The holiday season is here and with it comes lots of family fun and memory-making. From incredible light shows on both land and sea to amazing animal fun – St. Augustine, Jacksonville, and the surrounding St. Johns county area promise to get you and your family in the holiday spirit. Let’s explore some of the family-friendly holiday events for you to enjoy in and around the region!
The 10th annual Deck the Chairs event is returning to Jacksonville Beach!
Deck the Chairs light displays will be open to the public this year until January 1, 2023 and will feature more than sixty American Red Cross Lifeguard chairs. Each chair will feature a coastal holiday theme with lights on every evening from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m.
The non-profit event focuses on children’s arts programming and includes many weekend activities for kids. The free event is pet-inclusive and offers wheelchair accessibility so everyone can join in the fun while celebrating the community in a safe, family-friendly environment.
For more information about the Deck the Chairs’ events, visit their website.
Source: The Jacksonville Historical Society
The Jacksonville Historical Society puts on their 20th annual Gingerbread Extravaganza. Displayed are intricate gingerbread creations created by local chefs, bakers, culinary students, engineers and architects, families and young children. The extravaganza also showcases some of the best art exhibited throughout the year in Jacksonville.
Dates: December 8 – December 27, 2022 (Closed Mondays and on December 18, December 24, December 25.)
Location: Old St. Andrew’s Church, 317 A. Philip Randolph Blvd.
What better way to get into the holiday spirit and spend quality time with friends and family, than hosting a gingerbread house decorating party! Interested in building a gingerbread house of your own with the family? Why not a fun event for friends and family in your beautiful new Beacon Lake home?
Source: Thrasher horne-center
The Florida Ballet’s annual performance of The Nutcracker is perfect for all ages. Whether you attend the show every year or you’re seeing the show for the first time, this classic holiday performance is an excellent event for the entire family to enjoy.
From the mesmerizing dancing to the beloved and well-known music, this classic holiday classic is sure to put you and the family in the holiday spirit.
The Nutcracker can be seen at the University of North Florida Fine Arts Center on December 16th – 18th. For more ticket information, visit The Florida Ballet website.
Source: floridatheatre.com
The Florida Theatre is proud to present the holiday classic The Polar Express at the nonprofit, historic theater. Admission is FREE for every adult and child with a gift of a canned or nonperishable food item. All food donations will benefit Feeding Northeast Florida, Jacksonville’s food bank, and Feeding America partner.
What to expect:
Be sure to bring your camera to take pictures with Santa and wear your pajamas for the movie. We’ll see you at the Florida Theatre for this special holiday event!
The always popular Nights of Lights runs this holiday season through January 31st, 2023. In its 29th year, the annual Nights of Lights is a dazzling holiday display, featuring more than three million lights adorning historic St. Augustine. Photo opportunities are abundant – from the shimmering bayfront displays to the Christmas tree in the center of Plaza de la Constitución.
In the spirit of the season, businesses are open late, allowing visitors to enjoy delectable dining and unique shopping. Whether you choose to walk, enjoy a horse carriage ride, take the train or trolley, or see the lights from the air or the water, not to miss are the extravagant displays at the Lightner Museum, Flagler College, and the expansive bayfront view.
Source: Jax Illuminations Drive Thru Holiday Light Show
The 10th annual Jax Illuminations Drive Thru Holiday Light Show promises to get everyone in holiday spirit through January 31st. 2023. Load the family in the car and head to the Morocco Shrine Center (only five minutes from the St. John’s Town Center) to enjoy more than one million lights complete with holiday music.
On arrival, tune your radio to the event’s special station and sing along to holiday favorites as you join the shimmering, dancing lights. With two massive Christmas trees and a dazzling tunnel of lights, plus Christmas scenes galore, the entire family will enjoy the drive thru holiday light show in Jacksonville.
Prices:
Closed on Christmas Night Dec 25th
Source: Nights of Lights from the Water
Nights of Lights from the Water offers a unique waterfront view of St. Augustine’s incredible holiday lights through January 31st, 2023. St. Augustine Eco Tours lets you view St. Augustine’s annual Nights of Lights from the water, complete with your own expert Captain tour guide pointing out special areas of interest and answering your questions.
With room for up to twelve guests, Nights of Lights from the Water offers a relaxing way to get in the spirit of the season. This year, guests can even enjoy a special Sunset Sail along with Nights of Lights viewing aboard the Stiletto catamaran.
Source: ZOOLights
What could be better than a night of fun with the family’s animal friends at ZOOLights at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens? Open December 9-11, 15-18, 22-24, this year’s events include nightly visits from Santa Claus, along with children’s activities, including the chance to build a snowman and have a fun plush snowball fight with the family!
Amid the sparkling wonderland of ZOOLights, be sure to join in the singing and dancing at the holiday show, Swingin’ at Santa’s Place, as well as the Jingle Bell Jukebox Review.
Member Tickets
Non-member Tickets
Although there are loads of fun and exciting events nearby, it’s always memorable to spend time with your loved ones at home. Whether you want to build a gingerbread house, hang the stockings, or make hand-made holiday cards, there’s nothing like quality time at home with the family.
For those who call St. Johns County home, the holidays offer amazing events in and around the area. Beacon Lake, a beautiful new lakefront community in St. Johns, puts all these great holiday events around St. Johns County, St. Augustine, and Jacksonville at your fingertips with the family-friendly lifestyle you’re looking for.
What’s better than creating lasting holiday memories and continuing beautiful holiday traditions with the family?
Whether you’re a native to the area or enjoying the holidays in your new Beacon Lake home , celebrating the holidays in St. Johns County is a truly unique experience.
Happy Holidays from the Beacon Lake community!
