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Festival of Lights at Stephen Foster State Park

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WHITE SPRINGS, FL — Stephen Foster State Park is transformed into a brilliant winter wonderland during the annual Festival of Lights. The 2018 event is celebrated from November 30 to December 24.

The popular, month-long family event includes illuminated displays, a train display, and music from the 200-foot carillon tower. There are plenty of activities for the kids, including bonfires and marshmallow roasting, crafting, and a visit with Santa Claus.

Enjoy a free cup of hot cocoa and bag of popcorn as you stroll through the park, on the lawn of the plantation-style museum, under illuminated live oak trees, and through candy cane forest.


Stephen Foster State Park Festival of Lights
Friday, November 30, 2018 to Monday, December 24, 2018

Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park
11016 Lillian Saunders Drive
White Springs, FL 32096
Phone: (386) 397-2733

Cost: $3.00 per person (Holiday Magic Nights) and $2.00 per person (Silent Nights). Children under 3 are free.

The 200-foot, 97-bell carillon tower was constructed in 1957 to celebrate the music of Stephen Foster, the composer of Florida’s state song, “Old Folks at Home (Way Down Upon the Suwannee River).” Foster, who died in 1864, never visited Florida or the Suwannee River. Opened in 1950, the park is also home to the annual Florida Folk Festival during Memorial Day Weekend. It is the longest running state folk festival in the United States.

The Stephen Foster Museum celebrates the work of the composer with a collection of dioramas, pianos and artifacts from the life of the most famous songwriter of the 19th century. The songwriter composed more than 200 songs, many of which are still familiar today, including “Oh! Susanna,” “Camptown Races,” “Old Kentucky Home” and “Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair.”
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