Jacksonville, Florida Events and Activities
Let’s talk about some of the best and most beloved events and activities that happen each week, month, and year in Jacksonville.
January
JAX Boat Show: The Jacksonville Marine Association puts on a three-day boat show, celebrating and showcasing all manner of sea craft used for varied purposes, whether it’s catching waves to ski or fish to eat.
WinterFEST at Adventure Landing: Every holiday season this popular water park becomes a winter wonderland with an ice skating rink, ice slides, winter village and hot cocoa. This event starts in December, but runs through January.
February
The 26.2 With Donna: The only marathon in the world that donates 100 percent of its profits to breast cancer research.
The Spartan Race: Florida’s #1 ranked motocross park meets the world’s #1 obstacle course race.
Community First Seawalk Music Festival: a free, family-friendly event at Jax Beach on the Seawalk Pavilion. The festival celebrates Jacksonville’s local cultures with all local artists, food, and music. VIP Premium Seating, however, is available for purchase.
World of Nations Celebration: Get your passport ready to go around the world in just two days. This outdoor festival in downtown’s Metropolitan Park showcases the culture, music, and food from dozens of nations.
March
JAX Fashion Week: The highlight for locals and tourists alike, this annual event highlights local designers, clothier nonprofits and couture boutiques.
Gate River Run: the largest 15K in the U.S. The route takes runners through Downtown and across many of our famous bridges.
THE PLAYERS Championship: Golf’s best players descend upon Ponte Vedra for the annual tournament at TPC Sawgrass. Do not miss their attempts to beat the world-famous 17th hole; it’s a tricky one!
Jax Home & Patio Show: Come to the Prime Osborn Convention Center for this local Jacksonville outdoor accoutrement extravaganza.
Jax Science Festival: The Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ) and The Foundation Academy present one of the smartest and coolest science festivals in the state. Come to FSCJ’s south campus to learn some new scientific tricks and the perfectly rational and evidence-based logic behind those tricks.
April
Springing the Blues: Renowned artists are welcome to Seawalk Plaza.
San Marco Art Festival: In April and then again in November, the historic neighborhood features hundreds of handmade works including glass, photography, painting, jewelry and more. Enjoy free admission to the festival, then dine and shop in this walkable neighborhood.
Mandarin Art Festival: Organized and hosted by the Mandarin Community Club, the Mandarin Art Festival is hosted every year on Easter weekend featuring work from 100 artists with a local and national presence. Be sure to check out the Children’s Art Show and the Green Market while you’re there!
Joseph A. Strasser Butterfly Festival: Tree Hill Nature Center hosts this unique community event that culminates in a live butterfly release. The event has animal encounters, live music and games as well as crafts and more! We love having local vendors sell their crafts and goods!
May
Dancin’ in the Streets: the streets of The Beaches Town Center are closed off for this highly anticipated affair. Local bars, booths & restaurants participate by sponsoring live music & local cuisine.
JAX Taco & Tequila Festival: A culinary experience and fundraiser featuring Mexican cuisine from over 10 restaurants and food trucks, as well as tequila stations, craft margaritas, local makers, games, live music, and more!
JAX Jazz Festival: Held on Memorial weekend each year, Downtown, this is the second largest FREE jazz festival in the U.S., attracting 130,000+ people and some of the best Jazz musicians to Downtown Jacksonville for three spectacular days.
June
JAX Brunch & Bloody Mary Festival: Happens outdoors in historic Riverside under the Fuller Warren Bridge! Attendees can look forward to brunch cuisine from 10+ local restaurants & food trucks, mimosa & Bloody Mary stations, vendors + makers, art installations, LIVE MUSIC & more.
July
4th of July fireworks held at JAX Beach and Downtown.
Greater JAX Kingfish Tournament & Festival: Reel in a big one! This is the largest kingfish tournament in the country. Anglers of all experience levels are welcome.
August
Jacksonville Jaguars Season Kicks Off: Go Jags! Enjoy some of the best tailgating in the NFL and watch the Jaguars play at TIAA Bank Field in Downtown Jacksonville.
The Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance: Always held the second full weekend in March, “The Amelia” draws over 300 rare vehicles from collections around the world to The Golf Club of Amelia Island at Summer Beach and The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island for a celebration of the automobile like no other.
Collective Con: Three days of pure excitement and fun featuring celebrity guests, comic book creators, voice actors, cosplayers, artists, writers, anime, video gaming, live music and more at the Jacksonville Fairgrounds, Downtown.
October
WasabiCon: an annual pop culture event designed to celebrate anime, comics, cosplay, internet culture, paranormal, science fiction, tabletop gaming, video games, and all things “geek”. The two-day Jacksonville, Florida convention features an Artist Alley, a Vendors Room, celebrity guests, panels, workshops, games, and more.
