extravaganza

Many of us have friends and family visiting for the holidays, or we have kids who are home from school. Sometimes you just need something to do that fits the whole family. We have found a few events the family can enjoy together, and these events willï¿½ get you into the holiday spirit without breaking your budget.

We suggest you take a break from the holiday hustle and bustle and enjoy a late afternoon or early evening in downtown Jacksonville.

First, take a walk around the downtown area and look at the beautiful holiday window displays.Â This is definitely going to look best when it’s starts to get dark. When the 2009 windows were unveiled and many walkers joined Mayor John Peyton for a tour of holiday windows. But if you haven’t seen them yet, don’t worry, the 15 holiday windows are still on display and you can download a printable mapÂ in pdf format right here.

Christmas Tree Light Show at Jacksonville Landing

christmas-tree-200 At night you can watch the synchronized Christmas tree light show at the landing. Over 78,000 LED lights in the Christmas tree are synchronized to blink to holiday music to spread holiday cheer in the courtyard. I’m sure this is a big hit with the younger crowd – and it’s freeï¿½ – which is always an extra plus in my book

Christmas Tree Light Shows:
Sun – Thurs 6 pm – 9 pm and Fri – Sat 6 pm – midnight

On Saturday Dec 18 at 7 pm the Navy Band Southeast perform with a special Christmas Concert at the Jacksonville Landing. This is also free.

If you come early in the day, maybe you can even combine your walk with some free holiday music at city hall. Check out the schedule below.

Holiday Entertainment at City Hall St. James

December 2009
City Hall at St. James Atrium
Free Admission

Friday,ï¿½ Dec. 18

11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – U.S. Navy – Holiday Brass
1 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. – Ritz Voices

Monday, Dec. 21

1 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. – Orange Blossom Country Music Association, Inc.

Tuesday, Dec. 22

1 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. – 100 Youth Voices

Wednesday, Dec. 23

11:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. – Rebecca Hewitt

The Gingerbread Extravaganza and Victorian House Tours

It’s only $5.00 to go and see the magnificent and unique gingerbread houses at Old St Andrew’s Episcopal Church, but the exhibit is well worth a visit. The proceeds go to charity, so it’s money well spent and this is definitely an event for the whole family.

OLD ST. ANDREW’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
317 A. Philip Randolph Blvd. Jacksonville, FL 32202
This annualï¿½ event at the Old St. Andrews brings thousands to the site to enjoy the artistic Gingerbread exhibit installed in a National Register Site.

The 2009 Gingerbread Extravaganza Details:

until December 23, 2009
Wednesday – Saturday – Exhibit Hours: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Tuesdays, December 1, 8 & 15: By Appointment

General Public Open Dates
Wednesday – Saturday, December 3rd -20th: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Week before Christmas – 11a.m. – 5 p.m.

Monday, December 21, Tuesday, December 22, and Wednesday, December 23

Call (904) 391-3425
For more information visitï¿½ www.jaxhistory.com

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Read our previous post about the Rotary Gingerbread House Extravaganza in Jacksonville, Florida

The Pinewood PTO has joined forces with Summerville D.R.E.A.M (Downtown Restoration Enhancement and Management) to host the first Pinewood Holiday Spirit Extravaganza. On Wednesday, Dec. 3 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Downtown Summerville shops and restaurants will open their doors to the Pinewood community and 10% of sales from participating merchants will be donated to the Pinewood PTO.

In addition to shopping and dining, entertainment will be provided by Pinewood students. The Kings Inn Bed and Breakfast will host a performance by the newly formed Pinewood Chorus under the direction of Janice Gamble. Art work by Pinewood students will be proudly displayed at Art Central. The Pinewood Spirit fashion team will model Downtown Summerville clothing and accessories at a fashion show coordinated by Avis MacLellan, director of the Model’s Studio and held at Relish Downtown. The Pinewood Panther will stroll the streets of Downtown Summerville passing out candy canes while teachers and students sing Christmas carols and so much more.

“This will be a wonderful opportunity to explore the wonderful stores in our community, shop for the holidays and support the PTO and Pinewood,” said Stacy Stagliano, Pinewood PTO President, “One lucky Pinewood shopper/diner will even win a $50 D.R.E.A.M gift certificate usable at most of the stores and restaurants downtown.”

Participating Shops and Restaurants Include: Art Central Ltd. Fine Art Gallery, Aura Lee’s Jewelry, Handbags and Accessories, Dale Wallace Fine Floral Creations, The Finishing Touch, Carolina Jo’s CafÃ©, In High Cotton, Sarah’s View, Guerin’s Pharmacy, Lowcountry Music Academy , Flowertown Playe
photo credit: LabyrinthXrs, Piazza, Relish Downtown, The Eclectic Chef, Teal, Marigold’s, Maggie Rose, Prima Ballerina, The Model’s Studio and Charpia’s Formal Wear.

Please visit www.pinewoodprep.com or www.summervilledream.org for further information

Holiday Events for the Family in Jacksonville, Florida