Jacksonville Festivals and Community Events Guide

Curated by Theresa ODonnell Price

**Jacksonville Festivals and Community Events Guide** Jacksonville, FL offers a rich calendar of festivals and community events that help newcomers and longtime residents alike feel connected to the city. Among the highlights, the Jacksonville Jazz Festival stands out as a free, multi-day celebration held Memorial Day weekend in Downtown Jacksonville along the St. Johns River, featuring major national jazz acts and a tradition spanning more than four decades. The Jacksonville Sea and Sky Air Show draws large crowds to the Beaches each year with military aircraft demonstrations and, in most years, performances by the U.S. Navy Blue Angels. Cultural diversity is on full display at the World of Nations Celebration at Ford on Bay, where dozens of nationalities are represented through international food, music, and dance, making it an especially welcoming event for newly relocated families. For a more casual weekly gathering, the Riverside Arts Market operates every Saturday year-round under the Fuller Warren Bridge, offering local art, fresh produce, and food trucks along the riverfront. The city also rallies around causes and civic pride through signature events. The 26.2 with DONNA marathon and half-marathon, held each February at the Jacksonville Beaches, draws runners from across the country to raise money for breast cancer research. Jacksonville's Fourth of July fireworks over the St. Johns River rank among the most-searched local events each summer, with prime viewing from both the Northbank and Southbank Riverwalks. The Jacksonville Veterans Day Parade, with more than 2,500 participants annually, is the largest observance of its kind in Florida, while the MLK Holiday Grand Parade honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy through a day of programming organized in partnership with the City. Beyond festivals, cultural institutions anchor the community experience. The Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens in Riverside hosts rotating exhibitions and events year-round, frequently appearing on recommended lists for new residents. MOSH, Northeast Florida's Museum of Science and History, has long served as a go-to family destination downtown. Its longtime Southbank building closed in 2025 as the museum works toward a new flagship facility on the Northbank, making it one to watch for reopening updates. Together, these events and venues illustrate why Jacksonville's community life is a meaningful draw for residents at every stage of settling into the city.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Jacksonville Jazz Festival free to attend, and when does it take place?

Yes, the Jacksonville Jazz Festival is a free, multi-day music festival held every Memorial Day weekend in Downtown Jacksonville along the St. Johns River. It has been running for more than four decades and features major national jazz acts.

Where can I see the Blue Angels perform in Jacksonville?

The Blue Angels typically perform as part of the Jacksonville Sea and Sky Air Show, an annual air show held over the Jacksonville Beaches. The show features military aircraft and is one of the region's biggest draws for both residents and visitors.

What is a good weekly event for new residents looking to meet people and explore the local community?

The Riverside Arts Market is a weekly Saturday market held under the Fuller Warren Bridge in Historic Riverside. It features local artists, farmers, and food trucks along the St. Johns River, runs year-round rain or shine, and is a great way for new residents to connect with the Riverside community.

Are there any major cultural festivals in Jacksonville that celebrate the city's diversity?

The World of Nations Celebration is a multicultural festival held at Ford on Bay in Downtown Jacksonville. It celebrates dozens of nationalities represented in the city through international food, music, and dance, making it a great introduction to Jacksonville's cultural diversity, especially for newly relocated families.

What is the current status of MOSH, the Museum of Science and History?

MOSH's longtime Southbank building closed in 2025, and the museum is currently rebuilding a new flagship facility on Jacksonville's Northbank. It has long been a go-to family destination downtown, so it is worth watching for reopening news.

Jacksonville Festivals and Community Events Guide

10 cards

Curated byTheresa ODonnell Price

This collection covers the festivals and community traditions that make living in Jacksonville, FL feel like home — from the Jazz Festival downtown to the Blue Angels over the beaches.

jacksonvillejazzfest.com

Jacksonville Jazz Festival

A free, multi-day music festival held Memorial Day weekend in Downtown Jacksonville along the St. Johns River, running for more than four decades and drawing major national jazz acts.

Theresa ODonnell Price

events.jacksonville.gov

Jacksonville Sea and Sky Air Show

An annual air show over the Jacksonville Beaches featuring military aircraft and, in most years, the U.S. Navy Blue Angels. One of the region's biggest draws for both residents and visitors each year.

Theresa ODonnell Price

events.jacksonville.gov

World of Nations Celebration

A multicultural festival at Ford on Bay in Downtown Jacksonville celebrating dozens of nationalities represented in the city, with international food, music, and dance. A good introduction to the city's cultural diversity for newly relocated families.

Theresa ODonnell Price

riversideartsmarket.org

Riverside Arts Market

A weekly Saturday market under the Fuller Warren Bridge in Historic Riverside, featuring local artists, farmers, and food trucks along the St. Johns River. Open year-round, rain or shine, and a great way for new residents to meet the Riverside community.

Theresa ODonnell Price

breastcancermarathon.com

26.2 with DONNA - National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer

A marathon and half-marathon starting at the Jacksonville Beaches that raises money for breast cancer research, drawing runners from across the country every February.

Theresa ODonnell Price

events.jacksonville.gov

Jacksonville Fourth of July Celebration & Fireworks

Downtown Jacksonville's Independence Day fireworks display over the St. Johns River, viewable from both the Northbank and Southbank Riverwalks. One of the most-searched local events every summer.

Theresa ODonnell Price

events.jacksonville.gov

Jacksonville Veterans Day Parade

A Downtown Jacksonville parade with more than 2,500 participants each year, making it the largest Veterans Day observance of its kind in Florida.

Theresa ODonnell Price

mlkfdnorg.com

MLK Holiday Grand Parade, Jacksonville

An annual Downtown Jacksonville parade and day of programming honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy, run by the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Foundation in partnership with the City.

Theresa ODonnell Price

cummermuseum.org

Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens

A riverfront art museum and historic garden in Riverside, hosting rotating exhibitions and community events year-round. A frequent stop on 'things to do' lists for new Riverside residents.

Theresa ODonnell Price

themosh.org

MOSH - Museum of Science & History

Northeast Florida's science and history museum, currently rebuilding a new flagship facility on Jacksonville's Northbank after its longtime Southbank building closed in 2025. Worth watching for reopening news since it's long been a go-to family stop downtown.

Theresa ODonnell Price