Liza Mitchell
Through Jan 4 TRADITIONAL MENORCAN CHRISTMAS Celebrate a Traditional Menorcan Christmas at The Oldest Wooden School House. Located in what was known as the Menorcan Quarter of historic St. Augustine, the School House dates back to the 1700s. The Menorcans are the foundation of St. Augustine as a living, viable city. Stop in to see the beautiful museum and garden lit by the soft glow of the Nights of Lights as well as a traditional Christmas tree and decor. Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse 824-0192, www.oldestwoodenschoolhouse.com
Through Jan 4 HOLLY JOLLY HOLIDAY TROLLEY Enjoy onboard caroling through the streets of St. Augustine while seeing the World Famous Annual Nights of Lights through magical viewing glasses. Includes complimentary hot apple cider and homemade cookies. The 30-minute tours depart nightly from the Visitor Information Center. Tickets are available from the Old Jail and the Old Town Trolley Welcome Center. Old Town Trolley 829-3800, www.trolleytours.com/st-augustine
Through Jan 4 DRESSING OF THE PALMS Vilano Beach Main Street features palm trees decorated for the holidays. The trees were decorated by local businesses, community groups, schools, artists, and individuals. Prizes for the best decorated palms will be awarded December 6 at the first Saturday Vilano Beach Sunset Celebration. www.vilanobeachfl.com
Through Jan 5 RIPLEY’S RED TRAIN NIGHT OF LIGHTS See St. Augustine’s spectacular Nights of Lights display aboard Ripley’s Red Trains. The tours start from Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum. Plus, as a special Friday and Saturday night treat through December 24th, Ripley’s offers free holiday movies, a chocolate fountain, gifts from Santa, balloons and snow. Ripley’s Red Train Tours 824-1606 www.ripleys.com/RedTrains
Dec 1-17 ATLANTIC BEACH TOY DRIVE The City of Atlantic Beach is holding a toy drive for children in the north beaches area. Anyone wishing to participate can drop off new unwrapped toys at the Atlantic Beach Fire Station by Wednesday, December 17. City of Atlantic Beach 247-4038, www.coab.us/
Dec 3 LIGHTHOUSE LUMINARIES The grounds of the St. Augustine Lighthouse will be outlined with luminaries from 6pm to 9pm. Visitors and community members are invited to enter the lighthouse grounds for a free evening of children’s holiday crafts, warm refreshments, live musical performances (including a string quartet inside the lighthouse tower) and an up-close look at the museum’s Christmas decor. St. Augustine Lighthouse 829-0745 www.staugustinelighthouse.com
Dec 6 1ST ANNUAL DONUTS WITH SANTA Come meet Santa and have your picture taken with him while watching the WGV Gymnastics Team Elves do flips and tricks. There will be activities, crafts, concessions, & more. There will also be drawings for prizes, including WGV Gymnastics tuition, Tropical Smoothie gift cards and WGV Gymnastics apparel. Everyone who attends the Donuts With Santa event will receive a discount for the WGV Gymnastics Movie Night later the same night. Movie Night will be held December 6, from 5:30pm to 9:30pm. Parents can leave their kids to enjoy food and a movie. WGV Gymnastics 940-1895 http://wgvgymnastics.com
Dec 6 60TH ANNUAL ST. AUGUSTINE CHRISTMAS PARADE St. Augustine’s Annual Christmas Parade is one of the largest in North Florida and includes floats, marching bands, cars, horses, and the arrival of Santa. The parade starts promptly at 10am by the Mission of Nombre de Dios, continues through the downtown streets of historic St. Augustine and ends behind the Visitors Center on Castillo Drive. Downtown St. Augustine, 824-4997
Dec 6 ST. AUGUSTINE WINTER SPECTACULAR The Dance Company hosts a family friendly holiday production filled with high kick dancers, ballerinas, acrobats, and actors. Two performances will be hold in the Lewis Auditorium at Flagler College at 2pm and 7pm. Tickets are sold online in advance for assigned seats ($15-20), and at the door if available ($20-25). The Dance Company, 471-4946 www.StAugustineWinterSpectacular.com
Dec 6 ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH SURF ILLUMINATION The Annual St. Augustine Beach Surf Illumination held from 3pm to 7pm at the pier, includes the ceremonial lighting of the Holiday Tree by the mayor, food and beverages offered by local restaurants and many local arts and crafts vendors. There will also be vists from Santa, musical performers, face painting, bounce house and traditional carolers. City of St. Augustine Beach 347-8007, www.thecivicassociation.com
Dec 12 ST. AUGUSTINE ORCHESTRA HOLIDAY CONCERT The St. Augustine Orchestra, under the direction of William McNeiland, performs at 8pm at the Lightner Museum. Tickets are $20 and are available online. St. Augustine Orchestra, 655-7944 http://staugustineorchestra.org
Dec 13 SANTA SUITS ON THE LOOSE 5K The 5K run/jog/walk will be held at the St. Augustine Beach Pier. Sign-Up quickly to receive a Santa Suit for the event. Guaranteed for first 300 adult registrants. Children will receive a Santa inspired shirt. Children in strollers do not have to register. Registration fees are $35. This is a charitable event benefiting the St. Augustine Youth Services. RaceSmith http://racesmith.com/
Dec 13 REGATTA OF LIGHTS The Annual Regatta of Lights features a parade of sailboats, trawlers, shrimp boats and many other vessels all decorated with brilliant lighted displays ranging from patriotic to whimsical. Awards will be given for the best theme, most colorful, best in class and best overall. Beginning at 6pm, the boats will light up St. Augustine’s Matanzas Bay between the Bridge of Lions and Castillo de San Marcos. St. Augustine Yacht Club 824-9725 www.staugustineyachtclub.com
Dec 13-14 SING THE CHRISTMAS JOY “A Festive Spanish Christmas” and the Christmas portion of Handel’s “Messiah” are featured in this first concert of the new season of the St. Augustine Community Chorus. The concerts take place at 7:45 p.m. on Saturday and 1:45 p.m. on Sunday at the Cathedral Basilica. Tickets are $20 each in advance and $25 at the door. Student tickets are $5. St. Augustine Community Chorus www.staugustinecommunitychorus.org
Dec 20 CHRISTMAS IN OLD ST. AUGUSTINE This annual Heritage Event features the Christmas music and customs of 16th century St. Augustine, the nation’s oldest city. This holiday celebration takes place from 6pm to 9pm at Mission Nombre de Dios. Admission and parking are free. Florida Living History 877-352-4478, www.floridalivinghistory.org
Dec 20 ST. AUGUSTINE NUTCRACKER BALLET Saint Augustine Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker will take place. on Saturday, December 20 and on Sunday, December 21 at 2pm and 7:30pm on both days, in Flagler College’s Lewis Auditorium. Tickets are $25 to $30, with a $5 discount for seniors 65 and older and students 12 and under. Tickets will be available at www.saintaugustineballet.com.
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