Florida’s Historic Coast Boasts Holiday Nostalgia and Seaside Beauty
Located midway between Daytona Beach and Jacksonville, Florida’s Historic Coast includes historic St. Augustine, the outstanding golf and seaside elegance of Ponte Vedra, the rural beauty of Hastings, Elkton, St. Johns, and 42 miles of pristine Atlantic beaches.
The world-famous Annual Nights of Lights in St. Augustine sets the stage for myriad holiday events in the area that are on now through the end of the year. Celebrate the season on Florida’s Historic Coast with festive holiday events, from art and classic movies to tea with teddies and running Santas!
Relive the nostalgia of holidays past with traditional classics
“Miracle on 34th Street, a Live Radio Play,” presented by A Classic Theatre at The Waterworks, brings a beloved story to life, Dec. 5-7 and 12-14.
“A Christmas Carol,” presented by Apex Theatre Studio at the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall Dec. 5-7, brings Dickens’ tale to the stage.
The St. Augustine Amphitheatre is home to family fun on Dec. 6, with the 3rd Annual Holiday Celebration, with face painting, fairy hair, complimentary hot chocolate, and a free showing of “The Polar Express.”
Christmas Movie Night at Tringali Barn on Dec. 19 features popcorn, a festive photo booth, and the movie “Elf.”
The St. Augustine Ballet’s annual performance of Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker, Dec. 19-21, is a holiday tradition performed by professional and student dancers from across the region.
Christmas Fantastique, a modern interpretation of The Nutcracker, was created and is performed by Zoika’s Dance School Dec. 6-7.
The Dance Company’s St. Augustine Winter Spectacular, Dec. 13-14, features high kicks, acrobatics, and plenty of holiday spirit.
Take in the Sounds of the Season with the St. Augustine Orchestra on Dec. 6, featuring treasured holiday songs.
EMMA Concert Series Presents Holiday Pops Concert on Dec. 16 with the Gainesville Symphony Orchestra.
The St. Augustine Community Chorus’s Christmas Concert, “Rejoice,” on Dec. 20-21, is an annual St. Augustine tradition.
Make a splash with two holiday boat parades setting sail this holiday season
The Palm Valley Boat Parade on Dec. 6 and St. Augustine’s Holiday Regatta of Lights on Dec. 13 showcase sailboats, trawlers, and yachts, decorated with lights, snow, and more.
On firmer ground
The St. Augustine Christmas Parade on Dec. 6 has floats, marching bands, horses, and the arrival of a very merry guest.
Get jolly with floats, cars, and an artisan makers market at the Hastings Hometown Christmas Parade + Holiday Market on Dec. 13.
History meets the holidays at Colonial Night Watch and the Torchlight Parade on Dec. 6, with an 18th-century military encampment and a torchlight parade that ends with a volley of musket fire and the singing of Christmas carols.
Special Holiday Tours
The 2025 St. Augustine Historic Inns B&B Holiday Tour allows visitors to peek inside eight decorated historic inns on Dec. 7.
The Garden Club of St. Augustine Holiday Tour of Homes on Dec. 14 showcases six homes decorated with live floral arrangements and greenery.
More Holiday fun…
The Teddy Bear Tea at Vernon’s at Sawgrass Marriott, hosted on Saturdays throughout December, is a unique way to celebrate the holidays with your little one, with crafts and the gift of a brand-new teddy bear.
Ancient City Farmstead Christmas Experiences is open every Friday through Sunday through December 21. Ice skating, a Rockerfeller tree, reindeer games, Santa’s Grotto, and food and drink are all part of the experience.
Vilano Beach transforms into a festive coastal destination at the Vilano Holiday Village. Family fun festivities take place every weekend through December 20.
The 14th Annual Santa Suits on the Loose on Dec. 16 is quite the sight, with hundreds of Santas running a 5K on St. Augustine Beach. The Sandy Claus 5 and 10 Mile Races take over Ponte Vedra on Dec. 14, and explores the greenways of Ponte Vedra.
For the best Florida’s Historic Coast holiday experiences, download the new Nights of Lights app, where visitors can find free park-and-ride shuttles, interactive maps, a full listing of holiday events and tours, attractions, and more.
For advance travel information, call 1-800-653-2489 or go to the Visitors and Convention Bureau website FloridasHistoricCoast.com. Shop hotels in St. Augustine here.
Follow on social media @FloridasHistoricCoast; Facebook.com/OfficialStAugustine
