Fun things to do in Jacksonville, FL in April

Put away your sweatshirts and pack the scarves away until the holiday season because April is just around the corner and, in Florida, that pretty much means full-on summer. Fortunately, there’s tons of stuff to do around the Jacksonville area — festivals and fairs, live baseball, a circus, concerts from Billy Strings and Kane Brown, Michael Jackson’s moonwalk, a “Wicked” singalong and a wizarding market. Throw in Easter activities and it makes for one jam-packed April.

Easter egg hunts 

Note that some egg hunts may have age limits or fees. 

• Hilliard: 6 p.m. Thursday, April 3, at the Hilliard Branch Library. Info: facebook.com 
• Downtown: 10 a.m. Saturday, April 5, at First Baptist Church. Info: fbcjax.com 
• Fernandina Beach: 11 a.m. Saturday, April 5, at Central Park. Info: fbfl.us 
• Northside: 11 a.m. Saturday, April 5, at Lonnie Miller Park. Info: jacksonville.gov 
• Northside: 1 p.m. Saturday, April 5, at American Legion Post 9. Info: facebook.com 
• Mandarin: Noon, Saturday, April 12, at the Mandarin Library. Info: jaxpubliclibrary.org 
• Jacksonville Beach: 5 p.m. Sunday, April 13, at One Church. Info: specialevents.coj.net 
• St. Augustine: 1 p.m. Saturday, April 5, at Family Church of FL 207. Info: visitstaugustine.com 
• World Golf Village: 11 a.m. Saturday, April 12. Info: visitstaugustine.com 
• Northside: April 12-13, 18-20, at Congaree & Penn. Info: congareeandpenn.com 
• Riverside: 11 a.m. Sunday, April 13, under the Fuller Warren Bridge. Info: facebook.com 
• Palencia Park: 10 a.m. Thursday, April 17. Info: visitstaugustine.com 
• Veterans Park in St. Johns: 10 a.m. Thursday, April 17. Info: visitstaugustine.com 
• San Marco: 4 p.m. Friday, April 18, at Cuba Hunter Park. Info: jacksonville.gov 
• Elkton: 10 a.m. Saturday, April 19, at Parker Flower Farms. Info: visitstaugustine.com 
• Hastings: 10 a.m. Saturday, April 19, on South Main Street. Info: visitstaugustine.com 
• Ponte Vedra Beach: 10 a.m. Saturday, April 19, at Our Lady of the Sea Church. Info: visitstaugustine.com 
• Eastside: 10 a.m. Saturday, April 19, at Brown Eastside Branch Library. Info: jaxpubliclibrary.org  
• Atlantic Beach: 10 a.m. Saturday, April 19, at Jordan Park. Info: facebook.com 

Spring/Easter Food Festival & Marketplace 

April 5 and 6 at the Jacksonville Fairgrounds. Free. 

Live music and the Easter Bunny are the highlights the event, which includes home improvement and arts & crafts vendors. Info: jacksonvillefair.com 

Easter Promenade 

1 p.m. Sunday, April 10, at Plaza de la Constitución in St. Augustine. Free.  

Show off your Easter Sunday finest and compete for prizes. Info: visitstaugustine.com  

‘Follow Me — Passion Play’ 

April 11 and 12 at Murray Hill Theatre. $10-$15. 

Christian concert venue is the site for a live play about Jesus’ life. Info: murrayhilltheatre.com 

Easter Parade  

9 a.m. Saturday, April 19, on the St. Augustine bayfront. Free. 

St. Augustine has held its Parada de los Caballos y Coches on the morning before Easter since 1956. Info: visitstaugustine.com 

Clay County Fair 

April 3-13 at the Clay County Fairgrounds. $15. 

Midway rides, livestock shows, a demolition derby, fried food on a stick and live concerts by Clint Black, the Castellows, Spin Doctors and Ricky Skaggs mark the fair’s return. Info: claycountyfair.org 

Springing the Blues  

April 4-6 at Seawalk Pavilion in Jacksonville Beach. Free. 

Victor Wainwright & the Train, North Mississippi Allstars, Selwyn Birchwood, D.K. Harrell and others lay down the beachfront blues. VIP packages are also available.  Info: springingtheblues.com 

JU Festival of the Arts 

Saturday, April 5, at Terry Concert Hall, Jacksonville University. Free. 

JU students put on a combination jazz festival, visual-arts fair and Theatre Student Works fest. Info: ju.edu 

St. Augustine PoetFest 

April 10-12 in St. Augustine. Free. 