Sea and Sky Air Show: Jacksonville’s own, The Blue Angels, come home every year to thrill audiences with an air show at Jacksonville Beach. Witness thrills like never before from a variety of military and civilian aerobatic demonstrations.
Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra’s Season Begins: Ranked as one of the top 40 symphonies in the nation, Jacksonville’s Symphony brings a fresh take to classics and pop music each season.
Spooktacular at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens: Get into the Halloween spirit at Northeast Florida’s most visited attraction. This is a not-so-scary Halloween celebration for the whole family.
The Flounder Pounder tournament: brings some of the best anglers in the Southeast to Jacksonville in search of the biggest flounder in the area.
Jacksonville Light Boat Parade: Dozens of boats decorated with festive holiday lights parade down the St. Johns River in Downtown Jacksonville the Saturday after Thanksgiving making for a great family holiday affair!
Winter Festivities Begin
St. John’s Town Center Holiday Spectacular: The annual Holiday Spectacular at St. Johns Town Center. The festive event will feature a full day of activities, culminating with the lighting of the tree by Santa Claus and fireworks display at 8 p.m. Shoppers will enjoy holiday entertainment including live music from 2-6 p.m., with main stage activities beginning at 6 p.m.
Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony: Jacksonville welcomes the holiday season with a spectacular tree lighting ceremony.
WinterFEST at Adventure Landing: Every holiday season this popular water park becomes a winter wonderland with an ice skating rink, ice slides, winter village and hot cocoa. This event runs through January.
ArtRepublic: a 12-day event series that strives to bring in artists from all over the world to create public art around Jacksonville. Since it’s inaugural event in 2016, ArtRepublic has brought in artists who have created 18 new public murals in Jacksonville.
San Marco Art Festival: Also occurring in April, the historic neighborhood features hundreds of handmade works including glass, photography, painting, jewelry and more. Enjoy free admission to the festival, then dine and shop in this walkable neighborhood.
November
Pete’s Thanksgiving: 28 years in the running, this local bar shuts down First Street until 2:00 p.m. every Thanksgiving while it serves thousands of locals and visiting patrons.
Kids Free November: Bring the whole family for Kids Free November in Jacksonville. Throughout the month of November, discover all the family fun that Jacksonville has to offer at our city’s top attractions! The best part? Kids under 12 get in FREE all month long! Now tell us that isn’t something to get excited about, much less plan a trip for!
Florida vs. Georgia Football Game: The biggest rivalry in the SEC comes to Jacksonville every fall. Don’t miss the celebrations at RV City, the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. Plus, the best part of all is the game!
Porchfest: Free Live Music Festival with Food and Fun Take Over the Parks and Porches of Historic Springfield in Downtown Jacksonville, Florida
City of Jacksonville Veterans Day Parade: Join the City of Jacksonville as we honor true American heroes – our veterans and active-duty military. This patriotic parade features more than 4,000 participants. See grand marshals, senior military officials, active-duty and retired military, veterans groups. There are also local high school marching bands, decorative floats, giant balloons, JROTC units and more! Visit JaxVeteransDayParade.com for more information and a map of the parade route.
December
New Year’s Eve Celebration in Downtown: End the year with this enormous celebration. It includes live music, vendors, and an amazing riverfront fireworks show.
ZOOLights at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens: Discover the Jacksonville Zoo after hours. Walk through the exhibits and gardens decorated with thousands of sparkling LED lights. It’s one of the favorite events and activities at the zoo.
The TaxSlayer Bowl: Two of college football’s best SEC vs. Big 10
teams go head-to-head for the battle of the TaxSlayer Bowl trophy,
on the last weekend in December at TIAA Bank Field.
Weekly Events and Activities
North Beach’s Art Walk: every third Thursday of the month.
Beaches Green Market: Saturdays from 2-5 p.m.
Downtown Art Walk: the first Wednesday of each month.
Riverside Arts Market: Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Additional Summer Annual Events and Activities (TBD Dates)
Summer Jazz Series & Moonlight Movie Series: Hosted by JAX Beach annually during the summer.
Arts in the Park: Hosted annually by Atlantic Beach, featuring works both displayed and sold by artists.
JAX Beer Week: An annual celebration of Jacksonville’s growing craft beer industry.
JAX Craft/Import Beer Festival: Much like Beer Week, this special
event includes Folio Weekly’s Margarita/Martini Fest and Riverside
WineFest. Also a time for foodies to enjoy charity events hosted
by Caring Chefs and FOODFIGHT.
If you have questions about annual events and activities in Jacksonville, call Your Home Sold Guaranteed Realty - Phil Aitken Home Team.