Things To Do
Get Downtown! for Nutcracker, Avenue Q & Holiday Entertainment
Downtown's Bi-Weekly Events Listing (Dec 22-Jan 8)
I am counting down the days to the end of the year. The gifts are wrapped, the holiday parties scheduled, and I have just enough room for some Downtown fun. Let's see, I am definitely squeezing in the Christmas Carol and a few live performances before the year end. I'm calling my friends now to plan our New Year Eve's celebration Downtown with fireworks.And, I've got my game face on for the Gator Bowl. End your year with a "bang" Downtown!
New Year Eve's Events
Count down to 2009 with the New Year's Eve Fireworks Spectacular display over the St. Johns River to light up the night sky and celebrate the New Year. Fireworks will be shot from one barge in front of The Jacksonville Landing and another barge in front of the Hyatt Regency Hotel. The fireworks can be viewed from both the Northbank and the Southbank. (Dec 31 at Midnight)
The Mediterranean New Years Eve Party brings something different to Downtown. Enjoy Greek and Mediterranean food, and then dance the night away to the sounds of Greek, Mediterranean and Eastern European Music. Receive party favors and champagne for the Midnight toast. (Dec 31 from 8pm-2am)
Jacksonville Scene's New Year's Eve Party will ring in the new at M.O.S.H. with a live DJ, open bar and light food. Mini golf your way back to the future as you play 9 holes of putt-putt starting in pre-historic Jacksonville all the way to 2009! Then join the midnight champagne toast while you watch the Downtown fireworks. (Dec 31 from 9pm - 2am)
Join The Winebar's New Year's Eve 2008 Party for a front row seat for the fireworks display on the riverwalk. Tickets include a wine card, a hot and cold buffet, and champagne toast at midnight. (Dec 31 from 9pm - 2am)
Join Maverick's for a Smokin Ace's '09 Party, a New Year's Eve celebration. You will dance from one year to the next, get champagne and drink specials all night, along with free party favors and champagne at midnight. (Dec 31 from 9pm - 2am)
Come dressed to kill and receive a free champagne toast and party favors at Twisted Martini's Dress to Kill '09 Party. Enjoy vodka specials throughout the celebration and the New York City simulcast on 15 monitors for the best view. (Dec 31 from 9pm - 2am)
Get Your Game On
With six Heisman trophy winners, 175 All-Americans and excited college football fans, the Konica Minolta Gator Bowl is truly more than a football game...it is a premiere event of Florida's First Coast. Make a day of it:
December 31
Coaches Luncheon Hall of Fame - Take advantage of this great opportunity to meet and greet the coaches and players from the two universities as well as legends from the Gator Bowl past. (starts at 12pm)
Gator Bowl Pep Rallies - Get pumped up for the Gator Bowl Classic! Excited fans are invited to show their team spirit at the pep rallies at The Jacksonville Landing. Join the bands, cheerleaders, and mascots in the excitement. (held at 1:30pm & 5:30pm)
VyStar Credit Union 5K Run - The VyStar Financial Group 5K Run is a great way to get involved with all of the excitement the Gator Bowl has to offer. If running, walking, or biking is your thing, this race is for you. (starts at 2pm)
Winn Dixie Hometown Gator Bowl Parade - This year's "Take a Walk on the Wild Side" themed parade features colorful floats, high school bands, college bands, giant helium balloons, and entertaining specialty units. (starts 3pm)
January 1
Budweiser Tailgate Party - Enjoy the thrill and excitement of college football as thousands of out-of-town fans come together to celebrate their team in a festive and family-oriented atmosphere. The team spirit will ignite with be pep rallies, cheerleaders and bands from both universities that will be sure to ignite the passion in every college football fan. (starts at 10am)
Konica Minolta Gator Bowl Classic - University of Nebraska plays Clemson University for the Gator Bowl championship. Kickoff is at 1 p.m. in the Jacksonville Municipal Stadium.
More Downtown
A Christmas Carol
Florida Theatre | Dec 22 | 7:30pm - 9:30pmHoliday Entertainment at City Hall St. James
City Hall at St. James | Dec 23 | 11:30am - 1:30pm2009 World Tour: Divine Performing Arts
Times Union Center for the Performing Arts | Dec 26 | 8pm - 10pmLast Comic Standing Live Tour
Florida Theatre | Dec 26 | 8pm - 10pmBooks Alive! - Emmet Otters Jug-Band Christmas
Jacksonville Main Library | Dec 30 | 2:30pm