The all-free, all-fabulous Jacksonville Jazz Festival begins this Friday, May 24 and goes through Sunday, May 26, with live performances on multiple stages downtown, including sets by the Yellowjackets, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and Trombone Shorty. There’s also a new Jazz After Dark feature at participating restaurants and bars on Saturday from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Click here for a full schedule and details.
Old Arlington Inc. is hosting a rededication and celebration of the Matthews Bridge, which opened 60 years ago to connect then-rural Arlington with downtown Jacksonville, this Saturday, April 13, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The free fun includes a classic car motorcade over the bridge and an art show and festival (with free live entertainment) at the old Normal Studios site on Arlington Road. For all the details, click here.
FSCJ students, faculty and staff can buy tickets to the touring Broadway musical Billy Elliot for $27 each, all-inclusive. The offer is good for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday performances during the Feb. 26 to Mar. 3 run at The Times-Union Center. Go to www.artistseriesjax.org and use the password MUSICAL to order tickets.
The commemoration of Martin Luther King always brings a great parade to downtown Jacksonville. If you’re looking for a meaningful, free diversion this morning, the parade begins at 10 a.m. at Jefferson and Water Streets and winds toward Everbank Field. Here’s parade route info if you’re going.
Some of the most amazing attractions of Jacksonville’s holiday season are absolutely free! Saturday, November 24 is the annual Light Boat Parade and Fireworks Spectacular on the St. Johns River downtown. The boat parade begins at 7 p.m. and goes from Metropolitan Park to the Fuller Warren Bridge and back, with prime viewing spots on the Northbank and Southbank Riverwalks and at the Jacksonville Landing. Following the parade comes the fireworks, with orchestrated bursts from barges on the river and a finale of waterfalls from the downtown bridges.
The first Community First Saturday goes on all day today October 6 along the Northbank Riverwalk in Downtown Jacksonville. Scheduled fun includes bike tours, art exhibits, tai-chi, yoga, food trucks, kids activities, hanging with Jaguars players
and more. Admission to all events is free.
The Jacksonville Public Library Main Branch will be showing The Green Lantern Tuesday, September 4 at 11:30 a.m. in the Multipurpose Room. Drop in for lunchtime retreat from the heat.
Eat Up Downtown is going on through August 26 with great deals at downtown restaurants. Check out the participating venues and menus at www.eatupdowntown.com and get a three course meal for $15, $25 or $35.
