, we help to tell Wheeling’s story and shape its future. We seek to improve the quality of life in Wheeling by preserving and investing in our city, collaborating with others, and engaging the citizens of Wheeling in our work.

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