Top Places to See Holiday Lights
Every year Jacksonville lights up during the holiday season.
The holidays are coming and family-friendly, fun events fill the calendar this season in Jacksonville.
Experience holiday extravaganzas, dazzling boat parades, extraordinary light displays and much more. Find out why everyone wants to spend their “Winter On The Water” in Jacksonville with these events that will surely get you in the holiday spirit!
November 9
The 17th annual Holiday Spectacular will take place on Saturday, November 9 at St. Johns Town Center Mall! Enjoy a day of free family fun, music performances, and holiday cheer for all shoppers and visitors. Plus, stick around to see Santa!
November 27, 2024-January 1, 2025 at Seawalk Pavilion in Jacksonville Beach
More than 40 American Red Cross lifeguard chairs will be decorated in coastal-themed designs and lights for Deck the Chairs in Jacksonville Beach. Kickoff is November 27 and the nightly display continues through New Year's Day from 5 pm- 1 am daily. This event is free and open to the public. It is handicap accessible and dog-friendly as well.
November 29-December 1
Get started on your holiday shopping at the Prime F. Osborn Convention Center at the annual Christmas Made in the South event.
November 29-December 29
Glowing Gardens will go beyond light displays – think immersive experiences with plenty of "instagramable" moments, delicious food, holiday drinks, tasty treats, meet and greets with holiday characters on select nights, and more!
November 30
The Jacksonville Light Boat Parade will be held Saturday, November 30, 2024 on the St. Johns River at 6:00 pm. Vessels of all shapes and sizes adorn their hulls with festive decorations as they float along the north and south banks of the St. Johns River.
December 6
This free event is family-friendly and open to the public. Come see the 20-foot live Christmas tree get lit up with thousands of lights to begin the holiday season. Tony Boselli will be lighting the tree this year as well!
December 7
Head to Walter Jones Historical Park in Mandarin to experience free, festive fun for the entire family, including photo opportunities with Santa and Mrs. Claus, crafts and games, live performances, pony rides and more!
December 7-28
Come view this extravagant gingerbread display and holiday gift shop at Old St. Andrew’s Church in Downtown Jacksonville. This display includes dozens of handmade gingerbread creations. The Jacksonville History Center will offer Kids Day on Saturday, December 14 from 11 am-4 pm featuring photo ops with Santa Claus, face painting, a scavenger hunt, food truck and more.
December 13
Write a letter to Santa, share cocoa and cookies, ride the trackless train, and create holiday crafts – so many wonderful activities at the Beaches North Pole Express.
December 19
The spirit of the holiday season will be alive at the Beaches Museum's annual festivity of twinkling lights and convivial carolers. There will be music and dance performances, lights on display throughout the history park and an open fire for marshmallow roasting.
December 31
The City of Jacksonville invites you to say goodbye to 2024 and welcome in the New Year at the annual New Year's Eve Fireworks. The waterfront and skyline will serve as a backdrop for this amazing display over the St. Johns River. Fireworks will begin at exactly midnight.
January 2
This annual football game is played at the EverBank Stadium in Downtown attracting thousands of visitors from out of town. Come experience the excitement as the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl treats thousands of fans to one of the most exciting bowl games in college football.
November 29, 2024 - January 1, 2025
One of the best lights displays in North Florida with the entire neighborhood decorated in lights. You can drive through the Christmas lights display on Sunday thru Thursday 6 to 10 pm and Friday & Saturday 6 to 11 pm.
December 8, 2024
Now in its 40th year, Luminaria is one of the premier holiday events in the Riverside Avondale communities. Since 1984, friends and neighbors have come together to light up the sidewalks as a way to socialize and commemorate the season.
November 16-17: Markets for Makers Jax Holiday Market
November 29 - December 1: 35th Annual Christmas Made in the South
December 6-7: Holiday on the Farm at North Florida School of Special Education
December 28: Kwanzaa Celebration
November 11- Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical
November 17- Cirque Dreams Holidaze
November 26- The Illusionists-Magic of the Holidays
December 2- An Evening with Chevy Chase followed by a screening of National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
December 3- Dave Koz & Friends Christmas Tour 2024
December 4 - Robert Earl Keen’s: Lights, Camera, Christmas!
December 7 - First Coast Wind Symphony "Sounds of the Season" Holiday Concert
December 9 - JSYO Holiday Concert
December 13-14- The 33rd Annual Community Nutcracker
December 13-15- First Coast Nutcracker
December 17- Mindi Abair's I Can't Wait For Christmas
December 20- Cirque Musica: Holiday Wonderland
December 22- Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol
December 26- NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet
December 27- Jen Kramer’s Magical Holiday Show
Top Places to See Holiday Lights
Every year Jacksonville lights up during the holiday season.
Unique Shopping
Jacksonville surprises with its variety of “eclectic” shopping options.
Trip-Worthy Events
Jacksonville hosts exciting festivals and events throughout the year. Learn more about some of the most popular annual events in Florida.