A white Christmas seems unlikely but now that the clocks have changed and the temperatures have cooled, thoughts turn to the holidays in the Jacksonville area.
There are light shows, parades, circuses, festivals, concerts and movies on tap. Elvis is gonna do a holiday show, and so are Sarah Brightman, Dave Koz, Peter White, Mannheim Steamroller and Trans-Siberian Orchestra. The Jacksonville Symphony has a full slate of holiday shows, and at least five Nutcrackers are coming.
St. Johns Town Center Holiday Spectacular
Nov. 11 at the St. Johns Town Center
The Big Guy makes his first holiday appearance at the giant outdoor mall, but first they have ornament decoration sessions, photo booths, games for kids and live music. Megan Danielle of “American Idol” headlines. Fireworks follow Santa’s appearance. Info: simon.com/st-johns-town-center
Colors of the Wild
Nov. 17 through February at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens
The zoo’s longtime ZooLights holiday nighttime display is being transformed into an Asian lantern festival, with more than 70 displays around the zoo grounds, holiday markets and Santa’s village. Info: jacksonvillezoo.org
Nights of Lights
Nov. 18-Jan. 31 in St. Augustine
Three million lights decorate St. Augustine’s historic district for the holiday celebration that has been described as one of the most dazzling in the world. There are dozens of tours and events connected with Nights of Lights, starting with LIght Up Night on Nov. 18. Info: visitstaugustine.com
Cirque Dreams Holidaze
Nov. 19 at the Moran Theater
Acrobats, aerialists, jugglers, dancers and contortionists perform a holiday-themed circus show. Info: fscjartistseries.org
Deck the Chairs
Nov. 22-Jan. 1 at Seawalk Pavilion, Jacksonville Beach
The annual Beaches holiday festival features elaborately decorated lifeguard chairs, plus a nightly light show, local music and dance groups, appearances by Navy Band Southeast and the Civic Orchestra of Jacksonville and Gator Bowl pep rallies. New this year: Ten of the chairs will be on display at James Weldon Johnson Park in downtown Jacksonville. Info: deckthechairs.org
Christmas Made in the South
Nov. 24-26 at the Prime Osborn Convention Center
Get a jump on your holiday shopping at the annual artisan’s fair. Info: jaxevents.com
Dazzling Nights
Nov. 24-Dec. 29 at the Jacksonville Arboretum & Botanical Gardens
More than a million holiday lights will twinkle in the forests of the arboretum for the third holiday season. They’ll also have a 40-foot snowglobe perfect for snowball fights, neon flowers, a laser-beam forest and a nightly “snowfall.” Info: dazzlingjax.com
Light Boat Parade
Nov. 25 on the St. Johns River in downtown Jacksonville
Dozens of brightly lit vessels parade up and down the river to kick off the holiday season. But the big thrill is the “waterfall” fireworks show from the Main Street and Acosta bridges. Info: specialevents.coj.net
Walk Through Bethlehem
Dec. 1-2 and 8-9 at East Pointe Church
Live animals, Roman soldiers, a marketplace and a manger help set the scene of Bethlehem on the night of Jesus’ birth. Info: epcjax.com
St. Augustine Christmas Parade
Dec. 2 in St. Augustine
The annual parade runs from the Mission of Nombre de Dios to the visitors’ center with floats, marching bands, antique cars, carriages and Santa. Info: visitstaugustine.com
Christmas on Walnut Street
Dec. 2 at Spring Park, Green Cove Springs
A daylong festival with vendors, food trucks and Santa’s workshop leads to nighttime parade and tree lighting. Info: exploreclay.com
Jacksonville Christmas Spectacular
Dec. 2-3 at the Ritz Theatre
Jason Woods has been doing one-man Scrooge shows in Jacksonville for a couple of years, but he’s expanding this year. He’ll do more than 20 characters in the show and he’s welcoming the Jaguars’ drumline as special guests. Info: ritzjacksonville.com
Dickens on Centre
Dec. 7-10 in downtown Fernandina Beach
The funky little shrimping town becomes a Victorian village for a long weekend that includes a lighted parade, a costume ball, a pet parade, photos with Santa and a drone show. Info: ameliaisland.com/dickens-on-centre
Tuba Christmas
Dec. 9 at Seawalk Pavilion, Jacksonville Beach
Dozens of tuba and euphonium players will oompah their way through holiday classics. Info: jaxtubaxmas.com
‘Elf’
Dec. 15 at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre
The Will Ferrell holiday classic will be shown for free, with hot chocolate, popcorn and a visit from Santa. Info: theamp.com
Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland
Dec. 20 at the Florida Theatre
Acrobats, aerialists, jugglers and other circus performers take an all-new holiday show on the road. Info: floridatheatre.com
Hellzapoppin Holiday Hullabaloo Circus Sideshow
Dec. 21 at Underbelly
Hellzapoppin is more about circus freaks than traditional circus performers – a “half man,” a sword-swallower, an escape artist, a yo-yo master and the like. What does that have to do with the holiday? You’ll have to see for yourself. Info: underbellyjax.com
A Drag Queen Christmas
Dec. 28 at the Florida Theatre
It’s three days after the big day, but Miz Cracker and a team of queens don’t mind one bit. 18 and over only. Info: floridatheatre.com
Straight No Chaser
7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 15, at the Florida Theatre. $39.50-$69.50.
