This Week in St. Johns County

Monday – Sunday: December 22 – 28

Undisclosed: Photographs from the Hidden Lightner Exhibition
For the past two years, photographer Theresa Segal has explored the historic Lightner Museum’s restricted fourth floor: 44 small rooms that were the servants quarters of the Alcazar Hotel, but now make up “the best attic in the world,” says Segal. This new exhibition features a selection of 20 of her photographs that chronicle the museum’s hidden, stored collections. Regular museum admission is $10 adults; $6 for active duty military; $5 college student and youth ages 12-18; under 12 are free. CLOSED CHRISTMAS DAY. Located at 75 King St., St. Augustine. For more information, call (904) 824-2874 or visit www.lightnermuseum.org.

Dressing of the Palms in Vilano Beach
The third annual Dressing of the Palms along Vilano Beach features palm trees decorated in holiday finery – A Celebration of Coastal Living.  The trees showcase creative talents of residents, artists, businesses, clubs, schools, and organizations. Prizes for the best decorated palms will be awarded December 6 at the first Saturday Vilano Beach Sunset Celebration. Vilano Beach Main St., St. Augustine. For more information, call (904) 910-8386 or visit www.vilanobeachfl.com.

The First City through the Eyes of the Masters
This 450th Commemorative exhibition features St. Augustine-themed works from perhaps the best collection of Florida painters in the 19th and early 20th centuries. This includes the work of Frank Henry Shapleigh, who wintered at Henry Flagler’s Ponce de Leon Hotel from 1886 to 1887 and was the hotel’s resident artist from 1889 to 1892. The exhibition is uniquely displayed in a then and now format. Each early St. Augustine painting is accompanied by a current photograph of the exact same location and perspective for visitors to explore how America’s first city has changed throughout history. The exhibition also features a walking tour brochure that provides locations, descriptions and distances to all of the St. Augustine historical sites depicted in the exhibition’s artwork. Free admission. Open daily 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. CLOSED CHRISTMAS DAY. Located at the St. Augustine Visitors Information Center, 10 West Castillo Dr. staugustine-450.com

Oldest Wooden School House: A Traditional Menorcan Christmas
Celebrate a Traditional Menorcan Christmas at The Oldest Wooden School House. Located in what was known as the Menorcan Quarter of historic St. Augustine, the School House dates back to the 1700s. The Menorcans are the foundation of St. Augustine as a living, viable city. Stop in to see the beautiful museum and garden lit by the soft glow of the Nights of Lights as well as a traditional Christmas tree and decor. Winter hours are 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Sunday – Thursday & 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday as well as the week of December 23 – January 3. Admission is $4.95 for adults; $3.95 for children ages 6 -12, under 6 free. CLOSED CHRISTMAS DAY. Located at 14 St. George St., St. Augustine. For more information, call (904) 824-0192 or visit www.oldestwoodenschoolhouse.com.

Lightner Museum Exhibition of Felix F. de Crano Paintings
This major exhibition features more than 30 local scenes, landscapes and portraits by Felix F. de Crano, arguably the most sophisticated and versatile artist in Henry Flagler’s colony of St. Augustine painters. This never before seen by the public compilation of 19th century oil and watercolor paintings is a colorful reminder of the splendor of St. Augustine’s Gilded Age. The museum is open 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily. Admission is: $10 adults; $6 active duty military with ID; $5 college student with ID; $5 ages 12-18; free for children under 12 (with adult). CLOSED CHRISTMAS DAY. Located at 75 King St., St. Augustine. For more information, call (904) 824-2874 or visit www.lightnermuseum.org.

El Galeón
Tour full-sized replica of 16th century Spanish tall ship. Docked at the St. Augustine City Marina, El Galeón Andalucia is open for daily tours from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. El Galeón is an exact replica of the famous galleons that played an important role in the creation and maintenance of the Spanish Empire. Built in Spain, it is similar to the galleon that brought Pedro Menendez to Florida where he founded St. Augustine in 1565. Admission is $15 for adult and $8 for youth. CLOSED CHRISTMAS DAY. Located at 111 Avenida Menendez. Call (904) 824-1606 or visit www.elgaleon.org.

Nights of Lights
During Nights of Lights, nearly three million tiny white lights bring the glow of holiday magic to St. Augustine – from the ground to the rooftops. Selected by National Geographic in 2011 and 2012 as one of the ten best holiday lighting displays in the world. Holiday music, the lighting of the city’s Christmas tree and an exciting countdown add to the splendor of the lighting of this dazzling holiday light display. Tracing its origins to the Spanish tradition of displaying a white candle in the window during the Christmas holidays, the spectacular lighting reflects the city’s 449-year history and illuminates the beautiful setting for lasting holiday memories. The lights are displayed through February 1. www.floridashistoriccoast.com/nights

Nights of Lights Tours
There are numerous special Nights of Lights Tours offered through the Holiday Season. Special Trolley and Train tours, food tours, carriage rides, history tours, helicopter tours, electric car tours and more – all providing brilliant adventures to enhance the St. Augustine’s Nights of Lights experience. Nights of Lights Tours. 

Ongoing Special Tours
For a complete list of Nights of Lights, eco/kayak, food, history, and other tours taking place on Florida’s Historic Coast this week, visit things-to-do/sightseeing tours.

