Pet adoptions, a piano concert and free trees. Things to do in and around the Beaches – The Florida Times-Union

A Celtic Christmas Friday

Immerse yourself in Tomaseen Foleys A Celtic Christmas, hosted by Beaches Fine Arts Series on Friday at St. Pauls by-the-Sea Episcopal Church.

Now in its 26th season of touring nationally,"A Celtic Christmas"recreates the joy and innocence of a night before Christmas. Set in a remote farmhouse in Teampall an Ghleanntin in western Ireland in the 1950s, youll watch as neighboring families gather around the fire to grace the wintry night with traditional Irish Christmas carols, raise the rafters with joyous music, knock sparks off the flagstone floor with traditional dances and fill the night with the laughter of their stories.

The evening also includes an art exhibit by Annelies Dykgraaf.

Admission is free and seating is first come, first served. Doors open at 6:45 p.m. and the performance begins at 7:30 p.m. Masks are required as protocol of the venue.

The church is located at 465 11th Ave. N. in Jacksonville Beach. For more information and a complete schedule of events, visit BeachesFineArts.org.

Beaches Fine Arts Series and St. Augustine Music Festival present concert pianist Mara Dolores Gaitn as part of the 1781 Tribute on Saturday at Flagler College.

An international collaboration, 1781 Tribute celebrates 240 years of friendship and cooperation between Spain and the United States. This global tour of eight concerts began this summer in Spain and continues this month with appearances in St. Petersburg and Pensacola, culminating in St. Augustine.

Gaitn is renowned in Europe for her energy and interpretive musicality. She was chosen byEuropean Union National Institutes for Cultureas a representative of Spanish musical culture in Italy, and has performed throughout Europe. The program will consist of Spanish composers of the ages.

Special guest Nicols Tovar, five-time Latin Grammy winner and current nominee, will also perform.

Doors open at 6:45 p.m. and the free concert begins at 7:30 p.m. in the colleges Lewis Auditorium, 14 Granada St., St. Augustine. The city will provide free transportation to the event from a shuttle site at Broudys Fine Wine & Spirits, 35 N. Ponce De Leon Blvd.

For more information, visit BeachesFineArts.org.

Atlantic Beach Songwriters Night, hosted by local singer/songwriter Roy Peak, is a free, family-friendly event that takes place Sunday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Adele Grage Cultural Center. The public is invited to perform original material (no covers) or come just to enjoy the music in an alcohol-free environment.

The center is located at 716 Ocean Blvd. Interested performers should email Roy at atlanticbeachmusic@gmail.com.

Help a furry friend find a new home for the holidays on Saturday, Dec. 18, when SAFE Pet Rescue of St. Augustine brings its mobile adoption van to the Ponte Vedra Pet Supermarket store, 880 A1A N.

From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., there will be lots of fun festivities to enjoy. Take your pets picture with Santa, enjoy some live holiday music by a local guitarist, sample tasty treats at the bake sale, browse some crafty items, sip hot cocoa and best of all meet and greet our wonderful rescue dogs, who hope you will choose one of them to be part of your family this holiday season.

Invite your family, friends and neighbors to these dogs some much needed love while supporting SAFE Pet Rescue in its mission save animals from euthanasia. To learn more, go to Safe-Pet-Rescue-FL.com.

All aboard the Holiday Express Trains, which return to the Beaches Branch Library on Saturday, Dec. 18.

Leading off this years opening day will be the Hogwarts Express along with the Polar Express. The Polar Express will be running most days along with other historic trains and/or holiday-oriented trains varying throughout the week. This years expanded layout also includes a Polar Express village at one end and an operating carnival at the other end.

The library is located at 600 Third St., Neptune Beach, and the exhibit runs through Friday, Dec. 31. For hours of operation or more information, visit the Locations page at JaxPublicLibrary.org or call (904) 255-2665.

Discover 21 uniquely decorated trees, each with a distinct theme, at this special after-hours event at the St. Augustine Lighthouse, which takes place on select days through Friday, Jan. 21, 2022. Visitors may explore the Keepers House and grounds illuminated by lights and festive garlands, as well as a sensational view of the lighthouses night mark.

Tickets are $19.95 for adults, $17.95 for children ages 12 and under. For more information regarding ticket availability and pricing, visit StAugustineLighthouse.org.

Want more shade in your yard? Atlantic Beachs newly updated Chapter 23 of the Code of Ordinances expands the use of tree-conservation funds to plant trees in front yards on private property. These "Adopt-a-Tree" funds come from property owners who pay into the tree-conservation fund, which is earmarked to expand the public tree canopy.

In an effort to evenly distribute the tree-conservation funds, two trees per calendar year, per property may be planted. The plantings will occur in the spring and fall. Once planted, the property owner is responsible for maintaining the trees.

Go to https://bit.ly/3pfGKQM to complete an application for a free tree. City staff will review your requested tree location to determine if there are any site restrictions, which could include overhead or underground utilities, drainage areas and swales, easements, existing tree canopy, etc.

For information, email trees@coab.us.

Submit events to shorelines@jacksonville.com.

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Pet adoptions, a piano concert and free trees. Things to do in and around the Beaches - The Florida Times-Union