Friday:

"Home for the Holidays” Adoption Event

Animal Care and Protective Services,  First Coast No More Homeless Pets and the city of Jacksonville  will be participating in a “Home for the Holidays” adoption event this weekend. It will be held at the Jacksonville Fairgrounds from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day through Sunday. There will be more than 1,000 pets in one location. For more information, visit www.fcnmhp.org or www.jaxhumane.org.

Fantasy Lights
The Rotary Club of Flagler County will host the 7th annual Fantasy Light display at Central Park beginning Friday. It consists of a free self-guided walking tour around the park with live and broadcast holiday music and holiday snacks and beverages. The light display runs through December 30th. Hours are from 6:30 p.m. To 9 p.m. There is no charge for the walking tour, but  donations are encouraged to support this event.

Free Event
Word of Faith Church will host a two-day event in downtown Jacksonville to help local families. There will be free clothes, food and furniture. It will be held at the Ritz Theatre and Hemming Plaza on Friday and Saturday. For more information, cal 904-704-0262 or 904-333-7958.

“A Classical Christmas”

The Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra will open the holiday season with “A Classical Christmas” on Friday. You can hear selections from Vivaldi’s and the Four Seasons. The concert will be held at the Robert E. Jacoby Symphony Hall at the Times Union Center. Tickets start at $24. Call 904-354-5547 or www.jaxsymphony.org.

 Springfield Home Tour

See some of the historic homes of Springfield decorated for the holidays. The Springfield Holiday Home Tour will begin Friday. Hours are 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on both nights. Tickets are $10 in advance, and $12 at the door. For more information, go to www.springfieldhometour.org.

Saturday:
Jingle Bell Run/Walk
Lace up your shoes and participate in the Jingle Bell Run and Walk on Saturday. It will be held at the Jacksonville Landing beginning at 5 p.m. Thousands of runners and walkers will hit the pavement to fight arthritis, the nation's most common cause of disability. Participants are encouraged to wear a holiday-themed costume or tie a jingle bell to your shoes. In addition to the run, There will be a costume contest and pets and strollers are welcome. To sign up for the run, go to www.1stplacesports.com or call 904-644-7317.

Golden Dragon Acrobats
The Golden Dragon Acrobats represent the best of a time honor tradition that began more than 25 centuries ago. The Golden Dragon Acrobats can be seen on Saturday at the Wilson Center for the Arts beginning at 2 p.m. The Acrobats are recognized throughout the nation and abroad as the premiere Chinese acrobatic touring company. For more information, call 904-632-3373.

Holiday Festival For Seniors
Join Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown for the Holiday Festival for Seniors on Saturday. There will be a traditional holiday dinner and dancing. There will also be live entertainment, door prizes, and a visit from Santa. The festival begins at 2 p.m. At the Prime Osborn Center. You can buy tickets at the Mary Singleton Senior Center

Community First Saturday
You are invited to Community First Saturday in downtown Jacksonville on Saturday. This monthly event will be held on the Northbank beginning at 9 a.m. It is free and open to the public. There will be fitness classes along the St. Johns River, food trucks, and kids activities.

World Aids Day
The Glynn County, Georgia Care Center HIV Prevention and Education Program will host a World Aids Day on Sunday. It will be held at the Glynn Place Mall in Brunswick. There will be dancing, singing and spoken word. The event is free and open to the public beginning at 4 p.m. For more information, call 912-264-1634 or 912-264-3236.

Knock on Wood
Enjoy a birding adventure at the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge on Saturday. Drive along Swamp Island drive and stop for short walking trips to seek out the eight woodpecker species found on the refuge. This event will begin at 1 p.m. Just meet at the Environmental Education Classroom.

Ornament Decorating

Your kids can make their very own ornament during an ornament decorating event at the Hastings Library on Saturday. It will begin at 1 p.m. For more information, call 904-827-6970.

“Breakfast with the Chief”
Families who live in Lake City can have breakfast with Police chief Argatha Gilmore on Saturday. This quarterly community meeting will be held at the Public Safety Building beginning at 10 a.m. You can meet with the chief to discuss issues or concerns.

Teens Read With Kids

Local children are invited to the Ponte Vedra Beach Branch Library on Saturday for Teens Read with Kids. All children are invited to be read to or practice reading to a teenager in the Children’s Department. This event begins at 10 a.m.  For more information, call 904-827-6950.

“Cindi-Ella”

The Jewish Community Alliance Theatre of Youth will present “Cindi-Ella” this weekend. This show features the country version of the classic fairytale. The show will be presented at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, December 1 and 8 and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, December 2 and 9. Tickets are $7 and will be sold at the door.

Friends Treasure Sale & Book Sale