October in Jacksonville: Spooktacular at the Zoo, a free JaxParks movie Oct. 23, Treats at the Plaza Oct. 31 and the Jacksonville Fair from Nov. 5 to 15.

Last checked Oct. 14, 2026, against the organizers’ own calendars: the City of Jacksonville, the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, the Jacksonville Arboretum, the Jacksonville Fair, the Florida Theatre, the Jacksonville Symphony and the Jaguars. For this weekend, see things to do this weekend; for galleries, theater and concerts, see arts and exhibitions this month.

October in Jacksonville is Halloween month: the Zoo’s after-dark Spooktacular runs to Oct. 31, the Arboretum holds its first fall festival weekend, and the city’s trunk-or-treat fills Riverfront Plaza on the 31st. Then the Jacksonville Fair opens at its new Westside home on Nov. 5. Prices are as the organizers publish them; “free” means the organizer says free.

Updated Oct. 14: the city has moved the JaxParks movie night to Oct. 23 and now lists Treats at the Plaza for 1 to 5 p.m.; the Oct. 17-18 adoption event closes at 5 p.m.

Who to call

Halloween and fall

  • Spooktacular, Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens. The Zoo’s 39th Spooktacular is a one-way, after-dark trail of lights and Halloween scenes on Oct. 15-18, 22-25 and 29-31. Entry is timed, 6 to 7:30 p.m. or 7:30 to 9 p.m. Tickets are online only: $35 for nonmembers and $25 for members bought at least a day ahead, $40 and $30 on the day, and free for 2 and under. It goes on rain or shine. Details.
  • Ghoulish Gallery and Garden Night, Cummer Museum, Thursday, Oct. 15, at 829 Riverside Ave. Event page.
  • JaxParks Movie Night: “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” Friday, Oct. 23. Two free showings, 6 and 8 p.m., at the Artist Walk, 718 Riverside Ave., with popcorn and food trucks. Bring chairs and blankets; weather permitting. The city moved it from Oct. 16. City listing.
  • Biergarten, Jacksonville Arboretum, Saturday, Oct. 24, noon to 4 p.m. at 1445 Millcoe Road: craft breweries, food trucks and lawn games, from $50 ($45 members). Details.
  • Family Fall Fest, Jacksonville Arboretum, Sunday, Oct. 25, 4 to 7 p.m.: a pumpkin patch, trunk-or-treat and nature activities, $3. Details.
  • Treats at the Plaza, Saturday, Oct. 31, 1 to 5 p.m. A free trunk-or-treat with costume contests at Riverfront Plaza, 2 W. Independent Drive. Candy donations are taken at 214 N. Hogan St. through Halloween. City listing.
  • Arf Barket at the Riverside Arts Market, Saturday, Oct. 31. The market’s dog-themed day, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 715 Riverside Ave., with the city’s Animal Care and Protective Services bringing adoptable dogs. City listing.

More in our trick-or-treat hours, Halloween events and fall festivals and pumpkin patches pages.

The Jacksonville Fair, Nov. 5-15

The Greater Jacksonville Agricultural Fair opens Thursday, Nov. 5, at the new Jacksonville Festival and Fairgrounds, 13601 Normandy Blvd., and runs through Sunday, Nov. 15. Early bird tickets are $10 for adults online through Nov. 4, then $15 at the gate. Seniors get in free on Nov. 6 and 13, and military on Nov. 11. A national act plays the new JAX Amphitheater every night. Gate times, the full concert lineup and directions are on our Jacksonville Fair page.

Veterans Day

The city’s Veterans Day Parade steps off at 11:01 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, on Water Street and runs 1.32 miles along Bay Street, with road closures from 7 a.m. Route, closures and where to watch are on our Veterans Day Parade page.

Music and stage

At the Florida Theatre, 128 E. Forsyth St., from its calendar:

Date Show
Wednesday, Oct. 14 Black Violin
Friday, Oct. 16 Rumours of Fleetwood Mac
Saturday, Oct. 17 The Vampire Circus
Sunday, Oct. 18 Tito Nieves
Tuesday, Oct. 20 Garrison Keillor Tonight
Wednesday, Oct. 21 Golden Girls: The Laughs Continue
Thursday, Oct. 22 The Billy Joel Legacy
Friday, Oct. 23 Pete the Cat
Saturday, Oct. 24 The Rocky Horror Picture Show
Wednesday, Oct. 28 Ghostbusters in Concert
Thursday, Oct. 29 Sonic Live in Concert
Friday, Oct. 30 The Illharmonic Orchestra
Sunday, Nov. 1 Hairball
Thursday, Nov. 12 Hotel California
Friday, Nov. 13 Floyd Nation
Sunday, Nov. 15 Blank Space

The Jacksonville Symphony (calendar) plays Bernstein and Stravinsky Oct. 16-17, “Music of the Knights: Elton, McCartney and Lloyd Webber” Oct. 23-24, the 1925 silent film “The Phantom of the Opera” with live organ Friday, Oct. 30, its Children’s Music Festival Sunday, Nov. 1, and Mahler’s Ninth Nov. 6-7. Theatre Jacksonville stages “Come From Away” from Nov. 7. Exhibitions, theater and the FSCJ Artist Series are on our arts and exhibitions page.

Pets and community

  • Go Big and Go Home Together adoption event, Oct. 17-18, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Jacksonville Humane Society, 8464 Beach Blvd., with the city’s Animal Care and Protective Services. Listing.
  • First Wednesday Art Walk, Wednesday, Nov. 4, 5 to 9 p.m. around James Weldon Johnson Park downtown, rain or shine. Downtown Vision.

Football

The Jaguars play the Texans Sunday, Oct. 18, at Wembley Stadium in London at 9:30 a.m. ET, have a bye on Oct. 25, and are back at EverBank Stadium at 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1, against the Colts. They then play at Baltimore on Thursday, Nov. 5, at Tennessee on Nov. 15 and at the Giants on Nov. 22, before hosting the Titans at 4:05 p.m. Nov. 29, the team schedule shows.

The Florida-Georgia game is not in Jacksonville this year: it is at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, in Atlanta while EverBank Stadium is renovated. See our Florida-Georgia game page.

High school games are every Friday night; see the scoreboard.

Coming up: Thanksgiving on Thursday, Nov. 26; the city’s Holiday River Fest, with the tree lighting and Light Boat Parade, on Saturday, Nov. 28; and the Gate River Run March 6, 2027.

Related: parks and trails, farmers markets and things to do this weekend.

Frequently asked questions

What is there to do in Jacksonville in October 2026?

Highlights include Spooktacular at the Jacksonville Zoo through Oct. 31, a free JaxParks movie night at the Artist Walk Oct. 23, the Arboretum’s Family Fall Fest Oct. 25, Treats at the Plaza on Halloween and the Jacksonville Fair from Nov. 5.

When is Spooktacular at the Jacksonville Zoo in 2026?

Oct. 10, 15-18, 22-25 and 29-31, with timed entry from 6 to 7:30 p.m. or 7:30 to 9 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11, is a sensory-friendly night. Tickets are sold online only.

Are there free events in Jacksonville this month?

Yes. The JaxParks movie night on Oct. 23 and Treats at the Plaza, 1 to 5 p.m. Oct. 31, are free, the city says. MOCA Jacksonville is free every Saturday.

Do the Jaguars play at home in October 2026?

No. The Jaguars play the Texans Oct. 18 in London, have a bye Oct. 25 and return to EverBank Stadium at 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1, against the Colts.

Is the Florida-Georgia game in Jacksonville this year?

No. The 2026 game is at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta while EverBank Stadium is renovated. It returns to Jacksonville in 2028.