Dinosaurs, Donny Osmond and other fun things to do in Jacksonville in July
In Florida, things slow down a good bit in the summer as people seek ways to hide out from the heat. But that doesn't mean there's nothing going on around the Jacksonville area.
There are fireworks shows all over the region on the Fourth of July, of course, along with the final Sun-Ray Cinema screenings of "Jaws" and Springfield's throwback baseball game. Hometown heroes Yellowcard are playing a concert. So are New Kids on the Block and Donny Osmond. July also sees dinosaurs and barbers at the Prime Osborn Convention Center and international soccer teams squaring off at EverBank Stadium.
Fireworks
All of these fireworks displays are planned for July 4.
Jacksonville: 4th of July Fireworks Celebration
Jacksonville is once again spreading the fun around the city. Fireworks will be launched at 9 p.m. at Riverfront Plaza, Ray Greene Park, The Avenues mall, Trinity Baptist Church and Ed Austin Regional Park. Info: specialevents.coj.net
St. Augustine: Fireworks Over the Matanzas
St. Augustine’s All Star Orchestra plays patriotic favorites at 6 p.m., followed by a 20-minute fireworks display over Matanzas Bay starting at 9:30 p.m. Info: citystaug.com
Keystone Heights: 56th Annual 4th of July Celebration
There’s an 8 a.m. 5K run, an 11 a.m. Sound of Freedom Parade, a daylong festival, a 5 p.m. concert by Paul Wane and 9:30 p.m. fireworks at Keystone Beach Park. Info: exploreclay.com
Orange Park: American Pride 4th of July
Free event starts at 5 p.m. at Moosehaven with a kids’ zone, live music, food trucks and fireworks at 9:15 p.m. Info: moosehaven.org
Jacksonville Beach
Live patriotic music at Seawalk Pavilion starts at 8 p.m., fireworks start at 9 p.m. Info: jacksonvillebeach.org
Hilliard and Callahan: Independence Day Celebration
Hilliard, Callahan and Nassau County join forces for watermelon-eating contests, food trucks and fireworks at 9 p.m. at the fairgrounds in Callahan. Info: facebook.com
Glen St. Mary: Freedom Celebration 2024
Live music, raffles and fireworks at Souls Harbor Church, starting at 7:30 p.m. Info: facebook.com
Clay County: Food Trucks & Fireworks
Russell Baptist Church on Sandridge Road is the venue for food trucks and fireworks. Info: russellbaptist.com
Palm Coast: United Flagler 4th
Palm Coast, Flagler Beach, Bunnell and Flagler County are throwing a joint celebration, with a parade down A1A in Flagler Beach and fireworks at 9 p.m. at Flagler Executive Airport. Info: unitedflagler4th.com
Fernandina Beach: Hometown 4th of July
Festivities start at 6 p.m. in downtown Fernandina Beach, with a DJ, food trucks and vendors. Fireworks start at 9 p.m. over the marina. Info: fbfl.us
St. Marys, Ga.: Independence Day Festival
Live entertainment and vendors at St. Marys Waterfront Park, followed by 9:15 p.m. fireworks. Info: visitstmarys.com
Things to do: Find more fun events in Jacksonville and Northeast Florida
Concerts
T-Pain
7 p.m. Tuesday, July 2, at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre. $34.50-$74.50.
Even if you don’t care for T-Pain's over-the-top style, you have to give the guy credit for calling his summerlong trek the Mansion in Wiscansin Party. LaRussell, NandoSTL and Young Ca$h are also on the bill. Info: theamp.com
Buddy Guy
7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 20, at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre. $44-$144. Tickets for Oct. 20, 2023, show will be honored.
The timeless bluesman, who turns 88 this month, intended to wrap his Damn Right Farewell Tour last summer, but life got in the way. This could be your last chance to catch an absolute master pickin’ on his polka-dot guitar. Info: theamp.com
New Kids on the Block with Paula Abdul and DJ Jazzy Jeff
7 p.m. Sunday, July 21, at Daily's Place. $49.95-$99.95.
OMG, how MTV-era can you get? The five members of the classic NKOTB lineup are all signed up for the tour and they’re bringing along Paula Abdul, who hasn’t toured since 2018. Info: dailysplace.com
Third Eye Blind
6:30 p.m. Friday, July 26, at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. $26.66-$266.
Third Eye Blind is celebrating the 25th anniversary of it’s breakthrough, “Jumper,” and headlining the show, but it’s a fair guess that many in the crowd will be there to see opening act Yellowcard doing a hometown gig. Info: jaxevents.com
Donny Osmond
8 p.m. Saturday, July 27, at the Florida Theatre. $50.50-$200.50.
