JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Although the page has turned on the Thanksgiving holiday, the holiday season is still in full effect for most.
Two activities families often like to participate in are picking out their Christmas tree at a farm as well as taking kids to see Santa! But, if you have no clue on where to start looking to do one or the other, or both, First Coast News is On Your Side with the following lists of places you could visit on the First Coast.
Christmas Trees
Severt's Tree Farm - 11 locations, open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- 11824 Atlantic Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32225
- 4459 US Highway 17, Fleming Island, FL 32003
- 13697 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32224
- 9600 San Jose Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32257
- 2400 Palm Valley Rd., Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32081
- 11705 San Jose Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32223
- 1606 Blanding Blvd., Middleburg, FL 32065 *Tree flocking is performed at this site*
- 830 A1A North, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082
- 6205 State Rd. 16, St. Augustine, FL 32092
- 120 Shops Blvd., St. Johns, FL 32259
- 1370 US Highway 1 S., St. Augustine, FL 32084
Holiday's Nursing Landscaping - 10 locations, open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- 4261 Roosevelt Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32210
- 6625 Argyle Forest Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32244
- 6263 Roosevelt Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32244
- 1520 University Blvd. W., Jacksonville, FL 32217
- 12200 San Jose Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32223
- 13601 Philips Hwy, Jacksonville, FL 32256
- 1637 Race Track Rd., St. Johns, FL 32259
- 120 Fireworks Alley, St. Augustine, FL 32092
- 860 A1A N., Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082
- 510 Shetter Ave., Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250
Mandarin United Methodist Church - open to the public, oldest Christmas tree lot in Mandarin
- 11270 San Jose Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32223
Songer’s Christmas Tree Farm - open Friday's, Saturday's and Sunday's from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- 5255 Carter Spencer Rd., Middleburg, FL 32068
Santa Sightings
Photos With Santa at the Orange Park Mall - starts Nov. 17 and lasts until Dec. 24, in Santa's Workshop (near JCPenney)
- Mall located at 1910 Wells Rd., Orange Park, FL 32073
- Nov. 18 - 30: Monday - Thursday: 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., Friday & Saturday: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday's: Noon to 6 p.m.
- Dec. 1 - 24: Monday - Saturday: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday's: Noon to 6 p.m.
- *Reservations are encouraged, walk-up guests are welcomed*
The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island Santa's Storybook Tea 2023 - On Dec. 2, 9, 16 and 23
- Location: Salt Restaurant - 4750 Amelia Island Pkwy. Amelia City, FL 32034
- Children ages 0-3 are free, children ages 4-9 are $69.34, ages 10 and up are $92.17
The Santa Special Train Ride - On Dec. 2, 9, 16, 17, 21, 22, 23
- Location: Georgia Coastal Railway - 440 South Lee St., Kingsland, GA 31548
- Click here for tickets to the 'Santa Special - Christmas Season 2023,' 'Santa Special Open-Air Edition' and the 'Locomotive Cab Ride Experience' at varying times on the above dates
- Free event
- Parade begins at Swim Park (1878 Eagle Harbor Pkwy., Fleming Island, FL 32003), travels down Eagle Harbor Parkway and finishes at Eagle Harbor Golf Club (2217 Eagle Harbor Pkwy., Fleming Island, FL 32003)
- Parade line-up is at 5 p.m.
- Parade starts at 5:45 p.m.
- Tree lighting starts at 6:30 p.m.
- Photos with Santa from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Email courtneyb@eagleharbor.info to participate in the parade
Second Annual Jacksonville Holiday Community Event - On Dec. 3 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Location: 715 Riverside Ave., Jacksonville, FL 32204 (under the Fuller Warren Bridge where the Riverside Arts Market is held)
- Santa and Grinch meet and greet
- Creatives and retailers
- Food and treats
- Music and performances
- $50 cash prize giveaway every hour
- $35 market bucks giveaway every hour
- Bounce house and face painting
- Click here for RSVP tickets
Beaches North Pole Express - On Dec. 8 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., Dec. 9 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Free event
- Location: Beaches Museum at 381 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250
- Write a letter to Santa
- Take pictures with Santa and his elves
Beaches Town Center Holiday Celebration & Tree Lighting - On Dec. 2 at 4 p.m.
- Free event
- Location: At the Beaches Town Center located at 0 Atlantic Blvd., Neptune Beach, FL 32266
- Meet Santa at 5:30 p.m.
Breakfast with Santa - On Dec. 2 from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.
- Location: Adamec Harley Davidson at 8909 Baymeadows Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32256
- Click here to RSVP for tickets as kids ages two and under are free and $5 tickets are for adults
- Free pictures with Santa from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Christmas at the Continental - On Dec. 1 at 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- Free event
- Location: At the Adele Garage Cultural Center located at 716 Ocean Blvd., Atlantic Beach, FL 32233
- Visit Santa from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Christmas on the Farm - Begins Nov. 24 and lasts until Dec. 16, only on Friday's and Saturday's from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- Location: 5995 Brough Rd., Elkton, FL 32033
- Ticket prices for kids ages two and under are free, ages three and up are $16, active-duty servicemembers/veterans with military ID are $15 and seniors ages 65 and up are $15
Ninth annual Dickens on Centre St. Nick portrait experience - On Dec. 8, 9, 10
- Location: North 3rd St. Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 (In the 'Tiny Tim Zone' between Centre and Alachua streets)
- $35 for digital and print photos
- Must make reservations for pictures
Hometown Holiday in the Park - On Dec. 8 and 9 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Location: At the Clark House Park, located at 1039 Kingsley Ave., Orange Park, FL 32073
- Get your picture taken with Santa for $20 (digital image)*All images will be emailed. It should take about a week for the photographer to process them all*
21st annual Gingerbread Extravaganza - From Dec. 8 - 10, 12-16, 19-23, 26 & 27
- Meet Santa only on 'Kids Day' on Dec. 10 from noon to 4 p.m.
- Location: Old St. Andrews Church located at 317 A. Philip Randolph Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32202 (across the street from VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena)
- Tickets: Free for kids ages three and under, $5 for kids ages between four and 11, $10 for ages between 12 and 64, $7 for seniors ages 65+, and $7 for active-duty servicemembers/veterans with military ID
- Parking entrance off Duval Street
Paws & Claus - On Monday nights from Nov. 20 through Dec. 11 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- Location: Orange Part Mall located at 1910 Wells Rd., Orange Park, FL 32073 (In Santa's Workshop)
- Dogs and cats take photos with Santa for free
Surf Illumination - On Dec. 2 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Location: St. Augustine Beach Pier Park located at 350 A1A Beach Blvd., St. Augustine Beach, FL 32080
- Free pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus
SJSHo-Ho-Ho w/ Sheriff Hardwick! - On Dec. 9 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Location: 4015 Lewis Speedway, St. Augustine, FL 32084
- Photos with Santa and Buddy the Elf!
- 6 p.m. Christmas Tree lighting
- Hot chocolate station
- Cookies & cotton candy
- Reindeer food station
- Ornament decorating
- Character photo opportunities (Grinch, Olaf, and more)
- Click here to buy $7 tickets
*Editor's note: We will continue to add to this list. If you know of any places to add to either list, email us at news@firstcoastnews.com!*
