A previous MLK Holiday Grand Parade through Downtown Jacksonville | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
Published on January 15, 2026 at 1:07 pm
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A talk on maps at the Jacksonville Public Library; swing music night at The Volstead Downtown; and the city’s annual MLK Holiday Grand Parade are What to Do this holiday weekend in Jacksonville.
Mapping Our Past
Saturday
Main Library’s Ansbacher Map Room | Downtown Jax
Have you ever been to the room with all the maps at the Main Library? It’s a pretty cool spot, and an event on Saturday is a great chance to learn about the Lewis Ansbacher Map Collection. Mapping Our Past is a pair of back-to-back talks by two map experts (mapsperts?) on the evolution of how humans viewed Florida’s landscape over the last 500 years.
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Talks begin at 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.; 303 N. Laura St.; The events are free; Register in advance to secure your spot for each talk.
Swing Dance Sunday
Sunday
The Volstead | Downtown Jacksonville
Picture this for your Sunday: The evening begins with a free beginner lesson covering the basics of swing, the dance style that originated in the jazz-filled speakeasies of the 1920s and ’30s. Open dancing follows, where you can practice your footwork and connect with the local dance community in one of Downtown Jacksonville’s hippest night spots. You don’t need a partner or any prior experience to join in, as the atmosphere is geared toward getting newcomers comfortable on the floor. It’s a low-pressure and fun way to pick up a new skill in a social setting.
7 p.m.-10 p.m.; 115 W. Adams St.; This event is free, though drinks, of course, are not; More info.
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The MLK Holiday Grand Parade
Monday
Downtown Jacksonville (See route below)
The city of Jacksonville’s 45th annual MLK Holiday Grand Parade takes place Downtown on Monday, the federal holiday. The event honors the Rev. Martin Luther King’s legacy and his message of unity and justice, with a lineup including local marching bands, dance groups and community groups, with performances along the route. The parade starts at Lot E by EverBank Stadium, goes up Bay Street toward Riverfront Plaza and makes a right on Market Street before returning to where it started. It typically lasts over two hours, so it’s best to arrive a bit early to find a good, comfy viewing spot to plant your folding chair. It will be chilly Monday morning, too, so dress warm and don’t forget a thermos of hot coffee or cocoa.
11 a.m.; Free and open to the public; More info.
