Things to do in Jacksonville
Things to do in Jacksonville, newest first: events, festivals, parks and family days out, with dates, times and the organizer's own link.
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Things to do in Jacksonville this weekend, Oct. 16 to 18
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.
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Things to do
Things to do in Jacksonville this month: October 2026
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.
Farmers markets
Jacksonville farmers markets
Riverside Arts Market runs every Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., under the Fuller Warren Bridge and takes SNAP. Jacksonville Farmers Market on Beaver Street is open daily.
Trails
Parks and trails in Jacksonville
Jacksonville runs more than 400 park sites: Hanna Park's beach and 20 miles of bike trails, Huguenot Memorial Park, the Baldwin Rail Trail and the riverwalks. JaxParks: 904-255-7930.
Fourth of July
Jacksonville Fourth of July fireworks 2026
Jacksonville's free July 4 celebration fills both riverbanks downtown, with one fireworks show seen from Riverfront Plaza, Friendship Fountain and RiversEdge Park.
Halloween
Trick-or-treat hours in Jacksonville 2026
Jacksonville has no official trick-or-treat hours; Halloween is Saturday, Oct. 31. The city's free trunk-or-treat, Treats at the Plaza, runs 1 to 5 p.m.
Christmas
Jacksonville tree lighting and boat parade: Nov. 28, 2026
Holiday River Fest is Saturday, Nov. 28: the tree lights at 6:25 p.m. at Riverfront Plaza, the Light Boat Parade starts at 6:30 and fireworks follow.
Fall festivals
Fall festivals and pumpkin patches in Jacksonville 2026
The Jacksonville Arboretum's first Family Fall Fest has a pumpkin patch Oct. 25; the Zoo's Spooktacular runs 12 nights; the Jacksonville Fair is Nov. 5-15.
Halloween
Halloween events in Jacksonville 2026
Halloween 2026 in Jacksonville: Spooktacular at the Zoo, 13th Floor haunted house, Treats at the Plaza Oct. 31 and free nights at the Cummer Museum.
Dogs
Dog-friendly Jacksonville: dog parks, patios, beaches, leash rules
Jacksonville's eight city dog parks with addresses, which beaches allow dogs, two brewery beer gardens that welcome them, and the license and leash rules.
Free
Free things to do in Jacksonville: parks, museums, trails, events
Free in Jacksonville: Fort Caroline and Kingsley Plantation, MOCA on Saturdays, the riverwalks, Treaty Oak, Art Walk, splash pads, dog parks and library events.
Jacksonville Jazz Festival
Jacksonville Jazz Festival: dates, stages, parking, what to bring
The free Jacksonville Jazz Festival is held Memorial Day weekend downtown. 2026 ran May 21-24 at Ford on Bay; 2027 dates are not announced yet.
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Jacksonville Fair
Jacksonville Fair 2026: Nov. 5-15, gate times and concerts
The Jacksonville Fair runs Nov. 5-15 at 13601 Normandy Blvd. Gate times, $10 early tickets to Nov. 4, free senior and Veterans Day entry and every concert.
Arts
Arts and exhibitions in Jacksonville: October 2026
Arts in Jacksonville: Cummer's Tiffany show opens Oct. 24, Cara Romero at MOCA, Come From Away from Nov. 7, Mahler's Ninth Nov. 6-7 and the Nov. 4 Art Walk.