Weekend Guide 10+ Things to do in Jax this Weekend

  • by Catherine Tortorici
  • November 24, 2025

11/26 - 1/1: Deck the Chairs

Wednesday, November 26 - Friday, January 1

Seawalk Pavilion

Deck the Chairs & Holiday Market transforms Jacksonville Beach into a bright, coastal winter wonderland. The iconic lifeguard chairs are decorated with creative, larger-than-life light displays, turning the beach into a glowing walk-through experience. Alongside the lights, the Holiday Market features local makers, seasonal treats, gift vendors, and festive activities for all ages. It’s a uniquely Jax tradition — part art installation, part holiday celebration — perfect for an evening stroll, photos, and supporting local businesses.
 

Get Tickets

11/30: Cirque Dreams Holidaze

Sunday, November 30, 6 PM

Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts 

CIRQUE DREAMS HOLIDAZE dazzles with a brilliantly breathtaking holiday spectacular for the whole family. As the original Cirque Holiday theatrical event, this annual tradition wraps a Broadway-style production around awe-inspiring contemporary circus arts. Guests will be on the edge of their seats as a cast of holiday characters come to life, captivating audiences while defying gravity. Broadway World exclaims, “Lose yourself for 90 minutes and go back to those wonderful dreams you had as a kid.”

Get Tickets

11/27: Petesgiving

Thursday, November 27, 8 AM - 2 PM

Pete's Bar

Petesgiving at Pete’s Bar is the iconic Thanksgiving Eve tradition at Jacksonville Beach — a true hometown reunion. Each year, locals, friends, and visitors pack into Pete’s for a day of music, drinks, and nostalgia before the holiday. The atmosphere spills out onto the streets with that classic Jax Beach energy: lively, familiar, and full of people you haven’t seen since last year. It’s the unofficial kickoff to the holiday season — loud, fun, and uniquely Jacksonville.

11/28: Springfield Holiday Tree Lighting

Friday, November 28, 5 - 8:30 PM

Sesquicentennial Park

SPAR and Jacksonville Magazine are excited to bring you the annual Springfield Holiday Tree Lighting & Lantern Parade! Join us for a festive evening filled with holiday cheer, music, food, and community fun.

Schedule:

5:00 PM: The festivities begin! Enjoy live music while exploring local vendors and food trucks. Lantern pickup also starts, so grab yours to light up the night!
6:30 PM: As the band wraps up, the lantern parade will commence, lighting up the streets of Springfield.
7:00 PM: Parade-goers will return to the park for the grand lighting of the holiday tree. Have your photo taken with Santa, then get cozy for a special outdoor screening of Miracle on 34th Street under the stars.
8:30 PM: Event concludes.
This event is free to attend, but you can purchase your lantern packages ahead of time here, on 904TIX. Don’t miss this wonderful holiday tradition filled with lights, music, and holiday spirit!

Get Information

11/28 - 12/21: Christmas Experience at Ancient City Farmstead

Friday, November 28 - Sunday, December 21

Ancient City Farmstead

The Christmas Experience at Ancient City Farmstead is a festive, family-friendly holiday celebration set on a charming working farm. Guests can stroll through twinkling lights, meet the friendly farm animals, sip hot cocoa, enjoy seasonal treats, and take part in hands-on activities that bring the magic of Christmas to life. With photo spots, cozy holiday décor, and a peaceful countryside atmosphere, the event feels like stepping into a classic Christmas postcard. It’s a wholesome, heartwarming way to kick off the season for all ages.

Get Tickets

Colors of the Wild

Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens

Select nights November through February

Don’t miss Colors of the Wild — select nights November through February at the Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens! Wander through larger-than-life lanterns that bring the wild to life — from deep-sea creatures to African savannas and mystical Asian legends!

Get Tickets

11/28 - 1/19: JAX Artist Walk on Ice

Friday, November 28 - Monday, January 19

718 Riverside Avenue

JAX Artist Walk on Ice makes its debut this winter, becoming the coolest place to be. Enjoy skating surrounded by lights, music, and holiday magic, plus a festive market featuring local artists and makers every Friday through Sunday.

Get Tickets

11/29: Jacksonville Light Boat Parade

Saturday, November 29, 6:30 PM

Downtown Jax

For over 30 years, the Jacksonville Light Boat Parade has been a cherished holiday tradition. Boats of all sizes sparkle with festive decorations as they cruise along the north and south banks of the St. Johns River. Locals and visitors gather downtown along the North and Southbank Riverwalks to take in the enchanting sights. The celebration culminates with a stunning fireworks display, featuring the unique waterfall fireworks cascading from the Main Street and Acosta Bridges.

Get Information

904 Holiday Guide

From dazzling Christmas light displays to festive markets, pop-up holiday bars, concerts, and charity events — here’s everything happening this season. Save this list to plan your nights and make the most of the holidays!

Read the Guide

Night of Lights

Historical St. Augustine

Saturday, November 15 - Sunday, January 11

The glow returns to St. Augustine as millions of white lights transform the nation’s oldest city. Night of Lights kicks off the holiday season with timeless charm, twinkling streets, and waterfront views unlike anywhere else in Florida.