Open-microphone night, seminars, a book bazaar, workshops and readings from Flagler College and Ancient City Poets. Info: visitstaugustine.com  

Fernandina Beach Songwriters Festival 

April 10-12 in Fernandina Beach. Free. 

They’ve written hits for Morgan Wallen, Alabama, Kenny Rogers, Reba McEntire, George Strait, Kenny Chesney and others. Now you can hear them performed by the songwriters themselves. Info: fernandinasongwritersfestival.com 

Gamble Rogers Folk Festival 

April 11-13 at the St. Johns County Fairgrounds in Elkton. $40-$120. 

Three days of music featuring the John Jorgensen Quintet, Verlon Thompson, Jontavious Willis and others celebrating the life of the late Florida troubadour. Info: gamblerogersfest.org 

Sea Turtle Fest 

10 a.m. Saturday, April 19, at Main Beach Park, Fernandina Beach. Free. 

Enjoy live music and food while learning about efforts to protect sea turtles. Info: beachjunki.org 

Mandarin Art Festival 

April 19-20 at the Mandarin Community Club. Free. 

An Easter tradition dating back to 1968, with vendors, a green market, live entertainment and works from more than 100 artists. Parking is off-site, with free shuttles. Info: mandarinartfestival.org   

JaxReady Fest 

April 25-26 at the Prime Osborn Convention Center. Free. 

Learn about emergency preparedness through workshops and demonstrations. Info: dtjax.com 

Bostwick Blueberry Festival 

Saturday, April 26, in Bostwick. Free.  

Bostwick, Fla., off U.S. 17 between Green Cove Springs and Palatka, isn’t what you’d call a big city, but they know how to throw a blueberry festival, serving up more than a thousand pancake breakfasts to support the community. They’ll have live music all day, blueberry ice cream, a Miss Blueberry Festival contest and fun stuff for the kids. Info: bostwickblueberryfestival.net   

Roscolusa Songwriters Festival 

5 p.m. Saturday, April 26, at Nocatee Festival Field. $30-$105. 

You might not recognize the performers on stage, but you’ll recognize the songs they wrote that were made famous by others. Info: roscolusa.com  

Cabbage, Potato and Bacon Festival  

April 26-27 at The Venue in Hastings. Free. 

It’s the second year for this fest, which includes lawnmower races, pig racing, cooking demonstrations, live music and a kids’ zone. Info: visitstaugustine.com 

Taste of St. Augustine 

11 a.m. Sunday, April 27, at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre. $5. 

Around 20 restaurants from the St. Augustine area will offer $1 “tastes” of their dishes. Info: visitstaugustine.com 

Celebrity Chefs  

10:30 a.m. Thursday, April 3, at the Prime Osborn Convention Center. $40. 

It’s the 39^th year for the event that sees notable locals dishing up their favorite recipes. Info: salvationarmyflorida.com  

UniverSoul Circus  

April 3-20 at Tailgaters Parking. $25-$49. 

Skaters, swing artists, hoop divers, acrobats and extreme riders are part of UniverSoul’s 30^th anniversary season. Info: universoulcircus.com 

Blooms Galore & More 

5 p.m. Friday, April 4, at the Garden Club of Jacksonville. $30. 

Vendors and club members offer hard-to-find plants for sale. Info: gardenclubjax.org   

The Velvet Underground Show 

April 4-13 at the Glass Factory. $69.99-$459.99. 

Think of it as a concert and a cabaret and a dance recital and a circus, all rolled into one. The 90-minute show includes a fire aerialist, dancers, singers and “specialty performers.” Recommended for ages 15 and older. Info: arproductionhouse.com 

Gopher Tortoise Day Adventure Hike 

3 p.m. Sunday, April 6, at Mike Roess Goldhead Branch State Park. Free with $5-per-vehicle park admission.  

Take a short ranger-led hike and learn about the big critters that live underground. Info: floridastateparks.org 

Platform 9 ¾ Wizarding Market 

Noon Saturday, April 12, at River City Railway. $10. 

Magical vendors, animal shows, games, musicians, Death Eaters, belly dancers come together at a celebration of all things Hogwarts. Info: hallofheroesevent.com 

‘Wicked’ singalong  

8 p.m. Saturday, April 12, under the Fuller-Warren Bridge. Free. 

