Holiday Happenings

ONGOING

Holiday on the River Concert and DanceSeries, through Sunday, The Jacksonville Landing. Features live performances by area schools, churches and dance groups during lunch and in the evenings. Free. (904) 353-1188 or jacksonvillelanding.com.

■ Friday - Students of Nashville Vocal Coach, 6:15 p.m.; Scott Jones School of Dancer, 7:15 p.m.; Sophisticated Gents, 8:15 p.m.

■ Saturday - Ballet Arts Center, noon; Linda Nelson Voices of Victory, 1 p.m.; Dulce Anaya School of Ballet, 2 p.m.; I AM International, 3 p.m.; Fabulous Footwork Dance Studio, 4 p.m.; First Coast Christian Center Music, 5 p.m.; Switzerland Dance School, 6:15 p.m.; Dynamics Dance, 7:15 p.m.; Sierra Hodge, 8:15 p.m.

■ Sunday - First Coast Kids, 3 p.m.; River City All Stars Dance Team, 4 p.m.; North Florida Twirling Academy. 5 p.m.; Changing Hearts Ministry, 6:15 p.m.; Essence Sherrise Wimes, 7:15 p.m.; Dazzling Diamonds, 8:15 p.m.

The Christmas Holiday House, presented by the Palatka Art League, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday-Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Tuesday, The Tilghman House, 324 River St., Palatka. "Cooking As An Art" cookbook, $12, buy one get one free, to benefit the Art Scholarship Fund. Raffle tickets, $1 each or six for $5. (386) 325-8750 or palatkaartleague.com.

Christmas on the Square, 6-10 p.m. through Tuesday, Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park, 3076 95th Drive, Live Oak. Includes a drive-through lights extravaganza, a Crafts Village, a walking tour, Santa and his elves, puppets and live entertainment. (386) 364-1683 or musicliveshere.com.

"Christmas Carole," meal 6:30 p.m., show 8 p.m. Friday; meal 11:15 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., show 1:15 and 8 p.m. Saturday; meal 12:15 and 6:30 p.m., show 2 and 8 p.m. Sunday; meal 6:30 p.m., show 8 p.m. Tuesday; Alhambra Theatre & Dining, 12000 anna griffin christmas cards Blvd. Collecting toys for the Daniel Home for Children, Wolfson's Children's Hospital and several shelters. Tickets start at $46 for adults, $35 children. Reservations, (904) 641-1212 or alhambrajax.com.

Sawgrass Tour of Trees, 7 a.m.-5 p.m. through Jan. 1, TPC Sawgrass Clubhouse, 103 Championship Way, Ponte Vedra Beach. Free admission. (904) 273-3235 or tpc.com/sawgrass.

Synchronized Nightly Tree Light Shows, on the hour 6-9 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays, 6 p.m.-midnight Fridays-Saturdays, through Jan. 1, The Jacksonville Landing. Features holiday songs during a 10-minute synchronized light show. (904) 353-1188 or jacksonvillelanding.com.

Festival of Lights, evenings to 9 p.m. through Jan. 3, drive-through only Tuesday, closed Christmas Day, Stephen Foster State Park, U.S. 41 N., White Springs. Includes Santa, snow, a gingerbread village, a candy cane forest, an antebellum museum and decorated oak trees. $3 a person. (386) 397-2733

"Deck the Chairs" Exhibit as part of the Beaches Winter Lights Festival, evenings through Jan. 4, Latham Plaza, downtown Jacksonville Beach. Light display features the iconic red chairs of The American Red Cross Life Saving Corps. facebook.com/deckthechairs.

Ripley's Holiday Happenings, 6-8 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays, 6-9 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, through Jan. 5, Ripley's Believe It or Not, 254 San Marco Ave., St. Augustine. Friday and Saturday nights include Santa, a free gift for kids, holiday movies on the big screen, family-friendly activities and a free pair of Santa's magic viewing glasses. $7 adults, $4 children. ripleys.com/redtrains.

