First Coast Opera: The Elixir of Love

First Coast Opera presents performances of The Elixir of Love, an opera by Donizetti, on Thursday, December 31, 2026, at 7:30 p.m., and on Saturday, January 2, 2027, at 2:00 p.m. The performances are approximately two and a half hours long and take place at Lewis Auditorium, 14 Granada Street. Both productions offer a pre-show talk, open to all ticket holders, beginning one hour before each performance.

The opera is sung in Italian with English subtitles projected for the audience. This two-act comic opera premiered in Milan on May 12, 1832. The main characters are Adina, a beautiful owner of a local farm; Nemorino, a poor young man hopelessly in love with her; Sergeant Belcore, a soldier who attempts to sweep Adina off her feet and marry her immediately; and Dr. Dulcamara, who sells a "love potion" to Nemorino. Song and comedy ensue.

Paul Houghtaling directs the opera, which was composed by Gaetano Donizetti, with Librettist Felice Romani.

Cast:

• Nemorino: Pedro Valdez
• Adina: Elena Galvin
• Belcore: Jake Stamatis
• Dr. Dulcamara: Mark Covey
• Gianetta: Christen May Mayer

First Coast Opera serves Northeast Florida with professional opera performances for the community's education, cultural enhancement, and enjoyment. They strive to offer artistic excellence and are committed to developing local talent.

Event Details

Admission: Prices for adults range from $45.00 to $90.00. Young patrons (adults under 30) can purchase a general admission ticket for $30.00. Two children and teens under 18 may attend free with each adult ticket. Discounted tickets are not available in the premium section. Learn more and purchase tickets online.

When: 

• Thursday, December 31, 2025, at 7:30 p.m.
• Saturday, January 2, 2027, at 2:00 p.m.

The lobby opens 90 minutes before showtime, and the pre-show talk begins 60 minutes before.

Where: Lewis Auditorium, 14 Granada Street, St. Augustine, Florida 32084

Parking: You cannot park at Lewis Auditorium. Please allow time for parking downtown during Nights of Lights. For more parking information, see below.

Parking and Shuttles During Nights of Lights

Nights of Lights begins at dusk on Saturday, November 21, and ends on Monday, January 18, 2027. 

There are two types of bus routes:

1. Free Park and Ride Shuttles on select days. (See Below)
2. Free STAR Circulator Bus on a loop between the Visitor Information Center and Quality Inn and Suites at St. Augustine Beach, adjusted for Nights of Lights. (Go here to learn more.) 

Free Park and Ride Shuttles

How Does it Work?

• Park for free in one of the lots outside of town.
• Take a free shuttle bus to the Visitor Information Center, and enjoy all that Nights of Lights has to offer.
• Then, meet the free shuttle bus at the Visitor Center and ride back to your car. 

When Do the Free Shuttles Operate in 2026/27?

• 4:00 to 11:00 pm. on Light-Up! Night, November 21.
• 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. on December 5 (the day of the Christmas Parade).
• 1:00 to 11:00 p.m. on the remaining 21 high-attendance days during Nights of Lights.
  • November: 27 and 28
  • December: 4, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, and 31
  • January: 1 and 2

Where Will You Park? 

Three lots will be open on the days the shuttles operate:

• St. Johns County Health Department, 200 San Sebastian View, St. Augustine, off U.S. 1
• Broudy's Lot, 198 West King Street, St. Augustine, off U.S. 1
• San Marco Lot, 301 San Marco Avenue, St. Augustine

Special Light-Up! Night Shuttle on Anastasia Island

On Saturday, November 21, 2026, park in one of two lots on Anastasia Island and use the Free Park-and-Ride Shuttle, provided by Historic Tours of America. This shuttle operates from 4:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., traveling between the two lots and the east (Anastasia) side of the Bridge of Lions. You will have to walk across the bridge to get to town, and walk back across the bridge to pick up the shuttle when you want to return to your car.

• Anastasia Baptist Church, 1650 A1A South
• R.B. Hunt Elementary School, 125 Magnolia Drive (off A1A South)

Why Use the Lots and Shuttle Service?

• It's free.
• It's easy. You avoid the hassle of driving around (and around) the city streets looking for a parking spot.
• Third, Nights of Lights is a walking event and a tour event. Leave your car in a free lot, take a free shuttle to the Visitor Information Center, walk around town, and ride a trolley, a red train, a golf cart, or a pedi-cab.
• When the shuttles are operating, the parking garage charges $40.00 after 1:00 p.m. Before 1:00 p.m., and on any day the shuttles don't operate, the garage charges $20.00 for the day. 
• This fee does not apply to St. Johns County residents who have registered with ParkStAug. Residents are encouraged to register online or at the city office on Bridge Street before Nights of Lights starts. Having the ParkStAug app does not guarantee you a space in the garage.

Busiest Days with Heavy Traffic

You can absolutely enjoy these days. Just plan to arrive early.

Here are the special events that will impact the traffic and the shuttles:

• Light-UP! Night, Saturday, November 21, 2026, beginning at 4:00 p.m. Shuttles start at 4:00 p.m. See below for information about the special Park-and-Ride shuttle from Anastasia Island.
• Christmas Parade,  Saturday, December 5, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. The shuttles start operating at 8:00 a.m. for the Christmas Parade.
• Regatta of Lights, Saturday, December 12, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. Coming from Ponte Vedra? View the boats from the Vilano Fishing Pier. Coming from Anastasia? View the boats from the bridge. The viewing space on the bayfront is limited due to construction.