The ultimate 2018 guide to holiday events in Tallahassee
THURSDAY, DEC. 20
18th Annual Elf Night
Hosted by City of Tallahassee - Parks, Recreation & Neighborhood Affairs. Over 250,000 lights will twinkle against the night sky, transforming the park into a winter wonderland fit for Santa and his arctic friends. Visitors are invited to take a stroll around the decorated grounds and meet Santa. Hot cocoa and cookies will be provided by Santa’s little helpers while supplies last.
Details: 5:30– 8:30 p.m., Dorothy B. Oven Park, 3205 Thomasville Road. Public parking available at Thomasville Road Baptist Church, 3131 Thomasville Road. Free.
FRIDAY AND SATURDAY, DEC. 21-22
Soul Santa
Entertainment, refreshments, giveaways, music and games. Soul Santa will have gifts for registered children, ages 10 and under.
Details: 2-6 p.m. Friday at Laverne Payne Community Center, 450 W. Fouth St., 891-3930; 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday at Walker-Ford Community Center, 2301 Pasco St.
TUESDAY, DEC. 31
New Years Eve Celebration with Pure Platinum
Ring in the New Year with style, including food, a full cash bar, a champagne toast. Dance the night away to the tunes of Pure Platinum, Tallahassee and Thomasville’s dance band of choice for all musical styles and tastes.
Details: 8 p.m. through midnight, Monticello Opera House, 185 W. Washington St., Monticello. $30 dessert and dancing package; $65, dinner and drink package. Visit MonticelloOperaHouse.org.
New Year's Eve Fireworks at Cascades Park
Tallahassee Downtown presents an early evening, family-friendly fireworks show.
Details: 7 p.m., Cascades Park.
ONGOING
36th Annual Holiday Music Series
Experience the sounds of the season performed by Leon County students in the beautifully decorated Historic Capitol.
Dec. 5: Fairview Middle School
Dec. 6: Godby High School
Dec. 7: Montford Middle School
Dec. 12: FSU School
Dec. 13: RAA Middle School
Dec. 14: Swift Creek Middle School
Dec. 17: Cobb Middle School
Details: 11:30 a.m. Dec. 5, 11 a.m. all other dates. Florida Historic Capitol Museum, 400 S. Monroe St. Free.
55th Annual Holiday Show: 'The Art of Giving'
LeMoyne Arts invites you to the 55th Annual Holiday Show: The Art of Giving “Enchanted Forest.” Bring the family to see the beautifully decorated gardens and gallery while you shop for one-of-a-kind gifts and ornaments. See and purchase handmade works from over 80 local artists.
Details: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 10 a.m. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 1-5 p.m. Sunday through Dec. 23. LeMoyne Arts Center, 125 N. Gadsden St. $5, free for members. Visit www.lemoyne.org.
An Old-fashioned Christmas at the Knott House
The Knott House Museum is decked-out for the season with vintage decorations, cards and music, that take you back to the 1930s, when the Knott family moved in.
Details: Through December 29, 301 E. Park Ave. Visit www.museumoffloridahistory.com/knotthouse
Public Ice Skating
The only ice skating rink between Pensacola and Jacksonville. Cost is $12, which includes skates for sessions lasting 1 1/2 hours. Open rain or shine.
Details: 4-9:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, 10 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Saturdays, noon-9:30 p.m. Sundays, plus every day during the public schools' winter break, excluding Christmas Day. Through Feb. 3 at the Pavilion at the Centre of Tallahassee. Visit tallypavilion.com.
Tallahassee Democrat's Tour of Lights
Put on your Christmas bling and take a tour of holiday lights houses all over town. The Tallahassee Democrat has put together the annual "Tour of Lights" map where locals submit their Christmas-decorated houses for public enjoyment.
Details: Through New Year's Day, data.tallahassee.com/tour-of-lights.
Winter Festival Youth Art Exhibit 2018
Presented by Council on Culture & Arts, this exhibit showcases youthful talent and imagination through more than 70 pieces of student artwork representing nearly 30 area public and private schools.
Details: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday (through Jan. 28), City Hall Gallery, 300 S. Adams St. Free. Visit coca.tallahasseearts.org.
Did we miss an event? Email us the details at letters@tallahassee.com.