What’s your favorite thing to do to get in the holiday spirit? Do you like to drive by beautiful light displays? Listen to Yuletide Swing? Shop? Maybe you just want the chance to hang with Santa. Whatever your holiday preference, there’s sure to be something on our list of local holiday festivities that will catch your eye.
FCO (First Coast Opera) offers four performances of Victor Herbert’s Babes in Toyland December 15-17th, including two matinees with special family pricing and a meet and greet following the Sunday show. Productions will take place at the Center for the Performing Arts at St. Augustine High School, Varella Road off SR 16. There will be a Family Performance on Sunday, December 17th at 3:00, so be sure to bring the children to meet the cast after the show. Special family rates apply. Special group and family prices are available through the box office. Please call 904-417-5555 for tickets and visit the website for more information at www.firstcoastopera.com.
Jazz up your holiday with the Yuletide Swing on Friday, December 8, 2006 at 7:30PM in Jacoby Hall. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for senior citizens and $10 for kids. Call (904)-355-4700 for special group rates or to purchase tickets. For further information visit the website at www.rivercityband.com
The regal sounds of brass instruments will fill the church for Riverside Fine Arts’ Holiday Program on Friday, December 15th at 8:00 PM at Good Shepherd Church. The Synergy Brass Quintet from Boston brings its youthful approach to traditional holiday favorites accompanied on organ by Michael Diorio. Call (904) 389-6222 for tickets or go to http://riversidefinearts.org.
Saturday, December 2nd at 8:00 PM the Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts presents Handel’s Messiah. For information and tickets call 904-354-5547 / 877-662-6731 or visit jaxsymphony.org
Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra presents Holiday Pops at the Robert E. Jacoby Symphony Hall on Wednesday & Thursday, December 13 & 14, 2006 at 8:00 PM. Call (904) 797-2800 for more info.
The Dauglas Anderson School of the Arts will be performing their annual Winter/Christmas Vocal Concert at the Riverside Presbyterian Church on December 7th and 8th at 7:30 PM. Tickets are just $6 at the door. For more information call (904)346-5320
For a Skaggs Family Christmas join Ricky Skaggs at the Florida Theatre on Thursday, December 14, 2006 at 8 PM. Call (904) 355-2787 for details. The Florida Theatre is once again proud to present A Peter White Christmas featuring Rick Braun and Mindi Abair on December 13th at 8PM. Call (904) 355-2787 for details.
Have Christmas with Crystal Gayle at the Lazzara Performance Hall on December 7th. See PAGE 22 for more into.
Spend Christmas with Clay Aiken as the Jacksonville Symphony joins him December 21st at the Times Union Center for the Performing Arts. Call (904)354-5547 or go to www.jaxsymphony.org
Let celebrated country entertainer Rusty Evans and his band, Ring of Fire put you in the holiday mood with their Johnny Cash Holiday Tribute on Saturday, December 16th at 7:30 PM at the Thrasher Horne Center for the Arts. Call (904) 276-6750 for more info or go to http://thcenter.org/
The Community Nutcracker has been enchanting audiences for over a decade. Under the direction of Mark Spivak, Dulce Anaya, Debbie Peters and Beth Marks, this production will capture your imagination and bring the warm feeling of the holiday season into your heart. With part of the proceeds going to benefit Dreams Come True, the Community Nutcracker gives back to Jacksonville in more ways than one. There will be a performance on December 8th at 8PM, December 9th at 2PM and another performance that evening at 8pm.
The First Coast Nutcracker with the Jacksonville Symphony will enchant the whole family, showcasing internationally renowned principal dancers, our area’s finest young dance corps, and Tchaikovsky’s best-loved melodies. Scheduled dates are 8pm on December 8 and December 9 and a matinee performance on December 9 and 10 at 2pm at the Times Union Center for the Performing Arts. Call (904) 354-5547 for info.
Florida Ballet will also be presenting The Nutcracker. Come enjoy the holiday classic on the 15th and 16th. From dazzling snow storms to the beautiful sugar plum fairy, the magic of this ballet will take you right from your seat! For more information or to buy tickets, call (904) 355-2787.
The Alhambra Dinner Theatre will be performing the classic Christmas Carole beginning November 30. This show has been a sell-out for years so get your tickets early. Opening weekend will have a special with children’s tickets costing $20. Call 641-1212 for information. You can find a list of other Holiday Theatre Productions on page 26.
