🔒River City Guide: Rockin’ around the town from Dec. 18 - 21

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Hellooooo Insiders!! 👋

It’s your favorite cousin, Darrin, who works in news! Here to give you your update on what’s happening around the River City this week.

If you have an event you’d like to add, put it on our community calendar. Here’s how!

Now, let’s check out all the happenings around Jacksonville from Dec. 18 - Dec. 21. 👇

(Emoji Key: 💰 = Paid/ticketed event 🆓 = Free event 🎶 = Live music 🔞 Event is 18 and up or 21 and up)

As always, be sure to check the organization’s website and social media accounts for any last-minute event changes or cancellations.

Events Happening This Week... 📅

Monthly Happenings:

📌 These are recurring events that happen within the month.

• 🆓 Zumba at Friendship Fountain every Tuesday from 6 to 7 p.m.
• 🆓 Riverside Arts Market every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• 🆓 Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) - Visitors receive free admission on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• 🆓 Yoga at Artist Square - Every Tuesday under the Fuller Warren Bridge for a weekly all-levels yoga class from 6 to 7 p.m.
• 🆓 Jacksonville Run Club meets every Saturday at 7 a.m. and Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Friendship Fountain
• 🆓 904 Walk Club meets every Wednesday at Friendship Fountain at 6:30 p.m.
• 🆓 Silent Disco at Friendship Fountain is every last Saturday of the month from 6 to 9 p.m. Approximately 300 headphones will be given out at a time, first come first served. This is a free, family-friendly event.
• 💰 JAX Artist Walk on Ice continues through Jan. 19, 2026. Enjoy an unforgettable skating experience surrounded by lights, music, and holiday magic at 718 Riverside Ave. Learn more
• 💰 Colors of the Wild returns this year with an entirely NEW array of handcrafted lanterns, unlike anything you’ve experienced before. Step into a magical realm where artistry and nature intertwine, creating a breathtaking spectacle. There will also be opportunities to meet Santa on Friday and Sunday from 5:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Each ticket includes early Zoo admission starting at 3 p.m. More info
• 💰 Glowing Gardens the Jacksonville Arboretum & Botanical Gardens is thrilled to be bringing back Glowing Gardens for its second year! This month-long celebration promises to transform the Arboretum into a mesmerizing display of lights, sculptures, and more - but this year, we’re excited to be introducing additional interactive features and exhibits, including children’s activities, fog and lasers, s’mores, and more! More info
• 🆓 Deck the Chairs Established in 2013 with the creation of a free multi-week event featuring decorated lifeguard chairs. Deck The Chairs attracts visitors while benefiting students through collaborative visual and performing arts activities.
• 🆓 St. Augustine Nights of Lights Experience downtown St. Augustine during the annual Nights of Lights Celebration through Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026.  Lights come on nightly around dusk (5:30 p.m.). More info

Thursday, Dec. 18

• 🆓Sip & Stroll Get ready for more live music, scenic views, delicious drinks and good times along the riverfront. Happening this Thursday from 5:00 - 8:00 P.M.
• 🆓North Beaches Art Walk Go check out one of the best art walks in town, for 16+ years, established in 2007. Held rain or shine on the third Thursday each month, within the heart of the Beaches Town Center. Go out for some great artwork and music from 5:00 - 8:00 P.M.
• 💰🔞Subtronics at Decca Live Subtronics makes his Jacksonville debut at Decca Live on December 18th, 2025, from 8:00 - 11:00 P.M.
• 💰 [St. Augustine] VENARDOS CIRCUS “Far Beyond” Tour makes a stop at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre starting Dec. 18. The show will feature Ringmaster Kevin Venardos, the Reyes Brothers’ Juggling Perch Pole, the Mind-Bending Contortion of Nordic Beauty Sno Bunta, Slapstick Sensation Sam Ferlo, Duo Dadiva’s Astonishing Aerial Acrobatics, Priscilla & Jonathan’s Diabolical Daggers, and the Wicked Wheel of Wonder. Get tickets

Friday, Dec. 19

• 💰PERREOLAND Get ready to dance the night away at the ultimate Old School VS New School Reggaeton Party! Head out to FIVE to experience PERREOLAND, a night filled with the hottest reggaeton hits, Big Entertainment & many Surprises!
• 💰Wheel of Fortune LIVE: the all-new live stage show with a well-known host is the one-and-only way you can have the chance to spin a replica of the wheel and win prizes outside of Sony Pictures Studios. 7:30 p.m. | Florida Theatre

