Family-Friendly Happenings in Jacksonville: Summer 2023

Make it a summer to remember with all the amazing events Jacksonville has to offer during the warm-weather months!

School is out and summer is in full swing! Whether you want to beat the heat indoors or get outside and enjoy the sun, there is so much fun to be had right here on the First Coast. Be sure to write it all down on your summer bucket list (FREE printable here!) because this calendar of summer events is chock full o’ fun and the best family-friendly activities! The family fun experts at Jacksonville Mom are here to break it all down for you month-by-month.

All Summer Long

No summer is complete without a Jumbo Shrimp baseball game — don’t miss their stunning Saturday night fireworks displays! At the Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens, the IllumniNights Summer Spectacle runs through August 11 and features a colorful landscape drenched with sparkling lights. For show lovers, Beauty and the Beast is showing at the Alhambra Theatre June 8 through July 23. And now through September 10, experience the Museum of Science & History’s newest traveling exhibition, Expedition Dinosaur: Rise of the Mammals.

For those looking to shop local, the 904 PopUp event takes place at the Seawalk Pavilion on June 25, July 23, and August 27, and features 200 local creatives and 15 food trucks.

Take a peek at Summer Camps In & Around Jacksonville and the Jacksonville Mom Things to Do Calendar for even more great ideas!

June

Jacksonville is home to a thriving LGBTQ+ community, complete with special events and activities celebrated throughout Pride Month in June, including the Jax River City Pride Parade and Festival.

Craving something sweet? Celebrate National Donut Day on June 2 with donut specials and freebies around town! Then on June 3, head to the Goodwill Fest at the Seawalk Pavilion before experiencing the magic of the Water Lantern Festival at TIAA Bank Field, where you and your family can design and launch your own lanterns and enjoy food trucks, music, and fun.

On June 17, celebrate Juneteenth and freedom from slavery with the Melanin Market, where over 250 Black-owned businesses will line the streets of A. Philip Randolph Blvd., alongside live entertainment, food trucks, and kids zones!

Seeking free and cheap summer fun? Check out Jacksonville Mom’s The Ultimate Summer Bucket List: Free & Cheap Things to Do in Jacksonville.

July

No July is complete without a series of amazing Fourth of July celebrations, including live music, food vendors, and free fireworks displays! Take your pick from a riverfront show in the heart of Downtown Jax or in Jacksonville Beach at the Stars and Stripes at the Seawalk Pavilion.

The largest kingfish tournament in the country, the 43rd Annual Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament returns July 17–22 to Sister Creek, featuring both professional and amateur anglers, along with a food festival, live entertainment, a boat display, and more!

On July 29, the First Coast Music Festival takes place where you can watch over 50 independent artists across three stages competing for a cash prize.

Looking to make a splash? Check out Jacksonville Mom’s Beat the Heat: Pools, Water Parks & Splash Pads in Jacksonville.

Photo by: @kddreamin

August

Enjoy the Jacksonville Caribbean Carnival on August 12, complete with a parade, festival, and live concert, followed by the First Coast’s biggest annual comic book show, the Jacksonville Comics and Collectibles Show on August 26.

Want even more to explore? Check out Jacksonville Mom’s Top 10 Family-Friendly Springs to Explore in Florida and 15 Places to Explore the Great Outdoors In & Around Jax.

Author

Jacksonville Mom

Local Expert- Family and Kids