The 15th annual Taste of Amelia Island, a culinary fair to benefit the Nassau County Volunteer Center will be December 8th at the Amelia Island Plantation ballroom. Cocktails will be from 6:30 to 7 p.m.; the tasting will be from 7 to 9 p.m. Attire is semi-formal. Tickets are $40 and can be purchased on Amelia Island at Century 21/John T. Ferreira; the News Leader; First Coast Community Bank; First National Bank; Amelia Island-Fernandina Beach-Yulee Chamber of Commerce train depot and Gateway to Amelia offices; the Owners Club at the Amelia Island Plantation; the concierge at the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island; and the Nassau County Volunteer Center. For more information, call 261-2771 or e-mail ncvcfb@aol.com.
Something about gingerbread houses really gets folks in the holiday spirit. If you’re looking for a bit of that gingerbread holiday spirit, look no further than the Southside Rotary’s Gingerbread House Extravaganza (Wednesdays from November 22nd to January 5th). Too bad they’re too pretty to eat. The gingerbread display is located at the Avenues Mall, just outside of Dillard’s within the mall. Admission will be a donation of $5 for adults and $2 for children (3 to 16). Children two and under are admitted free. The three major recipients of the event are Ronald McDonald House, HabiJax and the Rotary Club of South Jacksonville Charities. For more information on the Gingerbread House Extravaganza, visit the web site at www.rotarycharity.org.
The Ritz-Carlton at Amelia Island will also have a Gingerbread Display in their lobby until the 27th.
Santa and Mrs. Claus on San Marco Square are a featured part of the Holiday Magic (December 1st ) event in the Southbank area. Festivities commence at 4PM, but Santa and Mrs. Claus don’t make their appearance until 6PM. Children will be able to get their photo taken with Santa until 9PM. Mom and dad are also sure to enjoy themselves, as there are seasonal dessert samplings from the area’s restaurants, carolers, carriage rides, complimentary gift wrapping and much more.
Join Mayor John Peyton for the annual Holiday Open House Thursday, December 14, 2006 City Hall at St. James from 5-7 PM. Desserts, beverages holiday entertainment complimentary carriage rides, sleigh rides, an appearance from Santa and other activities with Santa are all part of the fun.
Mayor’s Holiday Festival for senior citizens will be December 9th from 2-5 PM at the Prime Osborn Convention Center. Dancing, dining and entertainment at the Mayor’s Holiday Festival allows seniors to celebrate the holidays in style. Individuals 60 and over are encouraged to participate. Tickets are $2, available at the Mary Singleton Senior Center, 150 East First St. or City Hall at St. James, 117 West Duval St., Suite 220. For information call 630-7392.
Jacksonville Beaches Fine Art Show (December 2nd -3rd 10AM-5PM) at Latham Plaza in Jacksonville Beach across from City Hall, will be showcasing some of the established artists in the area. Tim Bullard (Potter), Kim Coy (Jewelry Artist), Ed Kitzis (Watercolors), Heather Blanton (Photography), Kathy Frosio (acrylics) and many more will be displaying and selling their works. The art show will include a collection drive for Toys for Tots. Attendees are encouraged to donate a new toy for a deserving child in the Jacksonville area.
In conjunction with the Jacksonville Beaches Fine Arts Show, Jacksonville Beach will be holding a Sounds of the Holidays event, an afternoon and early evening of holiday music on Sunday, December 3, 2006 at the Sea Walk Pavilion. Activities begin at 2 PM and are free to the public. Bring a lawn chair and get the season off to a great start. Festivities begin with Santa Claus arriving via a City of Jacksonville Beach’s Fire truck at 2 PM. Children can visit with Santa & Mrs. Claus to give their gift wishes from 2 PM until 5:30 PM and receive a free photo of their visit with Santa. In addition, children and adults can explore the fire truck and ride free on Little Toot the Engine, courtesy of La Society/48 National Honor Society of American Legion – Jacksonville Beach Chapter. The U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots will be accepting unwrapped toy donations to give to needy children; and the Beaches Emergency Assistance Ministry will be accepting non-perishable food donations. Parents can bring their children to see the Jacksonville Beach Police who will be on location for child ID fingerprinting. There will also be a gift wrapping demonstration.
The Christmas Crafts Bazaar at Amelia Island will be held at the Atlantic Avenue Recreation Center from 9 am to 4 pm. Lots of great handmade gift items, including jewelry, crochet, quilts, woodwork, photography, seashell ornaments, Christmas decorations, fresh baked goods and more. For more information, call 904-261-6463.
