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I love Christmas! Even as an adult in (gulp!) mid-life, I am mesmerized by the magic of Christmas. I love the lights and the joy that seems to bubble out everywhere. And St. Augustine, America’s oldest and most historic city embodies that magic each year with their Nights of Lights. So have yourself a Merry Little Christmas in St. Augustine this year!
Nights of Lights – a St. Augustine Christmas Tradition
I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas in St. Augustine – Florida’s Historic Coast
Though the weather outside may not be frightful, you’ll be in the Christmas Spirit when you visit St. Augustine during Christmas for their Nights of Lights. This tradition began back in 1993 when downtown business leaders wanted to create a holiday display that would set St. Augustine apart. And so the Nights of Lights was born.
You are indeed experiencing a “white Christmas” when you visit St. Augustine during the Nights of Lights. There are over 3,000,000+ tiny white lights on display in downtown St. Augustine! And this years marks the 25th year for a white Christmas in St. Augustine.
Imagine Spanish Colonial architecture that is centuries old, ancient oaks, Old World brick streets lined overhanging balconies and historic buildings draped in thousands of bright white lights. As you walk down the old brick streets, filled with thousands of tiny, white, twinkling lights, you can almost hear the building whispering their long-kept secrets.
Suggested Ways to Experience Nights of Lights during Christmas in St. Augustine
- This is my personal favorite! I mean who does not love a horse-drawn carriage, Christmas lights, and wine in a fabulous historic City? Enjoy a glass of wine as you sit back and relax and enjoy the sights and sounds of Christmas in St. Augustine with The Nights of Lights Wine & Carriage Tour from The Tasting Tours.
- The Old Town Trolley offers a Nights of Lights Tour every evening beginning at 6pm. This is a fun and educational tour for the entire family.
- Ripley’s Big Red Christmas Train also offers a Nights of Lights Tour, and don’t forget to stop into to Ripley’s Museum beforehand.
- Take a walking tour of St. Augustine with Tour St. Augustine. The tours are approximately 90 minutes long, and you’ll learn about St. Augustine’s history, Colonial folklore, and holiday traditions in this historic city, all set against the backdrop of thousands of white lights. Sites you’ll visit include the courtyard of the Lightner Museum, Plaza de la Constitución, and the beautiful St. Augustine Bayfront. For more information, check out Tour St. Augustine.
- Experience St. Augustine’s natural side by taking one of best Eco tours around – St. Augustine Eco Tours. Zack McKenna is a renowned naturalist on a mission to educate others about the waters surrounding St. Augustine and the wildlife that call these waters home. The Nights of Lights Harbor Tour is a pleasant and peaceful way to experience the lights of the city from the water.
- The Schooner Freedom is another option for viewing the lights of the St. Augustine during a sunset sail.
- And for those who love pirates, and fancy spending time hanging out with pirates onboard the Black Raven – humorous pirate show included – will love seeing St. Augustine filled with lights from the deck of the Black Raven.
- The magic of Christmas is embodied in St. Augustine during the Nights of Lights. Copyright and credits FloridasHistoricCoast.com
Spend a Night or Two During Christmas in St. Augustine & Rekindle the Romance
St. Augustine has so much to offer, especially at Christmas. It is impossible to do it all in one day. There are so many lodging options for St. Augustine, but our hands-down favorite is the St. Francis House Bed & Breakfast.
During the Christmas Season, the St. Francis pulls out all the stops. Now many know the St. Francis is renowned for their delectable homemade desserts. But at Christmas the St. Francis Inn is a special season to savor. After dinner return to the palor or the dining room, sipping on your beverage of choice, and indulge in one (or two!) of Janice Leary’s amazing desserts! For the 2018 Christmas season, the inn is pairing it’s dessert choices to the lyrics of the ’12 Days of Christmas’ (and did you happen to notice that the lyrics look exactly like a full Christmas tree?)
As a side note, this song was written to be chanted, without music, in 1780. And coincidentally, the St. Francis Inn was built in 1791.
