Thanksgiving week entertainment suggestions HISTORIC CITY NEWS

Barbara Golden, Communications Manager for the St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra and the Beaches Visitors and Convention Bureau, reminds Historic City News readers who reside in St Johns County that admission is free of charge to the Oldest House, the Lightner Museum, the Ximenez-Fatio House, the Oldest Wooden School House, City Walks History Mystery Murder Evening Tour and the Hotel Ponce de Leon Legacy Tours at Flagler College, with valid identification.

All Historic City News readers can take the daily tours and wine tastings at the San Sebastian Winery and St. Augustine Distillery. Also, admission is free 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. Many other local attractions offer discounted admissions to St. Johns County residents, so be sure to ask.

Monday – Sunday: November 24 – 30

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. 75 King St., St. Augustine. 904-824-2874 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. 904-910-8386 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. Located at the St. Augustine Visitors Information Center, 10 West Castillo Dr. www.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. 14 St. George St., St. Augustine. 904-824-0192 www.oldestwoodenschoolhouse.com

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.NightsOfLights.com

Monday – Wednesday; Friday & Saturday: November 24 – 26, 27 & 28

Currents/Correntes Art Exhibition – “Currents/Correntes,” a collaboration between visual artist Cyriaco Lopes and poet Terri Witek, is on display at Flagler College’s Crisp-Ellert Art Museum. The exhibition features photos printed on fabric and acrylics with accompanying sound to document the watery link between a Brazilian island, Florida and New York. The museum is open Monday thru Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday, noon to 4 p.m. 48 Sevilla St., St. Augustine. 904-826-8530 www.flagler.edu/crispellert

Wednesday: November 26

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. 350 A1A Beach Blvd., St. Augustine Beach. 904-347-8007

Thursday: November 27

12th Annual Shut Up and Run 5K – A Thanksgiving day race will begin at 8 a.m. at Treaty Park. Registration begins at 6:45 a.m. All proceeds will go to the St. Francis House homeless shelter in St. Augustine. 1595 Wildwood Dr., St. Augustine. www.ancientcityrr.org

Friday: November 28

“It’s A Wonderful Life” – As part of “A December to Remember” the St. Augustine Amphitheatre opens its doors at 4 p.m. with Santa visits, train rides, face painting and bounce house. The featured movie, “It’s A Wonderful Life,” starts at 6 p.m. Admission is free and the event is sponsored by Community First Credit Union. 1340 C A1A South, St. Augustine. 904-209-0367 www.staugamphitheatre.comand www.facebook.com/adecembertoremember

Friday – Sunday: November 28 – 30

Clybourne Park at Limelight Theatre – Produced in conjunction with “Lift Up Lincolnville,” Clybourne Park is a play by Bruce Norris written in response to Lorraine Hansberry’s play, A Raisin in the Sun. Clybourne Park applies a modern twist to the issues of race and housing and aspirations for a better life. Performance times are 7:30 p.m. Friday & Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $25; $22 seniors; $20 student and military. 11 Old Mission Ave., St. Augustine. 904-825-1164 www.limelight-theatre.org

Saturday: November 28

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

Nights of Lights & Holiday Traditions Plaza Stroll – Tour St. Augustine hosts a free Nights of Lights & Holiday Traditions walking tour to take in the amazing views while learning the historical significance of these ‘white lights’ and exploring how this colonial-era tradition has become a famous modern day spectacle not to be missed. Tours depart at 7 p.m. from the Tour St. Augustine office, 4 Granada St., St. Augustine. 904-825-0087 www.StAugustineCityWalks.com

Holiday Storytime Reading & Elf Workshop – As part of “A December to Remember” the St. Augustine Amphitheatre opens its doors at 4 p.m. with Santa visits, train rides, face painting and bounce house. Children’s Storytime Reading starts at 6 p.m. Admission is free and the event is sponsored by Community First Credit Union. 1340 C A1A South, St. Augustine. 904-209-0367 www.staugamphitheatre.com and www.facebook.com/adecembertoremember

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. 904-823-9263.

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