Published on June 17, 2026 at 9:21 pm
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An art show in LaVilla, a 5K and block party Downtown Jax, and the Skate and Surf Film Fest in Fernandina Beach are What to Do this weekend in the Jacksonville area.
‘You Are Here: Mapping Black Life and Autonomy in Jacksonville‘ opening reception
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Thursday evening
Ritz Theatre and Museum | Downtown Jacksonville
Head over to The Ritz Theatre and Museum for the opening of “You Are Here: Mapping Black Life and Autonomy in Jacksonville.” A Thursday reception ushers in the collection that illuminates the stories of LaVilla, Sugar Hill and North Davis Street – once-thriving Black neighborhoods built on self-sufficiency and resilience that have been drastically altered by urban renewal and displacement. Through deep archival research and oral history, the show explores what was lost and what still remains, featuring striking work by local artists Noelle Barber, Joshua Parks, Deshonna Buchanon and Hahau Yisrael. If you can’t make it out this weekend, you have plenty of time to catch it through the end of the summer.
6 p.m.- 8 p.m. | 829 N Davis St. | Free and open to the public | Registration and more info
JWJ BDay 5K and Block Party
Saturday
JWJ Park | Downtown
Walk (or run) in the footsteps of local history and celebrate a civil rights icon at the JWJ BDay 5K & Block Party. The event kicks off at Downtown’s James Weldon Johnson Park. Runners and walkers will wind through the historic LaVilla neighborhood—the very area the Johnson family once called home. The whole route is designed to be taken at a relaxed “party pace” so you can check out the interactive stations along the way that tell the story of James Weldon Johnson’s life, which began on June 17, 1871. Everything wraps up right back at the park with a block party with food trucks, games, champagne music from DJ Rance Adams and cupcakes. This Father’s Day weekend event makes for a fun family outing outside, where you can learn about a giant of American culture and enjoy a community celebration together.
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5K begins at 8 a.m. | 135 W. Monroe St. | Free and open to the public | Registration and more info
Skate and Surf Film Festival
Saturday
Main Beach Park and Tiger Island Room | Amelia Island
Speaking of Father’s Day weekend, might I suggest taking your rad dDad to check out the Amelia Island International Skate & Surf Film Festival? Launched as a local event last year, it has officially gone global, bringing in independent skateboarding and surfing films from creators all over the world. The festival will feature screening divisions for both skateboarding and surfing, alongside live music – including a live score performance by Supreme Of Wu-Tang and Airtight [mind blown emoji], local vendors and plenty of food trucks. So grab your dad, husband or favorite father-like figure and go support the creative communities that fuel local coastal culture.
1 p.m- 9 p.m. | Tiger Island Room: 10 N. 2nd St. and Main Beach Park: 32 N. Fletcher Ave., Fernandina Beach | Tickets: $40; free for kids under 12 | Tickets, event schedule and more
