Urban Book Fest in 2025 | Urban Book Fest via Facebook
Published on January 21, 2026 at 8:02 pm
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A celebration of authors, readers and writers in Downtown Jacksonville; a healthy living festival in Neptune Beach; and a night of personal storytelling in San Marco are What to Do this weekend in the Jacksonville area.
Jax Urban Book Festival
Friday & Saturday
James Weldon Johnson Park | Downtown Jax
The JAX Urban Book Fest returns for its third year this weekend, bringing together authors from across the country with local readers and aspiring writers in an event sponsored by a nonprofit with a mission “to promote social progress and community engagement through the lens of Dr. King’s dream.” The main event, an author showcase with book signings and exhibitors, takes place Saturday at James Weldon Johnson Park. The family-friendly event includes children’s activities and a free books for every child.
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Festival begins Friday, with events across multiple locations, including a ticketed Happy Hour at Breezy’s Jazz House in San Marco. The main event is Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., at JWJ Park, 135 W. Monroe St.; Advance registration required; Tickets, registration, and more info.
Chi Fest
Saturday
Jarboe Park | Neptune Beach
I don’t know about you, but I’ve been feeling extra stressed lately — so this event is sounding pretty good. If you too are in need of a reset, check out Chi Fest on Saturday. It’s a community event centered on Tai Chi and healthy living. Chi Fest is geared toward the whole family, including a part where you get to imitate animal movements and strengths (which sounds like a regular afternoon with kids). Local instructors will be there to show how simple exercises can help with balance, tension and joint issues. There’s a light lunch included as well, thanks to New Age Hippy Inc. So go shake off the stress, grab a bite and connect with some new friends.
10 a.m.-4 p.m.; 301 Florida Blvd., Neptune Beach; Free and open to the public; More info.
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Stories on Stage: Best Laid Plans
Sunday
Theatre Jacksonville | San Marco
We’ve all had those moments where we painstakingly planned every single detail, only to have the universe decide things were going a different way. Best laid plans gone awry is the theme for this Sunday evening’s Stories on Stage. It’s a local program that gets community members on stage to share their experiences. Note: These are “adult stories by adult storytellers,” so the content is intended for grown-ups. It’s a great way to spend a night: hearing real, unfiltered stories from your neighbors about the times life didn’t go according to script, with the result both hilarious and deeply relatable.
7:30 p.m.; 2032 San Marco Blvd.; Tickets: $11-$22 (free for Theatre Jax All Access members); Tickets and more info.
