With the holiday season in full swing, enjoy the following events taking place in our area. Happy holidays from everyone at the Ponte Vedra Recorder!
Bruce Allen Scudder’s ‘Christmas Carole’ at Alhambra Theatre & Dining
Everyone loves a story that starts with “once upon a time.” Everyone loves a fairy tale with a happy ending. Everyone loves the holidays, that is with one exception, and this is the story of Bruce Allen Scudder’s “Christmas Carole.” This classic holiday show returns to the Alhambra from Nov. 22 to Dec. 24. The theatre is located at 12000 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville. For tickets, call (904) 641-1212 or visit www.alhambrajax.com.
Clydesdales at Anheuser-Busch Jacksonville Brewery and Tour Center
The world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales are returning to the Anheuser-Busch Jacksonville Brewery and Tour Center Nov. 22 and Nov. 24-26 from noon to 2 p.m. Guests will have the opportunity to visit the "gentle giants," meet the hitch team and see the full hitch parade around the brewery grounds with the iconic red wagon in tow. Guests are encouraged to enjoy a complimentary self-guided tour while visiting the Tour Center, which offers an in-depth look at the story of Anheuser-Busch. This event will take place at 111 Busch Drive in Jacksonville. Visit http://www.budweisertours.com/ for more information.
Roy’s Restaurant Thanksgiving dinner
Roy's will be open Thanksgiving Day and is inviting its guests for a special holiday dinner prepared by local chefs. Visitors can choose from a Thanksgiving Dinner menu ($39.95 per person) or Roy's Classic Prix Fixe Menu (starting at $49 per person). The Thanksgiving menu incorporates fresh flavors with traditional dishes such as the pan-roasted, teriyaki-glazed turkey and sides such as truffle mashed potatoes. Roy's will be open from noon to 8 p.m.; the restaurant is located at 2400 3rd St. S. in Jacksonville Beach. Call (904) 241-7697 for more information.
Turkey Trot
Starting at the Mickler's Landing parking lot on South Ponte Vedra Boulevard, this race taking place on Thanksgiving day will benefit the YMCA's drowning prevention program Safety Around Water. Registration is open to all; sign-up at www.firstcoastymca.org/turkey-trot-ponte-vedra. This event will take place from 8:30 a.m. to noon.
OH WHAT FUN! at Sawgrass Village
OH WHAT FUN! at Sawgrass Village will take place Dec. 2 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event will feature horse-drawn carriage rides, visits from Santa, live music, holiday activities and more. Attendees are invited to play "Stuff Your Stocking" to create a stocking and enter to win one from Sawgrass Village merchants. Fundraising raffles sponsored by the Ponte Vedra Women's Club will allow attendees to win more than $4,000 in prizes. The "Spirit of Giving" raffles will benefit local charities such as Beaches Emergency Assistance Ministry (BEAM), Gabriel House, Rethreaded and more. Sawgrass Village is located on A1A in Ponte Vedra Beach, 3.5 miles south of J.T. Butler Boulevard.
Christ Church Nutcracker Ballet
The 22nd Annual Christ Church Nutcracker Ballet presented by Miss Felicia's Dance Program will take place Dec. 9 at 6 p.m. at The University of North Florida’s Lazzara Theater. Visit www.missfeliciasdance.com to purchase tickets. The University of North Florida is located at 1 UNF Drive in Jacksonville.
The Nutcracker Tea
The Nutcracker Tea will feature excerpts from the 22nd Nutcracker Ballet performance along with a holiday tea. This event will be held Dec. 3 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Ponte Vedra Inn & Club Conference Center Ballroom; tickets cost $29 per person and can be purchased at www.missfeliciasdance.com or by calling Claire Duffy at (904) 923-0604. The Ponte Vedra Inn & Club is located at 200 Ponte Vedra Blvd.
Hope for the Holidays event
The Jim & Tabitha Furyk Foundation's Hope for the Holidays event will take place Dec. 7 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Families will have the opportunity to volunteer together at the event, which started six years ago with student volunteers from local schools packing 500 bags for poverty-stricken children. This year, thanks to funds generated during the annual Furyk & Friends Concert and Celebrity Golf Classic as well as donations from PepsiCo, the Foundation will pack over 3,5000 bags with canned ham, green beans, mashed potatoes, stuffing, cornbread, cereal and special treats. Visit https://jimandtabithafurykfoundation.com/ for more information.
Gingerbread Unveiling
One Ocean Resort & Spa will host the 10th annual Gingerbread Unveiling, a community-anticipated event since 2008, Dec. 4 at 3:30 p.m. Guests are invited to join the team at One Ocean for the reveal of this year's structure. An edible work of art, the life-sized creation is the innovative work of a talented pastry team. The larger-than-life treat will provide plenty of photo opportunities. The event will also feature gingerbread cookies, mulled cider and holiday cheer.
Christmas lights at the Enchanted Christmas Village
Enjoy Christmas lights at the Enchanted Christmas Village Dec. 1-3, 8-10, 15-17 and Dec. 21-23 from 5 to 10 p.m. Visitors can enjoy a 10-minute Christmas lights show, crafts, local vendors, bounce houses, wagon rides through the Enchanted Trail, photos with Santa, yard games, stage entertainment and more at the Village. This attraction is located at 899 Palm Valley Road in Ponte Vedra Beach. Call (888) 486-6413 to purchase tickets, or visit jacksonvillechristmas.com.
Apex Theatre Studio Presents ‘The Santaland Diaries’ by David Sedaris
“The Santaland Diaries” by Apex Theatre Studio will be performed at the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall Dec. 15-16 at 8:30 p.m. The show has mature language. Visit www.pvconcerthall.com to purchase tickets; the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall is located at 1050 A1A N.
Photos with Santa in Jacksonville
Children and their families can enjoy the holiday season with a visit to the Simon Santa Photo Experience at The Avenues Mall and St. Johns Town Center through Dec. 24. Santa will be available to take photos and listen to wishes in the lower level center court at The Avenues and Santa's new home at St. Johns Town Center across from Nordstrom. For local pet owners, Pet Photo Nights with Santa will take place at The Avenues Dec. 10 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. and St. Johns Town Center Dec. 10 from 7 to 9 p.m.