Depending on your viewpoint, a free showing of “Wicked” where everyone is encouraged to sing along is either heaven or hell. Info: jacksonville.gov 

Salsa Sunday 

2 p.m. Sunday, April 13, at Intuition Ale Works.  

Jacksonville-based salsa orchestra LPT hosts shows once a month where dancers are welcome, regardless of skill level. Info: lptsalsa.com 

Earth Day Community Cleanup 

9:30 a.m. Saturday, April 19, at the Atlantic Boulevard Beach Access, Latham Park, Mickler Beach Access and St. Augustine Pier. Free. 

Beaches Go Green is organizing four beach cleanup projects. They’ll provide buckets and gloves. Info: volunteercleanup.org 

Fletcher All Class Block Party 

6 p.m. Saturday, April 25, at the Beaches Museum. $35-$60. 

Duncan U. Fletcher High School has been a fixture of Neptune Beach since the 1930s and has so many graduates that they just throw one big class reunion for all of them with live music, dancing and food trucks. Info: beachesmuseum.org 

River City Dancing with the Stars 

6:30 p.m. Saturday, April 26, at Lazzara Performance Hall, UNF. $50-$150. 

Ten Jacksonville residents have been taking dancing lessons to prepare for a shot at the Mirror Ball trophy. Info: rivercitydwts.com 

Historic Springfield Home & Garden Tour

April 26 and 27, starting at the SPAR headquarters. $25.

Tour eight historic homes in the neighborhood north of downtown. Info: sparcouncil.org

Opening of the Beaches Parade 

2 p.m. Sunday, April 27, in Jacksonville Beach. Free. 

The beaches in Florida don’t ever really close, but that’s no reason not to have a parade. Info: jacksonvillebeach.org 

Billy Strings  

6:30 p.m. April 3-5, at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre. Sold out. 

Strings, who has brought bluegrass to the masses, sold out three nights in St. Augustine (again) quicker than one of his guitar solos. Info: theamp.com 

Clint Black 

7 p.m. Friday, April 4, at the Clay County Fair. $20-$100. 

It’s been 35 years since Black jumped into the country music scene with “Killin’ Time.” Others playing at the fair this year include Sugar Ray, Uncle Kracker, Chase Matthew, the Castellows, Ricky Skaggs, Micah Tyler and Spin Doctors. Info: claycountyfair.org 

Rascal Flatts 

7 p.m. Saturday, April 5, at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. $66.57-$513.50. 

When the six-time Country Music Association Vocal Group of the Year announced a breakup a few years back, you just knew it wouldn’t last. Lauren Alaina and Chris Lane open. Info: jaxevents.com 

Kane Brown 

7 p.m. Friday, April 25, at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. $49-$475. 

Country and hip-hop would seem to go together like oil and water, but Brown makes it work. Mitchell Tenpenny and Ashley Cooke open. Info: jaxevents.com 

Other concerts coming in April:  

• Angélique Kidjo, 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 1, at the Florida Theatre. $42.50-$85. 
• Sugar Ray and Uncle Kracker, 7 p.m. Thursday, April 3, at the Clay County Fair. $20-$150. 
• Geoff Tate, 8 p.m. Thursday, April 3, at the Florida Theatre. $49-$59. 
• Houndmouth, 7 p.m. Friday, April 4, at Decca Live. $30. 
• Albert Castiglia, 8 p.m. Friday, April 4, at Blue Jay Listening Room. $35. 
• Sadie Bass and Chase Matthews, 7 p.m. Saturday, April 5, at the Clay County Fair. $20-$100. 
• The Castellows and Tigirlily Gold, 7 p.m. Sunday, April 6, at the Clay County Fair. $20-$75. 
• Clay Street Unit, 7 p.m. Sunday, April 6, at Intuition Ale Works. $20. 
• Marcus King Band, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, April 6, at the Florida Theatre. $43-$83. 
• Micah Taylor and We The Kingdom, 7 p.m. Monday, April 7, at the Clay County Fair. $20-$150. 
• Spin Doctors, 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 8, at the Clay County Fair. $20-$100. 
• Old Crow Medicine Show, 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 8, at the Florida Theatre. $47.50-$65. 
• Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder, 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 9, at the Clay County Fair. $40. 
• Jagged Edge, 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 9, at the Florida Theatre. $39.50-$89.50 
• Brantley Gilbert, 7 p.m. Thursday, April 10, at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. $31-$140. 
• Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit, 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 11, at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre. $59.50-$85.50. 
• Shannon and the Clams, 6 p.m. Saturday, April 12, at WJCT Studios. $25. 
• Chicago, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, April 13, at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre. $49-$139. 
• Khruangbin, 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 16, at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre. $42-$79 
• Tab Benoit, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 16, at the Ritz Theatre. $45. 
• Warren Zeiders, 8 p.m. Saturday, April 19, at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre. $39.50-$79.50. 
• Justin Hayward, 8 p.m. Monday, April 21, at the Florida Theatre. $39.50-$89.50. 
• America, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 23, at the Florida Theatre. $79-$129. 
• Travis Tritt, 7 p.m. Thursday, April 24, at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre. $49-$104. 
• Rancho Barriga, with Los Toros Transformers and Alacranes Musical, 6 p.m. Saturday, April 26, at the Jacksonville Equestrian Center. $50. 
• Fantasia and Anthony Hamilton, 8 p.m. Saturday, April 26, at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. $59-$125. 
• Obscura, Atheist, Origin, Decrepit Birth and Fractal Universe, 5:30 p.m. Sunday, April 27, at Underbelly. $25. 
• Amos Lee, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, April 27, at the Florida Theatre. $49.50-$99.50. 
• Dogs in a Pile, 8 p.m. Sunday, April 27, at Jack Rabbits. $20. 
• Wilco, 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 30, at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre. $39.50-$72.50.  

