Music Travel Guide

Did you know that Jacksonville is the birthplace of Southern rock and home to a strong tradition of jazz, blues, and classical music? From Yellowcard, Limp Bizkit, Lynard Skynard and more, find out for yourself how Jacksonville ROCKS!

You can find amazing live music every night in Jacksonville! See a classical performance by the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, attend the free, annual Jacksonville Jazz Festival, or watch a lineup of local bands carry on the Southern rock tradition. Jax is music to your ears!

MUSIC VENUES

Alhambra Theatre and Dining: Get ready for dinner and a show! The Alhambra Theatre and Dining is the oldest continuously running professional dinner theater in the United States. Enjoy shows like The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Miracle on 34th
Street and more while dining with a carefully crafted menu designed for each production to highlight each show’s unique story and theme.

Blue Jay Listening Room: Blue Jay Listening Room is an intimate music venue in Jacksonville Beach with a carefully curated environment allowing you the space to listen, expand your musical knowledge and share in an experience you will never forget. View their schedule, pick a show, grab a beer and enjoy.

Daily’s Place: Daily's Place amphitheater in Downtown Jacksonville is connected to the south end of Everbank Stadium and seats 5,500 spectators. Whether you are in the mood to jam out to country music legends or rock out to iconic rock and roll bands, there is always high-quality live music for everyone at Daily’s Place.

Florida Theatre: This historic theater in Downtown Jacksonville has hosted music legends like Elvis Presley and Lynard Skynyrd. Today, it hosts performances ranging from country, rock and classical music favorites to dance ensembles, classic rock album recreations and spoken word.

Jack Rabbits: Known for a show schedule full of punk, ska, and metal bands, Jack Rabbits is an intimate live concert house and bar whose music schedule is always full of both local and bigger bands that regularly stop by while on tour, knowing that it’s one of the most popular venues in Jacksonville to play.

Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts: The Performing Arts Center features professional and community artistry in Downtown Jacksonville. It’s home to the Jacksonville Symphony and the FSCJ Artist Series Broadway in Jacksonville shows, as well as many touring theatrical and concert events.

Ritz Theater: The Ritz Theatre is an African American oriented theatre and museum in the LaVilla neighborhood of Jacksonville. The theater, which seats 426, is used for various music, dance and theatrical productions and movies. If you are looking for soulful performances, out their full calendar of events.

The Elbow: In Downtown Jacksonville’s Entertainment District, The Elbow offers a wealth of diverse and walkable nightlife, live music and performance venues. The formal boundaries are Bay Street to Adams Street and Main Street to Liberty Street.

Underbelly: Located in The Elbow of Downtown Jacksonville, Underbelly is a hip, late-night venue providing cocktails and regular live bands and DJs in an intimate, rustic setting. They also offer one of the largest whiskey selections in Jax and a full BBQ menu.

VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena: From Elton John and Justin Bieber to Carrie Underwood and Cher, major stars perform for thousands of cheering fans at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena every year. The arena is always hosting big-name artists, so make sure to check their calendar of events when you are visiting.

MUSIC FESTIVALS

Seawalk Music Festival: The Community First Seawalk Music Festival is a free, family-friendly event held in Jax Beach. The festival is held in the spring a features local vendors, activities and headliners like 7 Nations Army.

Springing the Blues: One of the largest and oldest blues festivals on the East Coast of the United States, Springing the Blues is an annual festival in Jacksonville Beach. It is It started in 1990 and takes places yearly on the first weekend of April.

Jax River Jams: Jam out with Downtown Jacksonville as a scenic background during this free four-week spring concert series. Jax River Jams features national headliners like GroupLove and Shaggy, along with local and regional openers. Food trucks and bars are on site and fans bring their own chairs and blankets to enjoy the shows.