On the first day of Christmas my true love sent to me:
A Partridge in a Pear Tree
On the second day of Christmas my true love sent to me:
Two Turtle Doves and a Partridge in a Pear Tree
On the third day of Christmas my true love sent to me:
Three French Hens, Two Turtle Doves, and a Partridge in a Pear Tree
On the fourth day of Christmas my true love sent to me:
Four Calling Birds, Three French Hens, Two Turtle Doves, and a Partridge in a Pear Tree
On the fifth day of Christmas my true love sent to me:
Five Golden Rings, Four Calling Birds, Three French Hens, Two Turtle Doves, and a Partridge in a Pear Tree
On the sixth day of Christmas my true love sent to me:
Six Geese a Laying, Five Golden Rings, Four Calling Birds, Three French Hens, Two Turtle Doves, and a Partridge in a Pear Tree
On the seventh day of Christmas my true love sent to me:
Seven Swans a Swimming, Six Geese a Laying, Five Golden Rings, Four Calling Birds, Three French Hens, Two Turtle Doves, and a Partridge in a Pear Tree
On the eighth day of Christmas my true love sent to me:
Eight Maids a Milking, Seven Swans a Swimming, Six Geese a Laying, Five Golden Rings, Four Calling Birds, Three French Hens, Two Turtle Doves, and a Partridge in a Pear Tree
On the ninth day of Christmas. my true love sent to me:
Nine Ladies Dancing, Eight Maids a Milking, Seven Swans a Swimming, Six Geese a Laying, Five Golden Rings, Four Calling Birds, Three French Hens, Two Turtle Doves, and a Partridge in a Pear Tree
On the tenth day of Christmas my true love sent to me:
Ten Lords a Leaping, Nine Ladies Dancing, Eight Maids a Milking, Seven Swans a Swimming, Six Geese a Laying, Five Golden Rings, Four Calling Birds, Three French Hens, Two Turtle Doves, and a Partridge in a Pear Tree
On the eleventh day of Christmas my true love sent to me:
Eleven Pipers Piping, Ten Lords a Leaping, Nine Ladies Dancing, Eight Maids a Milking, Seven Swans a Swimming, Six Geese a Laying, Five Golden Rings, Four Calling Birds, Three French Hens, Two Turtle Doves, and a Partridge in a Pear Tree
On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love sent to me:
12 Drummers Drumming, Eleven Pipers Piping, Ten Lords a Leaping, Nine Ladies Dancing, Eight Maids a Milking, Seven Swans a Swimming, Six Geese a Laying, Five Golden Rings, Four Calling Birds, Three French Hens, Two Turtle Doves, and a Partridge in a Pear Tree
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Janice Leary is the culinary master at the Inn, and is the Food and Beverage Director and Cook. Janic creates the daily Southern buffet breakfasts, catered events at the inn, and the evening desserts. When asked about this year’s offering, Janice shares, “I really enjoy the details that make a difference to our guests. Our kitchen is always ready to cater to our guests with special dietary needs too. Our menus are very traditional – but always with a little special twist. We’re all having a great time with this year’s Christmas-themed nightly desserts. Our guests don’t want to miss an opportunity to share the holiday cheer with other guests and nightly desserts bring them together.” I can honestly say that everything that comes out of the kitchen of the St. Francis Inn is delectable and delightful, and is created with love.
Without further ado, I want to share Janice’s, and the St. Francis Inn’s desserts (each more grand than the one before):
ENGLISH CHRISTMAS CAROL ST. FRANCIS INN DESSERT
- Drummers Drumming Red Velvet Drum Cake
- Pipers Piping Pecan Pie
- Lords-a-Leaping Lord Baltimore Cake
- Ladies Dancing Strawberry Lady Finger Cake
- Maids-a-Milking Tres Leche Cake
- Swans-a-Swimming Swan Cream Puffs
- Geese-a-Laying Goose Nest Cupcakes
- Gold Rings Gold Rings Upside Down Cake
- Calling Birds Calling Birds Christmas Cake
- French Hens Raspberry Cream Milles Feuilles
- Turtle Doves Turtle Dove Cheesecake
- Partridge in a Pear Tree Poached Pears
Janice has been gracious enough to share one of her 12 Days of Christmas Recipes with us.
TURTLE DOVE CHEESECAKE
24 OREO Cookies, finely crushed (about 2 cups)
6 Tbsp. Butter or margarine, melted
1 Pkg. (14 oz.) Caramels
1/2 cup milk
1 cup chopped Pecans
3 Pkg. (8 oz. each)Cream Cheese, softened
3/4 cup sugar
1 Tbsp. Vanilla
3 eggs
2oz. Dove Chocolate
HEAT oven to 325°F.
MIX crumbs and butter; press onto bottom and 2 inches up side of 9-inch spring form pan.
MICROWAVE caramels and milk in small microwaveable bowl on HIGH 3 min. or until caramels are completely melted, stirring after each minute. Stir in nuts; pour half into crust. Refrigerate 10 min. Refrigerate remaining caramel mixture for later use.
BEAT cream cheese, sugar and vanilla in large bowl with mixer until blended. Add eggs, 1 at a time, mixing on low speed after each just until blended. Pour over caramel layer in crust.
BAKE 1 hour 5 min. to 1 hour 10 min. or until center is almost set. Run knife around rim of pan to loosen cake; cool before removing rim. Refrigerate 4 hours.
MICROWAVE reserved caramel mixture 1 min.; stir. Pour over cheesecake. Melt chocolate as directed on package; drizzle over cheesecake.
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