Too early for Christmas music? Nah. The nine-member a capella group launches its Sleighin’ It Tour before Halloween. Info: floridatheatre.com
Mannheim Steamroller Christmas
7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 21, at the Moran Theater. $44.50-$123.50.
Chip Davis and Mannheim Steamroller pretty much invented the classical-meets-rock-meets-holiday music genre. Info: fscjartistseries.org
Dave Koz and Friends
8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 30, at the Florida Theatre. $45-$87.50.
Saxman Koz, guitarist Jonathan Butler, singer Rebecca Jade, sax player Marcus Anderson and keyboardist Justin Lee Schultz play holiday favorites. Info: floridatheatre.com
Ultimate Elvis Christmas Concert
3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3, at the Trasher-Horne Center. $25-$65.
Cote Deonath and the Infinit-E Tribute Band play “White Christmas” and other Presley holiday hits. Info: thcenter.org
A Peter White Christmas
8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 6, at the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall. $69-$121.50.
White, Mindi Abair and Vincent Ingala team up for their annual holiday tour. Info: floridatheatre.com
Sarah Brightman “A Christmas Symphony”
8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8, at the Moran Theater. $66-$1,300.
The woman who first starred in “Phantom of the Opera” and sold more than 30 million records brings her own orchestra and choir for a holiday show. Info: fscjartistseries.org
Spirit of the Season
8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, at the Ritz Theatre. $25.
Jacksonville’s own Ritz Voices bring gospel and soul to holiday favorites. Info: jaxevents.com
Il Divo
8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 18, at the Florida Theatre. $49.50-$250.
Four singers from four countries bring an international holiday show to Jacksonville. Info: floridatheatre.com
Trans-Siberian Orchestra
7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 21, at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. $39-$109.75.
The over-the-top touring rock outfit brings lasers, explosions and holiday cheer to town. Info: jaxevents.com
‘Home Alone’ in concert
Nov. 17-18 at Jacoby Symphony Hall
The Jacksonville Symphony plays John Williams’ score as the 1990 holiday hit plays on a big screen. Info: jaxsymphony.org
A Choral Christmas
Dec. 1 at the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall
Choirs from the University of North Florida – Chamber Singers, Osprey Treble and Coro Profundo – perform traditional carols. Info: pvconcerthall.com
Sounds of the Season
Dec. 2 at Riverside Presbyterian Church
The First Coast Wind Symphony is joined by the Don Thompson Chorale. Info: fcwinds.org
Jacksonville Symphony Holiday Pops
Dec. 7-10 at Jacoby Symphony Hall
Vocalist Ryan Silverman, the Jacksonville Symphony Chorus and dancers from the Douglas Anderson School of the Arts join the symphony for one of its most popular programs. Info: jaxsymphony.org
Civic Celebrates!
