Holiday Season Lights up Amelia Island with Family-Friendly Events
AMELIA ISLAND, Florida -- The holiday season will soon come ashore on northeast Florida's barrier island, washing up a treasure trove of fun and exciting family-friendly events.
A longtime favorite vacation destination, Amelia Island will welcome visitors and entertain both local residents and tourists with a variety of celebrations. The holiday calendar is packed with festive events -- a holiday carnival, Christmas tree lighting ceremonies, holiday home tours, luminary tour, a lighted boat parade, Santa Claus appearances, and various other events of the season.
Voted a "Top 10 North American Island" by Conde Nast Traveler's Reader's Choice Awards, Amelia Island even offers a holiday Parade of Paws for pet lovers and their furry friends.
Around the island, holiday shopping becomes a delight with plenty of unique boutiques along Centre Street in historic Fernandina Beach -- even a holiday pajama party for shopping! Shop, browse and enjoy the 55-block historic district of Fernandina Beach (on the National Register of Historic Places). Patronize these downtown merchants who help keep Centre Street a charming and alluring business district -- a tourist attraction not to be missed when visiting Amelia Island, Florida.
Also visit the lovely, old-Florida style shopping village, beautifully decorated for the season, at the Shops at Amelia Island Plantation.
Upcoming events on Amelia Island through the holidays include:
November 22, 2008
Amelia Island Bed and Breakfast Association Holiday Cookie Tour
Looking for a new cookie recipe? Let Fernandina's "pro" bakers share a recipe and a taste of their signature baked goods during the annual Holiday Cookie Tour. Enjoy a holiday treat and walk through the common area of seven of Amelia's beautiful bed & breakfast inns, all decked out in holiday attire. Held from 1 - 5 p.m., the tour will include admission to the Addison on Amelia, Amelia Island Williams House, Ash Street Inn, Elizabeth Pointe Lodge, Fairbanks House, Florida House Inn, and Hoyt House. Tickets are $20 each and are available at any of the seven inns, the Visitor's Depot on Centre Street, and the Chamber of Commerce Gateway Office. For more information, visit http://www.ameliaislandinns.com/.
November 26, 2008
Annual Christmas Tree Lighting and Character Dinner
At 5:30 p.m., the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island will hold their annual Christmas Tree Lighting, complete with refreshments, music and, of course, a visit from Santa. Each year, an annual tradition during the holiday season is the Ritz chef's gigantic gingerbread creation, featured in the Ritz lobby. (Pictured is last year's gingerbread ship, 17 feet long!) It's worth a visit to the Ritz just to see this gingerbread masterpiece each year, and smell the lobby's aroma from this amazing culinary accomplishment. The tree lighting celebration will be followed by a Holiday Character Dinner at 6:30 p.m., where the family can dine with Santa, elves, reindeer and other holiday characters. Admission to the Character dinner is $49 for adults and $25 for children 3-12. The tree lighting is free and open to the public. For event reservations and information, please call (904) 277-1028.
November 28, 2008
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.
November 28, 2008
Annual Holiday Light Celebration, Amelia Island Plantation
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, go to www.aipfl.com/Calendar_of_Events_Shops.htm, or contact The Spa & Shops at Amelia Island Plantation at (904) 432-2202.
November 29, 2008
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 Fernandina calendar of events at http://www.downtownfernandina.com/.
November 29, 2008
Holiday Carnival at Amelia Island Plantation
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 or www.aipfl.com/Calendar_of_Events_Shops.htm.
December 5 & 6, 2008
Historic Homes for the Holidays, Fernandina Beach
Tour five of Amelia Island's private, historic homes during the Amelia Island Museum of History's "Christmas on Centre," an annual celebration of the holiday season in Fernandina Beach. The tour will include caroling, visits with Mr. and Mrs. Claus, a huge model train exhibit, decorated trees, gingerbread houses, children's games and much more. The Historic Homes for the Holidays event will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days, December 5 -6, 2008. For tickets and more information, call the museum at (904) 261-7378 or visit http://www.ameliamuseum.org./
December 5 & 6, 2008
Centre Street Luminary Tour
The Centre Street Luminary Tour takes visitors back in time during the Christmas Season. Back to a time where the lights were twinkling and a Christmas parade filled the streets with children's laughter. Guests can hear the fascinating stories that shaped Fernandina's history and propelled this quaint seaport into a National Historic District. The hour-long tour starts at the railroad depot located at 102 Centre St. The tour is scheduled for 6:00 on Friday and Saturday December 5 & 6. Reservation are required for other tour times. Tickets are S10.00/adults and $5.00/ students. Call Thea Seagraves at (904) 261-7378 x105 for reservations and tickets.
