Jacksonville, Florida, is a magical place to spend your Holiday break. In addition to our many beautiful outdoor spots, beaches, restaurants, shops and natural landscapes, the Christmas season brings out another side of Jacksonville, a brighter side. We are proud of our many beautiful lights displayed all around town and I’d love to share with you where to find your shimmer and shine this holiday season.
There are nearly too many favorites to mention, so to make it easier. Here are our top 3 spots for Jacksonville holiday light hot spots. Enjoy!
Deck the Chairs
Our favorite local place to hang out and see gorgeous holiday lights each season, is at Deck the Chairs in Jacksonville Beach. Deck the Chairs is FREE and takes place directly at the pier in Jacksonville Beach. The lights displayed are not only beautiful but offer displays planned, put together and organized by many of our local schools and businesses.
In addition to these displays, there is always quite a massive display made entirely of trash and recyclables picked up along our beaches. This display is both gorgeous and a reminder of how important is to protect our oceans from trash.
One of the best ways to arrive at Deck the Chairs is via golf cart. We enjoy cruises along 1st street and viewing the many houses adorned with Christmas lights on our way to the Jacksonville Pier. Once you park near the pier, you will walk toward the amphitheater and slowly walk through each display, enjoying the varying themes.
A large tent of hot cocoa, snacks, treats, and souvenirs is also at the center of it all. We highly recommend getting on your golf cart (or renting one from us) and putting this display at the top of your list this holiday season. The main reason it tops our list is that it’s FREE, can be enjoyed together with friends and you can easily make a whole evening of it by walking to dinner at one of the many awesome restaurants in Jacksonville Beach before or after you enjoy Deck the Chairs!
There are also musical performances nightly on the amphitheater stage while you stroll around. Be sure to check their schedule of events, and plan ahead!
Christmas at the Jacksonville Zoo
The Jacksonville Zoo is one of our favorite local destinations at any time of the year. But at Christmas time especially, they truly outdo themselves.
From annual Christmas lights to unique events, like this year’s Colors of the Wild & lantern display, you are sure to be completely amazed by the magnificent displays. It’s a one-of-a-kind Jacksonville gem that people travel from all around to experience.
Not only will you enjoy these amazing lighting displays, but you’ll immerse yourself in the holiday experience with hot chocolate, gourmet treats, delicious foods and treats and enjoy the various interactive displays and light shows throughout the zoo. Kids can enjoy interactive experiences such as giant light up piano keys on the floor, laser light shows, glowing swings, and so much more.
This year’s Colors of the Wild event will be running throughout the winter, but you’ll want to purchase your tickets ahead of time, plan and check their schedule.
BlackHawk Bluff Neighborhood Drive
Black Hawk Bluff is a neighborhood located just off Girvin in Jacksonville, Florida. While it used to be a sort of local secret, word has spread more over the years about this amazing neighborhood and its lights display.
Traffic can get quite backed up, so we recommend going as soon as it’s dark to enjoy the lights. They are on display beginning Thanksgiving Day typically and are displayed until New Year’s Day.
The absolute best way to view these lights is from your golf cart, or from one of ours! But if you don’t have a golf cart, riding with your windows down will do just fine.
The closer you get to Christmas, the more congested this area will get so definitely plan to go earlier in the holiday season. We love this neighborhood and the hard work the residents put into their displays each year. Riding around, listening to Christmas music, relaxing and looking at spectacular lights- what can be better than that?
Conclusion:
Even though these are our top three choices, there are so many more great options from the Jacksonville Arboretum & Botanical Gardens, to Sweet Pete’s Chocolate & Candy Factory in downtown Jacksonville. You can find a new and awesome display every single day of your Christmas season!
