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.

Nights of Lights Free Parking and Shuttles for 2026/27

Learn about how the free park-and-ride shuttles, the STAR beach circulator, and the parking garage operate during Nights of Lights.

We don't have all the information for the 2026/27 season

We'll keep adding information as it becomes available.

Free Parking and Free Shuttles

Free parking and free shuttle rides to and from your car are available on select days and nights during Nights of Lights. 

On Anastasia Island, the STAR Beach Shuttle operates for Nights of Lights. That shuttle runs on a loop on Anastasia Island, picking people up and dropping them off on the east side of the bridge.

Parking Lots and Shuttle Rides 

See below for information about the STAR Beach Shuttle for Nights of Lights. That shuttle runs on Anastasia Island and drops people off on the east side of the bridge.

How Does it Work?

Park for free in one of the lots outside of town, take a free bus to the Visitor Information Center, enjoy all Nights of Lights has to offer, and take a free bus back to your car. 

When Does it Operate in 2026/27?

• From 1:00 to 9:00 p.m., on 23 days of Nights of Lights, and on December 5 (the day of the Christmas Parade) from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
• November: 21, 27, and 29
• December: 4, 5, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29, and 30
• January: 1 and 2

Where Will You Park? 

Three lots will be open when the shuttles operate on those 23 days:

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

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.

STAR Beach Shuttle for Nights of Lights

During the Nights of Lights Season, the STAR bus circulates on an Anastasia Island route, beginning at 5:00 p.m. 

• The shuttle heads from the Bridge of Lions on A1A to The Quality Inn & Suites, 901 A1A Beach Blvd., stopping at several locations on the way. 
• At the Quality Inn, the shuttle turns back toward the Bridge of Lions, stopping at other locations along the way. 
• All passengers disembark near the Bridge of Lions, and the shuttle turns back to make another loop.
• Things to know about the loop:
  • Most stops don't have public parking, but are within walking distance of parking either in a lot or on a street.
  • The stop near the Bridge of Lions is a 5- to 10-minute walk from the bridge. To get downtown, you have to walk across the bridge. It's a great opportunity to view the lights.

  • The bus will not make additional stops. You cannot flag it down and have to get on or off at a designated stop.

     

The STAR Circulator does not operate on New Year's Eve due to the fireworks on St. Augustine Beach.