Nothing says welcome like a beautiful holiday wreath. Some of Jacksonville’s most talented florists and artists have donated beautifully adorned wreaths that will be auctioned off at MOSH’s Annual Holiday Wreath Auction. The wreaths will be on display at the Museum Friday, November 24th through Wednesday, December 20th. While visiting the MOSH be sure to place your bids. All monies raised in the auction will support MOSH’s educational program. For info call (904) 396-MOSH.
At the Amelia Island Ritz-Carlton, there will be ample opportunity to see Santa. Little guests can get Santa Tuck Ins December 1, 2, 8 , 9, 15, 16, 22 and 23rd Santa will personally be tucking-in some lucky children again this year. SantaTuck-Ins are offered complimentary with advance reservations. Schedule a time between 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. and Santa will be there. You can also come for a StoryBook Tea with Santa & Mrs. Claus Sunday, December 3; Saturday, December 9, 16 and 23rd Tea in The Lobby Lounge at 1:00PM. $30 for ages 3 to adult. Children 2 & under complimentary. Have your Breakfast with Santa. Santa Claus will be eating his morning meal at the MOSH on December 2 and 9. There are sessions at 8:30 and 9:30 a.m. on December 2 and at 8:30, 9:30, and 10:30 a.m. on December 9. So, bring your cameras to snap pictures of your little ones with Ol’ St. Nick. Call (904) 396-MOSH, ext. 230 for details.
Visit with Santa Claus at Adventure Landing in Jacksonville Beach December 9th & 16th. Santa Claus is stopping by Adventure Landing this holiday season. A seat on Santa’s lap is free from 10:00AM -2:00PM, a keepsake picture of the moment is $3.00. If you come early from 8:00AM- 10:00AM, You can enjoy breakfast with the Jolly Ole Elf himself. $9.99 includes Breakfast Buffet & Picture with Santa; $12.99 includes Breakfast Buffet, Picture with Santa & 1 attraction pass. Call for reservations 246-4386
From December 1st thru 19th for every Teddy Bear you purchase from Adventure Landing’s Teddy Bear Factory, Adventure Landing will donate one new Teddy Bear to Make A Wish Foundation of Central and Northeast Florida
Maggiano’s Breakfast with Santa will also include Mrs. Claus, Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph and The Grinch on Saturday, December 16th from 7:30AM - 10:30AM. Call (904)380-4382 for reservations.
The Holiday Pet Stroll in downtown Fernandina Beach is on December 9th Bring your canine best friend dressed in their best holiday attire – prizes will be awarded! Line-up begins at 10 am at 8th and Centre, stroll starts at 11 am. Sponsored by Redbones Dog Bakery and Boutique, call 904-321-0020 for more information. www.redbonesbakery.com.
The Jacksonville Zoo is holding their first ever Home in time for the Holidays Pet Adoption Drive on Saturday December 2nd and Sunday December 3rd in the Zoo parking lot. There will also be music, prize drawings and concessions.
Check out the glittering display at the St. Augustine Night of Lights (November18th -January 31st). More than two million tiny white lights glow along the ancient streets. Call (904) 825-1004 for more info or just go to the website at http://www.visitoldcity.com
Whitey’s Fish Camp will be holding their annual Christmas Boat Parade on December 9th. Call (904) 269-4198 for more info.
The 52nd annual St. Augustine Christmas Parade has grown to be one of the largest parades in north Florida. With all the things a parade has to offer including floats, bands, cars, horses, tigers, and the arrival of Santa. The parade will start promptly at 10am on December 2nd by the Mission of Nombre de Dios; continue through the downtown streets of historic St. Augustine and end behind the Visitor’s Center on Castillo Dr. Pictures with Santa will follow in the Downtown Plaza. Sponsored by the St. Augustine & St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce.
First Coast Winter Lights (weekends till December 31st) features about one-mile of lighted Christmas magic. You can drive the route and listen to Christmas music on a special FM station. The Reynolds Park Yacht Center (Green Cove Springs) will also be presenting a holiday village as part of First Coast Winter Lights. Expect live reindeer, an ice-rink, a maze, large screen movies, a marshmallow roast, a chance to visit with Santa and much more.
It opens from dusk to 10:30 PM Thanksgiving weekend, November 23rd -26th, and will follow the same schedule on succeeding weekends through the end of the year. Admission is $18 per car and tickets will be available at area Wachovia Bank branches and at the gate. $3 coupons will be available at the Reynolds Park offices and online from title sponsors: The Florida Times-Union and WJXT-TV-4. One dollar from each ticket will be donated to the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life fundraising event and another charity yet to be named. Reynolds Park is on Florida 16, east of U.S. 17 on the south end of Green Cove Springs.
