
Major Events & Festivals in Jacksonville, United States
1. Jax529
Annual music festival featuring various genres like rock, hip-hop, and electronic. Held downtown Jacksonville.
- Diverse Lineup: Offers a mix of local, regional, and national artists
- Community Gathering: Brings together thousands of music enthusiasts for a weekend of fun
- Charitable Focus: Proceeds benefit local charities in Jacksonville
2. Jacksonville Jazz Festival
Largest free jazz festival in the U.S., showcasing a wide variety of jazz artists.
- Free Admission: Offers three days of live performances without any cost
- Talented Artists: Attracts renowned jazz musicians and rising stars alike
- Educational Workshops: Includes workshops for aspiring musicians to learn from professionals
3. Bessie Fest
Celebration of blues music held in Springfield. Honors local blues legend Bessie Jackson.
- Local Legacy: Honors the memory and legacy of a local blues musician
- Blues Performances: Offers live performances by both local and national blues artists
- Community Involvement: Involves local businesses, schools, and organizations in the celebration
4. Streamboat Festival
Annual festival celebrating Jacksonville's history as a river port city.
- Historical Context: Highlights the rich river port history of Jacksonville
- Family-friendly: Offers activities for all ages, including boat rides and live music
- Local Artisans: Showcases local artists and craftsmen
5. Bold City Beer Fest
Annual beer festival featuring over 300 beers from various breweries.
- Wide Variety: Offers a vast selection of beer styles to sample
- Local Breweries: Features breweries from Jacksonville and the surrounding region
- Charitable Contributions: Proceeds benefit local charities in Jacksonville
6. PorchFest Jax
Annual music festival where musicians perform on the porches of houses in Springfield.
- Unique Venue: Uses residential properties as stages for live performances
- Neighborhood Celebration: Brings the community together in a unique and intimate setting
- Variety of Music: Features various genres of music, from blues to rock
7. Jacksonville Sea & Sky Spectacular
Annual fireworks and airshow event over the St. Johns River.
- Waterfront Display: Displays fireworks and aerobatics over the St. Johns River
- Military Tribute: Honors military personnel and their service with special tributes
- Family-friendly: Offers activities for all ages, including live music and food vendors
8. ArtWalk Jax
Monthly event showcasing local artists and their work in downtown Jacksonville.
- Local Artists: Features the works of local artists in a variety of mediums
- Community Involvement: Encourages public participation and engagement with the art
- Cultural Exchange: Provides an opportunity for cultural exchange and dialogue
9. Jacksonville Greek Festival
Annual celebration of Greek culture featuring food, music, dance, and art.
- Cultural Immersion: Offers a chance to immerse oneself in Greek culture
- Authentic Food: Serves traditional Greek dishes, including moussaka and gyro
- Dance Performances: Features live performances of Greek dance styles like the Zorba and Sirtaki
10. Festival of Nations
Annual celebration of cultural diversity in Jacksonville featuring food, music, dance, and art.
- Cultural Exchange: Provides an opportunity for cultural exchange and dialogue
- Authentic Food: Offers food from various countries, including Brazil, India, and China
- Dance Performances: Features live performances of traditional dance styles from around the world
11. Jacksonville Pride Festival
Annual celebration of the LGBTQ+ community featuring music, speakers, and vendors.
- Community Support: Brings together members of the LGBTQ+ community for a day of celebration
- Speaker Series: Offers talks and discussions on topics relevant to the LGBTQ+ community
- Family-friendly: Includes activities for children, such as a Kids Zone
12. One Spark
Annual crowdfunding festival for artists, musicians, and entrepreneurs.
- Crowdfunding Opportunities: Allows creatives to pitch their ideas to potential investors
- Community Engagement: Encourages the public to engage with and support creative projects
- Diverse Projects: Showcases a wide variety of artistic, technological, and entrepreneurial projects
13. Jaxsurf Film Festival
Annual film festival showcasing surfing films and documentaries.
- Surfing Culture: Celebrates the culture and lifestyle of surfing
- Film Screenings: Offers screenings of both short and feature-length films
- Guest Speakers: Features guest speakers who are prominent figures in the surfing world
14. Jacksonville Ice & Music Festival
Annual ice sculpture festival and concert series held at the St. Johns Town Center.
- Ice Sculptures: Features stunning, large-scale ice sculptures
- Concert Series: Offers performances by popular music artists
- Family-friendly: Includes activities for all ages, such as ice skating and craft workshops
15. Jacksonville River Run
Annual half-marathon and marathon race along the St. Johns River.
- Scenic Route: Offers a scenic route along the St. Johns River
- Competitive Race: Attracts professional and amateur runners from around the world
- Charitable Contributions: Proceeds benefit local charities in Jacksonville