September 20, 2024
As the end of 2024 approaches, we invite you to join us in celebrating the joy of the season, Island-style. While we may not have snow to signal the arrival of Christmas, rest assured that we have an abundance of holiday spirit and cheer to make up for it.
Check out these holiday happenings that will keep you fulfilled from the kickoff to the Christmas season right through the New Year – plus explore our continually updated list of Amelia Island’s activities here.
Downtown Fernandina Beach – Get the Christmas season started at the annual Christmas Tree Lighting held at the foot of Centre Street in historic downtown Fernandina Beach. Food and merchandise vendors plus live entertainment and Santa makes for great family fun. Friday, November 29, 4-6pm.
The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island – For over twenty-five years, the arrival of Santa Claus and the lighting of the 40-foot Christmas tree at the Ritz-Carlton has been a beloved tradition for all ages. This festive event with live holiday music, refreshments and cookies, creates a warm and cheerful atmosphere. The evening not only dazzles with fireworks, beautiful ornaments, and the glow of thousands of twinkling lights, but it also supports local charities as a fundraiser, embodying the spirit of goodwill. Wednesday, November 27, 5:30pm.
Omni Amelia Island Resort – Kick off the festive season at the Omni’s Holiday Lights Celebration where guests of the resort and locals will welcome Santa with the lighting of the tree at 6 p.m. Be sure to make your way around the shopping village to enjoy cookie decorating, hot chocolate, s’mores, photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, family activities, live music and a Black Friday sale at Salty Threads.
Let’s get this party started! Stroll and shop in your PJ’s when the merchants of Historic Downtown Fernandina Beach host their Annual Black Friday Pajama Party. From 8am – 4pm on November 29 “Black Friday,” guests can shop in their pajamas and enjoy special deals, discounts, and refreshments along Centre Street. The much-anticipated Pajama Contest always takes center stage with a chance to win prizes donated by local merchants for Best Individual, Best Group, Most Creative, and Best Pet Pajamas. The party will continue with a visit from Santa himself and the annual lighting of the Christmas tree at 6pm!
Peek inside five homes, tastefully decorated for the holiday season, during the annual Holiday Home Tour. All homes are in the beautiful historic downtown district and are not normally open to the public. Docents in each home give its history and highlight the period architectural elements. December 6 and December 7, 10am – 4pm. Tickets are $35 until November 30th at 4 p.m., $40 at 4 p.m. and after.
Who doesn’t love a parade? Enjoy bands, dancers, lighted floats and so much more at the annual Lighted Christmas Parade, organized by America’s Youth and held in downtown Fernandina Beach on Saturday, December 7 at 6pm. This is a free event. There will be an after-party from 7-9pm at Central Park following the parade with vendors, music, and more family fun!
It’s showtime, folks and to get you in the spirit of the season, “Scrooge” will take center stage at Amelia Musical Playhouse December 5 – 15. You don’t want to miss this musical based on Charles Dickens’, “A Christmas Carol”.
The whole family can experience “Christmas Past made Present” at the annual Dickens on Centre festival held December 12 – 15 in historic downtown Fernandina Beach. Visits from Saint Nick, costumed carolers, performers, seasonal vendors, life-sized snow globes, illuminated lantern parade, Dickens After Dark, and readings of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas are just a few of the ways our Victorian downtown will be transformed into a festive classic.
The Grammy-winning Mark and Maggie O’Connor bring their dynamic energy to a wondrous mixture of bluegrass instrumental and vocal music with An Appalachian Christmas. The holiday tradition features fresh arrangements of Christmas classics and captures the emotions of the season: playfulness, joy, contemplation, gratitude and more. Performing on fiddle, acoustic guitar, mandolin and vocals, the husband and wife duo brings an elegance and earnestness to down-home bluegrass, Americana and folk music. December 15, 5-7pm
Featuring over thirty world-class performers in a classic big band setting, this family friendly holiday show is sure to get everyone in the spirit. A full theatre production will include all your favorite holiday songs, local celebrity singers, dancing, acting and a few surprises. And if you’re nice, maybe St. Nick will pay us a visit, too! Held at Amelia Community Theatre, December 20 – 22. Find more information and purchase tickets.
Join the City of Fernandina Beach and Light Up Amelia for a unique, family-friendly New Year’s celebration! Ring in the new year at the downtown waterfront in conjunction with the Greenwich Mean Time stroke of midnight (7PM). Enjoy holiday food, drinks, and party favors all leading up to the dropping of the LED-lighted shrimp followed by FIREWORKS.
Ring in the New Year in style with The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island’s fourteenth annual Black and White New Year’s Eve Gala. Enjoy lavish food buffets, chef’s stations, and an array of scrumptious desserts. Dance the night away to live music while enjoying the open bar, spectacular fireworks, and a Champagne toast to commence the New Year. 9pm – 1am. Purchase an overnight room package and start the New Year right.
The City of Fernandina Beach was incorporated on January 1, 1825. Fernandina Beach Main Street, in partnership with the City of Fernandina Beach, will host an epic community birthday party for nearly 1,000 attendees who will gather on Centre Street for fun, food, and birthday cake on January 1, 2025! You are invited to be an integral part of our once-in-a-lifetime bicentennial celebration…Dining Down Centre!
Take a look at all of our accommodations and plan your trip to Amelia for the holidays!
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