Friday: November 30
British Nightwatch Opening Concert
The Opening event for the Annual British Nightwatch Celebration, this concert showcasing traditional Celtic recording artists Father, Son and Friends, will take place at 8 p.m. at Francis Field on Castillo Drive behind the Parking Garage. Concert admission is $5, Children under 12 are free with a paying adult. www.britishnightwatch.org 904-829-5318
Saturday: December 1
58th Annual St. Augustine Christmas Parade
St. Augustine’s Christmas Parade has grown to be one of the largest parades in north Florida and includes floats, marching bands cars, horses, and the arrival of Santa. The parade will start promptly at 10 a.m. by the Mission of Nombre de Dios on San Marco Avenue; continue through the downtown streets of historic St. Augustine and end behind the Visitors Center on Castillo Dr. 904.824.4997
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British Nightwatch Encampment
For a brief time, 1763 to 1783, St. Augustine was under British rule. During this holiday parade, loyal citizens are invited to join in, bearing candles or lanterns to light their way. Gather in the Plaza de la Constitucion at 7 p.m. The parade starts at 8 bells from the St. Augustine Government House circling Plaza then proceeds down St. George Street to the St. Augustine to the City Gates. Participation is free. For more information, visit www.BritishNightwatch.org 904-829-5318
Surf Illumination
Surf Illumination, the official seasonal lighting of St. Augustine Beach takes place from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Beach Pier Park, 350 A1A Beach Boulevard. The celebration includes the ceremonial lighting of the seasonal tree by the Mayor. Santa, musical performers, traditional carolers are all part of the fun-filled evening. Admission is free! Food and beverages are offered by local restaurants and many local arts and crafts vendors provide convenient shopping for the holiday season. www.thecivicassociation.org
Sunday: December 2
44th Annual Garden Club Christmas Tour of Homes
Enjoy the St. Augustine Garden Club’s annual tour that showcases a selection of St. Augustine’s most outstanding private homes. These beautifully decorated historic Florida style homes welcome you to enjoy a taste of nostalgia. You’ll see colorful flower decorations and floral arrangements composed of natural materials, designed and hand crafted by members of The Garden Club of St. Augustine. In addition, your ticket includes a delightful afternoon tea. The tour takes place from noon to 5 p.m. Admission is $20.
www.gardenclubofstaugustine.org.
MORE HOLIDAY FUN:
Friday and Saturday: November 30 & December 1
Candle Light Tours of Villa Zorayda
Explore the beautiful 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 that that has been a Villa tradition since the 1930’s. Candles are aglow throughout the museum as the docent-led candlelight tour begins at 5:30 p.m. on Friday. Tickets are $14 for adults and $6 for Children. On Saturday, refreshments are served at 5:30 p.m. and the tour starts at 6 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. Reservations are suggested. www.villaZoryada.com 904.829.9887
Santa’s Village
Santa’s Village is open at 3 Cordova Street in St. Augustine. From 6 to 9 p.m. guests can visit with Santa, make a craft, enjoy hot cocoa, sing holiday karaoke, play reindeer games or enjoy a movie. Admission is $3, or FREE with the purchase of Red Train Sightseeing or Nights of Lights Tour. 904-824-1606
Friday, Saturday and Saturday: November 30, December 1 & 2
Festival of Trees at World Golf Village
A festive display of holiday trees and wreaths decorated by businesses, organizations, families and friends from the local community, all to benefit two local charities. Vote for your favorite tree for $1 per vote, or bid on one of the tress in the silent auction. Join Santa and Mrs. Claus and performers from the St. Augustine Ballet at the opening reception from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday. The exhibit will be open daily 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the St. Johns County Convention Center, 500 S. Legacy Trail at the World Golf Village, through December 9. Admission is free! www.WorldGolfHallofFame.org
Viva Florida Art Exhibit
To commemorate the 500th Anniversary of Ponce de Leon’s discovery 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 St. Augustine Amphitheater is transformed into a family-fun winter wonderland with ice skating, an ice slide, sleigh rides, an elf village and more. Open 5 to 10 p.m., Monday through Friday and 2 to 10 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday until December 21, then 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. daily through January 6. Admission is free and activities costs vary. The St. Augustine Amphitheater is located at 1340 A1A in St. Augustine. www.winterwonderlandflorida.com
Electric Bus Nights of Lights Tour
See the city lights on a 7-seat silent comfortable all-electric vehicle featuring a fully narrated 45 minute tour of St. Augustine’s lights and sights. Travelling down both the narrow and main streets, this tour goes where others do not! Nightly departures are from the parking lot behind Love Tree Café, 31 Orange Street, are on the hour from 6 to 9 p.m. Adult tickets are $12, Child under 12 are $10. 904-325-0547 www.staugustinegoldtours.com
Ripley’s Big Red Christmas Train
Ripley’s Big Red Christmas Train transports riders through St. Augustine’s magical Nights of Lights highlighting the sights and sounds of the season while viewing a magical holiday illusion through free magic viewing glasses. Nightly tours take place from 6 to 8 p.m. (till 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday). Tickets are $8 for adults and $4 for children. On Friday and Saturday, tickets include admission to Santa’s Village. Tours start at Ripley’s Believe It or Not, 19 San Marco Avenue. 904-824-1606 www.RedTrains.com
Holly Jolly Holiday Tour
Explore St. Augustine’s famous Night of Lights in the cozy comfort of the Holly Jolly Trolleys. Caroling, hot cider, and homemade cookies add to the magic of your evening. Guests will receive complimentary magical viewing glasses, exclusi
vely handcrafted by Santa’s elves. Tours depart regularly between 6 and 8 p.m. from the Visitors Information Center, 10 West Castillo Drive. Tickets are $9 for adults, and $4 for children ages 6 – 12. www.trolleytours.com.
Nights of Lights Wine and Carriage Tours
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, 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
AND FOR LOVERS OF THE PARANORMAL:
Friday: November 30
Keyhole After Dark Paranormal Event
2Ghouls Paranormal Events will provide a re-creation of a Victorian clandestine moment behind closed doors at the Hilton St. Augustine Historic Bayfront, 32 Avenida Menendez. The 2Ghouls program is about the bygone taboos of mystic parlor games: Tea-Leaf Reading, Pendulum Dowsing & the Talking Spirit Board. The fun begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $25 per person. 904-671-5010
Saturday: December 1
Beyond the Vale
Join 2Ghouls Paranormal Events for a fun gathering to discover the parallels between modern ghost hunting & Victorian spiritualism at Alexander Homestead, 14 Sevilla Street. The program explores various types of haunting in theory and in practice while using both modern paranormal investigation equipment and tools favored by Victorians. The two-hour program starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 per person. 904-671-5010
