Smart Travel Insider

At the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island's tree lighting ceremony, cookies and cocoa are FREE for all! Credit: The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island

Peeps, as the holidays make their fast and furious approach, my inbox is filling up like Santa's belly on Christmas cookies.

So throughout the season, I'll be bringing you my picks for free events, activities and general holiday merriment around Florida. In this first edition, some ideas around Amelia Island:

• Nov. 23: The Ritz-Carlton's annual Christmas tree lighting will leave you feeling all ooey-gooey inside, like a marshmallow melting in hot cocoa. Bring a blanket for a cozy spot to watch the tree lighting, Santa's big entrance, live performances and more. And take a camera so you can snap a family photo in front of the 17-foot gingerbread pirate ship. That thing is a Christmas card photo-op begging to happen! Get details at RitzCarlton.com/AmeliaIsland.
• Nov. 25: The Omni Amelia Island Plantation hosts its annual charity celebration at the Shops and Spa. From 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., enjoy the tree lighting and live entertainment (two words: stilt walkers!) for free. Tickets will also be on sale for horse and carriage rides, train rides and more, to benefit Take Stock in Children. And yes, Jolly Old St. Nick will be on the premises. Details are at OmniAmeliaIslandPlantation.com.
• Nov. 25: Wear your flannel best for downtown Fernandina Beach's Black Friday pajama party shopping event. From 8 a.m. to noon, shoppers in their PJs will enjoy special discounts, juice, coffee and pastries. Info is at AmeliaIsland.com.
• Nov. 26: Boy, that Santa is one busy guy! At noon, he'll arrive by pirate charter to the Fernandina Harbor Marina. He'll be available until 5 p.m. for photos with kids and pets. Then at 6:15 p.m., catch the official Fernandina Beach tree lighting ceremony. Keep up with Santa at AmeliaIsland.com.

You'd better watch out: There are plenty more free holiday events coming up on this blog!