“Joyful Night” is coming to the State Capitol and streaming online

West Virginians are invited to ring in the holidays tonight at the State Capitol.

Joyful Night 2024 festivities begin tonight, Wednesday, December 4, at 6 p.m. on the south steps of the West Virginia State Capitol. The holiday event, billed as the state’s grand opening for the holiday season, will include a celebratory tree lighting, reception and musical performances by students.

The focus of this year’s celebration is the lighting of the state Christmas tree, a 54-foot-tall spruce tree harvested from Watoga State Park in Pocahontas County. Gov. Jim Justice and First Lady Cathy Justice will light the tree at 6:30 p.m

Prior to the lighting, school choirs and bands from Woodrow Wilson High School, Nitro High School and Barboursville Elementary will perform seasonal tunes in Lincoln Plaza on the south side of the Capitol at 6 p.m

There will also be decorations throughout the Capitol complex. In the West Rotunda of the State Capitol, visitors can admire trees honoring Gold Star Mothers, members of the armed forces and first responders. The Red Cross is also on site and provides a special card for active military members.

Light refreshments will also be available and the winning ornaments from the First Lady’s West Virginia Student Ornament Competition will be on display in the Cultural Center’s Great Hall.

For those unable to attend the event in person, West Virginia Public Broadcasting will stream the celebration live on our website and on the West Virginia Channel.