Jacksonville is known for many things like our beautiful beaches, and the Jaguars but did you know that Jacksonville also is insanely popular for the happening entertainment scene and events that continually come to the city or are locally provided year-round? The holidays are absolutely no exception and there is no shortage of amazing holiday events in Jacksonville to attend this holiday season.
Here is a list of some of our favorites to help guide you on what’s going on around town so you can plan your family nights, date nights, and weekends while experiencing as much holiday magic as possible.
Deck the Chairs
Kicking off on November 23, the Deck the chairs event will be celebrating 10 years! This event has more than forty American Red Cross life guard chairs boasting coastal-themed designs and lights. It’s completely free to visit so be sure to add this to your list of must-do holiday events around Jacksonville. Dates: November 23 – January 1
The Polar Express
Bring the kids to this holiday classic on the big screen. This completely free event is sponsored by the Florida Theatre and benefits Feeding Northeast Florida. Guests are asked to bring a canned or non-perishable food item to donate. Date: December 18
Holiday Pops
A true Jacksonville holiday tradition with the Jacksonville Symphony. Includes an indoor snowfall event with the Symphony, guest singers, and many dancers from Douglas Anderson School for the Arts. Dates: December 8-11
St. Augustine Regatta of Lights
Catch all the festive decorations on a variety of boats and vessels as they float along the bayfront in St. Augustine during the annual Regatta of Lights. The water parade starts at 6 p.m. Post show, you can wander through historic downtown and enjoy the Nights of Lights throughout the city. Date: December 10
Dazzling Nights
Jacksonville Arboretum & Botanical Gardens transforms into a holiday wonderland this holiday season featuring millions of christmas lights, gleaming forests, and a magical display guaranteed to bring the whole family joy. Dates: November 25 – January 1
Beaches Museum North Pole Express
Beaches Museum is putting on the Beaches North Pole Express event again this year and it will include a meet and greet with Santa and the Conductor. Visitors are invited to write a letter to Santa and to come take pictures with jolly old St. Nick. Dates: December 9-10
Blackhawk Bluff Christmas Lights Display
One of the best lights displays in North Florida with the entire neighborhood decorated in lights. You can drive through the Christmas lights display on Sunday thru Thursday 6 to 10pm and Friday & Saturday 6 to 11pm. Dates: November 25 – December 31
Alhambra Theatre and Dining Presents White Christmas
An amazing production about WWII GI’s who discover the secret their General has been keeping from his family and decide to use their musical talents to help him out during the Christmas season. Tickets can be purchased online. Dates: November 17 – December 24
Elf the Musical
Elf the Musical is coming to Jacksonville Center for Performing Arts. This tale comes to life Buddy, a young orphan child who mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported back to the North Pole. Buddy’s enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth with comedic fun for the whole family. Dates: December 6-11
20th Annual Gingerbread House Extravaganza
The Jacksonville Historical Society will host the 20th Annual Gingerbread Extravaganza this year that includes the traditional exhibit at Old St. Andrew’s Church as well as a holiday gift shop, bake shop, silent auction and an online contest to vote for your favorite display. Dates: December 8-27
Pop Up in The Park: Holiday Market
A magical holiday market filled with local vendors, food trucks, games, and all-around family-friendly fun at James Weldon Johnson Park for Pop Up in The Park: Holiday Market featuring Mr. Joe, Santa Claus, the Let’s Ride Brass Band and more. Date: December 11
ZOOLights at Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens
ZOOLights gives you an amazing opportunity to celebrate all of the joys of the season at the zoo. Tour the grounds of the zoo to take in LED lights that turn the exhibits into an amazing wonderland of illumination. A special lighted train also runs through the zoo, and you might fill an empty stomach with roasted marshmallows too. This is a holiday event in Jacksonville that is fun for the entire family! 2022 Dates: Coming Soon
Riverside Avondale Luminaria
It is a holiday tradition for residents of Riverside Avondale to gather with neighbors and friends or visit our parks and churches by walking the lighted sidewalks illuminated with candles. Date: December 11
The Hip Hop Nutcracker
Hip Hop Nutcracker is back at The Florida Theatre and this reimagined classic really gives Tchaikovsky’s score a new take with hip-hop choreography, a dozen all-star dancers, an on-stage DJ, and an electric violinist. Date: December 12
Jacksonville Symphony’s First Coast Nutcracker
A family tradition in Northeast Florida celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, this timeless masterpiece comes to life with the only performance in Jacksonville with a full, live symphony orchestra. Dates: December 16-18
Jax Illuminations Drive-Thru Holiday Light Show
A drive thru show that is fun for the whole family, Jax Illuminations is one of our favorite holiday events in Jacksonville. All you have to do is tune your car radio to our special radio station and listen to your favorite holiday tunes as you drive through an amazing light show. This year tickets are only being sold online, so be sure to get them before they sell out. Dates: December 1 – December 31
Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland
Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland brings the joy and excitement of the holiday season like never before to The Florida Theatre. The production features some of the greatest holiday songs of all time performed with the world-renowned cast of Cirque Musica. Date: December 16
Handel’s Messiah at the Jacksonville Symphony
The Jacksonville Symphony, guest soloists and the more than 100 voices of the Jacksonville Symphony Chorus present music’s most powerful message of faith this holiday season. Dates: December 17-18
Have a wonderful Holiday season! Leave a comment below on which event around Jacksonville is your family favorite or let us know if we missed one and we will be sure to include it for next year!
Lindsey has lived in Jacksonville now for over 12 years and is originally from the southeast Georgia area. She is a business and data manager for UF Health Emergency and Trauma services downtown by day, a travel agent, social media influencer, and BLS instructor by night. Lindsey is also the mom of three kids, Lily, Logan, and Ruby. She is married to a very talented musician, Cody who plays locally all around in the Bold City Classics and Blue Muse and with the symphony as well. Lindsey started posting on social media about her trips to Disney and beyond on social media in the last few years as a means to document the joy and help others with planning their trips, balancing traveling and motherhood and finding the true magic in it all. As her presence grew she was invited to become a travel agent specializing in Disney and other theme parks because of her expansive knowledge. You can follow Lindsey on Instagram and tiktok as well as request a free travel quote for your trip @magicmomlife or send her an email at [email protected].
Thank you so much for this list! What fun! It is exactly what I was looking for. Merry Christmas!
Will there be a Taste of the holidays event for 2023?
Not sure yet, but we’ll update as soon as we hear!