Tickets for the 20th annual Holiday Home Tour go on sale Thursday, Oct. 1, and a 40-foot Christmas tree lights up at the Ritz-Carlton before Thanksgiving. Fernandina Beach's holiday season runs from late November through a New Year's Eve shrimp drop, with more than a dozen events in between.
The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island opens the calendar on Wednesday, Nov. 25, at 5:30 p.m. with its annual tree lighting. The tradition spans more than 25 years, according to the Amelia Island CVB. The evening features live music, fireworks, cookies and a visit from Santa, and serves as a fundraiser for local charities.
Downtown Fernandina Beach holds its own tree lighting on Friday, Nov. 27, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the foot of Centre Street. Also, Centre Street merchants host the annual Black Friday Pajama Party from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Prizes go to the best pajamas in categories including Most Creative and Best Pet Pajamas.
The first weekend of December packs in two major draws.
The Amelia Island Museum of History presents its 20th annual Holiday Home Tour on Friday, Dec. 4, and Saturday, Dec. 5, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Five homes in the historic downtown district will be open, decorated by owners with touches from local designers. Docents in each home will share architectural history.
A preview tour runs Thursday, Dec. 3. Tickets are $35 until Dec. 3 at 4 p.m., then $40, according to the CVB listing. All proceeds benefit the museum. No trolley service will be offered this year.
The Amelia Island Quilt Guild is raffling a Christmas quilt at $5 per ticket or $20 for five.
That Saturday evening, the Lighted Christmas Parade rolls through downtown at 6 p.m. Organized by America's Youth, the free parade features bands, dancers and lighted floats. An after-party follows from 7 to 9 p.m. at Central Park with vendors, music and family activities.
Amelia Musical Playhouse stages "Scrooge," a musical based on "A Christmas Carol," from Dec. 4 through Sunday, Dec. 13.
Downtown Fernandina Beach hosts the Grand Menorah Lighting on Tuesday, Dec. 8, at 5 p.m. The outdoor celebration includes festive music, latkes, Hanukkah doughnuts, chocolate gelt, children's crafts and the lighting of a giant menorah joined by local dignitaries.
Tidings & Twinkle, a free community celebration, takes over Amelia River Waterfront Park on Thursday, Dec. 10, from 5 to 7 p.m. The event features storytelling, music, performances and a community marketplace.
Two-time Grammy winner Nicole Zuraitis headlines the Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival's "Sounds of the Season" concert on Wednesday, Dec. 16, at 6 p.m. in the Ritz-Carlton's outdoor courtyard. Zuraitis won Best Jazz Vocal Album in 2024 for "How Love Begins" and released her newest record, "The Devil I Knew," in July.
An optional post-concert dinner at Salt, the Ritz-Carlton's MICHELIN Guide-recognized restaurant, is $150 per person, excluding drinks and a 20 percent service charge, according to the festival's event page. The festival's 26th season also introduces $20 rush tickets and $15 student tickets.
Robyn Lamp, the festival's executive director, said in a Sept. 19 Fernandina Observer report announcing the season: "We are so thrilled to be bringing some of the best talent in the world to Amelia Island for our audiences."
"How the Big Band Stole Christmas" brings more than 30 performers to Amelia Community Theatre from Friday, Dec. 18, through Sunday, Dec. 20.
The year closes with two New Year's Eve celebrations on Thursday, Dec. 31. The City of Fernandina Beach and Light Up Amelia host a waterfront party from 5 to 8 p.m., capped by the dropping of an LED-lighted shrimp at 7 p.m. and fireworks.
The Ritz-Carlton holds its 15th annual Black and White New Year's Eve Gala from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., with live music, an open bar and a midnight Champagne toast.
Upcoming holiday dates
- Nov. 25 — Ritz-Carlton tree lighting, 5:30 p.m.
- Nov. 27 — Downtown tree lighting, 4–6 p.m.; Black Friday Pajama Party, 8 a.m.–4 p.m.
- Dec. 3 — Holiday Home Tour preview
- Dec. 4–5 — Holiday Home Tour, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
- Dec. 4–13 — "Scrooge" at Amelia Musical Playhouse
- Dec. 5 — Lighted Christmas Parade, 6 p.m.
- Dec. 8 — Grand Menorah Lighting, 5 p.m.
- Dec. 10 — Tidings & Twinkle, 5–7 p.m.
- Dec. 11–13 — Dickens on Centre
- Dec. 16 — Nicole Zuraitis concert, 6 p.m.
- Dec. 18–20 — "How the Big Band Stole Christmas"
- Dec. 31 — Shrimp Drop, 5–8 p.m.; Ritz-Carlton NYE Gala, 9 p.m.–1 a.m.
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