What's happening in our area this week

Wednesday:

The 11th Annual Gingerbread House Extravaganza

The Historic Old St Andrews in Downtown Jacksonville will host the life-size gingerbread confections competition today through Saturday from 11am to 5pm. All proceeds will go to children programs under the Jacksonville Historical Society. Adults are $5, Children ages 3-16 will be $3.For more information visit www.gingerbreadjax.org

Blue Christmas Service

All Saints Episcopal Church will host a special Blue Christmas service this season. It will be held at the church on Hendricks Avenue on Wednesday, beginning at 6 p.m. Everyone is invited, regardless of faith. The short service will be followed by light refreshments and fellowship in the church hall.

Children’s Toy Drive and Community Food Donations

Mane de Leon, a full-service hair salon in St. Augustine, will host an open house, toy drive and food donation on Wednesday. The community is invited to attend the free event and asks that you bring a new, unwrapped toy for children. Non-perishable food items are also encouraged as donations. This event begins at 6 p.m. For more information, call 904-824-4247.

Dance Workshop

Abella’s School of Dance will host a two-day dance workshop beginning Wednesday. Classes are available for kids ages 9 to 11 beginning at 3:30 p.m. and ages 12 to adult at 5:30 p.m. The workshop is hosted by Kit McDaniel. She holds a BFA in dance from Florida State University and currently dances for New York City companies. To register for the dance workshop, call 904-810-5670 or visit www.abellaballet.com.

99.1 WQIK Winter Wonder Jam

99.1 WQIK invites you to celebrate the holiday season with them as they host a free concert with country star, Easton Corbin at The Jacksonville Landing, Wednesday Night at 8p.m. . The event will include your favorite Christmas tunes, tree lighting shows, pictures with Santa, children activities and more.

Astronomy for Everyone

Join the Main Library and award-winning astrophysicist Kevin Manning for a exploration of the skies as he demonstrates how the universe works. This free program is open to public and starts Wednesday night at 6pm.

Thursday:

Grief and Loss Support Group

Haven Hospice is hosting a grief and loss support group on Thursday at St. Luke Catholic Church Middleburg on Blanding Boulevard beginning at 7 p.m. For more information, call 904-279-1677.

Horton Actors Studio

Come watch a Live Performance from the Performers Academy at the Scottish Rite Theater, Thursday night at 5:30 p.m.  Tots, music and dance, a teen play, and monologues will all be featured in this one night attraction. Tickets are $10 online and $15 the day of the performance. For more information call (904) 469-2672.

Friday:

Teen Holiday Party

Teenagers, ages 13-18, are invited to a teen holiday party at the Ponte Vedra Beach Library Branch on Friday. It will begin at 2 p.m. There will be games,holiday card making for senior citizens and plenty of fun.

Picnic in the Plaza

Pack up your family, blanket, and picnic basket and join us for a day at Hemming Plaza from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Friday afternoon. Also enjoy live music by Shawn Lightfoot and lawn games such as cornhole and ladder ball.

Sing to the City

The community of Jacksonville comes together to "Sing To The City" with a night of Christmas caroling.  We ask that you bring new scarves to donate to the homeless at the Sulzbacher Center, City Rescue Mission and Community Connections.

Handel’s Messiah

Friday night come experience the meaning of Christmas with the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra and Chorus as they perform one of the most famous oratorios ever, Handel’s Messiah.The show begins at 8p.m. and tickets start at $25. To purchase tickets, call 904-354-5547 or log onto www.jaxsymphony.org.

 Musical Concerts at the Suwannee Music Park

Clay Broker and the Bandits will be in concert this weekend at the Suwannee Music Park along with Pete Hunt and the Southern Branded Band. Clay Brookers and the Bandits take to the stage Friday night in the Music Hall.Pete Hunt and the Southern Branded Band will perform on Saturday.For information on tickets, go to www.musicliveshere.com.

 A Christmas Carol

The Artist Series Jacksonville presents the holiday classic, "A Christmas Carol" at the Times Union Center’s Moran Theater, Friday beginning at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $26.50. You can purchase tickets at www.artistseriesjax.org or by calling 904-442-2929.

 Jacksonville Giants

The Jacksonville Giants will take to the court on Friday. They will face off against the Southwest Fellowship Warriors. Game begins at 7 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Arena. Tickets start at $6 and can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com

Saturday:

Bird Walk

The National Park Service will host the Bird Walk on Saturday at Fort Matanzas National Monument. This walk gives you a chance to explore the ecology of Florida’s Coast. The Bird Walk will take place beginning at 9:30 p.m. Meet at the Visitors Center and do not forget to bring bug spray and binoculars. The Bird Walk is free and open to the public.

Aliens in the Park

Visitors from the “other lands” have made their way to Northeast Florida. You can learn more about invasive exotics and how you can help protest them during a special presentation on Saturday. It will be held at the Fort George Island Cultural State Park beginning at 2 p.m. at the Ribualt Club. No reservations are necessary and the program is free.

Charity Fundraiser

Childcare is available on Saturday for parents who have some last minute shopping to do. The Police Athletic League will host a charity fundraiser. Parents can drop off their kids at the Police Athletic League in the Ed Austin Regional Park beginning at 10 a.m. Kids will enjoy a fun-filled day including a visit from Santa, Christmas crafts, games, lunch and dinner. The cost is $60 for the day. All proceeds will benefit PAL Program Services. To Register or for more information, call 904-854-6555 or go to www.jaxpal.com.

Nature’s Plant Management

Join park rangers at the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge on Saturday. There will be a special presentation on Nature’s Plant Management beginning at 2 p.m. You can learn how the differences in conditions such as soil, water and sunlight determine where plants can live. Meet at the flagpole in front of the visitors center.

 Sunday:

 Jacksonville Jaguars

In the final home game of the season, the Jacksonville Jaguars will take on the New England Patriots at Everbank Field, Sunday at 1p.m..Tickets can be purchased on www.ticketmaster.com

Runaway at Christmas

Simply Church is hosting a multi-media production this Sunday. The production, Runaway at Christmas, highlights modern day characters and their journey through Christmas day. See how they learn the true meaning and spirit of Christmas. The production begins at 9:30 p.m. at the church. It is located at 3033 Monument Road, across from Ed Austin Park.

 “White Christmas”

Sun Ray Cinema will host a screening of Bing Crosby’s White Christmas on Sunday. Tickets are $9/$12 including mulled wine, hot cider or hot cocoa. The showing will begin at 7 p.m. The cinema is located at Riverside’s Five Points on Park Street.

Monday:

Silent Night

The Jacksonville Humane Society will offer $25 adoption fees on Monday. This is all an effort to have a silent night at the shelter. Organizers say they hope to find homes for all of the animals in its care by Christmas Eve. All pets available for reduced adoption fees are spayed or neutered, up to date vaccinations and micro chipped.  Organizers say if you can’t adopt a pet, you can foster a dog or cat on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Foster Families can pick up pets before the holiday and return them on December 26.