Christmas/holiday time in Jax (Jacksonville, Springfield: 2009, how much, hotel)

[paul313]

Was wondering how big into it are folks down there? Here there are tons of people who get really into it, and some completely over the top, with decorations, festivals etc.
What about in Jax?

[LoveBoating]

We have a Jacksonville Landing Christmas Tree Lighting and Fireworks the day after Thanksgiving (Friday-27th) to kick-off the Downtown Christmas Holidays. The next night, Saturday-28th, we have the Jacksonville Landing Christmas Boat Parade. There also is the major New's Years Eve Fireworks Display on the St. John's River. As for outside Christmas decor though, for whatever reasons, a lot of places have really cut back on decor. When we were in Las Vegas in 2006, we were absolutely stunned at how much a lot of hotel/casinos have cut back! When visiting Jax last Dec 08, we noticed the same (lack of decor).

Originally Posted by paul313

Was wondering how big into it are folks down there? Here there are tons of people who get really into it, and some completely over the top, with decorations, festivals etc.
What about in Jax?

[fsu813]

Is this a thread to post general Christmas event info?

Because that is not was the original poster asked about.

[paul313]

Nah FSU (yall are going down saturday, go Tigers ) but was really a question of both. The decor thing I understand, you are talking expense of buying them time to set them up, and the power bill getting higher as a result. So I can totally dig that.

I did want to know about the festivals, and I am glad to hear that there are what looks like to be many. Thanks to both.

[fsu813]

Here's some that he didn't name, but there are literally hundreds of other public events as well:

- Holiday Bazaar (Christmas & Thanksgiving themed) - November 14th - 9am to 4pm

Annual Springfield Bazaar at 3rd & Main on November 14 from 9am to 4pm. We are so excited about the tremendous vendors who have signed up. There will be natural, homemade soaps with a wide variety of scents; highly sought after, ecologically green jewelry made from seeds, bark, and flower petals; home furnishings; stained glass; glass jewelry and beaded jewelry; folk art dolls; antiques; quilts, table linens, hooded towels and hair bows; nick knacks of all sorts; purses and tote bags; wind chimes made from recycled glass; and lots more! Vendor spaces are still available for this gala affair!
There will also be a white elephant area, and SPAR is looking for donations of fine articles that you no longer use in your home, from china to furniture to dolls, etc. The money will be used to help SPAR make good things happen in Springfield. And by the way, there will be an opportunity to win a week-end cruise or a luxury spa package! Prize tickets are $5 each or 3 for $20. Tickets are available at A-Z Sandwiches, City Kidz Ice Cream Café, Uptown Market, Three Layers and the SPAR office.
There will be a Low Country Boil featured at the end of the Bazaar. The cost is $10 per plate and tickets are limited, so be sure to get yours early.
Get your best creative juices flowing and listen up! SPAR Council invites residents, groups and businesses to participate in the second annual Main Street Lamp Post Decorating Contest. Judging will take place during the Springfield Bazaar on November 14th, and the decorations will remain in place until the New Year. There is a $10 entry fee for each post. A donation will be made to the winner’s favorite Springfield community non-profit. Please call SPAR at 353-7727 for more information.

- Downtown Holiday Window Displays Nov 24th through Christmas : Holiday Events 2009

- Downtown Light Parade: Jacksonville Light Parade November 28, 2009

- Happy Holidays in Hemming Plaza (Downtown):

The ultimate holiday event for your family! This fun-filled day features visits with Santa and Mayor John Peyton, carriage rides, hot chocolate, delicious treats, activities and make-and-take crafts for children.
Call (904) 630-3690 for more information.

- Springfield Holiday Home Tour, usually in early December. Hosted by the Woman's Club: The Springfield Woman's Club

- Luminaria in Riverside & Avondale, Dec 19th & 20th (article about last year's): Riverside/Avondale luminaria PHOTOS | MyWestsideSun.com

- Jax Symphony's December calander:

4-6 Nutcracker
11-12 Holiday Pops
11 Coffee & Holiday Pops
12-13 Holiday Pops Encore
13 JYSO Sounds of the Season
19 Handel's Messiah

Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra

- Jax Landing: 15th Annual Tuba Christmas. Dec 12th, 2-4pm.:

More than 100 Tubas join together to play some of your favorite holiday classics! Trust us, if you’ve never heard a concert comprised of tubas alone, you are definitely missing out; it’s simply gorgeous to hear!

&

Navy Band Southeast Christmas Concert: Dec 18th, 7-9pm.

Enjoy live music by this talented group of service men and women playing your favorite holiday classics!

December 2009 | Events | Jacksonville Landing

[wb3690]

bumping this up to see what else people know about for the holidays...I will have visitors basically on and off for the next couple of months and wanted to see what was fun to do.

For any of those events that have been posted has anyone been to them in the past???

thanks!!!

amy

[fsquid]

so what day on Tgiving weekend should I hit the river? Friday or Saturday?

[mawipafl]

Friday. The big hoop-dee-doo is downtown that evening, starting out with the tree lighting at the Landing, followed by the fantastic Lighted Boat Parade, and ending with fabulous fireworks featuring the famous Waterfalls off the Acosta and Main St bridges.

[LoveBoating]

Friday evening is the lighting of the Christmas tree and the fireworks. Saturday evening is the Boat Parade! Both of these events are after dark, so if going out on the St. John's to view these events, a person had better know the river quite well.........we were told this.

Originally Posted by mawipafl

Friday. The big hoop-dee-doo is downtown that evening, starting out with the tree lighting at the Landing, followed by the fantastic Lighted Boat Parade, and ending with fabulous fireworks featuring the famous Waterfalls off the Acosta and Main St bridges.

[wb3690]

I think we might go down for the boat parade.....is it nice?