What's happening in our area this week

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

The Friends of the Library will host their second annual Treasure Sale and Book Sale on Saturday. Silent treasures will be offered as silent auction items. The sale will be held at the Southeast Branch Library. All sales benefit the library. The sale begins t 10 a.m.

Vince Gill and Darius Rucker Concert

County music fans can enjoy the music of Vince Gill and Darius Rucker on Saturday. The singers will perform at a concert to benefit Birdies for the Brave, an organization to raise funds for programs for wounded warriors and military families. The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts.

 Gingerbread Hours Extravaganza

The 11^th annual Gingerbread House Extravaganza returns to Northeast Florida This event showcases gigantic gingerbread confections. This event kicks off on Saturday and runs through December 22nd at the Old St. Andrews Church.  This event benefits the children’s programs of the Jacksonville Historical Society.

Prehistoric Park

Join a park ranger at the Fort George Island Cultural State park to learn more about the prehistoric beasts that lived in this area. Find out what prehistoric life was like. The program will take place at the Ribault Club. It will begin at 2 p.m. and the program is free.

Christmas Big Truck and Buggy Show

Come out and enjoy the First annual Fat Boys Motor sports Christmas Big Truck and Buggy Show/Toy Drive. It will be held Saturday at the Morocco Shrine Center beginning at 1 p.m. The toy drive is to raise money for the Sulzbacher Center. There will be face painting, balloons, cotton candy for kids. In addition to the activities, Old Dixie Highway Band and Black Creek Rizin Band performing. Staring at 4 p.m., there will be a DJ spinning tunes.

 Jaguars Send Off Rally

Come out and support the Jaguars during a Team Send off Rally. This event sponsored by the Booster Club will begin at 10:30 a.m. next to the Touchdown Jaguars statue outside the West Touchdown Club. Wear your teal and bring your Jaguars pride.

Sunset Celebration

Vilano Beach Main Street invites you to the Vilano Beach Pier Sunset Celebration on Saturday. It will begin at noon and last until dusk. There will be merchandise from area vendors, food and fun.

Sunday:
The Polar Express
Experience the magic of the holidays by taking a ride on Chris Van Allsburg's The Polar Express. The Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra will present the Polar Express. There will be pre-concert activities beginning at 2 p.m. The concert will begin at 3 p.m. Subscriptions and single tickets are available. Single tickets are $10 and $22 for reserved. To purchase a ticket, go to www.jaxsymphony.org or call 904-354-5547.

Monday

Caregiver Support Groups

Haven Hospice is hosting caregiver support groups every First Monday of the month. The next one will be on Monday, December 3 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Custead Care Center in Orange Park. The care center is located at 745 Blanding Boulevard. For more information, call 904-279-1677.

Tuesday:

"Fifty Shades of Crave"

 Restaurant KC Crave will host "fifty Shades of Crave" on Tuesday. It is a food and wine tasting event to benefit Children's Home Society of Florida. It will begin at 7 p.m. Guests can enjoy food and wine while spending time with some of the city's VIP. Tickets are $30 for general admission and $40 for VIP. VIP ticket holders are allowed early entry. To purchase a ticket, go to www.50shadesofcrave.com.