The city's Emancipation Day celebration is returning to Lift Ev'Ry Voice and Sing Park this Sunday.
Published on May 14, 2026 at 4:08 pm
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A nature photography exhibit in Fernandina Beach, a beach cleanup in St. Johns County and a celebration of Florida’s Emancipation Day in LaVilla are What to Do this weekend in the Jacksonville area.
Wild Amelia Nature Photography
Friday
Fort Clinch State Park Visitor Center | Fernandina Beach
Head to the Fort Clinch Visitor Center for the Wild Amelia Nature Photography exhibit, an evening celebrating the landscapes and wildlife of Amelia Island. The event showcases the winners of the 2026 photography contest alongside award-winning images from the previous year, highlighting everything from local flora to the island’s coastal birds. While the gallery is the main draw, you can also catch live folk music from the duo Brandon Hester and Amy Basse in the courtyard. Light refreshments will be served, and you’re encouraged to bring a reusable water bottle and a lawn chair to relax and enjoy the music.
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6 p.m. to 8 p.m. | 2601 Atlantic Ave., Fernandina Beach | Free to attend (Note: A standard park entry fee may apply), but registration is encouraged | Register and more info
Turtle Town USA Beach Cleanup
Saturday
Multiple beaches | St. Johns County
Help prepare the shoreline for sea turtle nesting season at the 23rd annual Turtletown USA Beach Cleanup. Part of St. Johns County’s “Get Hooked” anti-litter initiative, the event invites volunteers of all ages to help clear debris from local beaches to ensure a safer environment for nesting turtles and their hatchlings. Cleanup supplies will be provided on site, and community service forms are available for students. Just show up at any of the three cleanup locations with sunscreen, water and closed-toed shoes to help out.
8 a.m. to 11 a.m. | 3 locations: Vilano Beach, 10th Street, Crescent Beach | No pre-registration required | More info, including meet-up locations
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Emancipation Celebration Day
Sunday
Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing Park | LaVilla
Celebrate Florida’s Emancipation Day with an evening of music and history at the newly renovated Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing Park. This annual event honors the anniversary of May 20, 1865, when the Emancipation Proclamation was officially announced in Florida. The lineup features live performances by the STR8UP Band, Mal Jones, Alisha Merine and more, alongside insights from local historians on the significance of the date. Food vendors round out the casual, family-friendly atmosphere — just bring a lawn chair or a blanket and settle into the grass with your dinner.
5 p.m. to 9 p.m. | 120 Lee St. | Free and open to the public | More info