Back when he was a little kid hamming it up on Andy Williams’ show, who would have guessed Donnie would release 65 albums, sell 100 million records and become a Las Vegas staple? Info: floridatheatre.com
Jeezy
8 p.m. Saturday, July 27, at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. $69-$300.
The 2024 Statewide Emergency Tour promises Jeezy, Plies “and friends.” For the Jacksonville show, it looks like Rob49, Bossman Dlow and JT will be on the bill. Info: jaxevents.com
Other concerts coming to the region in July:
JP Soars and the Red Hots, 8 p.m. Friday, July 5, at Cafe Eleven in St. Augustine. $20-$30.
Drake Bell, 7 p.m. Saturday, July 6, at Kona Skatepark. $30.
Doobie Brothers, with the Robert Cray Band, 7 p.m. Monday, July 8, at Daily's Place. $59.50.
Dollyrots, 8 p.m. Thursday, July 11, at Jack Rabbits. $20.
Bumpin' Uglies with Ballyhoo!, 7 p.m. Friday, July 12, at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre Backyard Stage. $30-$34.
Xscape and SWV, 7 p.m. Friday, July 12, at Daily's Place. $29.25-$114.25.
Quad City DJs, 8 p.m. Saturday, July 13, at the Florida Theatre. $39-$59.
Larry McCray, 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 17, at the Ritz Theatre. $35-$40.
Two Door Cinema Club, with Flipturn, 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 17, at Daily's Place. $29.25-$69.25.
Ro James and Tweet, 8 p.m. Saturday, July 20, at the Moran Theater. $65-$90.
Iration and Pepper, 7 p.m. Sunday, July 21, at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre. $44-$54.
Lamb of God and Mastadon, with Kerry King & Malevolence, 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 23, at Daily's Place. $39.25-$69.25.
Elevation Worship, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 24, at Daily’s Place. $19.50-$89.50.
Sam Hunt, with Russell Dickerson and George Birge, 7 p.m. Thursday, July 25, at Daily's Place. $29.50-$109.50.
Rickolus, 7 p.m. Sunday, July 28, at Jack Rabbits. $10.
Cassadee Pope, 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 30, at Underbelly. $20-$70.
Chief Keef, with Lil Gnar and the Glo Boyz, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 31, at Daily's Place. $39.50-$79.50.
Tributes
Dean Z: The Ultimate Elvis (Elvis Presley tribute), 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 12, at the Moran Theater. $39.50-$107.50.
Medal Militia (Metallica tribute), with Maiden Mania (Iron Maiden tribute) and Highway to Hell’s Bells (AC/DC tribute), 7 p.m. Friday, July 26, at Underbelly. $15-$20.
Brothers Again (Allman Brothers Band tribute), 8 p.m. Friday, July 26, at the Florida Theatre. $39.
Get Closer (Linda Ronstadt tribute), 3 p.m. Sunday, July 14, at Story & Song Art Gallery, Fernandina Beach. $35.
Comedy
Comedians in Drag Doing Comedy
8 p.m. Wednesday, July 3, at Cafe Eleven in St. Augustine
Comedians who don’t ordinarily cross-dress do just that for a night of jokes and lip-synching, followed by a Miss St. Augustine Beach contest. Info: originalcafe11.com
DL Hughley
4, 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday, July 6; 4 and 7 p.m. Sunday, July 7, at the Comedy Zone. $40-$50.
You can tell a comedian is really in demand when he books a pair of shows at 4 in the afternoon. Hughley is a best-selling author, wildly popular radio host and an actor. Info: comedyzone.com
Other Comedy Zone shows in July:
Corey Holcomb, 7:15 and 9:45 p.m. Friday, July 12; 4, 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday, July 13. $40-$50.
David Lucas, 7:15 p.m. Thursday, July 18; 7: 15 and 9:45 p.m. Friday, July 19; 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday, July 20. $25-$30.
Ellen Skrmetti, 7:15 p.m. Tuesday, July 23. $25-$50.
Akaash Singh, 7:15 and 9:45 p.m. Friday, July 26; 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday, July 27. $25-$45.
Sebastian Maniscalco
7 p.m. Thursday, July 18, at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. $36.41-$575.
Sebastian Mansiscalco just looks like he ought to be a mobster, which is probably why he keeps getting cast as mobsters (“The Irishman,” “Green Book”). He’s also darned funny, which is probably why he’s touring arenas this summer. Info: jaxevents.com
Tony Tone
7 p.m. Friday, July 19, at Breezy Jazz House. $35-$60.