Jax Illuminations drive-through holiday lights display to benefit area charities, 6-10 p.m. through Jan. 5, Morocco Shrine Center, 3800 St. Johns Bluff Road S. Tune car radio Jax Illuminations station for music to go with the lights. Includes "Name Next Year's Light Show" and "Design a Display" contests for children. $20 per carload during the week, $25 on the weekend. (904) 316-5673 or jaxilluminations.com.

"The Game's Afoot or Holmes for the Holidays," 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Limelight Theatre, 11 Old Mission Ave., St. Augustine. Show continues 7:30 p.m. Dec. 27-28, 2 p.m. Dec. 29, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 31 and Jan. 2-4, 2 p.m. Jan. 5. $25 adults, $22 seniors 62 and older, $20 students and active military. (904) 829-5807 or limelight-theatre.org.

WinterFest, various times through Jan. 12, Adventure Landing, 1944 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville Beach. Includes an ice rink, ice shows, snow, an ice slide, light display, train rides, Santa's Workshop and pictures with Santa. Free admission; ice skating and skate rental $13. (904) 246-4386 or jaxwinterfest.com.

Night of Lights, through Jan. 31, Plaza de la Constitucion, 10 Cathedral Place, across from the Bridge of Lions, downtown St. Augustine. floridashistoriccoast.com/nights.

FRIDAY

Historic Weapon Demonstration, 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. and 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. Friday-Sunday, Castillo de San Marcos, 1 S. Castillo Drive, across from St. George Street, St. Augustine. National Parks Service volunteers and personnel demonstrate the weapons and relate the experiences of the Colonial Spanish soldier stationed in St. Augustine in the 1740s. Fort is open 8:45 a.m.-5:15 p.m. $7 adults, children 15 and younger get in free. (904) 829-6506, ext. 233.

The Gingerbread House Extravaganza, presented by the Jacksonville Historical Society, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Old St. Andrew's, 317 A. Philip Randolph Blvd., across from Veterans Memorial Arena. Includes themed holiday trees by Junior League of Jacksonville. $5 adults, $3 children; parking free. (904) 665-0064.

Teen Holiday Party, 2-6 p.m., Ponte Vedra branch library, 101 Library Blvd., Ponte Vedra Beach. Includes video gaming, a white elephant exchange (bring a wrapped gift $5 or less), making holiday cards for senior citizens and pizza. (904) 827-6950 or sjcpls.org.

"The Santa Clause," for children 6-12, 3-5 p.m., West Regional branch library, 1425 Chaffee Road S. Includes holiday crafts - an origami Santa and a reindeer ornament.(904) 693-1448.

Christmas Trail Hayride, 6:30-9 p.m. Friday-Sunday, Son Rise Baptist Church, 14652 Normandy Blvd. (904) 289-9940.

Cosmic Concerts, Laser Holiday, 7 and 8 p.m.; U2, 9 p.m.; Queen, 10 p.m.; Bryan-Gooding Planetarium, Museum of Science & History, 1025 Museum Circle. $5 per person per show, laser glasses $1. (904) 396-6674 or moshplanetarium.org.

"Eb Scrooge: A Southern Fried Carol," 7:30 p.m. Friday (with sign language interpreter), 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday, Florida State College at Jacksonville's South Campus, Wilson Center, 11901 Beach Blvd. $22 adults; $17.50 children, seniors and military; $12.50 FSCJ students/staff with valid ID. (904) 646-2222 or artistseriesjax.org.

"A Christmas Carol," 8 p.m., Times-Union Center, 300 Water St. $26.50-$46.50 adults, $12.75-$22.75 children 12 and younger. (904) 442-2929 or artistseriesjax.org.

"The Santaland Diaries," 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Riverside House, 2623 Herschel St. $20. swampradiojax.com.

Irving Berlin's "White Christmas," 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday, Orange Park Community Theatre, 2900 Moody Ave. $20. (904) 276-2599 or opct.org.

"Songs For a New World," 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, Atlantic Beach Experimental Theatre performing at the Adele Grage Cultural Center, 716 Ocean Blvd., Atlantic Beach. $20. (904) 249-7177 or abettheatre.com.

