Downtown Jacksonville: Riverfront Plaza, the riverwalks, MOCA, the Florida Theatre, First Wednesday Art Walk, free weekend street parking and the free Skyway.

Last checked Oct. 9, 2026. Sources: Downtown Vision, Downtown Vision’s Art Walk page, the City of Jacksonville’s JaxParks and Office of Special Events, the Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville, the Florida Theatre and the Jacksonville Symphony.

Downtown Jacksonville sits on both banks of the St. Johns River, with the Northbank’s office towers, theaters and parks facing the Southbank’s riverwalk and Friendship Fountain. It is where the city holds its biggest free events, from the tree lighting and Light Boat Parade to the New Year’s fireworks, and its monthly Art Walk. Here is what is there and how to get around.

At a glance

  • Street parking: free weekends and after 6 p.m.
  • JTA Skyway: free, weekdays 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
  • Art Walk: first Wednesday monthly, 5 to 9 p.m., James Weldon Johnson Park
  • MOCA: free Saturdays and first and third Wednesday nights
  • Downtown Vision: downtownjacksonville.org

Parks and the river

  • Riverfront Plaza, 2 W. Independent Drive, on the old Jacksonville Landing site: an elevated playground, a splash pad, restrooms and an event lawn, opened in fall 2025. Home of the city Christmas tree and Treats at the Plaza on Halloween.
  • James Weldon Johnson Park, 135 W. Monroe St.: the downtown square where Art Walk vendors, food trucks and live music set up each month.
  • Northbank Riverwalk and the Southbank Riverwalk, a 1.25-mile boardwalk open 24 hours. See walking and biking trails.
  • Friendship Fountain, in St. Johns River Park, 1015 Museum Circle, on the Southbank.
  • Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Wall, 1145 E. Adams St., next to EverBank Stadium, honoring more than 1,700 Jacksonville-area service members.

Arts and culture

  • Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville, 333 N. Laura St.; 904-620-1214. A cultural institute of the University of North Florida, open Tuesday to Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and to 9 p.m. on the first and third Wednesdays. Adults $10; seniors, military, college students and youth 6 to 17 $6; children 5 and under free. Free on Saturdays and on Museum Nights, and the first floor is always free.
  • The Florida Theatre, 128 E. Forsyth St.: a 1,865-seat historic theater on the National Register of Historic Places, owned by the city and run by a nonprofit since 1987. Box office 904-355-2787.
  • Jacoby Symphony Hall, 300 Water St., in the Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts: home of the Jacksonville Symphony. Box office 904-354-5547.
  • First Wednesday Art Walk: Downtown Vision has hosted it since 2003, 5 to 9 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month, with vendors, food trucks and live music in James Weldon Johnson Park and programming at downtown businesses. Next dates: Nov. 4 and Dec. 2. Art Walk page.

Big events downtown

Getting around and parking

From Downtown Vision:

  • Downtown has more than 48,000 public parking spaces in garages, lots and meters.
  • On-street parking is free on weekends and after 6 p.m. Meters are enforced weekdays 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., start at $2 an hour and take the ParkMobile app.
  • Off-street fees are enforced 24/7, and many private lots charge on nights and weekends; check the posted rates.
  • JTA Skyway: free, weekdays 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., with extended hours for special events.
  • JTA NAVI: a free autonomous shuttle with 12 stops along the Bay Street Innovation Corridor, weekdays 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Go Tuk’n: a pay-to-ride shuttle on the Northbank and in Brooklyn and Riverside/Avondale, from $2 a trip.

More on buses and the Skyway: getting around Jacksonville.

What this means for you

  • Come on a weekend or after 6 p.m. for free street parking.
  • Pair the first Wednesday Art Walk with free Museum Night at MOCA, 5 to 9 p.m.
  • Check road closures before big event nights.

Related: date night in Jacksonville, free things to do and live music and nightlife.

Frequently asked questions

Is parking free in downtown Jacksonville?

On-street parking is free on weekends and after 6 p.m.; meters are enforced weekdays 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and start at $2 an hour. Off-street garages and lots charge 24/7, Downtown Vision says.

Is the Jacksonville Skyway free?

Yes. Downtown Vision lists the JTA Skyway as free, running weekdays from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., with extended hours for special events.

When is the First Wednesday Art Walk?

5 to 9 p.m. on the first Wednesday of every month, centered on James Weldon Johnson Park, 135 W. Monroe St. Downtown Vision has run it since 2003.

Is MOCA Jacksonville free?

Admission is free on Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on the first and third Wednesdays, 5 to 9 p.m. The first floor is always free. Otherwise adults pay $10.