Things to do with kids in Jacksonville, FL
Checked · All times are local Eastern Time (Jacksonville time)
Coming up in Jacksonville: Thanksgiving Distance Classic 5K & 1-Mile Turkey Trot (Nov 26), ZOOLights at Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens (from Nov 20), Holiday River Fest: Tree Lighting, Light Boat Parade & Fireworks (Nov 28) and 2 more events. 8 always-open places, led by Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens. Prices and hours come from each official site.
Thanksgiving events in Jacksonville
Thanksgiving Distance Classic 5K & 1-Mile Turkey Trot
- When
- Thu, Nov 26 · Start 6:50am
- Cost
- 1-mile $21 through Nov 25, $25 race day; 5K extra
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Thanksgiving-morning 5K and 1-mile Turkey Trot on San Jose Blvd; every finisher gets a medal.
✓ Checked Oct 26, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Christmas & holiday events: Santa, lights and tree lightings
ZOOLights at Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens
- When
- Fri, Nov 20 – Sun, Jan 3 (Select nights Nov 20–Jan 3) · 6–10pm (timed entry)
- Cost
- Non-members $30 or $35 depending on date (buy online); 2 and under free
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Holiday light displays across the zoo with timed entry and visits with Santa. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas; some nights sell out.
✓ Checked Oct 26, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Holiday River Fest: Tree Lighting, Light Boat Parade & Fireworks
- When
- Sat, Nov 28 · From 5pm; tree lighting 6:25pm; boat parade 6:30pm; fireworks ~8:30pm
- Cost
- No tickets listed
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
The city’s holiday kickoff downtown: family activities and hot cocoa from 5pm, tree lighting at 6:25, the Light Boat Parade at 6:30 and fireworks around 8:30pm.
✓ Checked Oct 26, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Storytimes and free museum days
Little Readers Storytime at the Main Library
- When
- Sat, Oct 31 – Tue, Dec 29 (Tuesdays and Saturdays) · 10:15–10:45am and 11–11:30am
- Cost
- No fee listed
- Ages
- Ages 0-5 · Indoor
Storytime for children from birth to age 5 in the Terry Children’s Theater, with two sessions each Tuesday and Saturday.
✓ Checked Oct 26, 2026 on the organizer's official page
VyStar Free Saturdays at MOCA Jacksonville
- When
- Sat, Oct 31 – Sat, Dec 26 (Every Saturday) · 11am–5pm
- Cost
- Free admission for all visitors on Saturdays
- Ages
- All ages · Indoor
All visitors receive free admission to the Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville every Saturday.
✓ Checked Oct 26, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Always-open family places
Most popular first: zoos, aquariums and museums, then nature spots, parks and libraries. Prices come from each official site; "Not stated" means the site doesn't list one.
Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens
- Price
- Online: adults (13–64) $24.95–$29.95, children (3–12) $19.95–$24.95 depending on date; 2 and under free; $10 more at the gate
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Zoo and botanical gardens; open daily 9am–5pm (last tickets 4pm)
✓ Price verified Oct 26, 2026 · source
Jacksonville Arboretum & Botanical Gardens
- Price
- Adults $3; children 3 and under free
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Wooded trails and gardens; Nov 6–Mar 11 open daily 8am–5pm
✓ Price verified Oct 26, 2026 · source
Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens
- Price
- Adults $20, students (6–17) $18, 5 and under free
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Art museum with riverfront gardens; Tue–Wed 11am–4pm, Thu 11am–8pm, Fri 11am–4pm, Sat 10am–4pm, Sun noon–4pm
✓ Price verified Oct 26, 2026 · source
MOCA Jacksonville
- Price
- Adults $10, children 5 and under free; free admission for all on Saturdays 11am–5pm
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Contemporary art museum downtown; Tue–Sun 11am–5pm
✓ Price verified Oct 26, 2026 · source
Fort Caroline National Memorial
- Price
- $ (estimated price level)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
National Park Service site on the St. Johns River; grounds open Wed–Sun 9am–5pm; closed Thanksgiving, Dec 25 and Jan 1
Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park
- Price
- Not stated. See the official site.
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Oceanfront park with 1.5 miles of beach, a 60-acre lake, a water playground and trails
Memorial Park
- Price
- $ (estimated price level)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Historic Olmsted-designed riverfront park in Riverside
Jacksonville Public Library – Main Library
- Price
- $ (estimated price level)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Downtown library with Little Readers storytimes; Mon–Sat 9am–6pm
Frequently asked questions
What is there to do with kids in Jacksonville this weekend?
This weekend (Oct 30–Nov 1) we list 2 family events in Jacksonville, 1 free: VyStar Free Saturdays at MOCA Jacksonville (Sat, free) and Little Readers Storytime at the Main Library (Sat).
What time is trick-or-treating in Jacksonville?
Sunset on Halloween in Jacksonville is at 6:39 p.m. Jacksonville doesn't list official trick-or-treat hours, so plan around dusk.
What are free things to do with kids in Jacksonville?
These are free according to their official sites: 1 upcoming event in Jacksonville, including VyStar Free Saturdays at MOCA Jacksonville (Oct 31 – Dec 26).
Where can kids play indoors in Jacksonville when it's too hot or rainy?
We list 3 indoor places in Jacksonville: Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens (kids 6–17 $18), MOCA Jacksonville (kids 0–5 free) and Jacksonville Public Library – Main Library.
What Thanksgiving events can I take my kids to in Jacksonville?
We list 1 Thanksgiving event in Jacksonville: Thanksgiving Distance Classic 5K & 1-Mile Turkey Trot (Thu, Nov 26). Our Thanksgiving weekend guide for the Jacksonville area has more nearby.
When and where can kids see Santa in Jacksonville?
We list 1 event with Santa in Jacksonville: ZOOLights at Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens (Nov 20 – Jan 3).
Where can I take my kids to see Christmas lights in Jacksonville?
We list 2 holiday light events in Jacksonville: ZOOLights at Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens (Nov 20 – Jan 3) and Holiday River Fest: Tree Lighting, Light Boat Parade & Fireworks (Nov 28). Our holiday lights guide for the Jacksonville area has more nearby.
Are there storytimes or regular kids' programs in Jacksonville?
We list 2 everyday programs in Jacksonville, 1 free: Little Readers Storytime at the Main Library (Tuesdays and Saturdays) and VyStar Free Saturdays at MOCA Jacksonville (Every Saturday).
What is there to do with toddlers in Jacksonville?
We list 5 places and 1 event in Jacksonville that welcome kids under 2, including Little Readers Storytime at the Main Library (Oct 31 – Dec 29), Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens and Jacksonville Arboretum & Botanical Gardens. See all 6 above. Age ranges for places are our own guidance.
How much do Jacksonville family attractions cost?
Prices from the official sites for 4 places in Jacksonville: Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens (Online: adults, 13–64 $24.95–$29.95, children, 3–12 $19.95–$24.95 depending on date). See all 4 above. Confirm before you go; prices change.
Our weekend search covers Phoenix Metro & Arizona for now, and more areas are coming soon. This guide is hand-checked the same way.
How we build this page: each event comes from the organizer's official website and shows the date we checked it. Prices marked verified were copied from the venue's official site; others show an estimated price level or "Not stated". A place is called free only when its official site says so. Read how we verify listings · Arizona weekend search.
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