Warm weather, longer days, frequent ice-cream trips and tons of fun in the sun must mean one thing, Summer is here! Downtown Jacksonville is definitely a place you should add to your “to visit” list this summer because there’s a lot of fun and interesting activities and events taking place. Don’t believe me? Just take a look.
Museum of Science and History $5 Fridays
When: June 2 – ongoing
Where: The Museum of Science and History
The MOSH Museum offers $5 deals each and every Friday. From 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. families will have the opportunity to explore exhibits, learn about the artist behind the exhibits, and mingle with other children
Hand-Pulled Lollipop Class
When: June 5 – June 30 (no class offered June 23, 2017)
Where: 400 N. Hogan St.
Cost: $15.00
Ever wanted to learn how to make the sweets that you love? Sweet Pete’s allows your little ones to be hands on by turning boiled sugar into hand pulled lollipops. The class is one hour long and the cost is $18.00. It also includes a scoop of ice cream!
Free Sing & Play Discovery Day Class with Jacksonville Children’s Chorus
When: June 5 – 8 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 p.m. (times may vary)
Where: 225 E. Duval Street, Jacksonville, Florida 32202
Ages: 18 months – 4 years old
Experience a fun day of music with Jacksonville’s Children Chorus. Learn how to play simple instruments, finger plays and much more! Parents have the option to choose from one of the classes and times listed below:
June 5-8 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. (2 ½ – 4 years old) 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. (18 mos – 4 years old) June 10, 2017 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. ( 2 ½ – 4 years old) 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. ( 18 mos- 2 ½ years old) 11:30 – 12:30 p.m. ( 2 ½ – 4 years old)
Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp Games
When: All summer long! Check out the schedule here.
Where: 301 A. Philip Randolph Blvd.
Pack the kiddo’s up and enjoy a family day of baseball. Go Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp!
Sweet Pete’s Candy Toddler Time
When: June 6, 2017, 11:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
Where: 400 N. Hogan St.
Cost: $7.50
Ages: 2 -4 years old
Enjoy an exciting story accompanied by a sweet treat based on the story read by Sweet Pete’s. It can’t get any sweeter than that!
First Wednesday Art Walk
When: June 7, 2017 5:00 p.m.- 9:00 p.m.
Where: Downtown Jacksonville
Cost: FREE
Take a family trip to Downtown Jacksonville this Wednesday to admire more than 60 participating Downtown businesses, eat delicious food from the food trucks, drink beer and wine, enjoy new artists, and socialize.
Jacksonville Zoo: Zoofari Outreach
When: June 15, 2017 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Where: 202 North Laura Street
Cost: FREE
Ages: 5 -12
The zoo comes to the library! Do you and your family want the opportunity to see and interact with animals but you don’t want to undergo the process of commuting to the zoo? This opportunity is perfect for you and your family! Not only will you be able to examine the animals face-to-face, you will also be able to learn about their biology and habitats.
Free Show with Theatreworks Jax- Doug Berky “Gems: The World’s Wisdom Stories”
When: June 15, 2017 11:00 a.m.
Where: The Florida Theatre, 128 East Forsyth Street
Cost: FREE
Ages: All ages are welcomed
Doug Berky’s approach to telling stories is like no other, he implements improvisation, mime, mask, voice, puppetry and much more to make your experience a good one. Pack up the kiddos and bring them to this exciting show.
Books & Bricks
When: August 1, 2017 2:00 p.m.- 3:00 p.m.
Where: 303 N. Laura Street
Cost: FREE
Children have the opportunity to read an interesting book and build a cool lego bricks masterpiece. Bring your listening ears and creativity. The library has a lot of ongoing events for children of all ages, check out their full calendar here.
MOSH Science and History Boat Tours with St. Johns River Taxi
When: Every Saturday!
Where: 1025 Museum Circle
Cost: $15.00 for adults, $12.00 for children under 12
Grab your hats, sunscreen, and sunglasses to enjoy a day of science and history while relaxing on the St. Johns River Taxi. Get your tickets here.
Jacksonville Sharks Games
When: All summer long! Check the schedule here.
Where: 300 A. Philip Randolph Blvd.
Cost: Price varies based upon seating location, refer to website for more information
Enjoy a cool family day of inside football with the Jacksonville Sharks. Expect to see the Attack Dancers and Mascot Chum!
Museum of Science and History Little Learners
When: Second Wednesday of every month
Where: 1025 Museum Circle
Cost: $5 per person (FREE for ages 2 & under)
Is your child obsessed with pirates or find them to be very interesting? MOSH invites your family to hunt for hidden treasure while learning about everything pirate!
Rock The Block Gummy Fest at Sweet Pete’s Candy
When: June 23, 2017 4:30 p.m.- 8:30 p.m.
Where: Sweet Pete’s and Candy Apple Cafe
Cost: $5
Join us for a night of gummy tasting, food, libations, music, games and prizes as we rock the block at our downtown Hogan Street location. That’s right! Sweet Pete’s Candy and The Candy Apple Cafe and Cocktails is throwing the sweetest block party Jacksonville has ever seen. Enjoy over 10 samples of exclusive Sweet Pete’s gummies, as we party down and celebrate the chewiest of treats!
The 5 & Dime Theatre Summer Camp
When: All throughout July. Schedule varies by age group. See the schedule here.
Where: The 5 & Dime, a Theatre Company
Cost: Varies by age group, find info here.
The 5 & Dime, a Theatre Company is hosting a new summer camp program in partnership with Shortstack Theatre Company. Shortstack is the passion project of recent graduates from Jacksonville’s Douglas Anderson School of the Arts. These students, who are currently pursuing fine arts degrees at colleges around the country, have returned home for the summer to share their love of theatre with the next generation of rising stars. The summer camp will consist of three one-week programs in July: the Flapjacks Acting Camp for five to 10 year-olds and the Hotcakes Acting Camp and Silver Dollar Musical Theatre Camp for rising sixth through tenth graders.
Jacksonville Public Parks
Where: There are over 10 parks in Downtown! Check out a full list here.
Cost: FREE!
Nothing says summertime like a family day at the park. In Downtown, we are lucky to have all sorts of parks – playgrounds, waterfront parks, walking trails and more!