Get in the Holiday Spirit!
The holidays are in full swing and we’re excited to share some of the upcoming events to help you and your family celebrate the season.
Enjoy the highly-anticipated Nights of Lights festival, learn about historic holiday traditions, see festive performances, and ring in the New Year with a fantastical opera.
Click the link below for a sweet tidbit on St. Augustine’s history with chocolate and where you can find the best local treats. FOOD CULTURE // Chocolate Arrives in St. Augustine, 1641
NIGHTS OF LIGHTS
Did you know the city’s highly-anticipated annual Nights of Lights festival has historic roots?
Nights of Lights traces its origins back to the Spanish tradition of placing a lit candle in the window during the holiday season. Today, the city honors its heritage with three million lights casting a warm white glow reminiscent of a flickering candle all over the brick-lined streets and iconic architecture.
Celebrating 28 years of this festive event, St. Augustine remains a dazzling winter wonderland from the Plaza de la Constitucion to the bayfront until January 31, 2022.
Enjoy a stroll at your own pace or let our local guides take you on a tour.
This event is free and open to the public every day. Nights of Lights 2021
FESTIVE PERFORMANCES
Ring in the New Year with a fully-staged opera and live orchestra!
First Coast Opera will present Verdi’s La Traviata on stage at 7:30 PM Friday, December 31, and at 2 PM Sunday, January 2 in Lewis Auditorium at Flagler College.
Featuring one of the most iconic, romantic, and tragic scores of all time, Verdi’s masterpiece contrasts spectacular party scenes with tender, intimate moments.
La Traviata tells the story of the tragic love between the courtesan Violetta and the romantic Alfredo Germont. Played out against the hypocrisy of upper-class fashionable society, Alfredo and Violetta’s love threatens to shame his family. When his father directly appeals to Violetta to relinquish her one chance of happiness, Violetta submits and her act of self-sacrifice leads to her paying the ultimate price.
Tickets start at $50 for adults with champagne included for the December 31st performance. Click the link below to purchase tickets and learn more.La Traviata
A Christmas Story
“The St. Johns Cultural Council is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to supporting local artists and arts organizations and to promoting St. Johns County as a premiere destination for travelers interested in arts, culture and heritage tourism. Visit stjohnsculture.com to learn more.”
