The 38th Annual British Night Watch

In the City of Saint Augustine to be held on Saturday Evening, The 1st of December 2012 at 8 o'clock PM.

The British Night Watch is an Historic Reenactment commemorating the British Period of St. Augustine, 1763 to 1783. The main feature of the event is the British Night Watch~a Grande Illumination Parade, which is a reenactment of the ceremony used on special occasions and Holidays.

Every night, the town was secured by guards marching by lantern light to lock the gates, but on special occasions, it was made festive by involving the entire population in a candle or lantern lit parade that ended with volleys of muskets, singing, and much merriment.

For a history of this event, click on the History tab to the left. An encampment of British Troops, period Sutlers (vendors), and various Historic Persons is held in Francis Field, just west of the Parking Garage.

Gather in the Plaza de la Constitucion at 7 p.m. The parade starts at 8 bells from the St. Augustine Government House circling Plaza then proceeds down St. George Street to the St. Augustine to the City Gates. Participation is free.

For more information see www.britishnightwatch.org

St. Augustine's Winter Wonderland

Bring the whole family to enjoy St. Augustine's Winter Wonderland which features a real ice skating rink, ice slide, Elf Express train rides, The Elf Village, sleigh rides and SNOW!  There are even scheduled visits from Santa.  Adults arewelcome to relax and enjoy refreshments in the Igloo Lounge (21 and up only). 

St. Augustine Amphitheatre is located at 1340 A1A St. Augustine.Open 5 to 10 p.m., Monday through Friday and 2 to 10 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday until December 21, then 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. daily through January 6.

Admission is free and activities costs vary.

Step into a Winter Wonderland this Holiday Season at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre!

Outdoor ice skating, snow every night, an Elf Village and Elf Express Train, carriage rides, Reindeer games, a s’mores pit and appearances by Santa will be some of the winter-themed offerings this year during the fourth annual Winter Wonderland at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre.

Date & Hours

The 6th Annual Winter Wonderland at St. Augustine Amphitheatre is open from:

November 23, 2012 to January 6, 2013

November 23 – December 21:

5:00pm – 10:00pm  Monday – Friday

2:00pm – 10:00pm  Saturday & Sunday

December 22 – January 6:

2:00pm – 10:00pm  Daily

Holiday Hours:

December 24 (Christmas Eve)     2:00pm – 10:00pm

December 25 (Christmas Day)     5:00pm – 10:00pm

December 31(New Year’s Eve)    12:00pm – 5:00pm

January 1      (New Year’s Day)     2:00pm – 10:00pm

Nightly Snowfall (Times & Location)

7:00pm – Over the Ice Rink & Over the Elf Village

8:00pm – Over the S’more Pit

9:00pm – Over the Ice Rink & Over the Elf Village

*Snowfall lasts for 5 minutes at each location

For more information, please contact our box office at (904) 209 – 0367

The Holly Jolly Holiday Trolley

Get into the Holiday Spirit on The Holly Jolly Holiday Trolley, Holiday Nights of Lights Trolley Tour. Guests of all ages delight at the festive wonderland of the Historic District glittering with over 2 million lights. View the lights with complimentary glasses.

Highlights of The Holly Jolly Nights of Lights:

♦ Enjoy caroling from the Trolley
♦ Get your picture taken with Santa
♦ Hot apple cider and Homemade Cookies
♦ See the Festively Decorated Historic District
♦ Complimentary magical viewing glasses

“An annual tradition
for thousands, and is sure
to be one of your favorite
holiday outings.”

Read more and buy tickets here:
http://www.nationsoldestcity.com/2012/11/the-holly-jolly-holiday-trolley-2

19 TH ANNUAL NIGHTS OF LIGHTS IN ST. AUGUSTINE FLORIDA

ST. AUGUSTINE’S NIGHTS OF LIGHTS 2012 RETURNS TO FLORIDA’S HISTORIC COAST WITH SURF ILLUMINATION, WINTER WONDERLAND AND FESTIVAL OF TREES. 

