Alderson Christmas tours

ALDERSON, W.Va. -- Alderson's annual Christmas homes tour will take place from 1 to 5 p.m. Dec. 2.

Sponsored by Alderson Main Street, the tour includes three homes plus the decorated Greenbrier River Interpretative Center. An expanded model train show will take place in the basement of Alderson Presbyterian Church. Tickets are $10.

A home-cooked lunch for $6 will be served at the Methodist church, where a local choir will perform. The shops in Alderson will be open.

Blennerhassett open house

PARKERSBURG, W.Va. -- A holiday open house with entertainment and refreshments will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. Dec. 2 at the decorated Blennerhassett Museum of Regional History, 137 Juliana St., Parkersburg. There is no admission charge for the open house.

The museum features Christmas trees to represent 17 countries, plus trees adorned based on a theme, such as the Victorian era or the cardinal, the state bird.

The Blennerhassett Museum will be open through Dec. 23 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays; and from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sundays. The museum reopens Jan. 2 for the 2013 season. Standard admission fee is $4 for adults and $2 for children.

For more information, visit www.blennerhassettislandstatepark.com or call 304-420-4800.

First Friday in Lewisburg

LEWISBURG, W.Va. -- December's First Friday After Five in Lewisburg takes place Dec. 7. It will celebrate the holidays with live music, carriage rides and visits from Santa.

City National Bank customers get a free holiday photograph with their pet from 1 to 7 p.m. Call 304-645-2500 to schedule a portrait.

Visitors can bid on a holiday wreath at the Greenbrier Valley Visitors Center, where there will be entertainment and refreshments. Bella Gourmet will offer ham and panettone (sweet bread) tasting.

Music offerings include blues and rock by The Jarmovers at Harmony Ridge Gallery, folk and country by Pushin' String at the General Lewis Inn, Celtic music at the Irish Pub, and steel guitar jazz at Plants Etc.

Santa train rides

PETERSBURG, W.Va. -- South Side Depot will again offer the Snowflake Express Train Ride with Santa on Dec. 7 and 8.

Boardings for the family-friendly train event will take place at 6, 7:30 and 9 p.m. each evening, subject to availability. On Saturday, the Depot has an additional departure at 10 p.m.

Children riding the Snowflake Express can visit with Santa while enjoying hot chocolate and cookies. During the 40-minute trip, Christmas carols will be sung and the Christmas Festival of Lights can be viewed through the vintage train car windows of the Snowflake Express.

Tickets are $12. Reservations are suggested and may be made by calling South Side Depot at 304-257-9264.

Visit www.grantcountywva.com, http://southsidedepot.com or call 304-257-9266 for more information on this and other holiday events in the area.

Bramwell home tour

BRAMWELL, W.Va. -- The town of Bramwell will hold its annual Holiday Tour of Historic Homes from 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 8.

The self-guided candlelight tour will feature music in the holiday decorated homes and refreshments.

Tickets are $1 and may be purchased at the Presbyterian Church in the center of the town, about 8 miles north of Bluefield on U.S. 52.