SATURDAY

J.P. Hall Children's Charities Christmas Party to benefit underprivileged children in Clay County, for children from newborn to 14 years, 8 a.m.-noon, Clay County Fairgrounds, 2497 Florida 16 W., Green Cove Springs. Children receive a bag of new toys, based on age and gender, and can also select one gently-used toy. Must have proof of residency. (904) 860-8739 or jphallcharities.com.

Art Fest, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Waldo Farmers and Flea Market, 17805 U.S. 301, Waldo. Includes arts and crafts, pictures with Santa, raffles, exhibits, demonstrations, face painting and live music. Bring a donation for Toys For Tots. (352) 468-2255 or waldoflea.com.

Nocatee Farmers Market, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Nocatee Farmers Market Field, 245 Nocatee Center Way, Ponte Vedra Beach. Features a

Christmas Festival, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Nocatee Farmers Market, 245 Nocatee Center Way, Ponte Vedra Beach. Includes Santa and Mrs. Claus, train rides, bounce houses, crafts and vendors. Free admission. (904) 924-6858 or nocatee.com.

"The Polar Express," 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, noon-3 p.m. Sunday, Beaches Museum and History Park, 381 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville Baech. Free. beachesmuseum.org.

Riverside Arts Market, 10 a.m.-9 p.m., 715 Riverside Ave. Includes arts and crafts, fresh fruits and vegetables and live entertainment. Features the fifth anniversary Season Closing Day. riversideartsmarket.com.

Kids Christmas Party, presented by the Jacksonville Beach Police Department, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Turner Ace Hardware, 784 Marsh Landing Parkway. Includes a free picture with Santa and Mrs. Claus, free hots dogs, drinks, crafts, games, music, face painting, fingerprinting and emergency vehicles on display. (904) 247-6193.

Santa's Storybook Tea, noon, Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, 4750 Amelia Island Parkway. Features a fireside holiday storybook read by Santa, an afternoon tea with finger sandwiches, pastries, candy, cakes and a picture with Santa and Mrs. Claus. $49 adults, $10 children 6 and older. (904) 277-1100 or ritzcarlton.com/ameliaisland.

"An Angel's Point of View, Part II," Wayman Ministries Community Christmas Fellowship, noon-3 p.m., Wayman Academy of the Arts gymnasium, 1176 Labelle St. Includes music, food and a toy giveaway. (904) 739-7500, 693-1503 or wayman.org.

Musket Firing Demonstration, 12:30-3:30 p.m., Fort Matanzas, 8635 Florida A1A, 15 miles south of St. Augustine. Re-enactors fire flintlock muskets. Admission free, includes ferry ride to and from the island. (904) 471-0116 or nps.gov/foma.

Handel's "Messiah," rehearsal, 1 p.m. Saturday, program 4 p.m. Sunday, Woodlawn Presbyterian Church, 3026 Woodlawn Road. Bring a copy of "The Messiah" if you own one or have access to one. (904) 768-5905.

"A Christmas Carol," as Part of Movie Madness for teens and tweens, 2 p.m., Main Library, 303 N. Laura St. (904) 630-2665.

"The Nutcracker," performed by the St. Augustine Ballet, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Flagler College's Lewis Auditorium, 14 Granada St., St. Augustine. $25, $30. (904) 824-1746 or saintaugustineballet.com.

"Holiday in the Woods," 4-6 p.m., Faver-Dykes State Park, 1000 Faver Dykes Road, St. Augustine. Includes arts and crafts, music, hot cocoa and s'mores. $5 per vehicle, up to eight people; $4 for individuals.(386) 446-6783 or floridastateparks.org.

Candlelight display, presented by Salvia Garden Circle, dusk, entrances into the neighborhood at Mount Vernon Drive and Hyde Grove Avenue and Old Middleburg Road and Hanson Drive South.