Dec. 9 at St. Paul’s By the Sea Episcopal Church, Jacksonville Beach
Dec. 10 at the Ritz Theatre
The Civic Orchestra of Jacksonville performs “Sleigh Ride,” “Winter Wonderland” and other seasonal favorites. Info: civicorchestrajax.org
Jacksonville Symphony Youth Orchestras Holiday Concert
Dec. 11 at Jacoby Symphony Hall
More than 200 students learning classical music from the pros show what they can do. Info: jaxsymphony.org
Jacksonville Symphony ‘Messiah’
Dec. 16-17 at Jacoby Symphony Hall
The Jacksonville Symphony Chorus joins the symphony for Handel’s classic. Info: jaxsymphony.org
Community Nutcracker
Dec. 8-9 at the Florida Theatre
More than 200 local dancers, kids and adults alike, participate in the 32nd annual performance. Info: floridatheatre.com
Florida Ballet Nutcracker
Dec. 9-10 at the Thrasher-Horne Center, Orange Park
Dec. 15-17 at UNF Fine Arts Center
The Florida Ballet does “Nutcracker” two weekends in a row, at two different venues. Each also includes an abbreviated “Nutcracker in a Nutshell” performance. Info: floridaballet.org
First Coast Nutcracker
Dec. 15-17 at the Moran Theater
The Jacksonville Symphony performs the music live while professional dancers recreate Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece. Info: jaxsymphony.org
The Nutcracker Ballet
Dec. 15-17 at Flagler College Lewis Auditorium, St. Augustine
The St. Augustine Ballet brings in professional dancers to supplement the locals performing five shows in three days. Info: staugustineballet.org
Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet
Dec. 27 at the Florida Theatre
An international cast brings a touring version of “Nutcracker” to town. Info: floridatheatre.com
‘Miracle on 34th Street’
Nov. 16-Dec. 24 at Alhambra Theatre & Dining
It’s up to the courts to decide if the old man is the real Kris Kringle or just a department store Santa. Info: alhambrajax.com
‘Holiday Inn’
Nov. 24-Dec. 30 at the Spotlight Events Center, Fleming Island
A hotel that’s only open for holidays sounds like a terrible business plan, but it worked for Bing Crosby in the 1942 movie (which was the original source for “White Christmas”). Info: spotlighteventscenter.com
‘Scrooge: The Musical’
Dec. 1-10 at Amelia Musical Playhouse, Fernandina Beach
Just because they’re spirits doesn’t mean they don’t enjoy a little songs and dance. Info: ameliamusicalplayhouse.com
‘Miracle on 34th Street: A Live Radio Play’
Dec. 1-16 at Amelia Community Theatre, Fernandina Beach
A play within a play about the hijinks that go on when a group of performers gather in a 1948 New York radio studio to perform a holiday play. Info: ameliacommunitytheatre.org
‘The Winter Wonderettes’
Dec. 1-17 at Players by the Sea, Jacksonville Beach
Santa’s a no-show for the big hardware store holiday party, so it’s up to the Winter Wonderettes to save the day with holiday cheer. Info: playersbythesea.org
‘The Trouble with Traditions: A Holiday Detour’
Dec. 8-17 at the Limelight Theatre, St. Augustine
Skip the traditional Christmas Eve family dinner so you can see a play? Not if Richard Novak has anything to say about it. Info: limelight-theatre.org
‘Christmas with C.S. Lewis’
Dec. 10 at the Moran Theater
C.S. Lewis, author of the “Narnia” novels, wasn’t a big believer in the Biblical Christmas story until his mind was changed by the guy who wrote the “Lord of the Rings” tales. Info: fscjartistseries.org
‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’
Dec. 12 at the Florida Theatre
Good grief! The animated television classic is performed live on stage. Info: floridatheatre.com
‘It’s a Wonderful Life’
Dec. 14-23 at the Island Theater, Fleming Island
Clarence’s bell, Zuzu’s petals and the rest of the holiday classic brought to life on stage. Info: theislandtheater.com
‘The Scandal of Bethlehem’
Dec. 16 at the Ritz Theatre
As Mary and Joseph prepare for the birth of their child, Joseph begins to have doubts. Info: jaxevents.com
‘It’s a Wonderful Life’
Dec. 18 at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre Backyard Stage
The tale of George Bailey being erased from life is presented as a radio play by Apex Theatre Studio. Info: theamp.com
‘How the Big Band Stole Christmas’
Dec. 22-23 at Amelia Community Theatre, Fernandina Beach
The Crescendo Amelia band and friends put on a full theatrical production, with actors, singers, dancers and Santa. Info: ameliacommunitytheatre.org
‘A Tuna Christmas’
Dec. 23-30 at the Spotlight Events Center, Fleming Island
Things are always a little goofy in tiny Tuna, Texas, but especially during the holiday season. Info: spotlighteventscenter.com