Saturday, Dec. 20

• 🆓LaVilla in Lights: A Holiday Celebration This free festive year-end event brings together live music, local vendors, the Activator Awards and an outdoor holiday movie screening to celebrate holiday cheer on at 4 p.m.
• 🆓Sips & Ships: Downtown Pub Crawl Bring your energy; they’ll bring the drinks! What to expect - Launch your night at a real naval battleship (the USS Orleck!)- Drink at each stop is included! Craft brewery stops + party games = Extra free shots and drinks up for grabs!- Sunset rooftop finale with a live DJ- Glow all night with your own light‑up Jax Tours Pub Crawl cup- Fast entry, drink deals, zero planning—just good vibes, epic views, and limited spots.
• 💰Justin Willman: One For The Ages Tour Make sure you save room for a good laugh this weekend as Justin Willman will be at the Florida Theatre this Saturday beginning at 7:00 P.M. Justin Willman wants to melt your brain while making you laugh. He’s best known as the star and creator of the hit Netflix series Magic for Humans and The Magic Prank Show with Justin Willman.
• 💰A Very Merry Christmas Ball - JACKSONVILLE! Back by popular demand! A dazzling Christmas spectacular filled with magic, joy, and festive wonder. Don’t miss the event of the season! Step into a world of holiday wonder at 'A Very Merry Christmas Ball’, where the magic of the season surrounds you for an unforgettable night of action-packed entertainment! With a stellar cast of singers, musicians, dancers, and specialty acts, you’ll be transported into a dazzling wonderland where each performance feels like a gift and every moment sparkles with holiday magic. For 90 dazzling minutes, you’ll be swept away by soulful Christmas classics, jaw-dropping feature acts, and cabaret magic that turns every performance into a gift. This isn’t just a show; it’s an immersive holiday celebration you’ll want to unwrap again and again.
• 💰JACKSONVILLE VS EVERYBODY OFFICIAL SILENT PARTY 3 LIVE DJ’s PLAYING YOUR FAVORITE HIP HOP, R&B AND FLORIDA HOTTEST HITS. SILENT PARTY DUELING DJS SPINNING TO COMPETE FOR YOUR ATTENTION! A DIFFERENT PARTY VIBE! When you arrive you’ll receive a pair of wireless headphones. You can adjust the volume and choose between up to three DJ’s with a flip of a switch. Each headset has a color (BLUE, RED, GREEN) LED that shows what channel you are listening to, so you can dance along with those listening to the same DJ. It’s super social; just lower the volume or take the headphones off to talk to that girl or guy. There’s no loud music that you have to talk over. Plus, there’s no ringing in your ears when you leave!

Sunday, Dec. 21

• 💰🔞CRWD CNTROL Get ready to take charge and vibe at CRWD CNTROL with Kamillion, Jacksonville Bestie & Yuall the Plugg. Join in person for a night built around energy, connection, and showing up in style. Whether you’re coming to dance, hang with the crowd, or just take it all in, this is your moment to show up looking your best and enjoy something different. 2 local DJs Address: 1430 Prudential Dr Jacksonville, FL 32207 Event Starts at 5:00 P.M. Bring your appetite food truck on site!

We’re constantly updating this page, so be sure to check it periodically throughout the week for any additions.

Upcoming Events... 📅

📌 These are future events that aren’t happening this week, but coming up soon

You asked, we listened. The guide now includes an “Upcoming Events” section with everything happening soon, but not this week.

• RnB Mostly Holiday SZN: Grab your lover, friends, cousins, aunties and uncles and tell them HAPPY HOLIDAY’S! 7 Years of RnB Mostly is HERE!!! Bring out those Fall/Winter Fits! Good Vibes! And Love! As we dance and sing the night away to some of the greatest music of all time! Friday, Dec. 27 | 9:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. | Emerald Station of Phoenix Art & Innovation District Get tickets
• 💰WWE Holiday Tour Live WWE is coming back to VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena on Sunday, Dec. 28 for their Holiday Tour. Get tickets
• 💰Jonas Brothers: JONAS20 Greetings From Your Hometown - Tues, Dec. 30 at 8 p.m. The Jonas Brothers will make a stop at Daily’s Place. Presale tickets start Tuesday at 10 a.m. Get tickets

For more ideas for fun weekend activities, take a look at our Events Calendar 👇

Have more events? Email me at dhooper@wjxt.com or follow me on Instagram @iiamdarrin!