Jacksonville Today Arts and Culture Editor Matt Shaw shares his arts and culture picks for the weekend.
Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday
Holiday Pops
Jacoby Symphony Hall | Downtown Jacksonville
Led by guest Conductor Tim Hankewich, the Jacksonville Symphony and Broadway vet Ryan Silverman, the Symphony Chorus and dancers from Douglas Anderson School of the Arts present six performances of Holiday classics Thursday through Sunday. More info and full schedule.
Friday, Saturday & Sunday
Gingerbread Extravaganza
Old St. Andrew’s Church | Downtown Jacksonville
Part architectural design, part folk-art tradition and part gastronomic delight, there’s nothing quite like the humble gingerbread house. As part of a long-running tradition, the Jacksonville Historical Society presents its annual Gingerbread Extravaganza, featuring more than 50 (for all intents and purposes) edible homes on display at the Old St. Andrew’s Church in Downtown Jax. The exhibit opens Friday (11 a.m.-4 p.m.) and runs through December 27 (open Tuesday-Sunday most weeks). More info.
Saturday
Bespoke House Gallery Opening
Bespoke House | Lakeshore
The new gallery, Bespoke House, is opening its doors for the first time with a group show featuring the work of dozens of local artists, including Akay Goins, Shawn Wolf, Maya Matheson, Nykia Jackson and Mariah Cagle, among others. The celebration kicks off with an open house (2 p.m-5 p.m.) and an artist reception (5 p.m.-6 p.m.), followed by an artisan market (6 p.m.-9 p.m.). It’s free to attend. More info.
Sunday
First Coast Wind Symphony
Redeemer Church | Ponte Vedra
The all-volunteer community music org, the First Coast Wind Symphony, performs their second of two holiday-themed performances on Sunday, rolling out seasonal classics for a Holiday Pops concert at the Redeemer Church in Ponte Vedra. Show starts at 5 p.m. It’s free to attend. More info and RSVP here.