St. Augustine’s famed Nights of Lights will sparkle to life at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 17 when the flick of a switch will illuminate the nation’s oldest city’s historic district with the gentle glow of more than three million tiny white lights, providing a luminous setting for an exciting agenda of holiday events and fun through January 31. 

Nights of Lights continues to gather praise from travel leaders worldwide:

• Last year, National Geographic declared St. Augustine one of the Top 10 Places in the World to view holiday lights. 
• Also in 2011, the American Bus Association named the annual spectacle one of the Top 100 Events in the U.S. 
•  In 2009, AAA called St. Augustine one of the 12 best places in the U.S. and Canada to experience holiday cheer 

Along with the lighting of the beautiful historic city, Vilano Beach and St. Augustine Beach will provide displays to be enjoyed by all. Vilano Beach is celebrating holiday coastal living with an inaugural event called “Dressing of the Palms” as palm trees along Vilano Road and A1A are decorated in whimsical holiday array. St. Augustine Beach will light-up on Saturday, December 1, during the Surf Illumination, where there will be a festive atmosphere, the official holiday lighting, and a visit from Santa. The St. Johns County Convention Center at the World Golf Village is the setting for dozens of beautifully decorated Christmas Trees and Holiday Wreaths. From November 30, through December 10, visitors can vote for their favorite display, or bid on one of the entries through a silent auction. 

 

In addition, on November 23, Winter Wonderland returns to the St. Augustine Amphitheater with even more fun than before. Outdoor ice skating, a giant Ice Chute, carriage rides, fun for all ages and snow each evening – guaranteed through January 6. For more information, visit www.WinterWonderlandFL.com

 

During the nearly 250 years when St. Augustine served as the capital of Spanish La Florida, the residents marked the holiday season with a single white candle burning in a window at each home. 

 

Today, the Nights of Lights continues that happy tradition in a grand style that reflects the city’s 446 years of history. In addition to the enjoyment that comes from strolling the ancient streets lit by the glowing lights or enjoying thenightly reflection of lights on the waters of Matanzas Bay, both visitors and residents can enjoy a wide range of memorable events. For a complete list of Holiday Events, visit www.NightsofLights.com.

Saint Augustine, Florida is one of the Top 10 places to see Holiday Lights

Saint Augustine, Florida is according to National Geographic one of the Top 10 places to see Holiday Lights.

"Photograph by John Coletti, Getty Images  Once under Spanish rule, this 16th-century city fetes its heritage. Single white candles once flickered from colonists’ windows; during Nights of Lights, the 144-square-block historic district twinkles with two million bulbs (each white, per city ordinance). November 19-January 31."

Read more here >>

Tips for visiting Saint Augustine, Florida >>

This weekend St. Augustine: Pirates invade oldest city for 2012 Pirate Gathering

Avast there, me Hearties! In pirate-speak, this means listen up! And you’d better, because America’s Oldest City is now being put on notice that invasion is imminent as pirates from the far corners and seven seas plan to converge on St. Augustine from November 9 – 11 for the 2012 Pirate Gathering.

A complete event schedule and more information on the 2012 Pirate Gathering is available at www.pirategathering.com. Tickets for the Buccaneer Bash are also available for sale online at the website.

Ancient City Auto Show

The Ancient City Auto Club of St. Augustine will hold their 28th annual auto show, once again on the beautiful, tree-shaded campus of the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind. All vehicles are welcome and first through third trophies will be awarded in 28 classes. Come and enjoy the DJ, trivia, door prizes, and camaraderie as well as a huge collection of old and new vehicles on display. 

Vehicle preregistration is $15 in advance and $20 the day of the show. Spectator admission is free. 

A shuttle to the historic district of the nation's oldest city will be running throughout the day. 

Download the flyer and registration forms at http://local.aaca.org/ancientcity or call 904-687-3894