Tribute acts

• Leonid & Friends (Chicago tribute), 8 p.m. Monday, April 7, at the Florida Theatre. $52.50-$99.50. 
• Deadphish Orchestra (Phish/Grateful Dead tribute), 8 p.m. Friday, April 11, at Cafe 11 in St. Augustine. $20-$25. 
• Let’s Groove Tonight (Earth, Wind & Fire tribute), 8 p.m. Saturday, April 12, at the Ritz Theatre. $25. 
• Rockshow: The McCartney Years (Beatles/Wings tribute), 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 16, at the Florida Theatre. $39.50-$55. 
• Donna Summer Experience (Donna Summer tribute), 8 p.m. Thursday, April 24, at the Florida Theatre. $50-$75.  
• Zoso (Led Zeppelin tribute), 6 p.m. Sunday, April 27, at Colonial Oak Music Park in St. Augustine. $20. 

Anjelah Johnson-Reyes 

7 p.m. Saturday, April 5, at the Florida Theatre. $39.75-$65. 

Six comedy specials, TV and movie roles, a memoir and a huge YouTube following make you wonder where Johnson-Reyes finds time to tour. Info: floridatheatre.com 

Charlie Berens 

5 and 8 p.m. Saturday, April 12, at the Terry Theater. $41-$51. 

Wisconsin native Berens is the author of “The Midwest Survival Guide.” Can he handle Florida? Info: charlieberens.com 

Nephew Tommy 

8 p.m. Saturday, April 19, at the Florida Theatre. $55-$125. 

Steve Harvey’s morning show co-host hits the road as a headliner. Info: floridatheatre.com 

Peter Antoniou 

7 p.m. Sunday, April 27, at the Comedy Zone. $22.50-$27.50. 

The comic mind-reader has performed on “America’s Got Talent” and stages in Las Vegas and London. Info: comedyzone.com 

Other April shows at the Comedy Zone: 

‘Les Misérables’ 

April 1-6 at the Moran Theater. $49.50-$164.50. 

The Tony-winning musical has been performed in more than 50 countries and 20 languages since its 1980 debut. Info: fscjartistseries.org 

‘Pretty Woman: The Musical’ 

April 14 at the Thrasher-Horne Center in Orange Park. $39-$99. 

First it was a hit film with Julia Roberts and Richard Gere. Then it was a hit Broadway musical. Now it’s on the road, touring America. Info: thcenter.org 

‘MJ The Musical’ 

April 22-27 at the Moran Theater. $71.50-$184.50. 

When Michael Jackson was preparing for his 1992 Dangerous World Tour, he was the biggest star in the world. “MJ” uses his own music to tell the story. Info: fscjartistseries.org 

‘LaVilla Live’ 

7 p.m. Saturday, April 26, at the Ritz Theatre. $25-$45. 

The museum attached to the Ritz tells the story of when LaVilla was known as the Harlem of the South. For one night, those characters come to life. Info: theritz.jaxevents.com 

Other theater productions coming to the Jacksonville area in April: 

Conrad Tao & ‘Rite of Spring’ 

April 4-5 at Jacoby Symphony Hall. $30-$88. 

