St. Augustine Guest Houses

Holiday in the Gardens
2018-12-09 11:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Washington Oaks Garden State Park, 6400 N Oceanshore Blvd.,, FL
Take advantage of the crisp December air with a stroll through one of the area’s most charming state parks. Not only will the gardens be festively decorated, but the park will be playing host to Mr. and Mrs. Claus as well as arts and crafts for the little ones and live entertainment all day. Bring the whole family along for some festive holiday fun and some beautiful Florida scenery. Admission is free with the donation of toys or canned goods.

Dolphin Conservation Experience Kayak Ecotour
2018-12-09 11:00 - 16:00 | Ripple Effect Ecotours @the Town of Marineland Marina, 101 Tolstoy Lane, St. Augustine, FL, 32080, United States
Introducing a new level of collaboration between Ripple Effect Ecotours and Marineland Dolphin Adventure. This unique combination of kayak and walking tours will introduce visitors to the complete “Dolphin Conservation Experience”. The day will start at Marineland Dolphin Adventure, where guests will be immersed in the history and legacy of conservation at this amazing facility. After a short break, guests will be delighted with a 2 hour kayak tour venturing into the Marineland Matanzas Basin where Ripple Effect Ecotours expert guides will focus on the Atlantic bottlenose dolphin natural habitat. We hope you will take part in this exciting new “Dolphin Conservation Experience” and help spread the Marineland Ripple Effect!
Cost for this event is $55/person, and requires advanced reservation. Visitors can view our entire tour calendar online and register for this and other events at www.rippleeffectecotours.com or by phone at (904) 347-1565.

Salt Air Farmers Market
2018-12-09 10:00 - 14:00 | Salt Air Farmers Market, 101 Tolstoy Lane, Marineland, 32080
This is a frendly market along A1A in Marineland with fresh seafood, local produce, sauces & dips, honey, empanadas, artisan bread & pastries, local artists and more. This is every Sunday 10-2:00.

Nights of Lights
2018-12-09, 2018-12-08, 2018-12-07 | Downtown St. Augustine, 29 West Castillo Drive, St. Augustine
It draws thousands of people to the city every year, but even as a local, Nights of Lights is not something you want to miss out on. Light up night happens on November 17 with music in the Plaza de la Constitucion and the proverbial “flipping of the switch” by city officials. Any spot downtown will give you a beautiful view of the sudden illumination of 2 million white lights

Iris DeMent with guest Pieta Brown
2018-12-08 20:00 | Ponte Vedra Concert Hall, 1050 A1A North, Ponte Vedra, 32082
“Iris DeMent makes music that celebrates humanity’s efforts toward salvation, while acknowledging that most of our time on Earth is spent reconciling with the fact that we don’t feel so redeemed. Grounded in hymns, early country songs, gospel and folk, DeMent’s work is treasured by those who know it for its insight and unabashed beauty.” – NPR
Iris DeMent began writing songs at the age of 25. Beginning with her 1992 debut, Infamous Angel, which was hailed as “an essential album of the 1990’s” by Rolling Stone, DeMent released a series of stellar records that established her as “one of the finest singer-songwriters in America” according to The Guardian. The music earned her multiple Grammy nominations, as well as the respect of peers like John Prine, Steve Earle, and Emmylou Harris, who all invited her to collaborate. Merle Haggard dubbed her “the best singer I’ve ever heard” and asked her to join his touring band, and David Byrne and Natalie Merchant famously covered her “Let The Mystery Be” as a duet on MTV Unplugged. Her song “Our Town” is often immediately recognized as the song from the closing credits of Northern Exposure and “Let The Mystery Be” was featured in the opening scenes of the film Little Buddhaand then became the theme for the opening credits of the HBO series, The Leftovers. In 2012, DeMent released the album, Sing The Delta, which prompted NPR to call her “one of the great voices in contemporary popular music” and The Boston Globe to hail the collection as “a work of rare, unvarnished grace and power.”
DeMent recently released her sixth album, The Trackless Woods, an album that sets the words of Russian poet Anna Akhmatova to music. She was also honored with the Americana Music Association’s 2017 “Americana Trailblazer Award” for her tenacity in forging her own path in the music industry.
Hailed as a “self-styled poetess, folk goddess and country waif” by the BBC, Pieta Brown first came to international attention with her 2002 self-titled debut. Pieta has since been recognized by NPR for her “moody, ethereal” songwriting, applauded by The Boston Globe for her “mercurial voice” and has continued to gain wide-spread critical attention for both her singing and songwriting with each release. Wall Street Journal, American Songwriter, and Amazon have all included her albums in year-end, ‘best-of’ picks. And along the way she has shared stages with everyone from Emmylou Harris and JJ Cale to Neko Case and Richard Thompson, in addition to performing at major festivals like Bonnaroo and Mountain Jam. But maybe even more importantly, to a fiercely independent artist like Pieta, she has received praise and support from many of her fellow artists and mentors – Justin Vernon, Iris Dement, Mark Knopfler, Amos Lee, producer Don Was, and film-maker Wim Wenders to name a few.

