Fall Offers New Experiences and Events in Jacksonville

Jacksonville, Fla. (Oct. 5, 2021) – As the humidity and temperatures drop, fall is a great time to get outside and explore all that Jacksonville has to offer. With a calendar packed with family fun, sports and holiday events, Jacksonville is one of the top destinations to visit this season.

Upcoming special events

October

The Constellation Furyk & Friends PGA TOUR Champions golf tournament is at Timuquana Country Club, now through October 10.

Featuring live music, art, entertainment, food trucks and more, First Wednesday Art Walk returns October 6 at James Weldon Johnson Park. Spooktacular returns at the Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens October 15-17 and 22-31. Guests are encouraged to dress up in their family-friendly costumes to explore the winding pathways of themed decorations.

Two days of cosplay, anime, gaming and pop culture highlight WasabiCon, October 15-17, at the Prime Osborne Convention Center.

Viva La Fiesta, Jacksonville’s only Hispanic festival, returns October 16 and 17 at James Weldon Johnson Park with dancing, food, music and more.

The annual University of Florida vs. University of Georgia weekend kicks off with the fall baseball game October 29 at 121 Financial Ball Park. The Florida vs. Georgia rivalry football game is October 30 at TIAA Bank Field.

Hallow’s Eve, a Frightfully Funky Festival, featuring spooky décor, costumes, and tricks and treats for kids of all ages, will take place at James Weldon Johnson Park October 30.

November

During Kids Free November, kids receive free admission with an adult to some of the most exciting family attractions in Jacksonville.

The Jacksonville PorchFest will have music for everyone on porches throughout the Historic Springfield neighborhood along with food and art vendors, November 6.

Jacksonville Beach will host the Super Girl Surf Pro November 12-14. This is the first women’s professional surfing competition of its caliber to come to Northeast Florida, drawing women’s surf competitors from around the world, including the United States’ 2021 Olympic Gold Medalist Carissa Moore.

The inaugural Street League Skateboarding World Championship is the weekend of November 13, transforming Riverfront Plaza in Downtown Jacksonville into the ultimate skateboard playground. SLS is the foremost competitive series in the sport.

Jacksonville Arboretum & Botanical Gardens will transform into a magical wonderland featuring a million dazzling lights, shining forests, magical displays and beautiful sculptures during “Dazzling Nights™”, November 19-January 9, 2022.

More than forty American Red Cross lifeguard chairs will be decorated in coastal-themed designs and lights for Deck the Chairs in Jacksonville Beach, November 20-January 1, 2022.

The inaugural Jacksonville Classic Basketball Tournament will take place November 21 and 22 and UNF Arena.

A holiday tradition for more than 30 years, the Jacksonville Light Boat Parade will take place Saturday, November 27 at 6 pm on the St. Johns River in Downtown Jacksonville.

December

ZOOLights at the Jacksonville Zoo and Garden will return in December. Dates and details to be announced.

Santa Claus will be the special guest at the Holiday Food Truck Takeover & Market at James Weldon Johnson Park on December 11.

The annual college football bowl game, the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl, will be played at TIAA Bank Field on December 31.

Visit our events page to learn more about these events and others scheduled in the coming months.

Now open

While planning a trip for a special event, don’t forget to plan your culinary itinerary as well. Try some of the new restaurants, bars and dessert places that have opened in the past few months:

Belgian Sweet House Bistro

Cajun Boil Express

Falafel X Bar

Fizzies & Fare

Ruby Beach Brewing

The Cocktail Room at Manifest Distilling
The GOAT – Tapas and Bar

Sonya’s 2 Sweet 4 Words

Sugarfire Smokehouse BBQ

For a larger list of recent openings, visit the new Jacksonville openings page on our website.

About Visit Jacksonville
Visit Jacksonville is a Destinations International accredited Destination Marketing Organization contracted by the Duval County Tourist Development Council (TDC) to champion the growth of business and leisure tourism in Jacksonville. For a closer look at all there is to see and do in Jacksonville, go to http://www.VisitJacksonville.com or contact 800-733-2668.

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