Thanksgiving Weekend Activities in Jacksonville

Friday, November 28

22^nd Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at The Jacksonville Landing at 7:00pm followed by a fireworks show over the river.

Saturday, November 29

Jacksonville Light Parade & Fireworks Location: Downtown Riverfront Admission: Free

Deck the hulls and celebrate the holidays at the Jacksonville Light Parade! This thanksgiving weekend tradition attracts residents and visitors to witness boats of all sizes adorned with colorful lights and decorations as they parade down the St. Johns River. Don't miss the spectacular fireworks show after the parade featuring barges, signature buildings and "waterfalls" fireworks on downtown bridges.

The Jacksonville Landing

• Following the Light Parade enjoy live entertainment in the Courtyard until 2am!

Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront - "WINTER IN FLORIDA"

The Hyatt presents "WINTER IN FLORIDA" On Saturday, November 29th, 6 P.M. - 10 P.M. - Come watch from the best seat in the house for the Light Parade and fireworks.  Santa will be making a special stop on the River Deck of the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront. Activities: Face painting, cookie decorating, reindeer ears, pictures with Santa and much more!!

• Cost: $5.00 per person OR an unopened new toy that will be donated to the Salvation Army
•  225 East Coastline Drive On the River Deck

*Think Turkey, Think Tired, and Think $79 rate!!!  Stay at the Hyatt for the Thanksgiving weekend *904-588-1234 or www.jacksonville.hyatt.com

Sunday, November 30th 

Omni Jacksonville Hotel presents "Breakfast with Santa"

• 9 a.m.-12 p.m. (Seating at 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 12 p.m.)
• $9.95 for adults, $7.95 for children 2-12, free for children 2 and under
• Reservations required, call (904) 355-6664
• Enjoy a delicious breakfast while visiting with Santa. This is the perfect way to make sure Santa gets your Christmas list!

Happening throughout the weekend:

ST. AUGUSTINE PREMIUM OUTLETS

We have our Third Annual Midnight Madness Event. Midnight Madness is the kick-off of a 3 day sale event: our annual After-Thanksgiving Weekend Sale:

3 Days: Fri-Sun, Nov 28 - 30, 2008. The entire three day sale will again be heavily promoted through a multi-media campaign. We will be opening early each day and will be promoting not only a 3-day savings opportunity but the offering of "early savings offers" each day.

WALKING WITH DINOSAURS at the Veterans Memorial Arena

November 26-30 *multiple dates/times available

Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena

• Dinosaurs once again roam the earth in a spectacular theatrical arena show, WALKING WITH DINOSAURS - The Live Experience, based on the award-winning BBC Television Series. WALKING WITH DINOSAURS - The Live Experience is now on tour in North America.  Almost two million Americans have already seen the production since it opened in July 2007.

CHRISTMAS MADE IN THE SOUTH at the Prime Osborn Convention Center

November 28-30

Creativity abounds as hundreds of artists and craftsmen gather to demonstrate and sell their work. Get a head start on your gift list and enjoy the Christmas shopping experience of the season

JACKSONVILLE EQUESTRIAN CENTER

Fiddler's Turkey Run

November 28-30

Annual barrel race held for the third time in Jacksonville.

ECOMOTION TOURS

During our eco-historic tours of Fort George Island, we'll be sharing information about "the first Thanksgiving" here in Northeast Florida. Guests will hear about the feast that the Timucuan Indians shared with Jean Ribault's hungry crew of Frenchmen when they landed here (the now Jacksonville-area) in 1562. The undevoloped terrain of the Island looks as natural as it did when the Timucuans had their village on the Island. As current day visitors explore the Island on Segways, we'll be paint a picture of that "first Thanksgiving", and point out the various native plants, wildlife and seafood that would have likely been part of such  wonderful feast.

FALL ARTS & CRAFTS FESTIVAL

Come enjoy one of St. Augustine's favorite annual art events. See art created from lace to limestone and crayons to crystal. This juried art festival takes place at Francis Field behind the St. Augustine Downtown Historic Parking Facility located on West Castillo Drive in St. Augustine. The festival is sponsored by the St. Augustine Art Association and takes place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is a $1 donation. Nov. 29, 2008 through Nov. 30, 2008

REGENCY SQUARE MALL

• This year Regency Square Mall's campaign is Merry Giving.  Recognizing that holiday shopping IS holiday giving, all holiday program elements revolve around the concept of giving: Finding the Perfect Gift to Give, Gift Cards and Charitable Giving. 
• Get Your Gift On - Nov. 28 at 6am - Face to Face interaction including Trivia, Quizzes about Regency Square Mall and holiday stories and characters and Finishing the lines of a holiday carol - ALL on-camera! Mobile interactions include TEXT Messaging to win on the spot prizes including a chance to win an Acer® Aspire^TM Laptop and 52" Sony Bravia® Flat Panel TV.

