Who doesn’t love dressing up in holiday dresses and heading out on the town for dinner and a show? We have an incredible list of holiday shows, including several Nutcracker options, and theatre in Jacksonville! Jacksonville also has more than a few options to see the most amazing gingerbread houses or make your own. Check out our list below and plan your holiday!
Holiday Shows
Enchanted Christmas Village
November 25-December 31
The Enchanted Christmas Village is a magical and delightful experience that brings Christmas to life. Bringing families together in a fun and safe environment is the Village’s first goal. Guests will be surrounded by over one million Christmas lights that will illuminate the magic of the season for all to enjoy! An animated Christmas Tree performs every half hour in the evenings. The beauty of the Village will be set in the most beautiful backdrop of lush acres of land, complete with lakefront views and country Christmas atmosphere!
St. Augustine Winter Spectacular
December 3 :: 2:00 pm & 7:00 pm
St. Augustine Winter Spectacular! is a family-friendly, entertaining holiday production that follows a young girl’s journey home for the holidays. Lots of local organizations participate in this event, making it one of the largest parades in Northeast Florida. Expect to see lots of holiday decorations, marching bands and even Santa himself!
Jacksonville Symphony Youth Orchestra
December 5 :: 7:00 pm
Enjoy a FREE concert of Holiday favorites, performed by Jacksonville Symphony Youth Orchestra musicians.
A Night at the Alhambra | A Christmas Story
December 8 :: 6:00 pm – 10:00pm
Beaches Rotaract and Rotary Club of Ponte Vedra Beach present “A Christmas Story” at the Alhambra theatre! This show is perfect for the whole family! A Christmas Story is a hilarious comedy and touching coming-of-age story of growing up in the Midwest in the 1940s. All the magic of the motion picture will come to life onstage! Tickets are just $55 for dinner, show, and a chance to support an awesome cause.
The Community Nutcracker
December 9 ::8:00 pm
December 10 :: 1:00 pm and 7:30 pm
Every year, The Community Nutcracker delights audiences of all ages with this holiday classic. More than 200 children from Northeast Florida audition and perform in the production. Additionally, The Community Nutcracker issues 2,000 free tickets to various Jacksonville agencies and organizations to attend a Community Service Night performance. Residents and clients from area nursing homes and nonprofit agencies are also able to attend the ballet.
Lightwire Theater: A Very Electric Christmas
December 11 :: 3:00pm – 6:00pm
Brighten your holidays with Lightwire Theater’s A Very Electric Christmas. Audiences of all ages will treasure this magical and captivating tale of family, friendship and hope set to timeless holiday hits including Nat King Cole, Mariah Carey and Tchaikovsky. In this wonderful story, Santa’s helpers are putting the final touches on presents as a young bird named Max and his family head south for the winter. When Max gets blown off course during a snowstorm, he ends up alone and lost at the North Pole. As he tries to make his way home, his adventure begins when he encounters friendly caroling worms, dancing poinsettias, Nutcracker soldiers, mischievous mice and an evil Rat King. This delightful holiday production will make children wide-eyed with delight and warm even the smallest of hearts.
First Coast Nutcracker
Friday, December 16 :: 8 pm
Saturday, December 17 :: 2:00 pm & 8:00 pm
Sunday, December 18 :: 2:00 pm
Enter the magical world of childlike imagination at one of Jacksonville’s greatest holiday traditions. The First Coast Nutcracker will enchant the whole family, showcasing internationally renowned principal dancers, our area’s finest young dance corps and Tchaikovsky’s best-loved melodies played by your Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra.
Jason Woods: A Christmas Carol
December 17 :: 8:00pm – 10:00pm
An unforgettable storytelling event! Over 25 characters brought to life by one actor, and a story that faithfully endures and inspires. Experience A CHRISTMAS CAROL again…for the first time.
A Christmas Carol
December 19 :: 7:30 pm
This celebrated Charles Jones adaptation of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol is rich with thrilling ensemble music, alive with color and movement, and is created to tell this great and enduring tale in a manner that people of all ages will enjoy. FSCJ Artists Series.
Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer : The Musical
December 20 :: 7:00 pm
Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer has become a beloved Christmas classic – capturing the hearts and wonder of generations of fans. Now, more than 50 years later, something magical is happening as the beloved classic soars off the screen and onto the stage. All of your favorite characters from the original TV special including, Santa and Mrs. Claus, Hermey the Elf, Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster, Clarice, Yukon Cornelius, the Misfit Toys and, of course, Rudolph, come to life in Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer: The Musical at the Florida Theatre.
A Bethlehem Visit: Live Walkthrough Nativity
TBA
Imagine a bustling 8,000+ square foot village with merchants, townspeople, artisans and dozens of live animals. Stroll through the city and get up-close and personal with more than 200 costumed cast members as they re-create the city of Bethlehem as it might have been on the night of Jesus’ birth. Authentic sights, smells and sounds greet guests as they make their way to seek out the manger and the Christ Child at Ponte Vedra Presbyterian Church. This holiday tradition would not be complete without carols sung by a roaring bonfire, free hot chocolate and cookies served to all.
Gingerbread Houses & Activities
The S. S. Amelia Gingerbread Pirate Ship
November 23 through the season
The world’s largest Gingerbread Ship returns to the lobby of the Ritz-Carlton at Amelia Island for the holiday season. Shaped and baked by our talented pastry chefs with pirate characters sculpted from chocolate. You don’t want to miss seeing this amazing pirate ship!
Gingerbread House Extravaganza
November 30 – December 23
The Jacksonville Historical Society is proud to present this beloved holiday tradition. Now in its 14th year, the Gingerbread House Extravaganza will feature gigantic, creative gingerbread houses built by chefs, bakers, architects, engineers, culinary school students, families, young people and other individuals. These tasty creations will be on display at the Jacksonville Historical Society headquarters, historic Old St. Andrews, immediately across the street from the Veteran’s Memorial Arena.
Gingerbread House at One Ocean
November 30 :: 3:30 p.m.
One Ocean Resort & Spa’s culinary team wows visitors with the unveiling of a surprise gingerbread structure. An edible work of art, the imaginative life-size gingerbread structure is the brainchild of the talented pastry team, who spends countless hours planning and baking the structure. Following in the footsteps of the past years’ delightful surprise designs, including a life-size Gingerbread Train, Elves Cottage and a giant Santa’s Slay to name a few, this year’s structure will surprise all while creating a terrific holiday photo opportunity for onlookers. Guests enjoy sweet treats and holiday tunes during the unveiling.
Publix Gingerbread House Decorating
November 26 – December 24 | Various Times
Forgo the mess at home, and bring the family here! This class allows you and your children (up to three kids) to decorate your own gingerbread house. One adult is required for each family group; children should be at least four years old. Publix also offers Holiday Cookies sessions during the same dates.
Cinotti’s Bakery Gingerbread House Family Fun Nights
Every Saturday in December:: 4:15 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.
Each year Cinotti’s Bakery opens their doors for families to come and decorate a gingerbread house together. This year is no different as the popular Jacksonville Bakery celebrates its Annual Family Fun Night with a Christmas tree, carols, cookies and coffee! Reservations required. Four people per table.
