Holiday Events in Jacksonville

2024 Guide to the Best Holiday Events in Jacksonville

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.

The Best Holiday and Christmas Events in Jacksonville, FL

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 your chairs and blankets to the Seawalk Pavilion for a free moonlight movie. Sponsored by Deck the Chairs and the City of Jacksonville Beach, this is a fun family event. Date: December 1

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 7-10

St Augustine Regatta of Lights in North Florida

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 9

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 24 – December 29

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

The best events for kids and families in Jacksonville this Christmas season.

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 24 – December 31

Alhambra Theatre and Dining Presents Miracle on 34th Street

Based on the classic holiday film with book and music by Meredith Willson, follow the story of a single mom who doesn’t want her daughter’s head filled with fairy tales.  Tickets can be purchased online. Dates: November 16 – December 24

The Jacksonville Christmas Spectacular

The Jacksonville Christmas Spectacular is an evening of holiday entertainment with THREE unique, magical stories in one night! Created by producer Jason Woods, it features hilarious characters, heartwarming stories, and holiday surprises, including a special appearance by the amazing Jacksonville Jaguars Drumline for some festive, percussive fun! Dates: December 2-3

21th 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 10

ZOOLights at the Jacksonville Zoo in Florida

ZOOLights Lantern Experience 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! 2023 Dates: Most weekend from Thanksgiving until February

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 10

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 15-17

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 16-17

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].

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Christmas events in Jacksonville, FL

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