AMELIA ISLAND PLANTATION

Annual Holiday Lights Celebration

Phone: 904 261-6161

Let the holiday season begin as we light up the resort with thousands of twinkling white lights! Join us at The Spa & Shops at Amelia Island Plantation for an enjoyable evening filled with live entertainment, complimentary hot chocolate, apple cider, cookies, and horse & carriage rides. Don't forget to take your picture with Santa!

Annual Pajama Party Sale & Contest

Snuggling into the holiday shopping season in historic downtown Fernandina Beach, the Annual Pajama Party Sale & Contest on Centre Street will begin at 8 a.m.  Held the Friday after Thanksgiving, shoppers can enjoy free contest registration until 11 a.m., giving them plenty of time to slip into their footed pajamas, bunny slippers, and other assorted sleepwear.  Pajama clad shoppers enjoy special deals and discounts, along with fresh juice, coffee and pastries to fuel their shopping spirit.  Shoppers entering the contest are eligible for "Best Dressed Individual Shopper in Pajamas" and "Best Dressed Shopping Group in Pajamas."  For more information, contact Sandy Price at (904) 261-9504.

Annual Holiday Light Celebration
6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Amelia Island Plantation will light up the holiday season with thousands of twinkling white lights. From 6 to 9 p.m., visit The Spa & Shops at Amelia Island Plantation for an enjoyable evening of live entertainment, complimentary hot chocolate, apple cider, cookies, and horse and carriage rides. And don't forget to get your picture with Santa.  For more information contact The Spa & Shops at Amelia Island Plantation at (904) 432-2202. 

A Day Out at Amelia Island Plantation! November 29th

Phone: 904 261-6161 Admission: Prices vary based on activity.

• Choose from...complimentary Wine Tasting at Marché Burette, browse the boutiques, relax at the Spa and Salon, enjoy a delicious complimentary ice cream cone at the Cooper's Ice Cream Social and wrap the day up at the Holiday Carnival with a carousel ride, chat with Santa and horse & carriage ride. Full day of Fun at Amelia!

FERNANDINA BEACH CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY

The City of Fernandina Beach and Historic Fernandina Business Association will host the official City of Fernandina Beach Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on Saturday, November 29, 2008 at 6:00 p.m. Held in front of the old train depot at the foot of Centre Street, Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive early, at 3 p.m., to meet and be available to take pictures with the kids of the community.  Music by area choirs and bands will also take place in the downtown business district from 3 to 6 p.m. at various locations.  Santa will return each Saturday in December, allowing parents a picture perfect opportunity. For more information, contact Melba Whitaker at 904-261-3635 or access the Calendar of Events at .

Holiday Carnival
From 4 to 7 p.m., Amelia Island Plantation will hold its annual Holiday Carnival at The Spa & Shops. Bring the whole family to enjoy a ride on the carousel, chat with Santa Claus during a horse and carriage ride, and complimentary Christmas Cookies and Hot Chocolate.  For more information, contact The Spa & Shops at Amelia Island Plantation at (904) 432-2202.

Running throughout the holiday season is St. Augustine's Nights of Lights:

One of North America's Best Holiday Celebrations! 15^th Annual Nights of Lights

Millions of white lights create a magical holiday atmosphere in the Nation's oldest city during the 15th Annual Nights of Lights Celebration in St. Augustine, Florida. Tracing its origins to the Spanish tradition of displaying a lighted white candle during the Christmas holidays, the spectacular lighting reflects the city's 443-year history while creating a beautiful setting for special memories.

A dazzling array of special events and activities await visitors. Nighttime tours of ancient buildings and inns led by storytellers in period clothing, rollicking train and trolley tours through the narrow brick streets, art walks featuring more than 30 galleries serving free holiday refreshments on the First Friday in December and January, special Saturday night antique shopping events, a dazzling regatta, Florida ice skating, luminaries in the town plaza, holiday concerts - even a Christmas parade - are among the special events to be added to the memory books of visitors and residents alike.

The Nights of Lights will sparkle in St. Augustine through January 31.