CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WVDN) – Salango Law Light the Night, West Virginia’s largest holiday light display, will return to GoMart Ballpark on Friday, November 13, kicking off another holiday season with new attractions, an expanded on-field experience and the return of some of the event’s most popular traditions.
The 2026 season will run through January 3, 2027.
Since its inception in 2023, more than 344,000 people have attended Salango Law Light the Night, establishing the event as a major regional holiday destination and an economic driver for Charleston during the holiday season. Visitors have traveled to the event from 46 states, Puerto Rico and Canada, demonstrating Light the Night’s growing reach well beyond West Virginia.
“When we started Salango Law Light the Night, we wanted to create the kind of Christmas experience that families would make a tradition, not something they would visit once and move on from,” said Ben Salango, founder of Salango Law. “Seeing more than 344,000 people come through the gates since 2023 tells us this has become something really special, and we’re incredibly excited about what we have planned this year.”
Among the biggest additions for 2026 is a dedicated bumper car rink. For the first time, Light the Night will also feature an expanded on-field walking experience, inviting guests through the infield as part of their journey through the more than 2.5 million lights.
The 2026 experience will feature an all-new holiday light show synchronized with music. Guests will also discover new light displays, fixtures and installations throughout GoMart Ballpark, adding even more to explore across the seven-week celebration.
Returning favorites will include the Ferris wheel, carousel, ice-skating rink and holiday mini golf, along with the millions of lights that have made Salango Law Light the Night West Virginia’s largest holiday light display.
“Light the Night has become part of what makes the holiday season in Charleston so special,” said Charleston Mayor Amy Goodwin. “It brings people downtown, supports our local businesses and gives families from Charleston and across the region another way to celebrate the season together.”
This year, organizers traded the event’s traditional press conference for a more creative announcement, enlisting some help to solve a summertime problem at GoMart Ballpark. In a new video released, Charleston Dirty Birds owner and CEO Andy Shea discovers the team’s mascot in a summertime slump and calls in Salango and Goodwin to help restore Dusty’s Christmas spirit. When their efforts fall short, meteorologist Bryan Hughes is summoned to make it snow in August.
The announcement video can be viewed at www.dirtybirdsbaseball.com/lightthenight.
“There’s nothing quite like seeing GoMart Ballpark completely transformed for the holidays,” said Andy Shea, owner and CEO of the Charleston Dirty Birds. “This year, we’re giving guests even more ways to experience the ballpark while bringing back the attractions families have made part of their holiday traditions. We want people to discover something new every time they come through the gates.”
Salango Law Light the Night opens Friday, November 13, and runs through Sunday, January 3, 2027, at GoMart Ballpark in Charleston. The event will be open Sunday through Thursday from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Light the Night will be closed on Christmas Day. Tickets are on sale now. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.dblightthenight.com.
About Salango Law Light the Night
Salango Law Light the Night is West Virginia’s largest holiday light display, transforming GoMart Ballpark in Charleston into an immersive holiday experience featuring more than 2.5 million lights, family attractions, ice skating, rides, holiday activities and seasonal entertainment. Since its inception in 2023, the event has welcomed more than 344,000 guests from 46 states, Puerto Rico and Canada, growing into one of the region’s signature holiday traditions.
