KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
Peace can come in many textures during the holidays. For some, it’s the energizing bustle of concerts and community events, or the warmth of a crowded house full of voices and motion. For others, it’s the stillness of a walk through snow-covered woods, a soft blanket at home, or the quiet company of someone who understands them. It shifts from person to person, and
sometimes even from one day to the next. Peace can be internal, external, or, at its best, a bit of both: a sense that life makes sense, within and around us. It’s easier to feel when we’re free from hardship, but even in the midst of challenge, it’s sometimes possible to find a quiet kind of peace when we know we’ve done our best with the time and energy we’ve been given. Peace can be elusive for parents; after all, we're the ones in charge of figuring out
how to make the family rhythm and flow work for everyone, and what brings peace to our kids may look nothing like what brings it to us. Maybe your son needs to be out with friends while you crave stillness. Maybe your daughter is hoping to hide in a corner with a book while you're in full-on glitter-and-cookie mode with all the cousins. Parenting is the art of balance, of helping everyone in the family thrive by seeing who they really are and doing our best to honor it. It's not easy, and it's
never perfect, but we try. When kids feel known—when they hear “I see that you love this, that you need this, and I’ll help you find your way to it”—they flourish. That sense of being understood can be its own kind of peace. So as the season winds to a close, I wish you whatever kind of holiday rhythm helps you feel most like you. And I hope you’ll find moments to offer that same gift to those around you. When we make space for each other’s version of peace,
it’s more likely to find its way into the room.
—Debra Ross, publisher
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KidsOutAndAbout.com: Discover more. Do more. Connect more. If you like my publisher's column, you can easily scroll through past columns in the "Notes from Deb" section of our site. |
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Join us for a night of team spirit and excitement as bands, cheerleaders, and thousands of fans gather to celebrate the big game!
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Colors of the Wild is back with an all-NEW collection of stunning lanterns you’ve never seen before! This year’s journey takes you from the depths of the ocean to the vast African savanna, then into the realm of mystical creatures from Asia, all illuminated in breathtaking detail. As twilight falls, wander through a shimmering Winter Wonderland filled with sparkling lights and seasonal magic that adds a cozy, festive glow to the evening. Each lantern invites you to explore stories of wildlife, myth and the natural world, celebrating the beauty and wonder that connect us all.
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Jax Beach Deck The Chairs (JBDTC) was created to fill a void during the Beaches Winter holiday season. In 2012, Jacksonville Beach went without Christmas lights in the downtown public space. Residents and business challenged public leaders to activate the space.
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During the holiday season, escape the crowds and enjoy an exclusive evening event. See the Lighthouse and grounds transformed into an enchanting holiday experience. Featuring 21 uniquely themed trees, including a vintage toy tree, an old Florida tree, a Victorian-era tree, a nutcracker tree, and many others. Explore the Keepers’ house and grounds illuminated by lights and garlands and enjoy a view of downtown from the top of the lighthouse. Bring family and friends and enjoy the holiday season with no crowds and free parking.
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The Jacksonville Arboretum & Botanical Gardens is thrilled to be bringing back Glowing Gardens for its second year! This month-long celebration promises to transform the Arboretum into a mesmerizing display of lights, sculptures, and more - but this year, we’re excited to be introducing additional interactive features and exhibits, including children’s activities, fog and lasers, s’mores, and more! Glowing Gardens is more than just a light show — it's a celebration of community, nature, and the holiday spirit. As we prepare for 2025's new and improved show, we invite you to join us as we usher in a new tradition at the Jacksonville Arboretum & Botanical Gardens that will undoubtedly become a highlight of the season in Jacksonville. Prepare to be enchanted, amazed, and filled with the joy of the holidays at JABG!
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From the moment you approach our custom-made, classic, red-and-white striped tent, you will be transported back in time to the golden days of the traveling circus where an amazing assortment of aerialists, acrobats, jugglers, hand-balancers, comedic jokesters, daredevils, magicians and more are waiting with bated breath to dazzle you in what we're sure you'll say is the most intimate and delightful entertainment experience ever! But don't let us speak for you; COME and see, hear, taste, and feel it for yourself! Created by former Ringling Bros. Ringmaster Kevin Venardos (veh-NARR-dos), the Venardos Circus wraps world-class, animal-free circus acts into a Broadway Musical-style format dubbed “The American Circus with the heart of a Broadway Show.”
