Spooktacular at the Zoo all weekend, the Smashing Pumpkins and Outlander in Concert Saturday, the Icemen's opening night and a two-day pet adoption event.

The biggest draws this weekend are the Zoo’s after-dark Spooktacular on all three nights, the Smashing Pumpkins and Outlander in Concert downtown Saturday, the Icemen’s opening night Friday and a two-day pet adoption event on Beach Boulevard.

Last checked 2026-10-15, against each organizer’s own page. Prices are given only where the organizer publishes them. Several listings were found on the Downtown Vision events calendar at dtjax.com.

Friday, Oct. 16

  • Spooktacular, Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, 370 Zoo Parkway. The Zoo’s after-dark Halloween trail, with timed entry 6 to 7:30 p.m. or 7:30 to 9 p.m. Online tickets only: $35 for nonmembers and $25 for members a day ahead, $40 and $30 on the day; 2 and under free. Zoo page.
  • Jacksonville Icemen vs. South Carolina Stingrays, 7 p.m., VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, 300 A. Philip Randolph Blvd. Opening night of the ECHL team’s 10th season; the club is asking fans to wear white. Icemen.
  • Jacksonville Symphony: Bernstein and Stravinsky, 7:30 p.m., Jacoby Symphony Hall, Times-Union Center, 300 W. Water St. A classical-series program, also Saturday. Tickets.
  • Rumours of Fleetwood Mac, 8 p.m., Florida Theatre, 128 E. Forsyth St. A tribute show. Event page.

The JaxParks movie night first listed for this Friday has moved to Friday, Oct. 23, the city says.

Saturday, Oct. 17

  • LaVilla Remembered Walking Tour, 9 to 11 a.m., starting at Florida C. Dwight Park, 1199 W. Church St. A guided walk along the Emerald Trail through the history of the LaVilla neighborhood; free, with a reserved spot. Groundwork Jacksonville.
  • Riverside Arts Market, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., under the Fuller Warren Bridge at 715 Riverside Ave. Artists, makers and a farmers row, rain or shine. Market site.
  • Art in the Park: Adults (18+), 10 to 11 a.m., Friendship Fountain, 1015 Museum Circle. A free outdoor art class from JaxParks; sign up in advance. Registration.
  • Go Big and Go Home Together Adoption Event, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Jacksonville Humane Society, 8464 Beach Blvd. The city’s Animal Care and Protective Services joins the Humane Society for a weekend of adoptions; also Sunday. City listing.
  • Drop-in tour: Cummer at 65, 2 p.m., Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens, 829 Riverside Ave. A gallery tour marking the museum’s 65th year. Event page.
  • Jacksonville Symphony: Bernstein and Stravinsky, 7:30 p.m., Jacoby Symphony Hall. Second night of the program. Tickets.
  • The Vampire Circus, 7:30 p.m., Florida Theatre. Event page.
  • The Smashing Pumpkins: The Rats in a Cage Tour, 8 p.m., VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. The alternative rock band’s arena tour stops downtown. Arena event page.
  • Outlander in Concert, 8 p.m., Times-Union Center, presented by the FSCJ Artist Series. Bear McCreary’s score from the TV series, played live. Event page.
  • Spooktacular at the Zoo, same times as Friday.

Sunday, Oct. 18

  • Sensory-Friendly Sunday, Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens. Event page.
  • Go Big and Go Home Together Adoption Event, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Jacksonville Humane Society.
  • Florida Gators vs. Baylor, 2 p.m., VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. A men’s basketball exhibition game. Gators schedule.
  • Tito Nieves: “50 Años: La Historia Continúa,” 7 p.m., Florida Theatre. Event page.
  • Spooktacular at the Zoo, the last night this week; it returns Oct. 22-25.
  • Jaguars vs. Texans in London, 9:30 a.m. ET on TV; there is no home game this weekend. Team schedule.

All weekend

  • “Meet Me in St. Louis,” Alhambra Theatre and Dining, Beach Boulevard, running through Nov. 8. Show page.
  • MOCA Jacksonville, 333 N. Laura St., open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, with “Cara Romero: Panûpünüwügai” and two more exhibitions; free on Saturday. MOCA.
  • 13th Floor Jacksonville haunted house on select nights. See our Halloween events page.

Regular weekend fixtures

  • Riverside Arts Market: every Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. See farmers markets.
  • MOCA free Saturdays: every Saturday.

More for the season: Halloween events, trick-or-treat hours, fall festivals and pumpkin patches, arts and exhibitions this month and things to do this month.

Send us your event

Running something in Jacksonville next weekend? Email hello@jacksonvillenewsnow.com with the date, time, venue, price and a photo.

Frequently asked questions

What is there to do in Jacksonville this weekend?

Spooktacular at the Jacksonville Zoo runs Friday to Sunday nights, the Jacksonville Symphony plays Bernstein and Stravinsky Friday and Saturday, the Smashing Pumpkins play VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena and Outlander in Concert is at the Times-Union Center Saturday, and the Icemen open their season Friday.

What is free in Jacksonville this weekend?

MOCA Jacksonville is free every Saturday, the museum says. The Go Big and Go Home Together adoption weekend at the Jacksonville Humane Society is open to visitors Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Groundwork Jacksonville’s LaVilla Remembered walking tour Saturday morning is free, the bureau listing says, and JaxParks holds a free Art in the Park class for adults at Friendship Fountain.

What time is Spooktacular and where do I park?

Entry is timed, 6 to 7:30 p.m. or 7:30 to 9 p.m., at 370 Zoo Parkway. Tickets are online only, $35 for nonmembers bought a day ahead. The Zoo’s page warns that construction may limit parking on some nights and that attendants may send drivers to alternate parking.