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TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Park Service will host
holiday events November 2006 through January 2007
including candlelit garden tours, festivals, parades and
parties to celebrate the holiday season.
“Florida State Parks from the Panhandle to the Keys
are celebrating the holiday season with almost 20
events,” said Florida Park Service Director Mike
Bullock. “The holiday season is a wonderful time to
celebrate with friends and family in the natural setting
of Florida’s state parks.”
The events will take place:
Annual 5K Turkey Trot
November 23, 2006
7:30 a.m.
Highlands Hammock State Park
5931 Hammock Road
Sebring, Florida
(863) 386-6099
This run/walk is hosted by the Friends of Highlands
Hammock and held on the park's paved, one-way drive. The
trail is covered by a dense hardwood hammock canopy,
providing shade and comfortable temperatures.
Chamber Christmas Tree Lighting
December 1, 2006 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
4150 South Suncoast Boulevard
Homosassa, Florida
(352) 628-5343
Homosassa Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual
Christmas tree lighting adjacent to the Park’s Visitor
Center to kick off the holiday season. The event
includes the arrival of Santa Claus and carol singing.
The event is free to the public.
Dreaming of a Camellia Christmas
December 1, 2006 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park
3540 Thomasville Road
Tallahassee, Florida
(850) 487-4556
Visitors will enjoy live holiday music, hot apple
cider, cookies, a silent auction and a candlelit stroll
through the park’s gardens. In addition, guests can tour
the historic decorated winter home of Alfred and Louise
Maclay. Admission to this event is free but donations
are welcomed.
Holiday Greenery Arranging Workshop
December 2, 2006 10:00 a.m.
Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park
3540 Thomasville Road
Tallahassee, Florida
(850) 487-4115
Participants will create beautiful holiday
arrangements and learn tips to decorate homes with
common vegetation. Greenery will be provided, and a list
of additional items to bring will be provided at
pre-registration. The workshop and park admission are
free, but donations will be accepted.
Union Holiday Encampment
December 2, 2006 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
December 3, 2006
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Fort Clinch State Park
2601 Atlantic Avenue
Fernandina Beach, Florida
(904) 277-7274
Union soldiers and civilians from the Civil War Era
will recreate life at Fort Clinch during the holidays.
Costs include a park entrance fee and $2 fort admission.
Lignumvitae Christmas Celebration
December 2-3, 2006
9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park
M.M. 77.5
Islamorada, Florida
(305) 664-2540
Visitors can visit the historic 1919 Matheson House,
decorated in the early 1900s ambiance of the Keys, and
sample homemade cookies, cakes and refreshments.
Visitors can also observe how caretakers of the past
would have adorned the walls of their island residences.
In addition, handcrafted art made of native vegetation
will be on display, and tours will be available of the
surrounding areas.
Seasonal Stories
December 3, 2006 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Ravine Gardens State Park
1600 Twigg Street
Palatka, Florida
(386) 329-3721
The Tale Tellers of Saint Augustine will present a
day of old-fashion fun through the storytelling.
Refreshments will be served following the performance.
Cost to participate is $4 per person.
Santa Over the Rainbow
December 8-10 and 15-17, 2006 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Rainbow Springs State Park
19158 Southwest 81st Pl. Road
Dunnellon, Florida
(352) 465-8555
Santa and Mrs. Claus come up the Rainbow River on
their shining, decorated sleigh and walk up the hill to
their Santa House. Guests will enjoy live music and
thousands of decorative lights. Cost of entry is $1.00
per person.
Holiday in the Gardens
December 8 and 9, 2006 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Washington Oaks Gardens State Park
6400 North Oceanshore Boulevard
Palm Coast, Florida
(386) 446-6780
Visitors will enjoy a tour of the gardens along a
candlelit pathway. Santa and Mrs. Claus will greet
children and offer activities such as Shirley Dunwoody’s
holiday stories and live entertainment. Saturday night
will feature a Holiday Boat Parade. Event admission is
one unwrapped toy per vehicle or one non-perishable food
item per person to benefit Toys for Tots.
