From weekend events to in-depth reporting on the region’s cultural life, Jacksonville Today highlights the arts and entertainment that define Northeast Florida. Our coverage includes What to Do guides, artist spotlights, event previews, and stories about music, theater, visual arts, and local traditions. Whether you are looking for something fun this weekend or insight into Jacksonville’s creative community, you will find it here.
Featured image for “WHAT TO DO | Cafecito Coffee Social; Jax Library Writer’s Day; Tattoo Convention”
August 19, 2026

WHAT TO DO | Cafecito Coffee Social; Jax Library Writer’s Day; Tattoo Convention

A daylong writers’ retreat Downtown, a caffeinated dance party in Riverside, and an international ink convention in St. Augustine are…

Featured image for “MUSIC | 6 new albums by Northeast Florida artists out now”
Northeast Florida artists who've recently shared new albums (clockwise from top left): Druzin, Patrick Hagerman, Ulysses Owens Jr., Bad Madonna, The Something Specials, Taylor Roberts | Courtesy of the artists
August 18, 2026

MUSIC | 6 new albums by Northeast Florida artists out now

Looking for new music recommendations? Try these new albums recently released by Northeast Florida artists.…

Featured image for “Military kids in city-funded Cathedral Arts Project arts programs saw academic gains”
Cathedral Arts Project Teaching Fellow in Strings Josh Stone, center, bows following a performance at the Riverside Arts Market on Saturday, May 2, 2026. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
August 17, 2026

Military kids in city-funded Cathedral Arts Project arts programs saw academic gains

With city funding, the Cathedral Arts Project collaborated with the University of North Florida to provide military families arts education.…

Featured image for “WHAT TO DO | ‘And Then There Were None’; BeeFare; Florida Skimboarding Pro/Am”
"And Then There Were None" opens in Amelia Island this weekend. | Amelia Community Theatre
August 13, 2026

WHAT TO DO | ‘And Then There Were None’; BeeFare; Florida Skimboarding Pro/Am

A murder mystery play in Amelia Island, a celebration of bees in Jacksonville and a skimboarding tournament in Vilano Beach…

Featured image for “Eat and drink like a local on St. Augustine’s West King Street”
A four-block section of West King Street is home to eclectic small businesses and a tasty food and dining scene. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today
August 13, 2026

Eat and drink like a local on St. Augustine’s West King Street

Off the beaten path of St. Augustine’s main commercial hub, West King Street has a for-the-locals vibe.…

Featured image for “St. Augustine Celtic Festival ends after 15 years, citing a host of reasons”
Romanza-St. Augustine's St. Patrick's Day Parade in St. Augustine has been drawing visitors since 2011. The organization does not plan any future Celtic festivals or parades. | Old City Public Relations
August 11, 2026

St. Augustine Celtic Festival ends after 15 years, citing a host of reasons

Romanza-St. Augustine’s annual celebration of Celtic culture was recognized nationally.…

Featured image for “Backstage at The Amp with St. Augustine photographer Dustin Miller”
From a series of portraits by local photographer Dustin Miller, Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks pose before and after the Tedeschi Trucks Band's October 2025 performance at The Amp | Dustin Miller
August 6, 2026

Backstage at The Amp with St. Augustine photographer Dustin Miller

Miller’s portraits capture pre-show jitters and post-show elation backstage at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre.…

Featured image for “WHAT TO DO | Jax Beach Summer Fest; Native plant walk; CatVideoFest”
A native plant walk is one pick for What to Do this weekend | Jax Arboretum
August 5, 2026

WHAT TO DO | Jax Beach Summer Fest; Native plant walk; CatVideoFest

A weekend of music and family hangouts at Jacksonville Beach, a guided native plant walk, and CatVideoFest Downtown are What…

Featured image for “WHAT TO DO | ‘American Son’; Asian Night Market; Jax Summer Record Fair”
The Asian Night Market returns to RiversEdge this weekend. | Asian Night Market via Facebook
July 29, 2026

WHAT TO DO | ‘American Son’; Asian Night Market; Jax Summer Record Fair

A thought-provoking play, an Asian food market Downtown, and a celebration of music on vinyl are What to Do this…

Featured image for “9 Northeast Florida restaurants recognized by Michelin and James Beard”
St. Augustine restaurant Bar Citra earned a a Bib Gourmand nod from MICHELIN dining guide | Bar Citra
July 29, 2026

9 Northeast Florida restaurants recognized by Michelin and James Beard

A guide to the Northeast Florida restaurants that have earned national recognition.…

Featured image for “Back-to-school giveaway grants Jacksonville moms a chance to honor lost children”
LaTiffany Gallion founded Austin's Voice to celebrate the life of her son Austin General Jr. Austin's Voice was among the organizations that donated backpacks and school supplies through the Silent Women Speaking supply giveaway at the Wiley Road Playground on Saturday, July 25, 2026. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
July 28, 2026

Back-to-school giveaway grants Jacksonville moms a chance to honor lost children

Silent Women Speaking Foundation and partner groups distributed 500 backpacks in 40 minutes.…

