Winter Wonderland returns

Historic City News learned that winter’s icy chill will return to Florida’s Anastasia Island when Winter Wonderland opens November 21 at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre according to Communications Director Jay Humphreys, St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches Visitors and Convention Bureau.

This year’s event is even bigger and “icier” than ever featuring thousands more holiday lights, a 20-foot Christmas tree, outdoor ice skating, snow fall every night at 7:30 and 9 p.m. and a giant Ice Slide!

The Ice Slide, the first ever built in the United States to function in warm outdoor temperatures, allows users to speed down 100 hundred feet of ice – plus the dueling slides allow two-person races to an icy finish line! Also new this year is Reindeer Games, fun winter-themed carnival games made just for Winter Wonderland.

In addition to the new attractions, Winter Wonderland favorites from last year will be returning. These include an outdoor ice skating rink, an interactive elf village, holiday shopping, a theatre featuring a special holiday production, sleigh rides, s’mores and, of course, visits from Santa every Wednesday through Saturday from 6 to 8 p.m. until Christmas.

Winter Wonderland is the perfect holiday diversion for young and old alike. It rekindles memories of wintertime fun in northern climes and offers Floridians a rare chance to experience the best features of a cold winter season. Combined with the spectacular holiday Nights of Lights going on in St. Augustine, a trip to Winter Wonderland is sure to create the perfect setting for lasting holiday memories for the entire family.

Except for holidays, Winter Wonderland is open nightly from 6-10 p.m. with special afternoon hours for the ice rink and ice slide on Saturdays and Sundays from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. December 21 through January 4, Winter Wonderland will be open daily 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and 6 – 10p.m. Winter Wonderland is closed on Thanksgiving Day. It is open on Christmas Eve until 3:30 p.m. and on Christmas Day visitors can enjoy the fun from 6-10 p.m. On New Year’s Eve, Winter Wonderland closes at 3:30 p.m.

Admission to Winter Wonderland is free. Tickets for the Ice Slide are $3 for one slide or $5 for three. Ice skating is $10 and rental skates are available for $2. Nightly sleigh ride tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children. Tickets for the delightful holiday production The Quilt Maker’s Gift are $5. This heart-warming drama is presented each Friday and Saturday night November 28 through January 3.

The St. Augustine Amphitheatre is located at 1340C A1A South just south of the St. Augustine Lighthouse. For more information, call 904.471.1965.