Arts & Culture

There’s plenty of live music venues in Jacksonville, FL. Expect some of the most well-known acts in music when you get tickets to the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena — Carrie Underwood, Elton John and Post Malone, to name a few.

Jacksonville’s history is rich with the sound of music. The St. Augustine Amphitheatre, known to locals as “The Amp,” has entertained guests since 1965 and welcomes artists and performers alike. If you enjoy a more intimate venue, head down to the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall. This modern performing arts facility can hold a variety of entertainment events and is quickly becoming one of the top intimate venues in the region.

The Jacksonville Symphony has been a popular spot in the region for all music lovers for 75 years. Located in Downtown Jacksonville, the symphony performs more than 90 shows each season, encompassing various genres. From classical to pop (and even performances with iconic songs from popular movies like Harry Potter), the Jacksonville Symphony has something everyone is sure to enjoy.

For local flavor, spend an evening at Jack Rabbits in San Marco, selected by The Guardian as one of Florida’s best live music venues (it’s also one of the oldest). At the beaches, every ticket is a backstage pass at Blue Jay Listening Room, an intimate music venue with a carefully curated environment allowing you the space to listen, expand your musical knowledge and share in an experience you will never forget.

Among Jacksonville’s 24 annual music festivals is the Springing the Blues, a three-day outdoor blues festival held along the Atlantic Ocean for 30 years. For a more laid-back scene, the annual St. Augustine Songwriters Festival gives a platform for song creators to share their stories on the inspiration behind their musical works of art on stages throughout the city.

One of the largest jazz events in the United States takes place downtown — the Jacksonville Jazz Festival. The two-day festival includes two stages, dozens of performers and a street festival.

Prepare for an immersive art experience. Within a 15-minute drive of Downtown Jacksonville, you’ll find no less than 12 museums and countless galleries and maker spaces throughout the region.

Stroll amongst 5,000 works and 2.5 acres of historic gardens at the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens, where you can even find classes for adults and children. Cross the bridge over the St. Johns River for a visit to the Museum of Science and History, where along with interactive exhibits, you can partake in an evening yoga class under the stars of the planetarium.

Accredited as Jacksonville’s first institution by the American Association of Museums, MOCA Jacksonville’s original curated exhibitions of modern and contemporary art, student exhibitions and creative programs that cultivate our diverse community. Stroll the three stories of masterpieces and grab a quick lunch at Charlie’s Cafe, an outdoor space in nearby James Weldon Johnson Park with revolving food trucks and live music, or Fizzies & Fare, with its light bites, over-the-top milkshakes, cocktails and 100s of sodas from around the globe.

In addition to international artists, JAX is brimming with local artists, from local college and university students to mural, assemblage, installation and mixed media professionals. Collective studio spaces such as CoRK Arts District and The Union Art Studios and Gallery often have special events that are open to the public.

Known as the “Winter Film Capital of the World,” JAX’s rich history of theater and filmmaking means there’s plenty to explore across theater and cinema.

• From Broadway blockbusters to rousing revues, Jacksonville Theater is worthy of an encore. The stunning Florida Theatre offers 200+ cultural and entertainment events every year for all artistic styles.
• Discover Jacksonville’s historic African American community of La Villa at the Ritz Theatre and Museum. Constructed on the 1929 Ritz Theater movie house site, the Ritz presents performances at the artistic core of African American culture in Northeast Florida.
• Each fall, the Jacksonville Film Festival celebrates celluloid for two days with local talent and a different theme each year. Bill Murray, Graham Greene and John Waters are some of the celebrities who have highlighted the event.
• The Southeast Regional Film Festival blends three days of screen time with workshops for filmmakers, while the LOL Film Festival lightens up the mood with a focus on comedic works.

For a region with its eyes on the future, we certainly don’t forget our past.

Northeast Florida’s most internationally recognized historic city, St. Augustine, is the United States’ oldest continuously occupied European settlement. Founded in 1565 by Spanish settlers, these “Ancient City” blocks ooze Spanish influence from their architecture, attractions and food (hint: don’t miss the Spanish cuisine as The Columbia or Spanish Bakery & Cafe). Starting at the Old City Gate near the Castillo de San Marcos and its waterfront cannons, wander the cobblestone pedestrian walkways of St. George Street with its quaint cafes, bars and boutiques.

Commemorating Florida’s only major Civil War battle in 1864, Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park, just a 30-minute drive from Macclenny, holds a reenactment of the Battle of Olustee every February. Go back in time as you experience exhibits and artifacts that tell the story leading up to the battle.

Named for North Florida’s early indigenous population, Timucuan Ecological and Historical Preserve holds 6,000 years of human history and is home to two preservations: The Kingsley Plantation, Jacksonville’s oldest home, and the Fort Caroline National Memorial, the memorial of the short-lived French Huguenot presence in 16th century Florida. Rent a Segway or kayak to check out the historic sites and wildlife.

In the 1920s, Jacksonville Beach was the hotspot for vacations, hosting dignitaries, actors, mobsters and more. That moxie continues today — visitors and residents can visit the Beaches Museum History & Park to gain more insight into our coastal past and explore hundreds of archived photographs, artifacts and even a 1911 train and engine and original railway depot.

The Jacksonville region is home to a vibrant LGBTQ+ population and is rich in businesses, attractions and organizations that are proud to amplify JAX pride.

Active since 1978, the River City Pride is Jacksonville’s largest gay pride parade and festival. The annual event lights up the historic Five Points district of Riverside in Jacksonville, featuring a parade, block party, pageant and festival to celebrate LGBTQ+ members and allies.

InCahoots and Park Place Lounge, two of the most popular spots in town for the LGBTQ+ community, offer a fusion of cocktail lounges and dance halls.

Multiple local organizations provide support for JAX’s LGBTQ+ community. JASMYN and JAX Youth Equality are resources for local LGBTQ+ youth and their families, offering support services like health resources, advocacy and development opportunities. Equality Florida represents LGBTQ+ communities throughout Florida to prevent harassment or discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.