Foxfire
2018-12-08 19:30, 2018-12-07 19:30, 2018-12-06 19:30 | Limelight Theatre, 11 Old Mission Avenue, St. Augustine, 32084
A beautiful glimpse into the lives of a Southern Appalachian family, Foxfire follows Annie Nations, an indomitable Appalachian widow of 79, living on her mountain farm with the acerbic ghost of her husband Hector. Her tranquility is threatened by a brash real estate developer who wants to turn her land into a vacation resort and by concern over her son Dillard, a country singer who has come home with two stranded children because his wife has run away.
Shows will take place Thursday-Saturday at 7:30pm and Sundays at 2pm.

The St. Augustine Winter Spectacular
2018-12-08 19:00 - 21:00 | Flagler Auditorium, 14 Granada Street, St. Augustine, FL 32084, St. Augustine, 32084
St. Augustine Winter Spectacular! is a family-friendly, entertaining holiday production that follows a young girl’s journey home for the holidays.
Filled with a variety of dance styles, characters, and holiday scenes to kick off the season, the show offers an exciting and unique experience for St. Johns County residents and visitors. You can expect high-kick dancers, ballerinas, acrobats, actors, and more amidst dazzling costuming and props. The Dance Company’s elite Performance Ensemble comprises the majority of cast members as well as other dancers and performers who auditioned for roles.
Tickets are sold as assigned seats and vary depending on the location in the theater. Tickets range from $15-25 if purchased in advance online. Tickets will be $25-30 at the door depending on seat location (cash or local check only please!)

Castillo Holiday Open House
2018-12-08 18:00 - 20:00 | Castillo de San Marcos, 1 S Castillo Dr, St. Augustine, FL, 32084
Immerse yourself in centuries of history at the Castillo de San Marcos by lantern light. Guests can experience the Castillo after dark and meet a variety of historic military personnel portrayed by park rangers and volunteers. These reenactors bring to life the soldiers, sailors, marines, and civilians who have served within the Castillo walls throughout its long history. The public is invited to this free open house to enjoy a piece of our city’s rich history. There will be cannon firings at 6, 7, and 8pm.

Small Treasures
2018-12-08 17:00 - 21:00, 2018-12-07 11:00 - 2018-12-31 17:00 | Butterfield Garage Art Gallery, 137 King Street, St. Augustine FL, 32084
Butterfield Garage Is hosting A Small Treasures Show during the month of December. An opening Reception will be during First Friday Art Walk, December 7.
The 30 plus artists in the gallery will have smaller works of original art on display, many created specifically for this event. These unique pieces make art collecting and giving affordable, and supports our local artists.
Butterfield artists produce an eclectic mix of baskets, pottery, paintings, photography, jewelry, printmaking and more. The works will be on display the entire month of December, the gallery is open everyday from 11-5pm

8th Annual Firefighter Chili Cookoff
2018-12-08 14:00 | St. Augustine Amphitheatre, 1340 A1A South, St. Augustine
Come try chilis cooked by firefighters across Florida in this ultimate chili cookoff! This event gives you the opportunity to vote for your favorite chili and support your local St. Augustine firefighters. Get ready for a day full of delicious (both traditional and off the wall) chili and activities for the whole family! Admission is free and chili sample tickets are available for a small fee. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Pink Heals and Green Hands programs.

25th Annual St. Augustine B&B Holiday Tour
2018-12-08 12:00 - 2018-12-10 12:00 | Downtown St. Augustine, 29 West Castillo Drive, St. Augustine
Get into the holiday spirit by touring over 20 festively decorated St. Augustine Bed & Breakfast’s on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday afternoon. As you make your way through the historical tour, enjoy tastings from local eateries at each location! Some of the local B&B’s include Agustin Inn, The Old Powder House Inn, Casa de Suenos Bed and Breakfast, Casablanca Inn on the Bay, and many more! This holiday tour is open and free for everyone!