Decca Live

The vibes are on point at Decca Live & Sip Cocktail Bar— where live music meets crafted cocktails. Come for the sound, stay for the sip. 

Get Tickets

Curated Guides

The Ultimate Jacksonville Coffee Guide: 60+ Jax Coffee Shops by Neighborhood

Read the Guide

Farmers Markets in the 904

Read the Guide

Brewery Guide

Read the Guide

More Events

Grey Matter Holiday Bar

Get Information

Miracle Pop Up at Grape and Grain

Get Information

Starts 11/24: Beauclerc Christmas Lights - 3710 Beauclerc Road

11/28- 12/28: Glowing Gardens

Get Tickets

11/28 - 11/30: Christmas Made in the South

Get Tickets

Starts 11/27: Smith's Lights on Rue - 4930 Rue St

Starts 11/28: Blackhawk Bluff Drive-Thru - 1419 Yamasi Trail

11/26: Icemen vs. Florida Everblades 

Get Tickets

Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from November 28th - January 18th: Riverside Holiday Market

Get Information

Select Weekends in December: German Christmas Market at Buchner's Bierhalle

Get Information

11/29: Icemen vs. Greensboro

Get Tickets

11/29: Jacksonville Naval Museum Silent Disco & Jax Boat Parade

Get Tickets

Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from November 28th - January 18th: Riverside Holiday Market

Get Information

WJCT Music Calendar

Get Information

Museums and Activities

MOCA (Museum of Contemporary Art)

Get Information

MOSH (Museum of Science & History)

Get Information

Jacksonville Zoo

Get Information

Cummer Museum

Get Information

Upcoming Concerts & Shows

11/28: An Evening With Peter Billingsley

Get Tickets

12/2: Dave Koz & Friends Christmas Tour 2025

Get Tickets

12/3: A Nostalgic Night with Macaulay Culkin

Get Tickets

12/4 - 12/5: Holiday Traditions Around The World

Get Tickets

12/5: CAROLMANIA! - A Very, Very, Kool Christmas Extravaganza

Get Tickets

12/6: Sarah Brightman: A Winter Symphony

Get Tickets

12/4 - 7: Holiday Pops

Get Tickets

12/12 - 12/14: First Coast Nutcracker
Get Tickets

12/12- 12/13: The 34th Annual Community Nutcracker

Get Tickets

12/12 - 12/13: Jon Pardi - The Christmas Show

Get Tickets

12/13 & 12/14: Handel’s Messiah

Get Tickets

12/19 & 12/20: The Nutcracker & Sorcerer’s Apprentice

Get Tickets

12/21: Holiday Big Bend
Get Tickets

Plan Ahead 

12/3: Icemen vs. South Carolina Stingrays 

Get Tickets

12/3: Downtown Jax Art Walk

Get Information

12/4: Lightner Museum Holiday Market

Get Information

12/5: Winter Nights Market at Spruce Jax

Get Information

12/5: Holiday on the Farm

Get Information

12/5: Christmas in Avondale

Get Information

12/5: Reel Fun Nights: Elf

Get Tickets

12/6: Holiday Market at Fantasy Farms

Get Tickets

12/7: The Christmas Market at Rusted

Get Information

12/7: Jaguars vs. Colts

Get Tickets

12/9: St. Augustine Amp Night Market

Get Information

12/10: Murray Hill Holiday

Get Information

12/11: Hope for the Holidays

Get Information

12/11 - 12/14:  Dickens on Centre Christmas Market and Holiday Festival 

Get Information

12/12: Christmas in the Village

Get Tickets

12/12: Movie in the Park: ELF

Get Information

12/12: Christmas in the Village

Get Tickets

12/12: Reel Fun Nights: Grinch

Get Tickets

12/13: Sporting JAX vs. Fort Lauderdale United FC

Get Tickets

12/13: Icemen vs. South Carolina Stingrays

Get Tickets

12/13: Mexican Night – A Celebration of Art, Culture & Community

Get Information

12/14: Jacksonville Record & CD Festival

Get Information

12/14: Jaguars vs. Jets

Get Tickets

12/17: Icemen vs. Orlando Solar Bears 

Get Tickets

12/16: Vienna Light Orchestra

Get Tickets

12/17: Michael W. Smith

Get Tickets

12/18: #DTJax Sip & Stroll

Get Information

12/19: Reel Fun Nights: A Christmas Story

Get Tickets

12/19: Christmas in the Village

Get Tickets

12/19: Reel Fun Nights: A Christmas Story

Get Tickets

12/19: Christmas in the Village

Get Tickets

12/19 - 12/21: A Very Merry Christmas Ball

Get Tickets

12/21: Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol

Get Tickets

12/21: Luminaria in Riverside Avondale Preservation

Get Information

12/22: Cirque Musica

Get Tickets

12/26: Icemen vs. Orlando Solar Bears

Get Tickets

12/30:  Sporting JAX vs. Tampa Bay Sun FC

Get Tickets

SIGN UP FOR THE 904 REPORT

Join over 70,000 North Floridian's that receive our weekly newsletter.



Trust us, It's good!

Related Articles