What's Happening Around Northeast Florida This Week

Enjoy the music of the Queen Tuesday at the Florida Theatre. "One Night of Queen" is a stunning live two- hour concert recreating and celebrating the music of Queen. "One Night of Queen" has performed to sold out concerts in Italy, South Africa and New Zealand. For tickets, go to www.floridatheatre.com

Wednesday

Career Fair

The West Augustine Career Fair will be held Wednesday at the Solomon Calhoun Center on Duval Street in St. Augustine. This free event is designed to help with many types of career and education services. It will begin at 10 a.m. Refreshments will be provided.

First Wednesday Art Walk

The theme of this month's art walk is Mixed Media for Mother Earth. This monthly festival in downtown Jacksonville will feature Love Ur Mother 2011, which is an event that blends art, food and fashion, along with the 10th annual Canstructin Design Competition at the Landing, and the grand opening of Burro Bar. This event begins at 5 p.m., rain or shine. For more information, go to www.downtownjacksonville.org.

Gateway Health Fair
Gateway Health Systems will present a Health Fair on Wednesday. It will be held at 555 Stockton Street, beginning at noon. There will be HIV rapid testing, blood pressure checks and vision screening. This event is free. For more information, go to www.gatewaycommunity.com.

Jeff Beck
One of rock's true virtuosos is coming to Jacksonville this week. You can see Jeff Beck perform on Wednesday at the Florida Theatre beginning at 8 p.m. To purchase tickets, go to www.floridatheatre.com.

"Til Death Do Us Part: Late Nite Catechism 3"

"Til Death Do Us Part: Late Nite Catechism 3" is the latest class in this funny series. In this series, Sister is now offering lessons on the Sacraments of Marriage and Last Rites. You can also see her wacky version of "The Newlywed Game" beginning Wednesday at Wilson Center for the Arts. The show will run through Sunday. To purchase tickets, head to www. Artistseriesjax.org.

Friday

Movies In The Park

See the final movie of the Movies In The Park Series on Friday. The final movie, "The Wizard of Oz," will be shown at the riverfront lawn by the Wyndham. Parking is still free and available next to the lawn. The movie begins at 8 p.m.

There are even more events lined up find them here

http://www.news4jax.com/entertainment/27744545/detail.html

Book yourself one of the Orlando villas or the Florida holiday rentals to have a great vacation

Let Florida State Parks Light Up Your Holiday Season

 

Holiday cheer and spirit are filling the air and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is encouraging Floridians to step out of their Florida villas and into the Florida State Park and enjoy the festive magic and splendor of a holiday light display. Featuring millions of bright lights draped across beautiful landscapes, these state park exhibits are the perfect venue to celebrate the holiday season.

“From intricate and dazzling to simple and elegant state park light displays are a result of dedication and hard work from volunteers and employees sharing their holiday spirit,” said DEP Florida State Parks Director Donald Forgione. “I encourage everyone to take a break from the busy holiday schedule and to come soak up the spirit with their family and friends.”

Activities at Florida’s state parks are plentiful. Up and down the state, there are ample things to do throughout the month that entertain the young, young-at-heart and even the four-legged ones. On Saturday, December 11 alone, some of the scheduled events include:

• The Santa Paws 5K Run & Pet Parade – Held at Highlands Hammock State Park, it’s an event the whole family can enjoy. Afterwards, Santa Paws will be available for canine photo ops. In the evening, guests can pack their baskets of goodies and enjoy The Tammerlin Christmas Concert in the picnic area.

• At Weeki Wachee Springs State Park magical performances by former mermaids representing the 1940s to the 1970s will take you back to the attraction’s early years.

• If you like games, you’ll enjoy the Wildlife Jeopardy Program about turtles at Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park. From noon to 12:30, information Jeopardy-style will educate and entertain attendees of all ages.

• Grab those fishing poles and head out to Colt Creek State Park for ‘Fishing with Santa’. Join the big guy in a little friendly competition to see who catches what from Mac Lake. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will provide poles, bait and tackle free of charge; children ages 15 and under do not need a fishing license.

• Put on your running shoes for Jack’s 50K and 25K Trail Race on the Joe Kenner Trail in Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area at Flagler Beach alongside the Intracoastal Waterway. All entrants will receive shirts and finisher awards and Overall Male and Female winners will receive special handcrafted trophies.

• The annual Winterfest Boat Parade at Hugh Taylor Birch State Park features more than 100 boats decorated with holiday lights. Local personalities, Indian arts and crafts, the Lucky Lottery tent, and prizes and games galore will be going on throughout the day, and Santa and Billy the Marlin will make special appearances.

• Celebrate John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park’s 50th anniversary. Park entrance will be waived so all can join in the celebration which includes guest speaker, world-renowned oceanographer and underwater explorer Dr. Sylvia Earle. Learn about the park’s history from John D. Pennekamp’s descendants along with former park staffers.

CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS
Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park, White Springs
December 4-31, 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Experience the ultimate high voltage holiday of more than four million lights on display including the majestic oak trees adorned with thousands of lights, an antebellum museum dressed in full holiday splendor, Santa’s runway and more. Admission is $2 per person and includes complimentary hot chocolate and popcorn. For more information, call (386) 397-4331.

CHRISTMAS LIGHT SHOW
Three Rivers State Park, Sneads
December 10 and 17, 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Three Rivers State Park invites visitors to a scenic drive through the park to enjoy all the beautiful light displays. Admission is waived for the event. For more information, call (850) 482-9006

To learn more about these events, click on the park link, then click ‘Things to do’, events. To learn about all December events, go to http://www.floridastateparks.org.