Night of Lights
December 8 - 9, 2006 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Fort Cooper State Park
3100 South Old Floral City Road
Inverness, Florida
(352) 726-0315
Guests will enjoy lights, decorations and luminaries
throughout the park. Refreshments and entertainment will
be offered. Gate admission consists of a non perishable
food item or a new toy to benefit Citrus United Basket.
Christmas Festival of Lights
December 9, 2006 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park
US Highway 41 North
White Springs, Florida
(386) 397-4331
Celebrate the holiday with an evening concert bonfire
and festive park lighting at White Springs’ Annual
Christmas Parade. Lights will be on display Friday and
Saturday evenings until 8:00 p.m. through December 23.
Donations of canned goods or toys will be collected and
distributed to charity.
WinterFest Boat Parade
December 16, 2006 6:00 p.m.
Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park
1200 South Crandon Boulevard
Key Biscayne, Florida
(305) 361-8229
Inspired by a 43-year tradition, approximately 50
boats will sail out of the Key Biscayne Yacht Club
decorated with holiday lights and sail around Biscayne
Bay. The vessels will make several passes through
No-Name Harbor. Food, beverages and music will be
available at the Boaters Grill. Pease bring unwrapped
gifts for a toy drive. Park entry will be free after
6:00 p.m.
Holiday Cruise and Dinner
December 16, 2006
5:00 p.m.
Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park
550 Wakulla Park Drive
Wakulla Springs, Florida
(850) 224-5950
Participants will enjoy an evening cruise on the
Wakulla River followed by dinner at the historic Wakulla
Springs Lodge. After dinner, guests can participate in
an old-fashioned sing-a-long by the Christmas tree. The
cruise and dinner are $28.00 per person, reservations
are required.
Christmas Celebration of Lights
December 20-24, 2006 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
4150 South Suncoast Boulevard
Homosassa, Florida
(352) 628-5343
Visitors will enjoy thousands of park lights and
decorations during this four night event. A variety of
entertainment and refreshments will be available. Park
admission is free, but donations are welcomed.
Christmas Light Displays
December 22-23 and 26-27, 2006 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Rainbow Springs State Park
19158 Southwest 81st Pl. Road
Dunnellon, Florida
(352) 465-8555
Guests can enjoy thousands of decorative park lights
in celebration of the holiday season. A $1.00 park
entrance fee applies.
New Year’s Eve
December 31, 2006
Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park
550 Wakulla Park Drive
Wakulla Springs, Florida
(850) 224-5950
Guests can celebrate with appetizers and drinks at
the historic Wakulla Springs Lodge before taking an
evening cruise on the Wakulla River. Following the
cruise, participants will enjoy dinner in the lodge. The
event is $75.00 per couple and $40.00 for singles,
reservations are required.
Peace at Last
December 31, 2006 1:00 p.m.
Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park
US Highway 41 North
White Springs, Florida
(386) 397-4331
Celebrate the New Year with a holiday bell concert
and poetry readings on the banks of the Suwannee River.
Regular park admission applies.
Winter Escapes
January 2-3, 2007 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Little Talbot Island State Park
12157 Heckscher Drive
Jacksonville, Florida
(904) 251-2320
On January 2, children will learn outdoor basics such
as first aid, safety and exploration techniques. Each
child will assemble a hiking pack to take home. On
January 3, park staff and children will take hiking
packs on the 3.8-mile Little Talbot Hiking Trail.
Participants are asked to bring a water bottle and wear
close-toed shoes. Participants will meet at Pavilion 1
and must be at least 8-years-old. Caretakers are
required to remain with the group and may join in the
activities. Participation is free and limited to 15
children.
Florida’s state park system is one of the largest in
the country with 159 parks spanning more than 725,000
acres and more than 100 miles of sandy white beach. From
swimming and diving in rivers and springs to birding and
fishing or hiking and riding on natural scenic trails,
Florida’s state parks offer year-around outdoor
activities for all ages. Battle reenactments and Native
American festivals celebrate Florida’s unique history,
while art shows, museums and lighthouses offer a window
into Florida’s cultural heritage.
For more information about Florida State Parks, visit
www.FloridaStateParks.org. | 
