The new year brings with it some of the finest and most fun festivals/events of the year. We’ve narrowed our list down to a few of our personal favorites that happen to be sprinkled throughout the Sunshine State. We recommend planning a weekend getaway and exploring the surrounding areas of these festivals. They are all chock full of authentic treasures. If you attend any of these festivals, please be sure to post photos on your social media pages and tag us: #AuthenticFlorida. We love seeing our Authentic Floridian family out and about enjoying our state.
25th Annual Nights of Lights Festival and Celebration, St. Augustine
Now through February 3
This inspiring display of more than two million tiny white lights adorning the palm trees and buildings throughout St. Augustine’s historic district is based on a custom by the town’s original Spanish colonists, who placed a white candle in their windows to brighten the nights during the Christmas holidays. Among special events and activities awaiting visitors: nighttime tours of ancient buildings and inns led by storytellers in period clothing, rollicking train and trolley tours through the narrow brick streets, art walks featuring more than 30 galleries serving free holiday refreshments on the first Friday, special antique shopping events, a dazzling regatta, Florida ice skating, luminaries in the town plaza, and holiday concerts. NightsofLights.com
22nd Annual Downtown Dunedin Art Festival, Dunedin
January 5-6
Situated along Dunedin’s Main Street, you will meet the nation’s most talented artists showcasing a broad spectrum of mediums including sculpture, photography, glass, paintings, ceramics, jewelry, mixed media and more! Howard Alan Events offers patrons the opportunity to personally meet with the artists, commission a work of art, and learn what inspires the artists’ work. 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Free. http://www.artfestival.com/festivals/downtown-dunedin-art-festival
AuthenticFlorida, excerpt posted on SouthFloridaReporter.com, Jan. 6, 2019
