Trip Worthy Events

Jacksonville hosts exciting festivals and events throughout the year. Learn more about some of the most popular annual events in Florida.

Arts & Culture Events
Sports Events
Family Friendly
Events by Season
Holidays

Arts & Culture Events

Sports Events

Family Friendly

Events by Season

Winter

November

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.

December

Winter on the Water
Experience holiday extravaganzas, nightly snowfalls, dazzling boat parades, extraordinary light displays and much more. Find out why everyone wants to spend their “Winter On The Water” in Jacksonville.

New Year's Eve Celebration in Downtown Jacksonville
End the year with an enormous celebration that includes live music, vendors, and an amazing riverfront fireworks show.

January

Jax Boat Show
The Jacksonville Marine Association is putting 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.

February

The 26.2 With Donna
The only marathon in the world that donates 100 percent of its profits to breast cancer research. Celebrate the cause at the 26.2 With Donna Marathon.

El Cheapo Sheepshead Tournament
The El Cheapo Sheepshead Tournament has grown into the world’s largest sheepshead tournament, drawing over 400 anglers, 100 junior participants, and nearly 2,000 visitors for a fun, family-friendly weekend event.

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.

Community First Seawalk Music Festival
The Community First Seawalk Music Festival is a free, family-friendly event here 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.

Riverside Craft Beer Fest
Happening under the Fuller Warren Bridge in Riverside. At the festival, sample over 100 craft beers, enjoy live music, enjoy great food + more!

Spring

March

The Spartan Race
Florida’s #1 ranked motocross park meets the world’s #1 obstacle course race.

Gate River Run
This is the largest 15K in the United States. The route takes runners through Downtown Jacksonville and across many of our famous bridges.

7 Creeks Fest
7 Creeks Fest is a free, family-friendly celebration of nature and outdoor adventure across Jacksonville’s 7 Creeks Recreation Area. Enjoy guided hikes, paddling, wildlife experiences, live music, food trucks and more in one of the city’s most scenic natural spaces.

THE PLAYERS Championship
Some of 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 extravaganza.

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. Collective Con takes place at the Jacksonville Fairgrounds in Downtown Jacksonville.

April

Springing the Blues
This is the largest oceanfront free Blues Festival in the world. It takes place in sunny Jacksonville Beach every April.

Mandarin Art Festival
The organizers of this fest (in support of the non-profit Mandarin Community Club which promotes local beautification) are calling for artists, patrons, and guests alike to be a part of their festival as purveyors and preservationists of the community's natural and creative culture.

Opening of the Beaches
Jacksonville Beach officially marks the start of beach season with the Opening of the Beaches Weekend, featuring a festive Opening of the Beaches Parade, family‑friendly activities like the annual sandcastle contest, live music, food vendors, and vibrant community spirit.

May

IRONMAN Jacksonville
Whether you’re chasing a personal best or tackling your first IRONMAN, Jacksonville offers the perfect mix of determination, community, and waterfront beauty to fuel your journey.

Jacksonville Jazz Festival
This is one of the largest free Jazz Festivals in the nation. The Jacksonville Jazz Festival attracts more than 130,000 people and some of the best Jazz musicians to Downtown Jacksonville for three spectacular days. #jaxjazzfesitval

Summer

June

Juneteenth Melanin Market
The Melanin Market attracts thousands of attendees to the Historical Eastside of Jacksonville.

July

Fourth of July Celebrations
Enjoy live music, food vendors, and spectacular free firework displays. Whether you are looking for riverfront fireworks show in the heart of Downtown Jacksonville or in Jacksonville Beach at the Stars and Stripes at the Seawalk Pavillion July 4th Celebration Jacksonville is where you'll want to be this summer.

Greater Jacksonville 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 Jaguar Season Kicks Off
Go Jags! Enjoy some of the best tailgating in the NFL and watch the Jaguars play at EverBank Stadium in Downtown Jacksonville.

Jacksonville Caribbean Carnival
The Jacksonville Caribbean Carnival is a three-day, vibrant celebration of Caribbean culture featuring a colorful parade, lively festival, and dynamic concert.

Fall

September

Jacksonville Jaguar Season Continues
Enjoy some of the best tailgating in the NFL and watch the Jaguars play at EverBank Stadium in Downtown Jacksonville.

Florida Fin Fest
Florida Fin Fest is a free, two-day education and music festival focused on conservation and sustainability. You won’t want to miss it - it’s FIN-tastic!

October

Jax River City Pride
Jax River City Pride is Jacksonville's annual LGBTQIA+ celebration that fosters a sense of community. The event includes a parade as well as festival with a family fun zone, a full day of live entertainment, food and dozens of businesses, artisans and non-profit vendors.

Beaches Oktoberfest
Beaches Oktoberfest at Seawalk Pavilion in Jacksonville Beach is North Florida’s premier German celebration. Expect bratwurst, pretzels, schnitzel and of course, beer!

WasabiCon
WasabiCon is Northeast Florida’s largest pop culture event. The two-day convention takes place annually at the Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center and features celebrity guests, over 250 artists and vendors, game rooms, and much more for fans of anime, cosplay, tabletop gaming, and video games.

NAS JAX Air Show
Jacksonville’s own, The Blue Angels, come home every year to thrill audiences with an air show. Witness thrills like never before from a variety of military and civilian aerobatic demonstrations. This event has free admission and parking, no tickets are required to attend.

Spooktacular at the Jacksonville Zoo & 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.

Florida vs. Georgia Weekend
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 and the best part of all, the game at EverBank Stadium.

November

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.

Porchfest
Free live music festival with food and fun takes over the parks and porches of historic Springfield near Downtown Jacksonville.

Super Girl Surf Pro
The professional World Surf League (WSL) competition and festival celebrating female empowerment takes place at Seawalk Pavilion and on Jacksonville Beach.

City of Jacksonville Veterans Day Parade
Join the City of Jacksonville to honor true American heroes - our veterans and active-duty military. The Veterans Day Parade features grand marshals, senior military officials, active-duty and retired military, veterans groups, local high school marching bands, decorative floats, giant balloons, JROTC units and more.

Deck the Chairs
Deck the Chairs, features dozens of lifeguard chairs uniquely decorated for the season at Seawalk Pavilion in Jacksonville Beach.

Holidays

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