Deck the Chairs runs Nov. 25, 2026, to Jan. 1, 2027, at the Seawalk Pavilion. Opening night, Sunday markets, Tuba Christmas Dec. 12 and parking rules.

Last checked Oct. 20, 2026, against the organizer’s event guide, stage schedule and Christmas market page, and the City of Jacksonville Beach’s paid parking page. This page is updated each year at the same address.

Yes, it is on. Jacksonville Beach Deck the Chairs runs Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2026, through Friday, Jan. 1, 2027, at the Seawalk Pavilion and Latham Plaza by the ocean in Jacksonville Beach. Lifeguard chairs decorated by local businesses, schools and nonprofits line the plaza, with student shows on the pavilion stage, a weekly musical light show and a Christmas market every Sunday.

The event is run by the Students In The Arts Alliance, which calls it its flagship program. The organizer lists 34 decorated community chairs for 2026 and more than 50 taking part. Its site lists no admission price or tickets for the displays.

Who to call

  • Organizer: Students In The Arts Alliance, deckthechairs.org
  • Jacksonville Beach Parking Services: 904-247-4004
  • Jacksonville Beach Police Department (non-emergency): 904-270-1667
  • Emergency: 911

The five weeks

The organizer gives each week a theme, from its event guide:

Week Dates Theme
1 Nov. 25 to Dec. 1 Opening week, with the new chair voting
2 Dec. 2-8 Students in the Arts week, with the Florida Ballet’s “The Nutcracker”
3 Dec. 9-15 Tuba Christmas music week
4 Dec. 16-22 Chair decorating awards week
5 Dec. 23-30 Christmas to New Year’s week, with the Gator Bowl pep rally

Visitors can vote for three community chairs for the 2026 People’s Choice Awards on the chair voting page.

Stage highlights

From the organizer’s stage schedule, which says dates and times are subject to change:

  • Opening night, Wednesday, Nov. 25: the Boys and Girls Club of Northeast Florida, 7 to 8 p.m.
  • Saturday, Nov. 28: Ray of Sunshine Theatre at 2 p.m., Jordan Judith at 3:30 p.m., Music Rowe at 4:45 p.m. and the Big Orange Chorus at 7:30 p.m.
  • “The Nutcracker,” Friday, Dec. 4: the Florida Ballet, 6 to 7 p.m., presented by the City of Jacksonville Beach.
  • Saturday, Dec. 5: school and studio dance and music groups from 1 to 8:40 p.m.
  • “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” Sundays, Dec. 6 and 20: Greenlight Theatre Company, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
  • Pier Dance, Thursday, Dec. 10: John Miller and the Baystreet Band, 5 to 8 p.m.
  • Tuba Christmas, Saturday, Dec. 12: 1 to 2 p.m., with dance groups after it until 9:10 p.m.
  • Chair awards, Sunday, Dec. 20: noon to 2 p.m.
  • Christmas Eve, Thursday, Dec. 24: a service with Ocean City Church, 5 to 7 p.m.
  • TaxSlayer Gator Bowl Pep Rally, Tuesday, Dec. 29: 4 to 7 p.m. The game itself is Dec. 30 at EverBank Stadium; see our New Year’s Eve page.

Christmas market

The Deck the Chairs Christmas Market runs 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays, Nov. 29 and Dec. 6, 13, 20 and 27, at Latham Plaza and the Seawalk Pavilion, 11 First St. N., according to the market page.

Parking and getting there

  • No paid parking during the event. The City of Jacksonville Beach’s 2026 paid parking season runs March 6 to Nov. 1, so it has ended before Deck the Chairs opens, according to the city’s paid parking page.
  • Where to park: the city says its downtown business district has more than 1,000 spaces in municipal lots and on the street. Park only in marked spaces; the city says an area does not need a “No Parking” sign for a ticket. The downtown parking page links a map of the parking areas.
  • The organizer has not published road closures or shuttles. Check our road construction and closures page before you drive.

What this means for you

  • It is on from Wednesday, Nov. 25, to Jan. 1, with something on stage most weekends.
  • The Christmas market is Sundays only, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Parking near the pavilion is not on the paid program in late November and December.

More holiday listings are on our holiday lights and Christmas events page, the city’s tree lighting and Light Boat Parade on Nov. 28, and things to do this month.

Frequently asked questions

When is Deck the Chairs in 2026?

Jacksonville Beach Deck the Chairs runs Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2026, to Friday, Jan. 1, 2027, at the Seawalk Pavilion and Latham Plaza, according to the organizer, the Students In The Arts Alliance.

What happens on opening night?

The organizer’s stage schedule lists the Boys and Girls Club of Northeast Florida on stage from 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25, to open the season. It does not list a separate lighting ceremony time.

When is the Deck the Chairs Christmas market?

Sundays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., on Nov. 29 and Dec. 6, 13, 20 and 27, at Latham Plaza and the Seawalk Pavilion, 11 First St. N.

Do I have to pay to park for Deck the Chairs?

The City of Jacksonville Beach’s 2026 paid parking season ends Nov. 1, before Deck the Chairs opens, according to the city’s parking page. Park only in marked spaces.

When is Tuba Christmas at Deck the Chairs?

1 to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, on the Seawalk Pavilion stage, according to the organizer’s stage schedule, which says dates and times are subject to change.