Featured image for “LGBTQ artwork returns to Five Points with a mural celebrating diversity”
Artist Shaun Thurston's has begun painting a mural on Lomax Street. The boxes are windows. | Community Task Force
July 27, 2026

LGBTQ artwork returns to Five Points with a mural celebrating diversity

The 1,700-foot mural follows a state order last year banning rainbow-colored crosswalks.…

Featured image for “Gingerbread Extravaganza gets a new home and sponsor for the holidays”
Last year's Gingerbread Extravaganza was held at the Jacksonville History Center, with dozens of creations on display. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
July 24, 2026

Gingerbread Extravaganza gets a new home and sponsor for the holidays

The Historic Springfield Society is taking over the Gingerbread Extravaganza from the Jacksonville History Center.…

Featured image for “Part of the USS Jacksonville submarine could wind up in Downtown Jacksonville”
The USS Jacksonville leaves Joint-Base-Pearl-Harbor is this undated photo. | Bring The Sail 2 Jax
July 24, 2026

Part of the USS Jacksonville submarine could wind up in Downtown Jacksonville

The sail structure of the decommissioned submarine could be displayed next to the USS Orleck.…

Featured image for “WHAT TO DO | Silent Disco; Cummer Museum Summer Concert; ‘Quiet Hours’ reading retreat”
Friendship Fountain hosts a dance party on Saturday. | Jessica Palombo
July 23, 2026

WHAT TO DO | Silent Disco; Cummer Museum Summer Concert; ‘Quiet Hours’ reading retreat

A dance party at Friendship Fountain, a salsa concert at the Cummer Museum, and a reading retreat in Callahan are…

Featured image for “The curious case of the Hanna Park wax box”
Like mutual aid for the surf set, the anonymously installed wax box has been a hit with Hanna Park regulars | Matt Shaw, Jacksonville Today
July 23, 2026

The curious case of the Hanna Park wax box

At Hanna Park, the wax box has surfers stoked on mutual aid; park officials are letting it slide for now.…

Featured image for “BOLD SPACES | A former Springfield nightclub is now an eclectically decorated, art-filled home”
A multifarious local artist converted a Springfield commercial space into his art-filled residence | All photos by Cole LoCurto
July 23, 2026

BOLD SPACES | A former Springfield nightclub is now an eclectically decorated, art-filled home

Multifarious artist Marlon Hubbard turned a commercial space into an art-filled oasis of a home.…

Featured image for “REVIEW | The Roost at Congaree and Penn”
Open-air dining at The Roost, Congaree and Penn's new foray into casual dining | All photos by Hanna Raskin
July 16, 2026

REVIEW | The Roost at Congaree and Penn

Amongst a stirringly pastoral setting, our critic found Congaree and Penn’s new foray into casual dining both subtle and a…

Featured image for “WHAT TO DO | ‘Shrek’ Disco; Tidal Journey guided walk; Bicycle mechanic skillshare”
July 15, 2026

WHAT TO DO | ‘Shrek’ Disco; Tidal Journey guided walk; Bicycle mechanic skillshare

A costume dance party in Fernandina Beach, a nature walk in St. Johns County, and a bike maintenance class in…

Featured image for “WHAT TO DO | Comic Con + IC3; Duval Day; Sundays at Stetson’s”
July 9, 2026

WHAT TO DO | Comic Con + IC3; Duval Day; Sundays at Stetson’s

Two comic book fests in one on the Westside, Duval Day in Moncrief, and folk music amidst nature in Fruit…

Featured image for “Historic Black church in Palatka is recognized on National Register”
St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Palatka is an example of the Carpenter Gothic style of architecture. | City of Palatka
July 8, 2026

Historic Black church in Palatka is recognized on National Register

The 143-year-old church was described as one of the most significant African American churches in Florida.…

Featured image for “From Einstein to Captain Kirk: Manuscript museum opens in St. Augustine”
The Karpeles Manuscript Museum recently opened in St. Augustine's historic downtown | Karpeles Manuscript Museum
July 6, 2026

From Einstein to Captain Kirk: Manuscript museum opens in St. Augustine

The new Karpeles Manuscript Museum is the home base for more than 1 million historical documents.…

Featured image for “Here’s a rundown of fireworks on the First Coast for America’s 250th”
A recent 4th of July fireworks display over Downtown Jacksonville. | City of Jacksonville
July 1, 2026

Here’s a rundown of fireworks on the First Coast for America’s 250th

Fireworks will fly up and down the St. Johns River from Jacksonville to Palatka — and along the Atlantic beaches.…

Featured image for “WHAT TO DO | Freedom Fest; America’s Weirdest Block Party; Jax Beach 4th of July Fireworks”
July 1, 2026

WHAT TO DO | Freedom Fest; America’s Weirdest Block Party; Jax Beach 4th of July Fireworks

Freedom Fest at Friendship Fountain, America’s Weirdest Block Party at Ripley’s Believe It Or Not, and the Jax Beach 4th…