JACKSONVILLE, Fla — It's the most wonderful time of the year! Are you already in the holiday spirit?
First Coast News has put together a list of holiday events that will delight even The Grinch himself.
From stunning light displays, to themed events and photo-ops with Santa, we think yule love these events a latke.
Have an event you'd like to share? Email us at news@firstcoastnews.com.
Live drive of the Blackhawk Bluff Christmas lights. More info here.
Now to Dec. 24 - Alhambra Theatre - White Christmas, When two WWII GI’s discover the secret their General has been keeping from his family, they use their musical talents to help him out. Tickets can be purchased online.
Now to Jan. 1: Nights of Pints - Four St. Augustine breweries — Dog Rose Brewing Co., Ancient City Brewing and Jack’s BBQ & Brewery are hosting this event. Coinciding with the City of St. Augustine’s Nights of Lights, the event was started in 2017 by the breweries as a way to give back to nonprofit organizations in the area while enjoying the festivities during the Nights of Lights. A portion of the proceeds will go to local nonprofits. Shirts are $35, available at any of the four breweries, and each shirt comes with a punch card — good for one free pint at each of the breweries. More details at Nights of Pints
Now to Jan. 31: The 29th annual Nights of Lights features more than 3 million lights on city buildings and businesses, continues through Jan. 31, 2023. Visit nightsoflights.com
Now to Jan. 1 - Deck the Chairs - Celebrating 10 years, more than forty American Red Cross life guard chairs will be decorated in coastal-themed design and lights for Deck the Chairs in Jacksonville Beach.
Now to Jan. 14 - Lighthouse Illuminations event - The St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum will host its second annual Lighthouse Illuminations event. Visit the Museum during this winter season of Tides, Tidings, and Trees. Discover 21 uniquely decorated trees at this special after-hours event. Escape the crowds of downtown St. Augustine this winter season and experience Nights of Lights from the top of the St. Augustine Lighthouse.
Now to Jan. 1 - Dazzling Nights - Jacksonville Arboretum & Botanical Gardens will transform into a magical wonderland this holiday season featuring a million dazzling lights, shining forests, magical displays and beautiful sculptures
Now until after Christmas - Girvin Road Light Display - Bumper-to-bumper traffic in the Blackhawk Bluff neighborhood off of Girvin Road around the holidays is nothing new. For about the last couple of decades, the community in Jacksonville's East Arlington area boasts some of the best holiday lights displays in the state attracting families from all over the First Coast.
Now to Dec. 31: Kayaking St Augustine is offering a Nights of Lights Sunset Kayak Tour with cool LED light kayaks! Kayak around our beautiful city (and avoid the crowds) while watching all the holiday festivities from the water.
Now to Dec. 31 - Jax Illuminations Annual Drive-Thru Holiday Light Show - Load up the family and tune your car radio to our special radio station. Listen to your favorite holiday tunes as you drive through a million lights that dance, twinkle, and sparkle to the music. The drive thru spectacular features two mega trees, a 300 ft tunnel of lights, custom Christmas scenes and much more.
Now to Dec. 31 - Blackhawk Bluff Christmas Lights Display - One of the best lights displays in North Florida with the entire neighborhood decorated in lights. You can drive through the Christmas lights display on Sunday thru Thursday 6 to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday 6 to 11 p.m.
Dec. 6 to 11 - Elf The Musical - Elf The Musical takes the stage at the Jacksonville Center for Performing Arts. It's the hilarious tale of Buddy, a young orphan child who mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported back to the North Pole. Unaware that he is actually human, Buddy’s enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. With Santa’s permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father, discover his true identity, and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas.
Dec. 9 - 10 - Join Beaches Museum for the “Beaches North Pole Express!" Meet Santa and the Conductor and celebrate the holiday season! Visitors are invited to write a letter to Santa, make holiday crafts, take pictures with Santa, meet the Conductor, watch The Polar Express movie, ride the trackless train which will be visiting from 10 to 2 on Saturday, Dec. 10. Beaches North Pole Express is free to Museum Members with a suggested $5 donation from non-members. Pre-register HERE. For more information please visit www.beachesmuseum.org or call 904.241.5657.
Dec. 10 - Santa is visiting MOSH on December 10 for a holiday themed workshop where guests can participate in Christmas arts and crafts. Tickets include take-home pictures with Santa, cookie and stocking decoration crafts, hot cocoa, snacks, and Museum-wide access. The workshop will take place from 12 to 4 p.m. Additional details can be found at themosh.org/event/santas-workshop/.