December 6, 2008
Parade of Paws for Pet Lovers
On Saturday, December 6, Redbones Dog Bakery and Boutique will be holding their 8th annual "Parade of Paws" down Centre Street, a showcase of pets at their best. Interested pet owners can pre-register at Redbones after November 1 or sign up the day of the parade, starting at 9:30 a.m. The line-up of pets and owners will begin at 10:30 am.
For those interested in watching the Parade of Paws, the parade begins at 11 a.m. and lasts approximately one hour. There is a $10 entry fee for participating pets, with all proceeds benefiting the Nassau Humane Society. A photographer will be taking pictures of dogs with their owners, which can be purchased during the event. Following the Parade, a pet caricature artist will be creating caricatures for customers who bring their dogs back to Redbones. For more information, please visit http://www.redbonesbakery.com/ or call (904) 321-0020.
December 6-7, 13-14, & 20-21, 2008
Story Book Tea Party
Throughout the month of December, jolly old St. Nick will be dropping in at the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island for Santa's Story Book Tea Party. The parties will provide sandwiches, sweets, tea and party favors for each child, along with a holiday story book performance. Admission is $39 for ages 3 and up. Reservations are required. For event reservations and information, call (904) 277-1028.
December 12, 2008
Holiday Champagne Dinner at Salt, Ritz-Carlton
At 6 p.m. on Friday, December 12, join Chef de Cuisine Richard Gras for a signature wine dinner at Salt, the island's only AAA five diamond restaurant. A truly fantastic and fascinating dining experience, the dinner will feature wine experts who will discuss each wine's unique characteristics and to answer questions. Served with a seven-course tasting menu designed to complement the featured vintage, the dinners are as entertaining as they are exquisite. The featured winery for the dinner is Veuve Clicquot. Tickets are $135 per person and reservations are required, as space is limited. To make a reservation, call the Amelia Island Ritz-Carlton at (904) 491-6746.
December 13
Fernandina Beach Lighted Christmas Boat Parade
The 1st Annual Fernandina Beach Lighted Christmas Boat Parade will be held on Saturday evening, December 13, 2008 at the Water Front Marina at the foot of Centre and Ash Streets in downtown Fernandina Beach. Beginning at 7:30 p.m., spectators are invited to bring their chairs to view the lighted parade from along the beautiful waterfront walkway. All boats will be decorated with lights in a Christmas/Holiday theme. Applications will be available online at http://www.downtownfernandina.com/after October 1, 2008. The 1st Annual Fernandina Beach Lighted Christmas Boat Parade is hosted by the Historic Fernandina Business Association. For more information, contact Sandy Price, event coordinator, at 904-206-0756 or by email at slprice@bellsouth.net.
December 31, 2008
New Year's Eve party at the Falcon's Nest
Toast the New Year at Falcon's Nest at Amelia Island Plantation. The evening includes dancing to a live DJ starting at 10 p.m., party favors, and a champagne toast at midnight. It's the perfect way to ring in the New Year, island-style. Space is limited to the first 150 people, and a cover charge will be required. Those looking to start the celebration earlier can enjoy a prime rib dinner from 5-10 p.m. for $19.95 per adult. Call (904) 491-4242 for more information.
Northeast Florida's coastal treasure, Amelia Island is a barrier island rich in colorful history and breath-taking natural beauty. Its long, beautiful beaches, abundant wildlife, and pristine waters have made the island a favorite destination for outdoor adventure. Upscale resorts with world-class spas, championship golf and exclusive dining blend effortlessly with a captivating collection of bed and breakfast inns and historic districts. The island is home to Fernandina Beach, once a vibrant Victorian seaport village, and now a charming, historic downtown district of eclectic shops, attractions, and eateries.
Forget the everyday getaway...Come make memories on Amelia Island. For visitor information and online planning, also visit http://www.ameliaisland.com/.
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