The monthly Phatt Katz comedy series brings in headliner Tony Tone, features Jenn Weeks and guest Terry Harris. Info: phattkatz.com
Brew Ha Ha
7:30 p.m. Monday, July 22, at SJ Brewing Co., Yulee
Improv comics from the Blue Fire Theatre troupe take their act to a brewery. Info: bluefiretheatre.org
Clean Comedy Series
7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 27, at Murray Hill Theatre. $20-$25.
Murray Hill is a Christian club, so you wouldn’t expect a dirty show, would you? Marcus Crespo and Dan Venti are on the bill, Mike Freed is the host. Info: murrayhilltheatre.com
Events
IllumiNights
July 1-6, 12, 13, 19, 26, 27 and 28 at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens
The zoo reopens at 6:30 p.m. on select nights for special animal encounters and lights strung through the zoo grounds. Info: jacksonvillezoo.org
Billy Jonas
July 2 at the Florida Theatre
Jonas uses music to teach kids about the science of sound. His shows are hands-on and aimed at kids in grades K-5. Info: floridatheatre.com
Oakfest
July 3-7 at Colonial Oak Music Park, St. Augustine
You’ve probably walked right past Colonial Oak Music Park, right off St. George Street, without even noticing it’s there. The venue celebrates its eighth year with five nights of free music. Info: colonialoakmusicpark.com
‘Jaws’
July 4 at Sun-Ray Cinema
Sun-Ray Cinema's lease is running out, but not before one last Fourth of July filled with "Jaws." The ultimate summer blockbuster screens at 9:45 a.m. and 12:15, 2:45, 5:15 and 7:45 p.m. on Independence Day. $8.75-$10.75. Info: sunraycinema.com
Throwback baseball game
July 4 at Klutho Park
Watch residents of the Eastside of Springfield face off against residents of the Westside of Springfield in a throwback baseball game, complete with old-school uniforms and equipment at Klutho Park. The Ebbtides Barbershop Quartet sings the National Anthem at 10:45 a.m., followed by the game at 11 a.m. Free.
Dog Days of Summer
July 6 at the Jacksonville Arboretum & Botanical Gardens
Bring Fido along for an evening stroll through the arboretum grounds. They’ll have food trucks, live music and vendors on hand. Info: jacksonvillearboretum.org
Cosmic Concerts
July 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27 and 28 at MOSH
Lean back in the Bryan-Gooding Planetarium and watch lasers flash across the dome to your favorite music, including Queen, Genesis, Motown and Pink Floyd. Info: themosh.org
Hot as Hell Karaoke
July 8 at Underbelly
Karaoke is one thing; karaoke after slugging down a shot of hot sauce is something else entirely. But, hey, there’s a $200 prize on the line. Info: underbellyjax.com
Fun in the Sun
July 11 at Vera Francis Hall Park, Green Cove Springs
Free children’s event includes face painting, water activities and frozen treats. Info: exploreclay.com
Untold Stories
July 11 at the Florida Theatre
The local storytellers series continues with Amaris DeLeon, Jaiquan Tyre, Renay Daigle and Thony Aiuppy riffing on the topic of “summer.” Info: floridatheatre.com
Jurassic Quest
July 12-14 at the Prime Osborn Convention Center. $22-$36.
The traveling dinosaur show returns to Jacksonville, with life-size dinosaurs that look so real you sometimes forget that they’re extinct. Info: jurassicquest.com
Bridge of Lions 5K
July 13 in St. Augustine
If you’re going to run anyway, you might as well do it on one of the most scenic courses anywhere. Info: visitstaugustine.com
Cartoon Rave
July 13 at Underbelly
“The Simpsons” has a great theme song, but could you dance to it? Cartoon music will be the focus of this dance party. Info: underbellyjax.com
Family Movie Night
July 13 at 121 Financial Ballpark
The Jumbo Shrimp are on the road, so the ballpark is available to show “Kung Fu Panda 4” on the big video screen. Bring your own blanket and sit on the field, or take a seat in the stands. Admission is $1. Info: jaxevents.com
Swing Dance Night
July 13 at the Murray Hill Theatre
How’s your Lindy Hop? The Christian club offers lessons and a swing dance contest. Info: murrayhilltheatre.com
Papercutting workshop
July 13 at MOCA Jacksonville
Papercutting master Hironi Moneyhun shows you how it’s done. Info: mocajacksonville.unf.edu
Ruth Coe Chambers
July 16 at the BookMark, Neptune Beach
Chambers, who lives in Neptune Beach, will be on hand to meet fans and sign copies of her latest novel, “The Receding Tide.” Info: bookmarkbeach.com
Enchantment Con
July 27 at the Glass Factory
Different “realms” will be set up to appeal to fans of fantasy, sci-fi, anime and dark worlds. Info: enchantmentcon.com
Summertime in the City