Dec. 10 - The Saint Augustine Yacht Club's annual Holiday Regatta of Lights Boat Parade will be held along the Bayfront December 10, starting at 6:00 pm with cannon fire from the Castillo de San Marcos and lasting approximately two hours. Sailboats, trawlers, sport-fishermen, and other vessels will participate by decorating with holiday lights and seasonal decorations. Expect increased vehicular and pedestrian traffic along Avenida Menendez. More info here.
Dec. 11 - Luminaria - One of the premier holiday events in Jacksonville and a legacy for the Riverside Avondale neighborhood. This year is the 38th annual event and a showcase of community pride and dedication to our neighborhood. Kits and more are now available for sale at www.riversideavondale.org! Purchase today and get hassle-free door delivery or pickup after Thanksgiving.
Dec. 12 - The Dashing Through Downtown QR Code Scavenger hunt will run Monday, December 12 through Friday, December 16, 2022 during business hours at various participating locations. Beginning December 12, players can enter a join code in the free Eventzee App, available on app stores, and participate in the week-long Dashing Through Downtown QR Code Scavenger Hunt at local businesses to win prizes while they shop and support local businesses. Eventzee App information, and more can be found at DTJax.com/Holidays
Dec. 13 - Holiday Bicycle Ride. It's a leisurely evening riding through the Historic District of Springfield to enjoy the lights and spectacle of the holidays. Kids are encouraged as are bike decorations and holiday costumes.
Dec. 14 - Pentatonix - As one of the most innovative, inventive, and inimitable vocal groups of all time, Pentatonix reimagine, reinvigorate, and redefine a cappella. Pentatonix: A Christmas Spectacular will feature stunning renditions of seasonal staples at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena.
Dec. 16-18 - Jacksonville Symphony's First Coast Nutcracker - A family tradition in Northeast Florida celebrating it's 50th anniversary this year, this timeless masterpiece comes to life with the only performance in Jacksonville with a full, live symphony orchestra.
Dec. 16 - Trans-Siberian Orchestra - Catch the legendary prog rock-fueled symphony performing all your favorite holiday classics, the way only they can at the Veterans VyStar Memorial Arena. TSO has taken their debut show, "Christmas Eve and Other Stories," and they've given it a technological overhaul to make it every bit as revolutionary, exciting, and fun as it was when it debuted in 1996.
Dec. 16 - Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland, Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland brings the joy and excitement of the holiday season like never before to The Florida Theatre. The production features some of the greatest holiday songs of all time performed with the world-renowned cast of Cirque Musica. Experience the chills, thrills, and excitement of the best Cirque performers from around the world performing to your holiday favorites.
Dec. 16 - Merry and Bright Movie Night presented by Live Oak Contracting takes place Friday, December 16, 2022 at Riverfront Plaza and will feature two holiday classics: How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) and Jack Frost. Lawn chairs and picnic blankets are encouraged. Well behaved pets are welcome. Food and beverages can be purchased from the on-site food, bars and beverage vendors. Guests will also be invited to enjoy a petting zoo with Farm 4 You Revue and plenty of photo opportunities with Santa and Mrs. Clause
Dec. 17 to 21 - Bring back some holiday nostalgia with MOSH’s Holiday Trains events. The Toy Train Collectors of Jacksonville will host a limited-run motorized train display on the Museum’s third floor. Collector volunteer operators will be on site to engage visitors, teaching them about trains, engineering and model building. The trains on display will rotate throughout the day as they travel through a mini winter wonderland. This display will open on December 17 and run through January 2.
Dec. 18 - The Polar Express - The Florida Theatre is proud to present the holiday classic The Polar Express at the nonprofit, historic theatre. Admission is FREE for every adult and child with a gift of a canned or nonperishable food item. Please bring one item per person – but more is welcome. All food donations will benefit Feeding Northeast Florida, Jacksonville’s food bank, and Feeding America partner.
Dec. 20 - Totally Lit-A Hanukkah Celebration at James Weldon Johnson Park - Join James Weldon Johnson Park, Gili’s Kitchen, Catering and Bakery and the Jacksonville Jewish Center for our annual celebration of Hanukkah and its related traditions.
Dec. 31 - New Year’s Eve Celebration - The City of Jacksonville invites you to say goodbye to 2022 and welcome in the New Year at the annual New Year's Eve Fireworks. The waterfront and skyline will serve as a backdrop for this amazing display over the St. Johns River. Fireworks will begin at exactly midnight.
Are we missing an event? Email us at news@firstcoastnews.com