Volunteer lifeguards take part in a recent Opening of the Beaches parade in Jacksonville Beach. | City of Jacksonville Beach
Published on April 23, 2026 at 2:06 pm
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The unofficial start of the summer season kicks off this weekend in Jacksonville Beach with the 78th annual Opening of the Beaches.
As usual, Sunday’s Opening of the Beaches Parade will means some roads and paid parking will be closed in the heart of the community.
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The first Opening of the Beaches parade was held in spring 1925, just after what was once known as Pablo Beach was renamed Jacksonville Beach.
To commemorate that, Jacksonville Beach has a number of events this weekend, starting with a silent disco from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday on the Jacksonville Beach Pier at 503 1st St. N.
People can rent wireless headphones for $10 for adults and $5 for children to dance to three channels of different music. The event requires a separate pier day pass ($2 nonlocal, $1 local).
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Then comes the official beaches opening events, starting with a fishing competition on the pier from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday. Registration can be done in person on the pier with Spencer Brogden of Broken Reel Fishing.
A Jacksonville Scene volleyball tournament will start at 9 a.m. at the Beaches volleyball courts on the sand near 6th Ave North, adjacent to the Casa Marina hotel at 691 1st. St. N. The cost is $80 per team or $20 per person.
The 47th annual sand castle competition will start at noon Saturday on the beach just north of the Jacksonville Beach Pier, with judging at 2 p.m. and awards to follow. The theme for this year’s free contest is “Vacation.” You can find more information and a link to register at jacksonvillebeach.org.
Then the parade will take place at 2 p.m. Sunday in the heart of Jacksonville Beach, beginning at 5th Avenue North and 2nd Street. It will travel north to 11th Avenue North and 2nd Street, then turn East toward the ocean.
Once the parade reaches 1st Street, it will turn south and travel all the way to Beach Boulevard. It is expected to take an hour.
Police will shut down the parade route to other traffic at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, including Beach Boulevard to 5th Avenue North, plus 1st and 2nd streets. Once police shut down the parade area, entry into the lots and streets will be for emergency use only.
All city parking lots will be open Saturday, with paid parking enforced. But all city lots close at 6 a.m. Sunday in advance of the parade, with paid parking and enforcement to resume at 4 p.m., city officials said.