July 27 at James Weldon Johnson Park
Live music, dance battles and artists are part of the event that celebrates Jacksonville’s urban arts scene. Info: jamesweldonjohnsonpark.org
Jax Elite Barber Expo
July 27-28 at the Prime Osborn Convention Center
For some, getting a haircut is a chore. For these folks, it’s a lifestyle. The event includes educational seminars, live demonstrations and competitions. Info: jaxeliteexpo.com
Theater
‘Seussical the Musical’
Through July 7 at The Island Theater, Fleming Island
The Cat in the Hat leads an adventure into the Jungle of Nool. Info: theislandtheater.com
‘Always a Bridesmaid’
Through July 7 at the Limelight Theatre, St. Augustine
Four friends vow to be in each other’s weddings. The results aren’t so wonderful. Info: limelight-theatre.org
‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’
Through Aug. 11 at Alhambra Theatre & Dining
The Tim Rice/Andrew Lloyd Webber biblical blockbuster is a family favorite. Info: alhambrajax.com
‘Legally Blonde: The Musical’
July 5-20 at Amelia Musical Playhouse, Fernandina Beach
Can a spoiled sorority princess cut it at Harvard Law? The hit Reese Witherspoon film gets the musical stageshow treatment. Info: ameliamusicalplayhouse.com
‘Alice Rocks Wonderland’
July 9 at the Florida Theatre
Alice in Wonderland characters come to life in a rocking musical aimed at kids in grades K-5. Info: floridatheatre.com
‘Peter Pan’
July 12-21 at the Island Theater, Fleming Island
A thousand different versions have diluted the tale of Peter, Wendy and the Lost Boys. This production goes back to the original book to get it right. Info: theislandtheater.com
‘Urinetown: The Musical’
July 12-27 at the Florida Ballet
Jacksonville’s 5&Dime theater troupe shares the dystopian tale of a world where private toilets are against the law. Info: the5anddime.org
‘Baskerville’
July 12-27 at Lewis Auditorium, St. Augustine
Five actors play 40 roles in this comic treatment of Sherlock Holmes’ adventures. Info: apextheatrejax.com
‘Slow Burn’
July 12-27 at San Marco Church
Jacksonville’s Lumen Repertory Theatre pairs two of Edward Albee’s one-act plays, “The American Dream” and “Zoo Story.” Info: lumenrep.org
‘Tarzan’
July 12-28 at Players by the Sea, Jacksonville Beach
Most of the characters in this play, based on the Disney film, are gorillas. Should make for some interesting casting choices. Info: playersbythesea.org
'The SpongeBob Musical’
July 13-Aug. 3 at the Spotlight Events Center, Fleming Island
The adventures of Squidward, SpongeBob, Patrick and the gang are set to music. Info: spotlighteventscenter.com
‘Disney’s Beauty and the Beast’
July 19-28 at the Wilson Center at FSCJ South Campus
Theater kids have been rehearsing all summer to learn their parts. They’ll put on six performances. Info: fscjartistseries.org
‘9 to 5: The Musical’
July 19-Aug. 11 at the Limelight Theatre, St. Augustine
Tumble outta bed and stumble to the kitchen, the Dolly Parton/Lily Tomlin/Jane Fonda workplace comedy has become a musical. Info: limelight-theatre.org
‘Sister Act’
July 25-Aug. 17 at the Spotlight Events Center, Fleming Island
A showgirl hides out from hoodlums in a convent in this Whoopie Goldberg movie turned stage musical. Info: spotlighteventscenter.com
‘The Lightning Thief’
July 26-28 at the Island Theater, Fleming Island
Percy Jackson has powers he never imagined in this staging of the popular YA novel. Info: theislandtheater.com
‘Shrek Jr.’
July 27-28 at Lewis Auditorium, St. Augustine
Penguin Project shows like this one pair young “mentors” with special-needs “actors” to present a family-friendly stage show. Info: apextheatrejax.com
Sports
Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
July 1-3, 19-21 and 30-31 at 121 Financial Ballpark
The Shrimp have July homestands against the Charlotte Knights, Durham Bulls and Lehigh Valley IronPigs. Info: milb.com/jacksonville
Jacksonville Sharks
July 13 and 20 at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena
It’s Christmas in July when the Sharks welcome the Green Bay Blizzard for an indoor football game on July 13, and Military Appreciation Night a week later for the Quad City Steamwheelers. Info: jaxsharks.com
The Stateside Cup
July 27 at EverBank Stadium
Three English soccer teams are doing a weeklong barnstorming tour of U.S. stadiums that sees Wolverhampton Wanderers FC (aka The Wolves) take on West Ham United FC in Jacksonville in the inaugural Stateside Cup. Info: statesidecup.com
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Fun things to do in the Jacksonville area this July