Pianist Tao, the Jacksonville Symphony’s Artist-in-Residence, performs Debussy, Stravinsky and the premiere of his own “Clang and Shudder.” Info: jaxsymphony.org 

Other April performances by the Jacksonville Symphony, all at Jacoby Symphony Hall: 

‘The Great Gatsby’ 

April 4 at the Florida Theatre. $45-$95. 

The World Ballet Company is bringing 40 dancers and elaborate sets and costumes to retell F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic tale through dance. Info: floridatheatre.com 

Tango Night  

April 4 at Friday Musicale. $15-$30. 

The Palm Court Society Orchestra recalls an era when music and dancing were a big deal. Info: fridaymusicale.com 

‘Madama Butterfly’  

April 4 and 6 at Amelia Plantation Chapel in Fernandina Beach. $50. 

Cuban-American soprano Elaine Alvarez takes the lead role in Amelia Island Opera’s production, sung in Italian with English supertitles. Info: ameliaislandopera.org 

Alliage Sax Quintett 

April 6 at St. Paul’s By the Sea Episcopal Church, Jacksonville Beach. Free. 

The Beaches Fine Arts Series concludes its season with four saxes and a piano. (And yes, they do spell “quintet” with two Ts.) Info: beachesfinearts.org 

‘The Merry Widow’  

April 11 at the Robinson Theater at UNF. Free. 

University of North Florida students take the lead roles in the operetta, joined by the UNF Symphony, with sets designed by UNF sculpture students. Info: unf.edu  

‘Songs of Joy’ 

April 12 at Riverside Park United Methodist Church. $30-$50. 

The Jacksonville Children’s Chorus celebrates 30 years of song. Members of the Jacksonville Symphony are scheduled to join. Info: jacksonvillechildrenschorus.org 

Beethoven Sonatas for Cello and Piano 

April 13 at Friday Musicale. $10-$35. 

Rose Grace and Alexei Romanenko perform. Info: fridaymusicale.com 

JE1 Plays the Music of JE1  

April 17 at Lazzara Performance Hall at UNF. Free. 

The University of North Florida has a world-class jazz program and Jazz Ensemble 1 is its top performing group. They’ll do originals, led by J.B. Scott. Info: unf.edu 

Sounds of A+R 

April 18 at Friday Musicale. $20-$35. 

April May Webb won the 2024 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Competition. She’s accompanied by trumpeter Randall Haywood. Info: fridaymusicale.com 

Lawson Ensemble 

April 27 at the Fine Arts Center Recital Hall at UNF. Free.  

The University of North Florida’s resident chamber music ensemble celebrates 10 years together. Info: unf.edu 

Connect! State of the Art 

7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 24, at Terry Concert Hall at JU. Free. 

Choruses from Jacksonville University worked with students from the School of Art & Design to create a program of music inspired by art. Info:  ju.edu 

Opening Day 

7:05 p.m. Tuesday, April 1, at VyStar Ballpark. $9-$46. 

The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp started the ’25 season on the road, but they’re ready to return to their recently renamed Jacksonville home. They welcome the Worcester Red Sox for a six-game homestand. Fireworks follow opening night. The Jumbo Shrimp have home series against Worcester April 1-6, Charlotte April 8-13 and Gwinnett April 22-27.  Info: milb.com/jacksonville  

Icemen 

April 4 vs. Greenville, April 11 vs. Savannah, April 12 vs. Savannah, April 13 vs. Orlando, at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. $30-$82. 

April is the only month in which you can watch professional hockey, baseball and football in Jacksonville, all within a hundred yards or so. The Icemen close the regular season with three consecutive home games. Info: jacksonvilleicemen.com 

Roller Derby

6 p.m. Sunday, April 6, at Skate Station Mandarin. $10.

Watch the New Jax City Rollers take on Orlando’s Magic City Misfits. Info: jaxrollerderby.com

Opening Day, Part II 

6:05 p.m. Sunday, April 6, at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. $15-$150. 

Like their across-the-street neighbors, the Jacksonville Sharks open on the road before playing their first home Indoor Football League game. In April, they’ll play home games against the Vegas Knight Hawks on April 6 and the Massachusetts Pirates on April 19. Info: jaxsharks.com 

Guns N Hoses hockey 

3 p.m. Saturday, April 12, at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. $25-$42. 

Before the Icemen and the Ghost Pirates face off, the ice will be busy with local law enforcement and firefighters going at it on the ice. Info: gunsnhoseshockeyjax.com