ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. (Nov. 9) – The holiday season will arrive in spectacular fashion when the 16th annual Nights of Lights and Winter Wonderland open to the public on November 20 and 21 in St. Augustine.

One of Florida’s most-popular destinations, the ancient city of St. Augustine will be transformed into a shimmering holiday showcase on Saturday, November 21, when the much-anticipated Light-Up! Night takes place in the Plaza de la Constitucion. At 6:30 p.m., a flick of a switch will illuminate more than two million tiny, white lights and unveil the 16th annual edition of the Nights of Lights. Each evening through January 31, the Nights of Lights will provide an unforgettable backdrop for holiday memories and a dazzling setting for an exciting series of events including historical re-enactments, tours, musical performances –even a Christmas parade!

During the nearly 250 years when St. Augustine was part of the Spanish Empire, its citizens marked the holiday season by displaying a single, lighted white candle in the windows of their homes. Today’s Night of Lights borrows from that ancient tradition by creating a holiday glow that extends from the historic district of the city and across Matanzas Bay to the nearby town of St. Augustine Beach and the St. Augustine Lighthouse.

For complete details on the Nights of Lights, including a schedule of exciting events, go to www.nightsoflights.com .

On Friday, November 20, Winter Wonderland returns to the St. Augustine Amphitheatre where it will feature outdoor ice skating, a refrigerated ice slide, Elf Village, a candy cane forest, lighted nature trails, s’mores pit, sleigh rides, an elf express train, blizzard bounce house – and snow! Snowfall is guaranteed each evening – in Florida! Plus, Santa Claus will visit each evening through December 24 and the theatrical performance A Time for Everything will be presented on Friday and Saturday evenings. For complete details on this extraordinary holiday adventure, go to www.winterwonderlandflorida.com .

The holidays also get underway just up the coast in Ponte Vedra Beach when the Holiday Shoppes open for two days only, November 20 and 21. This extraordinary shopping experience features selected vendors offering fine jewelry, ceramics, handbags, art, holiday décor, art and much more. The Holiday Shoppes will be located at the Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra Beach, 50 Executive Way. Admission is $5. For details, go to www.ccpvb.org .

To make the holidays even brighter in St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches, a free Getaway Card is now available at www.MyGetawayCard.com . Good for great discounts on accommodations, shopping, dining, attractions and much more, the Getaway Card is ideal for visitors. Complete details for planning a vacation to St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & the Beaches are available from the Visitors and Convention Bureau’s website www.getaway4florida.com or by calling 1.800.653.2489.

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