St. Thomas Magazine-Nov/Dec 2026: The Holiday Issue Is Here!
Swap the snow boots for sandals, friends. St. Thomas Magazine is BACK...and we brought the holidays with us.
The holidays on St. Thomas don't look like a snow globe. They look like palm trees wrapped in lights, steel pan drifting through Emancipation Garden and a boat parade glowing across the waterfront. They sound like "Good Morning" on every corner and taste like a coquito somebody swears is the best on island (it usually is).
This one's a big one. The Holiday Issue covers everything we love about this island from Thanksgiving all the way to Three Kings Day: every lighting, parade and market on the calendar, where to eat when you'd rather not cook, the best days on the water, a beach for every corner of the island and day trips worth the ferry ride. Grab a coffee (or a coquito)...this one's a keeper.
FULL DIGITAL MAGAZINE BELOW
Here's what's inside.
The Holiday Calendar
Every lighting, parade and holiday market from November to New Year's in one place. Bookmark it, screenshot it, stick it on the fridge. If something festive is happening on St. Thomas this season, it's on the list.
Miracle on Main Street
Downtown's big night of lights, carols and the Lighted Boat Parade. Charlotte Amalie dresses up for the holidays like nowhere else and this is the night to see it.
Old Year's Night to Three Kings Day
How the Virgin Islands ring out the old year and keep the party going well into January. In the VI, New Year's Eve is Old Year's Night and the season doesn't wrap up on January 1st. We walk you through the traditions, the parades and where to be for every one of them.
Holiday Dining: Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Eve
Where to feast without washing a single dish. Our dining guide covers Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas dinners and parties and where to toast at midnight on New Year's Eve, from fireworks to boat parties. Pro tip: the good tables book up early, so don't wait.
Deck the Hulls
Sunset sails, glowing night boats and the best holiday days on the water. December water is warm, the trade winds are back and there's no better way to spend a holiday afternoon than on a boat. We rounded up our favorite ways to get out there.
All I Want for Christmas Is a Beach Day
Four beaches, one for every corner of the island. North, south, east or west, wherever you're staying, there's a perfect beach day waiting close by.
Reef to Ridge: O Christmas Reef
Turns out the reef decorates for the holidays too. Meet the tiny Christmas tree worms that pop out of the coral in every color you can think of...and disappear the second you get too close. Our Reef to Ridge nature series heads underwater for this one and it's one of our favorites yet.
Destination Escape: St. John, Jost Van Dyke and Virgin Gorda
Three day trips worth the ferry ride: the beaches of St. John, the beach bars of Jost Van Dyke and the giant granite boulders of The Baths on Virgin Gorda. Heading to the BVI? Pack your passport.
Island After Dark
Sunset is just the opening act. Live music, late dinners and the island's best nights out once the sun goes down.
Holiday Gift Guide
Gifts that beat another T-shirt. Our picks for everyone on your list (including you).
GG Knows
Insider tips from your island girlfriend. The little things that make a big difference on your trip.
Where to Stay
From Northside hideaways to beach condos, where you land changes everything about your trip. Our Where to Stay guide helps you match the area to the vacation you want.
Give Back: My Brother's Workshop
Shop, sip and give at My Brother's Workshop. The holidays are about giving and this is one of our favorite ways to do it on island.
The Little Black Book
The St. Thomas names worth knowing, plus every ferry and number you'll need. Keep this one handy.
What's Coming in January
We're already working on the Peak Season Issue and here's a little peek at what we're building:
High Season Fun: the best of St. Thomas when the island is buzzing
Escapes for Two: sails, hideaways and dinners just in time for Valentine's
Reef to Ridge, Wings Under Water: all about the spotted eagle rays gliding through our bays
The holidays here aren't about snow. They're about the people who string the lights on the palm trees, the captains who take you out to see them from the water and the friends you make along the way.
Happy holidays from Sapphire Beach...and thank you, St. Thomas.
As always, much love from your friends at St. Thomas Magazine! If you haven't already, subscribe below to get each new issue delivered straight to your inbox. Free. No spam. Just the island.
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