Jacksonville Jazz Festival: Get ready to get your shimmy on during Memorial Day weekend at the Jacksonville Jazz Festival in Downtown Jacksonville. The festival is one of the largest free jazz fests in the country and happens each year. The Jazz Fest has attracted some of the biggest names in jazz over the course of its 40+ year history including Miles Davis, Kenny G, Tony Bennett and more.

Florida Fin Fest: Florida Fin Fest is a free 2-day ocean conservation education and music festival that takes place in September in Jacksonville Beach. The festival includes hands-on activities for all ages including an interactive educational village, live music by Grammy-nominated artists, a sustainability-focused festival village, food trucks, and more. In addition to the incredible musical performances, Florida Fin Fest offers an immersive educational experience with engaging activations from prominent institutions such as The Georgia Aquarium, Jacksonville University and OCEARCH.

Tacos and Tequila Festival: Mark your calendars for Labor Day and experience a flavor-packed celebration of all things music, taco and tequila in Downtown Jacksonville. Indulge in mouthwatering tacos, savor the finest tequilas and enjoy music from bands like Iration, Lupe Fiasco, Gym Class Heroes and more. This is the fiesta you won't want to miss!

Jacksonville PorchFest: Jacksonville PorchFest is a music festival held on the welcoming front porches of the Historic Springfield neighborhood. The family-friendly, free event features more than a dozen musicians from a wide variety of genres performing on porches throughout the neighborhood. Attendees stroll from porch to porch and “camp out” on front lawns and sidewalks to enjoy live, local talent.

JACKSONVILLE'S MUSIC HISTORY

DJ’s Record Shop-Started in 1974, owned by DJ Jerry West and still selling records.
Florida Theatre-The historic theatre has hosted hundreds of musical acts, including Elvis Presley.
Ritz Theatre and Museum-The Ritz Theatre hosted the Chitlin' Circuit, was a series of performance venues (mostly in the southern U.S.) that welcomed African-American artists during the Jim Crow era. Ray Charles also performed here.
Friday Musicale, Inc-Since 1890, Friday Musicale hosts outstanding concerts free of charge.
James Weldon Johnson Park-A public park named after musician James Weldon Johnson who wrote "Lift E'ery Voice and Sing."
Willowbranch Park-Public park where members of the Allman Brothers Band used to play music.
The Van Zant House-The childhood home of Ronnie, Johnny and Donnie Van Zandt was named a Florida Heritage site in 2018.
The Green House-Location of the first jam session of the Allman Brothers Band.
The Gray House-While living in the Gray House, Gregg Allman wrote most of the Allman Brothers Band's first album including the song, "Whipping Post."
Douglas Anderson School of the Arts-Famous alumni include musicians Wes Borland (Limp Bizkit), John Otto (Limp Bizkit), Ben Harper (Yellowcard) and actor Patrick Heusinger (Gossip Girl, Royal Pains, Absentia and Girlfriend's Guide to Divorce).
The Bolles School-Famous alumni include musician Gram Parson (International Submarine Band, the Byrds, and the Flying Burrito Brothers), actor Linden Ashby (Melrose Place and Teen Wolf), musician Bruce Crump (Molly Hatchet) and musician Brian Liesegang (Filter).
Riverside Memorial Park Cemetery-Final resting place of members of Lynyrd Skynyrd and Molly Hatchet.
Riverside High School(formerly known as Lee High School)-This is reportedly where future members of Lynyrd Skynyrd were scolded about their long hair by gym teacher Leonard Skinner, inspiring the band's name.
West Ashley Street-Blues music pioneer Arthur "Blind" Blake wrote "West Ashley Street Blues" about the street in the LaVilla neighborhood that was know for music, dining and performances in the early 20th century.
Downtown Jacksonville-For more than 40 years, Jacksonville has been home to one of the largest free jazz fests in the country.
Ronnie Van Zant Park & Whitey's Fish Camp - former hangout of Van Zandt and Allman brothers

RESTAURANTS AND BARS WITH LIVE MUSIC

Breezy Jazz House & Restaurant: Located in the heart of San Marco in Jacksonville Florida, Breezy Jazz House is the premiere jazz and dining space.

