Weekend packed with holiday entertainment

St. Augustine Visitors and Convention Bureau Communications Director Jay Humphreys announced to Historic City News the following weekend events for your holiday enjoyment.

Friday: December 11

DISNEY’S “A CHRISTMAS CAROL” AND SANTA AT IMAX THEATER
Bring the kids to watch Disney’s “A Christmas Carol,” starring Jim Carrey as Ebenezer Scrooge and the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet-to-Come on the BIG IMAX Screen at World Golf Hall of Fame – and see Santa through December 19. For more details, schedules and ticket prices, visit www.wgv.com and click on the IMAX section, or call 904.940.4123.

Saturday: December 12

REGATTA OF LIGHTS
Regale your eyes with a holiday parade of boats from 15 to 85 feet in length – sailboats, trawlers, shrimp boats, and many other vessels all-a-glitter with brilliant lighted displays ranging from patriotic to whimsical. Awards will be made for the best theme, most colorful, best in class, and best overall. Beginning at 6 p.m., the boats will light up Matanzas Bay between the Bridge of Lions and Castillo de San Marcos. The Regatta of Lights is sponsored by the St. Augustine Yacht Club. For more information, call 904.824.9725 or go to St. Augustine Yacht Club.

CASTILLO DE SAN MARCOS HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE
Experience a torch lit living history presentation depicting different time periods of the Castillo de San Marcos.. At 6 p.m. the Annual Holiday Regatta of Lights will begin with the celebratory cannon firing from the Castillo. The Castillo will be open to the public from 6:30 to 9 p.m. where visitors can view the Regatta as well as St. Augustine’s Nights of Lights from the Castillo’s Gun Decks. The Castillo de San Marcos is located on St. Augustine’s Bayfront. Admission is free. For more information, visit Castillo de San Marcos.

CHRISTMAS ON VILANO
Celebrate the Christmas season at the Vilano Beach Pier Pavilion with festive music and creative dance presented by Living Stones School of the Arts for Ministry and Worship. Christmas cookies and hot cider will be served to those who gather to sing Christmas carols and listen to high school vocal ensembles from St. Johns County Center for the Arts. Bring a chair and dress for the weather. Free parking is available along the renovated Vilano Road streetscape. Christmas on Vilano takes place from 4 to 5 p.m. For more information call 904.808.8304 or email churchatvilano@earthlink.net.

HOLIDAY IN THE GARDENS
Children may share their holiday wish list with Santa and Mrs. Claus in the Gardens. For a nominal charge, the Friends of Washington Oaks will offer a souvenir photo with the Mr. and Mr. Santa Claus in “Santa’s Playground”. Free Starbucks hot chocolate, hands-on arts and crafts, and a gingerbread house contest for all ages are included! Admission is a donation of toys and non-perishable food items at the gate. Washington Oaks State Garden is located on Ocean Boulevard in Palm Coast. Contact Mark Giblin, 386.446.6783.

Saturday & Sunday: December 12-13

16TH annual Holiday Tour OF BED AND BREAKFAST INNS
Tour St. Augustine’s historic Bed and Breakfast Inns, all decorated in Holiday finery. Tickets include tours on both days, a delicious signature treat from a leading local culinary establishment that partners with each inn, and a chance to meet artists from local galleries who will be displaying their talents at selected Bed and Breakfast locations. Old Town Trolley will provide transportation to the multiple drop off points and Winn Dixie Stores will be on hand to offer hot chocolate and a complimentary grocery tote bag to each tour guest when they claim their tickets at the Visitors Information Center on San Marco Avenue. The tour takes place from 2 to 5 p.m. each day; half of the inns welcome visitors on Saturday, and half on Sunday. Tickets are $35 and all proceeds from the Holiday Tour will go to the St. Augustine Empty Stocking Fund. For more information call 904.829.0079 or St. Augustine Holiday B&B Tour.

HANDEL’S MESSIAH
Enjoy the multitude of talent that the St. Augustine Community Choir presents in their annual performance of excerpts from Handel’s Messiah and other Christmas holiday music at the St. Augustine Cathedral Basilica, located at 38 Cathedral Place in St. Augustine. Presentations are at 8 p.m. on Saturday and at 2 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. For more information, please call 904.824.2806.

Sunday: December 13

PILOT CLUB LOVE LIGHTS
Enjoy a spectacular luminary display presented by the Pilot Club from 5-8 p.m. at the Lightner Museum! To add your personal glowing love light ($3 for one; $5 for two) call 904.471.2246.

Don’t miss winter wonderland; daily at the St. Augustine amphitheatre.

NOTE: St. Johns County residents with a valid ID are always admitted free of charge to Government House Museum, the Lightner Museum, the Colonial Spanish Quarter Museum, the Fountain of Youth (special events excluded), the Ximenez-Fatio House, the Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse, the Spanish Military Hospital Museum and the Father Miguel O’Reilly Museum. The daily tours and wine tastings at the San Sebastian Winery are free to everyone. Also, admission is free to everyone at the Authentic Old Drug Store, Fort Matanzas National Monument, St. Photios Chapel, the Peña-Peck House and the Father Miguel O’Reilly Museum. (donations are welcomed).