Every Night:
Nights of Lights
St. Augustine’s famed Nights of Lightsilluminate the nation’s oldest city’s historic district with the gentle glow of more than three million tiny white lights, providing a luminous setting for an exciting agenda of holiday events and fun through January 31. www.NightsofLights.com
Homes for the Holidays
Lantern light tour through the Dow Museum of Historic Homes, each decorated as they would have been in their first Christmases. Participants stroll with your guide, enter the houses and hear the stories of the folk who lived in and visited these precious old buildings for over two centuries. Tour starts at 7 p.m., at Dow Museum of Historic Homes, 149 Cordova Street, St. Augustine. Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for children under 12.
904-823-9722 904-501-1253
Viva Florida Art Exhibit
To commemorate the 500th Anniversary of Ponce De Leon’s naming of La Florida, the St. Augustine Art Association Gallery celebrates the sights and structures, beaches and byways, flora and fauna, history and happenings that are uniquely Florida with a new exhibit. The St. Augustine Art Association Gallery, 22 Marine St., St. Augustine is open Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 4 p.m. and Sunday 2 to 5 p.m. Admission is Free. www.staaa.org
Winter Wonderland
The 6th Annual Winter Wonderland at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre is free to the public. Hosted by the St. Johns County Cultural Events Division, Winter Wonderland features North Florida’s premiere outdoor ice skating rink, along with our brand new Ice Chute, RC Race Track and Kid’s Room and of course Visits with Santa! St. Augustine Amphitheatre, 1340 A1A South, St. Augustine. Event Pricing: Each activity priced separately. Phone: 904-209-0367 winterwonderlandflorida.com
Dressing of the Palms
Complimenting Nights of Lights, the Dressing of the Palms in the Town Center at Vilano Beach features holiday decorations adorning over 200 palm trees along Vilano Road and Coastal Highway in Vilano Beach. Through January. Free. Vilano Beach Town Center 260 Vilano Road, St Augustine Phone: 904-540-0402
www.vilanobeachfl.com
Holly Jolly Holiday Trolley
Explore St. Augustine’s famous Nights of Lights in the cozy comfort of the Holly Jolly Trolleys. Guests of all ages delight at the festive glittering lights throughout St. Augustine’s historic area while enjoying caroling, hot apple cider and homemade cookies. Tours depart from St. Augustine Visitors Information Center, 10 W. Castillo Drive, St. Augustine, FL 32084 www.trolleytours.com/st-augustine/holiday-tour
Ripley’s Big Red Christmas Train
Ripley’s Big Red Christmas Train transports riders through St. Augustine’s magical Nights of Lights. Enjoy the sights and sounds of the season while viewing a magical holiday illusion through your free Magic viewing glasses. Nightly tours are from 6 to 8 p.m. (till 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday) and begin at Ripley’s Believe It or Not, 19 San Marco Avenue On Friday and Saturday, there will be entertainment in the lines and FREE admission to Santa’s Village! 904-824-1606 www.ripleys.com/redtrains/holiday-event
Friday and Saturday: December 21 & 23
Mini Santa at Ripley’s Believe It or Not!
Why settle for the same old Santa pictures this year? Instead, visit Ripley’s where you can have Mini Santa sit on your lap for a picture! Mini Santa will be at the St. Augustine Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum, 19 San Marco Avenue from 3 to 9 p.m. Visit with Mini Santa are free with the purchase of Ripley’s Sightseeing tickets or Red Train Nights of Lights Tours. 904-824-1606
Candle Light Tours of Villa Zorayda
Tours of Villa Zorayda, decorated for the holiday season, featuring a Christmas tree in the “Court of Lions”- decorated in the Villa’s traditional red and gold and a beautiful crèche nativity scene. Starting at 6 p.m., refreshments of cookies and punch are served. The docent led candlelight tour begins at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $17 for adults and $8 for children 7 -12, children 4 -6 are free (not recommended for children under 3). Villa Zorayda is located at 83 King Street in St. Augustine. www.villazorayda.com 904-829-9887
Friday, Saturday and Sunday: December 21 – 23
A Mark Twain Christmas and Joseph, the Husband of Mary at Fort Menendez
Two giants of the St. Augustine stage, Robert Gill and Lee Weaver, join to present their characterizations on the same Holiday program: “A Mark Twain Christmas” and “Joseph, the Husband of Mary.” Performances are at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday at the Pioneer Barn at Fort Menendez, 259 San Marco Avenue. 904-824-8874 www.fortmenendez.com
Nights of Lights Wine and Carriage Tour
Step aboard an old-fashioned horse-drawn carriage and meander the historic streets on this 45 minute tour. While enjoying the spectacular light display, indulge in a bottle of delicious boutique wine (red or white). Tours depart from Isabella’s Cuban Bar at 19 Cuna Street, at 6, 7 and 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and at 6 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $46 per person – Adults only! 904-386-5482 www.thetastingtours.com
Saturday: December 22
Holiday in the Woods
Faver-Dykes State Park will host a family-fun holiday arts and crafts program from 4 to 6 p.m. Participants can make a natural wreath, a reindeer boot-jack, or a pine cone ornament to take home. Holiday music will be playing and hot cocoa and s’mores will be provided. Regular park entrance fees apply of $5 per vehicle, with up to eight people, or $4 for an individual occupant. Faver-Dykes State Park is located at 1000 Faver-Dykes Road off I-95 Exit 298 in St. Augustine. 386-446-6783 www.floridastateparks.org