Christmas in Old St. Augustine (Navidad En El Viejo San Augustin), 6-9 p.m., Mission Nombre de Dios, 27 Ocean Ave., St. Augustine. Includes living historians, a procession for children re-enactment of Mary and Joseph searching for lodgings in Bethlehem, a performance of "The Play of the Three Wise Kings," refreshments treats, live entertainment and a traditional nativity scene. (877) 352-4478, floridalivinghistory.org or missionandshrine.org.

"It's a Wonderful Life" Dinner and a Movie, as part of "A December to Remember" 7 p.m., St. Augustine Amphitheatre, 1340 Florida A1A S. (904) 471-1965 or staugamphitheatre.com.

"The Gift," 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Greater Love Ministries, 555 Florida 16, St. Augustine. Free. (904) 217-0648.

Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra with Handel's "Messiah," 8 p.m., Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts, 300 W. Water St. Features soprano Mary Wilson, soprano, mezzo-soprano Adriana Zabala, tenor Jason Ferrante, bass Matt Boehler and the Jacksonville Symphony Chorus. $25-$72. (904) 354.5547 or jaxsymphony.org.

SUNDAY

Celtic Carols and French Noels: A Christmas Concert, 2 p.m., St. Anastasia Catholic Church, 5205 Florida A1A S., St. Augustine. Features choirs and ensembles of the church with guest instrumentalists and soloists, the select children's choir and sing-a-long carols. $10 donation requested. (904) 471-5364.

Celtic Christmas Sing-along with the Community Chorus, as part of "A December to Remember," 5 p.m., St. Augustine Amphitheatre, 1340 Florida A1A S. (904) 471-1965 or staugamphitheatre.com.

Live Nativity, 6-8 p.m., Christ United Methodist Church, 400 Penman Road, Neptune Beach. Features a drive-through Nativity of the front lawn of the church. Includes live animals and music. Donations to benefit the church's various ministries. (904) 249-5370 or neptunebeach-umc.org.

MONDAY

"How the Grinch Stole Christmas," as part of Christmas Movie and Craft library program, 2 p.m., Main Library, 303 N. Laura St. Film followed by making a Grinchy craft. (904) 630-2665.

DEC. 27

Winter Wonderland for children 6-12, 2-4 p.m., FEatures a life-sized board game and other activities. Webb Wesconnett branch, 6887 103rd St. (904) 778-7305.

"New Year's Eve," as part of Teen Movie Night, 3 p.m., South Mandarin branch library, 12125 San Jose Blvd. Includes refreshments. (904) 288-6385.

Live music by Cupid's Alley, 8 p.m.-1 a.m., The Jacksonville Landing. (904) 353-1188 or jacksonvillelanding.com.

DEC. 28

Markland House Tour, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Flagler College's Markland House, 74 King St., St. Augustine. $12. Reservations, (904) 823-3378 or legacy.flagler.edu.

Library holiday fun: "The Nightmare Before Christmas," as Part of Movie Madness for teens and tweens, 2 p.m.; "Let it Snow" puppet play which explains why Jacksonville doesn't get snow, 2 and 3 p.m.; Main Library, 303 N. Laura St. (904) 630-2665.

"The Soulful Nutcracker" to benefit scholarship and community programs, presented by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Gamma Rho Omega Chapter, 2 and 7:30 p.m., Times-Union Center for Performing Arts, 300 W. Water St. Incorporates African dance, ballet, hip-hop and jazz. Matinee, $25-$50; evening, $30-$75. (904) 768-2255 or eventbrite.com.

Live music by Spanky the Band, 9 p.m.-1 a.m., The Jacksonville Landing. (904) 353-1188 or jacksonvillelanding.com.

DEC. 29

Live music by Steve and Ken Duo, 4-8 p.m., The Jacksonville Landing. (904) 353-1188 or jacksonvillelanding.com.

DEC. 30

St. Augustine Beach Blast-off 2014, 2-10 p.m. Dec. 30-31, St. Augustine Beach Pier Park. Includes a chili cook-off, live music, a kid's zone, vendors, dancing and music headliner Seven Nations. The fireworks display to music is at 8:30 p.m. Dec. 31. Florida A1A Beach Boulevard will be closed from Pope Road to 16th Street, 3-11 p.m. Dec. 31. (904) 501-4556 or beachblastoff.com.