Holiday Open House
2018-12-08 12:00 - 19:00 | Willis Family Home, 740 S. Heritage Creek Way, St, Augustine, United States
A beloved annual event, every year, the Willis Family opens their home with spectacular holiday decor and festivity. Christmas trees throughout the home range from a Grinch tree and a Trains, Planes and Automobiles tree to a Star Trek tree and a gorgeous Nature Tree. Wreaths and other holiday ornaments line the walls and tables, and the outdoor displays look beautiful both in the daytime and at night. The event will benefit K9s for Warrior, and from 2-4pm, a puppy-in-training will be in attendance. Entrance is free, but donations for the charity are encouraged.

First Coast Arts & Crafts Show
2018-12-08 10:00 - 17:00 | Mark Lance National Guard Armory, 190 San Marco Avenue, St. Augustine, FL, 32084, United States
Holiday shopping done right! The show offers visitors a chance to browse a variety of handcrafted items, from jewelry and home decor to clothing, candles, artwork, and more. This event is a perfect opportunity to pick up unique holiday gifts and support the talented local artistic community. Local food vendors will also participate in the event. So come on out and have some fun and enjoy the local arts.

Polar Express & Santa at IMAX
2018-12-08 09:00 - 13:00 | IMAX Theater at World Golf Hall of Fame, 1 World Golf Place, St. Augustine, 32092
Join us on Saturday, December 8 from 9am to 1pm for Polar Express and Santa!
Bring your kids for a fun-filled holiday celebration. Enjoy holiday activities and experience the magic of Polar Express 3D with a special appearance from Santa!
8:30am: Check-in begins outside the theater (bring your email confirmation for check-in)9:00am: Activities begin and Santa arrives10:30am: Polar Express 3D begins1:00pm: Santa departs and Activities conclude
All activities are included in the ticket cost! Don’t forget your camera to get a picture with Santa. The Polar Express and Santa event tickets are $15 for non-members (adults and children) and $10 for Movie Club Members. Price includes movie ticket, visit with Santa and activities. Pre-purchased tickets are required! NO priority seating, refunds or exchanges for this special event.
About Polar Express 3DThis holiday-themed film, based on the classic Caldecott medal-winning children’s book written by Chris Van Allsburg, is directed by Oscar® winner Robert Zemeckis and stars two-time Academy Award® winner Tom Hanks. Using state-of-the-art CGI and performance capture technology to create a unique blend of realism and fantasy, The Polar Express tells of a doubting young boy who takes an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole and embarks on a journey of self-discovery that shows him that the wonder of life never fades for those who believe.

Family Seining
2018-12-08 09:00 | Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve, 505 Guana River Road, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, United States
On the second and fourth Saturdays of each month, the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve (GTMNERR) hosts classes for the whole family to learn how to use seine nets to collect various fish and crab species. Visitors will get the chance to pull a seine net through Guana Lake, collecting species of fish, crabs and more, and then learn about the animals and their roles in the habitat. The free event is led by a naturalist and all necessary gear is provided. Registration via the website is required.

Amphitheatre Farmers Market
2018-12-08 08:30 - 12:30 | St. Augustine Amphitheatre, 1340 A1A South, St. Augustine
Join the Amphitheatre every Saturday morning under the oaks out front for a gathering of St. Augustine’s finest growers, artisans, and artists. For twenty years this community event has brought together the region’s finest fresh food, prepared goods, and fine art. Come get your groceries and gifts, grab a bite to eat or drink, and stay for a while to enjoy some old-time music from the Free Rangers.

Old City Farmer’s Market
2018-12-08 08:30 - 12:30 | St. Augustine Amphitheatre, 1340 A1A South, St. Augustine
Visit the Old City Farmers Market for fresh produce, baked goods, hand-crafted items and plants directly from the producers. There’s even fresh seafood in season. The farmers market is always a lot of fun for the whole family with live entertainment and much more. The Old City Farmers Market takes place every Saturday morning at the St. Augustine Amphitheater on A1A South in St. Augustine. 8:30am to 12:30pm on Saturdays, Admission is Free.
www.staugustinefm.com

Santa Suits on the Loose 5K
2018-12-08 08:00 | St. Augustine Beach Pier, 350 A1A Beach Blvd, St. Augustine Beach, 32085
Register for the annual Santa-themed 5k to get into the holiday spirit! The race follows a flat 3.1 Mile course through St. Augustine Beach neighborhoods and starts and finishes at St. Augustine Beach Pier Park. Proceeds from the race benefit the St. Augustine Youth Services. The first 100 participants who register will be given a Santa suit to run in and everyone else show up in your best holiday inspired running outfit! Registration fee is $30-$35.