The Volstead: Get into the swing of things at this speakeasy-style bar that is an expert in cocktail making, live jazz music and Sunday night swing dancing.

Lemon Bar: Sip delicious drinks while enjoying the Florida sun at this local beach bar in Neptune Beach. Join them for live music on Mondays from 3-7pm.

Dos Gatos: Hipster hangout for handmade cocktails & martinis along with game, music and other theme nights.

Cuba Libre at Havana Jax: Festive venue hosts Latin salsa dancing, plus happy hours with Cuban drinks and appetizer specials.

The Grape and Grain Exchange: Since opening in November of 2012, Grape & Grain Exchange has combined craft cocktails, a curated retail space and local live music in the heart of historic San Marco Square.

Element Bistro Bar and Lounge: American bistro offering happy hour & live-music nights in chic environs with an adjacent nightclub.

Birdies: Funky, laid-back neighborhood hangout with a patio & full bar, plus live music & pool tables.

Wicked Barley Brewing: House-brewed craft beers and bar bites highlight this relaxed pub with indoor/outdoor seating with live music.

Brix Taphouse: Relaxed bar with a craft beer emphasis plus drink specials, live-music events and line dancing nights.

Josephine's: A neighborhood restaurant located in historic Avondale serving innovative Italian-American cuisine & cocktails in a warm and inviting setting. Book reservations for their lounge series, which features great music with fun and exciting food and drinks.

THINGS TO DO

Silent Disco: Grab a pair of headphones and get your boogie on when you attend silent disco at Root Down in Five Points every Friday and Saturday night. Hush Hush Headphones also hosts many pop-up silent discos around Jacksonville at some unique venues, so make sure to stay updated with where they will be next through their social media.

Amplified Avondale: Spend the last Friday of the month enjoying live music from end of the Avenue to the other at Amplified Avondale. Perfect for music lovers looking for a fun date or family night. The micro music and art festival also features live art displays from local artists as well as food and drinks.

Performing Arts: Sit back, relax and take in Jacksonville’s incredible performing arts scene. Watch incredible theatrical performances at Players by the Sea or Alhambra Theatre & Dining or see a traveling Broadway show at the Jacksonville Center for Performing Arts brought to you by the FSCJ Artist Series. At this venue you will also find the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra.

Shopping: Shop for all things music around Jacksonville. Add to your growing record collection when you shop at local record stores like Tiger Records in Riverside and Yesterday & Today Records
in San Marco. Pick up a new hobby or continue an old one when you shop for musical instruments at stores like Kevin’s Music Store, Guitars United and George’s Music Inc in Jacksonville.

Trivia: Many bars and restaurants around Jacksonville host trivia nights with music themes. Catch Tuesday trivia at Birdies in 5 Points, pop culture trivia on Wednesday at Brix Taphouse and Name That Tune on Fridays at Ink Factory.

Karaoke: Sing your heart out in Jax! Pick your favorite tunes, grab your friends and visit local Jacksonville restaurants and bars for their karaoke nights. Somew great places to catch karaoke at are Dos Gatos, who hosts karaoke every Monday night and Monkey’s Uncle Tavern hosts Karaoke Nights on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday each week.

Concerts: Catch your favorite artist perform in Jax, or even see a new one. From pop, country, rhythm and blues, rap, rock, metal and more, there is something for everyone to enjoy at our local venues.

Visit the Jax Ale Trial: Grab a brew and listen to some tunes. Many breweries on the Jax Ale Trail, like Legacy Ale Works, have live music on select nights for you to enjoy. Get your passport stamped while you listen to some great local talent.

We hope you enjoy your visit to Jacksonville and experience exactly why Jax rocks! Whether you are here to see your favorite performers, catch a live theatrical show or experience Jacksonville’s local talent, you will find plenty of music options in Jax.

Check out our events calendar for all music events in our area.