People sit in a circle at a previous Evidence of Life event and listen to Rodney L. Hurst Sr. speakPeople sit in a circle at a previous Evidence of Life event and listen to Rodney L. Hurst Sr. speak
Rodney L. Hurst Sr. speaks at a previous Placemaking Jax event. The group, along with Yellow House, hosts Evidence of Life in James Weldon Johnson Park this Saturday. | Placemaking Jax

WHAT TO DO | Evidence of Life; Jazz on the Ave; Talbot Tidewater Celebration

Published on September 24, 2026 at 5:17 pm
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A celebration of Downtown that’s also an interactive art show, a jazz festival on the Eastside, and an outdoor festival at Fort George Island are What to Do this weekend.

Evidence of Life

Saturday

Main Street Park | Downtown Jacksonville 

Yellow House and Placemaking Jax are hosting Evidence of Life in Main Street Park, right behind the Main Library Downtown. It’s part printmaking workshop, part teach-in, and part community gathering designed to explore the past, present and future of the neighborhood. You’ll be able to create your own prints, which will immediately become part of a pop-up art show right there in the park. The Jax Mutual Aid Collective will also be on hand providing community care resources. It’s free, open to all ages, and set up as a casual drop-in—so you can stop by for a few minutes or hang out for the full two hours.

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11 a.m. – 1 p.m. | 325 N. Main St. | Free and open to the public | More info


Jazz on the Ave

Saturday

Historic Eastside | Jacksonville

Presented by the Melanin Collaborative Group, Jazz on the Ave is taking over A. Philip Randolph Boulevard for a day of live music and community culture. It’s a family-friendly street festival celebrating the Historic Eastside and LaVilla’s rich musical roots and jazz legacy. They’ll have a lineup of local musicians playing everything from classic jazz to modern styles. Wander around to check out local art, grab something from the food vendors, browse craft booths and join in on a few hands-on workshops. It’s just a great, free community event to get outdoors and support local talent.

3 p.m. – 9 p.m. | A. Philip Randolph Blvd. | Free and open to the public | More info


Talbot Tidewater Celebration

Saturday

The Ribault Club | Fort George Island

Get outdoors for National Public Lands Day and enjoy this gorgeous Fall weather! The Friends of Talbot Islands State Parks are hosting their 7th annual celebration at the historic Ribault Club on Fort George Island. The family event focuses on enjoying and protecting our local state parks and the Timucuan Preserve. There’s a lot packed into the day, including guided nature and bird hikes, hands-on archaeology displays, fossil exhibits and even mock dolphin and manatee rescues. Kids can jump into arts and crafts or sign up for a free fishing clinic (my son has done this twice!), and you can even kayak through the marshes courtesy of Hagan Coastal Outfitters. Pack a picnic or grab food and ice cream on site while enjoying the island scenery.

10 a.m. – 3 p.m. | 11241 Ft. George Road. | Free and open to the public | More info


author image Amy Garrett has called Northeast Florida home for 25 years. Born into a military family, she learned early how to be a tourist wherever she is — a mindset that keeps her curious about the Jacksonville area's hidden gems and new experiences. Amy loves festivals of all kinds, exploring nature trails and saying hello to every single dog she meets along the way.