Monday – Saturday: December 22 – 27

Small Objects Exhibition
This exhibition features “small objects” created by local artists for sale just in time for your holiday shopping. All original works are priced at $350 or less. Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra Beach gallery is open Monday, Tuesday & Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Wednesday, 9 a.m. -noon, and Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. CLOSED CHRISTMAS DAY. Located at 50 Executive Way, Ponte Vedra Beach. For more infomation, call (904) 280-0614 or visit www.ccpvb.org.

Tuesday:  December 23

A Swamp Radio Christmas
Swamp Radio, a live radio show celebrating Northeast Florida culture through stories, interviews and music, presents a special program exploring Christmas traditions in the St. Augustine area. The 7:30 p.m. presentation takes place in the Lewis Auditorium at Flagler College and gives the audience an opportunity to connect with the past and celebrate the present while keeping an eye towards the future. The show includes actor Chad Light’s re-creation of the first Christmas spent by the Spanish in their new town of St. Augustine, remembrances of local caroling, local datil pepper Christmas lore and musical performances by Sam Pacetti and gospel singer Tarra Conner Jones. Humorist Andy Nance also takes a look at working as a performer during the holiday season. Tickets are $25 for adults and $20 for students, seniors and military. Located at 14 Granada St., St. Augustine. For more information, call (904) 476-5582 or visit www.swampradiojax.com.

Wednesday:  December 24

Farmer’s Arts and Crafts Market
Farmer’s Market located at the oceanside St. Johns County Pier Park featuring selections of fresh produce, plants, baked goods, fine art, jewelry and more! Open 8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. rain or shine. Located at 350 A1A Beach Blvd., St. Augustine Beach. Call (904) 347-8007, for more information.

Friday – Sunday: December 26 – 28

Miracle on 34th Street: The Musical at Limelight Theatre
Based on the movie of the same name, Miracle on 34th Street: The Musical features a book and score by Meredith Wilson. The story takes place between Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day in New York City and follows the impact a department store Santa Claus who claims to be the real Santa has on a child. Performance times are 7:30 p.m. Friday & Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $25; $22 seniors; $20 student and military. Located at 11 Old Mission Ave., St. Augustine. For more information, call (904) 825-1164 or visit www.limelight-theatre.org.

Saturday:  December 27

Old City Farmers’ Market
Features locally grown fresh produce, baked goods, plants and more. Located at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre, 1340 A1A, St. Augustine. Open 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, call (904) 471-3733.

Family Seining at the GTM Research Reserve
Join GTM Research Reserve docents from 8:30 – 10:30 a.m. to learn how to pull a seine net, collecting species of fish, crabs and more. Learn about the animals and their roles in the habitat. Waders and boots will be provided. The program is included with regular admission to the Reserve and takes place in the Environmental Education Center. Located at 505 Guana River Rd., Ponte Vedra Beach. Call (904) 823-4500 or visit gtmnerrfamilyseine-eorg.eventbrite.com.

Dolphin Conservation Experience
Ripple Effects Eco Tours and Marineland Dolphin Adventure hosts a unique combination of kayak and walking tours to introduce the complete “Dolphin Conservation Experience”. At 10 a.m. start with a 2.5 hour kayak tour venturing into the Marineland Matanzas Basin where expert guides will focus on the Atlantic bottlenose dolphin natural habitat. After lunch break, walk across the street to Marineland Dolphin Adventure to be immersed in the history and legacy of conservation of this amazing 75 year old facility. Advanced reservations are required. The cost is $55 a person. Located at 101 Tolstoy Lane, St. Augustine. rippleeffectecotours.com

Uptown Saturday Night
From 5 – 9 p.m. on the last Saturday of each month, experience live music, refreshments, new exhibits, book signings and much more at the galleries, antique stores and unique shops on St. Augustine’s San Marco Avenue between Ripley’s Museum and the Mission Nombre de Dios. The Mission Nombre de Dios provides free parking. For more information, call (904) 823-9263.

Saturday – Sunday: December 27 & 28

Old Town Art Show
Get ready to greet 2015 at this juried art show at Francis Field featuring outstanding artists and craftsmen from St. Augustine and around the country. The show features the very best from exquisite jewelry to funky and functional pottery, abstract sculpture to glistening glass, hand-woven fashions to stunning photography, extraordinary paintings to wonderful wood carvings – and much more! Show hours are 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. both days. Admission is free. Located at 25 W. Castillo Dr., St. Augustine. Call (904) 794-0084 or visit www.holidayartshows.com.

Sunday: December 28

Music in the Box
Live acoustic music by some of the area’s best up-and-coming bands and musicians will be on stage at Limelight Theatre’s studio space the last Sunday of the month. Doors open at 7:30 p.m., concert starts at 8 p.m. Admission $5. Refreshments available for purchase. Located at 11 Old Mission Ave., St. Augustine. For more information, call (904) 825-1164 or visit www.limelight-theatre.org.

NOTE: St. Johns County residents with a valid ID are always admitted free of charge to the Oldest House, the Lightner Museum, the Ximenez-Fatio House, the Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse, City Walks History Mystery Murder Evening Tour, and the Hotel Ponce de Leon Legacy Tours at Flagler College. The daily tours and wine tastings at the San Sebastian Winery and St. Augustine Distillery are free to everyone. Also, admission is free to everyone at the Fort Matanzas National Monument, St. Photios Chapel, the Pena-Peck House, the Father Miguel O’Reilly Museum and the Mission Nombre de Dios Museum (donations are welcomed). Many other local attractions offer discounted admissions to St. Johns County residents with valid ID.

For more information on events and activities in St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches, go to the Visitors and Convention Bureau website at www.floridashistoriccoast.com or call 1-800-653-2489.