Live music by Boogie Freaks, 9 p.m.-1 a.m., The Jacksonville Landing. (904) 353-1188 or jacksonvillelanding.com.

NEW YEAR'S EVE

Noon Year's Eve Party, 11 a.m., Main Library, 303 N. Laura St. Includes games and crafts for all ages. (904) 630-2665.

New Year's Eve Balloon Drop, 11 a.m.-noon, The Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra Beach, 50 Executive Way. Includes pizza, a bubble-wrap room, holiday music and crafts. Balloon drop is at noon. No pets or strollers. $5 nonmembers, $15 family of four; members get in free. (904) 280-0614, ext. 204, or ccpvb.org.

Crafts for Kids, 2 p.m., Beaches branch library, 600 Third St., Neptune Beach. Includes making New Year's Eve noise makers. (904) 241-1141.

Music and fireworks, live music by Radio 80, 6-10 p.m. and live music by Sun Jammer, 10:30 p.m.-2 a.m., The Jacksonville Landing; fireworks, midnight, over the St. Johns River, seen from The Landing, the Northbank and Southbank Riverwalks and Metropolitan Park. (904) 353-1188 or jacksonvillelanding.com.

Denim and Diamonds New Year's Eve, featuring "Pump Boys and Dinettes - a Musical Comedy," meal 6:30 p.m., show 8 p.m., Alhambra Theatre & Dining, 12000 Beach Blvd. Includes music by The Traveling River Band, dancing, champagne toast and balloon drop at midnight, all followed by an "After Midnight Breakfast Buffet." $125 a person. Reservations, (904) 641-1212 or alhambrajax.com.

Celebration, 7:30 p.m.-2 a.m., dinner 8 p.m., Casa Marina Hotel, 691 First St. N., Jacksonville Beach. $100 a person, age 21 and older only. (904) 270-0025.

Masquerade Ball, doors open 5 p.m., party 8 p.m., The Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park, 3076 95th Drive, 4.5 miles north of Live Oak. Includes music by the Justin Case Band, a buffet of finger foods, a masquerade costume contest with prizes, party favors and a midnight champagne toast. Reservations, (386) 364-1683.

Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra with Toast to the New Year, 8:30 p.m., Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts, 300 W. Water St. Features vocalist Mike Eldred, and live dance music following the concert. $75-$150. (904) 354.5547 or jaxsymphony.org.

New Years Eve with Gregg Allman and JJ Grey with Mofro, 9 p.m., Florida Theatre, 128 E. Forsyth St. $53, $83, $103; raffle tickets, $20, for two tickets to every show at the Florida Theatre in 2014. (904) 355-2787 or floridatheatre.com.

The Golf Ball New Year's Eve Celebration to benefit 26.2 with Donna, 9 p.m.-1 a.m., Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa, 1000 PGA Tour Blvd., Ponte Vedra Beach. Includes live entertainment by ProBono and a champagne toast at midnight. Attire is resort casual. $25 a person. breastcancermarathon.com, search golf ball.

Black and White Masquerade Ball, 9 p.m.-2 a.m., The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, 4750 Amelia Island Parkway. Includes food, live music, dancing and fireworks. Masks provided or bring your own. $195 a person, adults only. (904) 277-1100 or ritzcarlton.com.

JAN. 1

First Day Hike "Take a Walk on the Wild Side," 9-11 a.m., Anastasia State Park, 300 Anastasia Park Road, St. Augustine. Walk is 2.5 miles round trip; partial walk possible. Bring binoculars, comfortable walking shoes, a camera, drinking water, bug spray and sunscreen. (904) 461-2033 or floridastateparks.org.

Fax to (904) 359-4478 or email events@jacksonville.com. Complete listing at jacksonville.com/calendars. To put your event in the free online calendar, go to events.jacksonville.com.