The 4th Annual Fernandina Beach Lighted Holiday Parade will be held on December 9th. All parade entries will get under way at approximately 6:00 pm. All entries must feature some type of lighting. Presented by the Southside Neighborhood Association. For more information, call Vernetta Spaulding 904-261-0801.
The “Lumineria” celebration at the Shoppes of Avondale will be held on December 17, starting at dusk. Drive the unique and intimate streets of Avondale and Riverside this evening and experience the true meaning of the season with neighborhood fellowship, nativity scenes and our most phenomenal historic district a’ glow in the light of holiday magic. Some shopping in the neighborhood will be available based on individual merchant’s special hours (should they choose to participate). FREE
Every year the Springfield Holiday Home Tour just gets better and brighter. This year the 2006 Holiday Tour of Homes in the historic area of Springfield will be held on Friday and Saturday, December 8th and 9th from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. each evening. For more info and tickets go to http://www.springfieldwomansclub.org/
On December 9 & 10, see the 15th Annual Historic Christmas Tour of Bed & Breakfast Inns. Amelia Island’s Inns, Hometown Holiday Houses and several landmark buildings will open their doors to the public from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. $20 ticket includes both Saturday & Sunday’s tours. For a sneak peak, visit www.ameliaislandinns.com or call 866-4-AMELIA.
On the Nutcracker Tour of Homes (November 24th-December 3rd) from noon to 4PM daily) you’ll have the chance to view six lavishly decorated World Golf Village homes. Each home is set on the golf course and will showcase various styles of Christmas tree and holiday decorating approaches.
There are three home and architecture centered tours in St. Augustine. First, enjoy dreams of Christmas past at the Homes for the Holidays Nights of Lights Tour (November 22- December 31st). Your storyteller/guide will be wearing a period costume as they regale you with tales of old holiday traditions. You’ll tour the Old St. Augustine Village, a city block of historic homes trimmed and decorated in holiday style. Reservations are required. For more information call (904) 823-9722 or email msstaugvil@bellsouth.net. November 24th through January 27th, you can experience the Nights of Lights Heritage Tour in enclosed comfort with narration by well-trained guides. Your guide will explain the architectural essentials of the Guilded Age buildings and the allure of St. Augustine’s Spanish Colonial houses, as you explore the city at night – a tour only possible during the Nights of Lights season. The tour departs at 7 p.m. and costs $20 per person. Tours depart from the Tour Saint Augustine Office, 6 Granada Street in St. Augustine. For reservations call (904) 825-0087 or (904)829-1122. See the oldest surviving Spanish Colonial house during Holidays at the Oldest House (from November 24 – January 7). Guides will explain daily life and the holiday traditions of the Spanish, British and Americans that resided there. Tours are from 9 AM to 5 PM and admission is $8 for adults, $18 per family and children under 6 admitted free. The Oldest House is located at 14 St. Francis St. in St. Augustine. For more information call (904) 824-2872 or visit www.oldesthouse.org.
To ring in the holiday season, Children’s Miracle Network will be hosting the 10th Annual Florida Telco Festival of Lights 5K and Fun Run on Sunday, December 3, 2006. Join us to run/walk along the Stewart Lighting One Luminary Lit Route of beautiful San Marco with jingle bells tied to your shoes. All funds raised for Children’s Miracle Network, benefiting Shands Jacksonville and Wolfson Children’s Hospital. Go to J&coevents.com for more info.
The annual West Nassau Christmas Parade, sponsored by the Greater Nassau County Chamber of Commerce, will be 11 a.m. December 2nd in Callahan. The parade will travel from Dixie Avenue down U.S. 1 to Fifth Street. “Celebrate a Patriotic Christmas” will be the theme. All active-duty military personnel and their immediate family will be the grand marshals; they will ride a float provided by the chamber. Any active service members interested in participating should call the chamber at 879-1441. Pictures with Santa will be offered following the parade at Wachovia. The Christmas Arts & Crafts Show will be 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 2 at Southeastern Bank.
The Yulee Holiday Parade and Festival will be December 2nd. The parade will begin at 9 a.m. at U.S. 17 and Florida A1A. The festival will immediately follow at the Yulee Ballpark on Goodbread Road. The festival will include food, live music and entertainment, arts and crafts and “Winter Wonderland,” a nostalgic view of Santa with a snowy forest of decorated trees sponsored by local businesses. Trees will afterward be donated to families in need. For more information, call 225-2516.
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