13 HOLIDAY Things to Do In Jacksonville, FL
In Jacksonville, FL we love celebrating the holidays! Even without the snow.
Here’s my list of 9 fun holiday things to do:
via Dazzling Nights
Looking for a magical experience for the entire family? Immerse yourself in the wonder of the holidays.
Dazzling Nights is a night time walking experience through Jacksonville Arboretum, a dimly lit, large natural environment that includes steps at certain points. The Arboretum is not normally lit at night. Attendees are urged to wear proper footwear and remain attentive of the ground conditions and their surroundings at all times as they enjoy their walk through the lights of Dazzling Nights.
Jacksonville Arboretum & Botanical Gardens
November 19, 2021 - January 9, 2022
1445 Millcoe Rd, Jacksonville
2. ZOOLights
via Jacksonville Zoo
Enjoy a fantastical holiday light experience set to transform Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, will take guests on a magical journey of the artistry of lights, sound, and nature itself. During this nightly event, the animals settle down for their long winter’s nap, while the lights take center stage.
From our daytime magic into a winter wonderland, ZOOLights will immerse guests in a joyous multimedia light and musical experience. The season will come alive through different zones combined with twinkling replicas of zoo animals, Wildlife Carousel rides, mesmerizing lights, musical performances, carolers, and visits from Santa Claus.
*Tickets must be ordered online*
Address: 370 Zoo Parkway Jacksonville, FL 32218
3. Girvin Rd. Holiday Lights
via News4Jax
Pack the car and head to Girvin Road!
If you and the family are planning on driving around to view some decorations, you’ll want to head toward Girvin Road, the JaxBest choice for the best spot for local holiday lights, for the THIRD year in a row.
The light display is located just West of Neptune Beach in the Blackhawk Bluff neighborhood off Girvin Road.
The entire neighborhood participates and it is free! This has been a tradition for more than 15 years.
Address: Blackhawk Bluff neighborhood off Girvin Road.
4. Deck The Chairs
via Deck The Chairs
The beach holiday light spectacular is back again for another year!
Visitors from all over the world walk through the beautiful seaside park space and enjoy 40 decorated chairs, nightly light shows, weekend stage programming as well as several major art installations including Beaches Go Green Octopus Garden.
The entire experience is completely free and Instagram-able!
Also, be sure to catch SeaSongs, the Light & Music Spectacle! This 140 ft., a one-of-a-kind, motion activated holiday sound experience will take place 6:00pm, 7:00pm, 8:00pm and 9:00mp every weekend.
Address: Seawalk Pavilion 75 1st St N, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250
There is nothing like drinking holiday cheer out of a festive cup. Get excited because we get to sip and sleigh all season long at Forgotten Tonic because Miracle Pop Up Bar is back!
Miracle Pop Up is a Christmas Cocktail Pop Up bar that “pops up” in different cities at local bars and/or restaurants. One of our favorite bars in St, Augustine, Forgotten Tonic, is now decked out in lights and decorations to celebrate the return of Miracle Pop Up. Make sure to stop by while enjoying the beautiful Night of Lights in the historic city.
Address: Forgotten Tonic 6 Aviles St St. Augustine, FL 32084
6. Ugly Sweater Trap and Paint
via UNATION Stuff to Do in Jacksonville
Join Creative Functions for the livest night in the city. This event is great for a girl’s night out, a fun date, or just a way to wrap up your week! Experience painting your canvas along with dope trap music and good vibes.
Painting supplies are included with ticket price. This is a BYOB event and drinks will be available for purchase.
Face masks are required for entry, we are taking all precautions and limiting ticket sales. So get your tickets early!
Address: 9921 New Kings Road Unit 107 Jacksonville, FL 32219
7. Ugly Sweater Party at Wicked Barley
Via Wicked Barley Facebook
It's the Most Wonderful Time for a Beer... AND time for Wicked Barley's 6th annual Ugly Sweater Party and Holiday Charity Drive! Dust off your Ugly Sweaters and join us Friday, December 17th for an family-friendly Holiday Party benefiting the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Jacksonville, Inc. This year's festivities include live music, a holiday-inspired tap list, local vendors, face painting, and a visit from SANTA from 6:30-8:30!
Address: Wicked Barley Brewing Co Jacksonville, FL 32217
8. Historic Springfield's Annual Holiday Bicycle Ride
Join over 300 of your friends and neighbors for this Springfield tradition - the Holiday Bicycle Ride. It's a leisurely evening riding through the Historic District to enjoy the lights and spectacle of the holidays. Kids are encouraged as are bike decorations and holiday costumes!
Sesquicentennial Park (1527 N Main St) will be the meet-up spot with music and drinks available before and after the ride. The parade will kick off at 6pm and return before 8pm. The route will cover the majority of the neighborhood and allow riders to experience all of Historic Springfield’s best holiday displays from the perfect vantage point.
*FREE TO JOIN!
*All riders are encouraged to have a bike light & safety gear.
Address: Sesquicentennial Park - Springfield
9. Hawkers
via UNATIOn - Stuff to do in Jacksonville
Hawkers’ holiday cocktails are here, and they will have you in the festive ✨spirit✨ with just one sip. Available now through December 31st at all open locations!
🎄O’ Christmas Tea
🔥Under the Mistletoast
🧑🎄Muletide Carols
❄️Snowconut Margarita
☕️HO HO Hot Chocolate
Jacksonville Locations:
Neptune Beach: 241 Atlantic Blvd, Neptune Beach, FL 32266
5 Points: 1001 Park St, Jacksonville, FL 32204
10. Royal Moose Coffee Company
via Royal Moose Coffee Company Facebook page
“Royal Moose Coffee Company is blessing us with holiday drinks early this season! We tried their Gingerbread Latte, Christmas Tree Moose Shake, Pecan Pie Latte, and their Gingerbread White Chocolate Mocha Latte. If we could wrap the warm fuzzy holiday feeling in a taste, it would be and of these holiday specials.
They are located in Middleburg and we can assure you that it is worth the trip. They also have a drive thru if you are wanting to zoom through. This coffee shop if walk up/drive thru only but if you walk up, you can enjoy their holiday decor while you sip on holiday spirit.” - UNATION, Stuff to do in Jacksonville
11. Illuminating Nature
Via Cummer Museum
View the Cummer Gardens in a whole new light. Illuminating Nature features an installation of over a dozen glowing fabric sculptures throughout the Museum’s 2 ½ acre backyard. Did I mention it’s FREE? Just have to register online.
Address: Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens
829 Riverside Avenue
Jacksonville, Florida 3220
12. Some of the BEST Neighborhood Lights
Beauclerc Rd right off of San Jose: This local family goes above and beyond every year!
via News4Jax.com
Via Paula Bendfelt-Diaz of growingupbidlingual.com
The 28th Annual Nights of Lights dazzles with more than 3 million lights adorning every corner of the historic district for two months.
This award-winning holiday lights display runs from November 20, 2021, to January 31, 2022, in historic St. Augustine. During the seasonal display, businesses downtown stay open later, letting you dine in view of the lights and browse the shops of the decorated buildings.
The trains and trolleys offer special seasonal tours that take you through the best areas, and there are also a variety of specialty tours — everything from walking to electric cart tours, and even tours to see the lights from the water and from the air.
Address: 170 St George St, St. Augustine, FL 32084 (and surrounding areas)
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