Bring On The Holiday Season!

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas here in Jacksonville! Slowly but surely, the weather is beginning to turn; and in the mornings as we walk briskly to our cars, the cool air nips at the back of our necks, fingers, and noses. While no, we don’t need to scrape ice off of our windshield (most days), and we have no need for snow plows or shovels, our bodies are specially attuned to the Florida weather, therefore the cold hits our delicate bodies hard as well.

But just because things are cooling down outside, doesn’t mean that our fair city of Jacksonville is in hibernation mode! With the arrival of the holiday season, things are heating up downtown. All across the city, tons of family friendly holiday activities are blowing into town!

So with all this activity going on around town, what are a few our of favorite holiday activities that we can’t wait to check out!

1. Trans Siberian Orchestra

Not quite ready to start singing Silent Night or Little Drummer Boy? The city of Jacksonville has got just the thing to help you kick off your holiday season this year! Coming to perform a never before seen live show, Trans Siberian Orchestra has become a holiday favorite and you only need to see them once to understand why. Fusing classical orchestral music with strands of rock, gives classic Christmas carols a jolt of electric flair! This event takes place this Thursday at 7:30pm at the Veterans Memorial Arena, so get your tickets now!

2. Nights of Lights

Every year our friendly neighbor St. Augustine lights up their streets for Nights of Lights! The city decks itself out in thousands of small white lights and various tours are offered for locals and out of town-er’s alike. A great time for the whole family, especially if you’re having one of those nights where you just need to get out and go for a walk. Take a boat ride, or get on one of Ripley’s trolley rides and see the lights throughout the city. Schedule packed? Don’t work about it, this isn’t a one night only event! Nights of Lights will continue until January 31st!

3. A Christmas Carol

A holiday classic if there ever was one! This year the Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts is putting on A Christmas Carol to celebrate the holiday season and all things merry and bright! In this rendition of the classic story of Scrooge and his ghosts, this troupe of talented individuals are set to weave the story in and out between classic holiday carols, for a fabulous winter night you won’t soon be able to forget! Get ready because this show is coming to you on December 23rd at 7:30 pm!

4. White Christmas

Want some more theater in your life? The Alhambra Dinner Theatre is ready and open for the holiday season. With multiple showings, this show brings Irving Berlin’s classic show to the stage and is also a great place to relax and dine as a couple or as a family. Going on all December long, visit the Alhambra Dinner Theatre website and check for dates and reserve you tickets!

5.  Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra: First Coast Nutcracker

Care to get a bit classier this holiday season? Check out our resident symphony orchestra this season as they put on The First Coast Nutcracker! With the same stunning professionalism, and experience that we have all come to know and expect from the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, this show will include not just Tchaikovsky’s iconic music but also world renowned dancers, awesome set designs, and beautiful costumes. With four shows spanning over the period of three days, you’ll be sure to have a chance to see the Nutcracker! Check out jaxsymphony.org for more details!

The Holiday season is a great time for family to spend together. And as you can see, there are no shortages of local events going on in Jacksonville to help you get into the holiday spirit this year! Not in Jacksonville? There are tons of holiday-centered events going on in towns all across the country! Don’t let the frigid weather stop you from enjoying the most wonderful time of the year!