Winter Spectacular
2018-12-08 - 2018-12-09 | Lewis Auditorium, 14 Granada Street, St. Augustine, 32084
Filled with a variety of dance styles, characters, and holiday scenes, the Winter Spectacular kicks off the holiday season. The Dance Company of St. Augustine’s holiday production features its elite high-kick dancers, ballerinas, and acrobats, as well as other dancers and performers from the area. Combined with the dazzling costumes and stage settings, the Winter Spectacular is a local favorite for getting ready for the holidays. The Saturday performance begins at 7pm. The Sunday performance begins at 2pm.

First Friday Art Walk
2018-12-07 17:00 - 21:00 | Downtown St. Augustine, 29 West Castillo Drive, St. Augustine
On the first Friday of every month, St. Augustine’s art galleries welcome visitors to browse the latest art exhibits and enjoy refreshments and live entertainment at some 30 participating galleries. Galleries will set out food and wine as many artists are on hand to discuss their work. Explore contemporary and traditional in oils, pastels, sculpture, wood, and more from artists locally and across the country.
Rain or shine, the event takes place on the first Friday of every month from 5-9pm. Galleries are open throughout downtown and even onto Anastasia Island.
Old Town Trolleys and Ripley’s Sightseeing Trains provide complimentary shuttle service to most of the galleries, including the galleries on St. Augustine Beach.

Butterfield Garage December Artist of the Month; Painter Sam Kates
2018-12-07 11:00 - 2018-12-31 17:00 | Butterfield Garage Art Gallery, 137 King Street, St. Augustine FL, 32084
An Artist Talk, First Friday December 7th at 6pm. is an opportunity to meet the artist hear the behind-the-scenes view of his inspiration and processes
Sam Kates is a painter of coastal scenes reminiscent of old Florida. He describes his current style and techniques as “painterly realism,” full of detail to document his subjects but very dependent on light and shadows that give his works extraordinary depth and definition. While his pictures are composed on site and reflect actual scenes and boats, the paintings are created in the studio at his home in St. Augustine, FL.
Sam retired in 2002 after over three decades as a director of history, natural science and fine art museums and institutions in Florida, Tennessee and Alabama. While he is still called upon to jury and judge art shows and festivals, most of his time is now spent in the studio painting coastal scenes that are reminiscent of the old Florida that was still prevalent during the 1940-50’s when he was a child. He fondly remembers spending summers with his grandparents in New Smyrna Beach where huge sand dunes still exist and fleets of shrimp boats crowded the local docks.
Sketching trips to Cedar Key in 1957 inspired his first paintings of working boats and shorelines.
He has been an exhibiting member of The Butterfield Garage Gallery artist co-op for the past ten years and has also shown his paintings at other numerous venues, galleries and Art Festivals throughout the state. Sam was born in Orlando, Florida in 1940 and grew up in Gainesville. He is an alumnus of Florida State University.

Adult Craft: Holiday Cork Ornaments
2018-12-07 11:00 - 12:00, 2018-12-07 10:00 - 11:00 | Main Library, 1960 N. Ponce de Leon Blvd, St. Augustine, FL, 32084, United States
REGISTRATION REQUIRED. Join us Friday, December 7th @ 10 am or 11 am for this fun holiday adult craft program! Choose from five holiday ornament cork designs including Santa, Angel, Owl, Snowman and Mouse. Reserve your space at one of these two programs now!
Please call the Main Library at 904.827.6940 if you have any questions. Craft supplies provided by the Friends of the Main Library St. Augustine.

First Friday Garden Walk
2018-12-07 10:00 - 10:45 | Washington Oaks Garden State Park, 6400 N Oceanshore Blvd.,, FL
On the first Friday of every month, take a peaceful and pleasant walk through Washington Oaks State Park. The 45-minute walk is led by a park ranger and introduces guests to the history and variety of the beautiful formal gardens nestled within the maritime hammock at this unique state park.
Regular park entrance fees apply of $5 per vehicle with up to eight people, $4 for single-occupant vehicles, and $2 for pedestrians/bicyclists.

Marlene’s Senior Stretching
2018-12-06 12:30 - 13:30 | Main Library, 1960 N. Ponce de Leon Blvd, St. Augustine, FL, 32084, United States
According to the National Institute of Health, only 30% of people ages 45-64 say they engage in regular physical activity, and only 15% of people ages 64-74 do the same. If you’re not in the right percentage now, there’s no more excuses. Come to the Main Library every Thursday at 12:30 for free flexibility exercises tailored to senior citizens. These stretching exercises will help your freedom of movement for tasks such as tying your shoes or looking over your shoulder when you back your car out of a parking spot.
Instructor Marlene is 75 years young and leads these classes as much for her benefit as for yours! No registration required. Please wear comfortable clothes and bring a bottle of water. Call the Main Library at 904.827.6940 for more information.