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Through VyStar Credit Union's generous support, members of the community have greater access to contemporary art through free admission every Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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St. Augustine Eco Tours' dolphin, birding and nature tour provides personalized outings reserved for 2 to 14 passengers per boat. This ensures a very dynamic trip as the guide can cater the experience to the interests of the group. This trip is guaranteed to excite and educate guests of all ages--our youngest passenger to date was six months old and our most experienced celebrated her 90th birthday on a sunset trip. Our goal is to provide intimate experiences for everyone who wants to get out on the water.
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Discover the wildest, biggest, and brightest Christmas experience around! Surround yourself in the magic of the holidays when you step into a world of over 2 million dazzling lights, including the Twinkling Timbers and the Glimmer Grove. Don't miss the return of a mesmerizing Carol of the Animals Lake Show, meet-and-greets with Santa and cheerful holiday characters alike - all united for the ultimate Christmas experience. Don't miss the chance to create cherished family memories and dive into the enchantment of South Georgia's biggest and brightest Christmas event!
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Nights of Lights has been listed among the top ten holiday light displays in the world by National Geographic. During this festival of lights, downtown St. Augustine glows with holiday magic – from the ground to the rooftops. St. Augustine’s Nights of Lights features millions of tiny white lights that create a magical atmosphere in the Nation’s Oldest City, and it's free of charge.
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Food, vendors and Fernandina’s family friendly fireworks and Shrimp Drop New Year’s Eve celebration! Join us from 5 - 8PM on New Year's Eve to ring in 2026!
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Ring in the New Year early with a spectacular seaside celebration at the annual Light Up the Night! fireworks show! Enjoy a breathtaking fireworks display over the ocean from the St. Augustine Beach Pier Park — a perfect way to kick off your New Year’s Eve festivities with friends and family. This is a family-friendly event open to all. Come early, find your spot, and enjoy a festive night under the stars as we welcome 2026!
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Bring the kids and ring in 2026 with a fun cooking party! We’re ringing in the “noon” year together with a fun-filled cooking class with laughter, delicious food, and fantastic memories. We will count-down to noon and ring in the New Year with champagne for adults and sparkling cider for kids!
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- "Monthly Noise" - Live Music Skate Night @ Artist Walk Skatepark - Artist Walk Skatepark, Jacksonville, 12/26/2025, 6PM - 9PM
- TaxSlayer Gator Bowl Pep Rally - Deck The Chairs, Jacksonville Beach, 12/26/2025, 5:30PM - 7:00PM
- VyStar Free Saturdays @ MOCA - Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) Jacksonville, Jacksonville, 12/27/2025, 11:00AM
- Story Time with Ms. Dearsha - Story & Song Arts - Fernandina Beach, 12/27/2025, 10:30am - 11:30am
- Free mini photo session with Shoott! - Jacksonville - Shoott, New York, 12/28/2025, See link for times
- St. Augustine Night of Lights 2025 - 2026 - St. Augustine, 12/26/2025 - 12/28/2025, See Website
- Jax Beach Deck The Chairs 2025 - Deck The
Chairs, Jacksonville Beach, 12/26/2025 - 12/28/2025, See Website
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Take out your calendar - you have a lot of scheduling to do to fit in all the incredible Holiday Break camps taking place in and around our area! If we're missing a camp that should be on this list, please email us to let us know.
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Ring in the New Year with a little help from KidsOutAndAbout! Our Big List of family-Friendly celebrations is just what you need to find ball drops, fireworks displays, NOON Year's Eve fun, activities, parties and more! If your favorite isn't on the list be
sure to send us an email and we'll add it pronto.
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EXPERIENCES create memories much more than stuff does. As you're considering gifts for family and friends, consider giving the gift of a family membership to one of our local attractions in and around Jacksonville. Here are local organizations that offer
memberships.
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KidsOutAndAbout is Jacksonville's online guide to everything for kids, teens, and families! The activities we've listed here are confirmed for this year, but many require reserving ahead of time, and
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Click here to discover Birthday party locations in the Jacksonville area. From Arcades to Ziplines our Big List will help you think outside the box and plan the party of your kids' dreams! KidsOutAndAbout has dozens of ideas!
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2025's Top 20 Places to Take Kids in the Jacksonville Area, as voted by thousands of parents! Our Top 20 results page includes a list of your top picks, including winners in special categories like Top Arts Educator, Top Sports Educator, and Top STEM
Educator!
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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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