Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, Jacksonville, FL

Spring hasn't fully hit downtown Jacksonville until the Jazz festival rolls around. While some local musicians get their...

Spring hasn't fully hit downtown Jacksonville until the Jazz festival rolls around. While some local musicians get their time in the spotlight, organizers also make sure to land a few national acts like past performers Von Barlow, the Dizzy Gillespie All Star Big Band, vocalist Dianne Reeves and legendary trumpeter Chuck Mangione. Other activities include an art show, wine tasting and jazz brunch.

Hours: Thu, May 24, 2012: 7pm - 10pm Fri, May 25, 2012: 5pm - 11pm Sat, May 26, 2012: 11am - 11pm Sun, May 27, 2012: 11am - 8pm

Steel drums, colorful costumes and outstanding cuisine highlight the bill during this energetic cultural festival, held...

Steel drums, colorful costumes and outstanding cuisine highlight the bill during this energetic cultural festival, held downtown. The revelry kicks off with a spectacular parade on Saturday and then moves on to Metropolitan Park for a day full of great music, food and family fun.

Hours: Event times vary; call for details Sat, Sep 15, 2012: 1pm

From ships to kayaks, more than 150 vessels participate in the Blessing of the Fleet. Rooted in a centuries-old...

From ships to kayaks, more than 150 vessels participate in the Blessing of the Fleet. Rooted in a centuries-old Mediterranean tradition during which sailors and townspeople gathered to pray for safe journeys and plentiful catches, the modern incarnation is a fun, festive boat parade, and some folks really get into festooning their crafts.

Hours: Sun, Apr 15, 2012: 2pm

One thing's for certain, the city of Jacksonville knows how to usher in the New Year! Things kick off early in the...

One thing's for certain, the city of Jacksonville knows how to usher in the New Year! Things kick off early in the morning with a 5-K run that begins at the Landing, and this is followed later in the day by the always-popular Gator Bowl Parade and pep rallies for the college football fans whose teams are playing in the Gator Bowl on New Years Day. In the evening, the focus is once again on the Landing, as the city hosts a 21+ New Year's Eve party, complete with live music, an official countdown and, of course, an awesome fireworks display.

Hours: Event times vary; call for details Mon, Dec 31, 2012

Who needs to celebrate the start of the holiday season with a traditional street parade when you can do it with a...

Who needs to celebrate the start of the holiday season with a traditional street parade when you can do it with a nighttime parade of boats all fancied up with lights and decorations! And if the parade isn't enough to get you in the spirit, there's also a fireworks spectacular that illuminates the night sky and can be seen from just about anywhere in the downtown area.

Hours: Sat, Nov 24, 2012: 7pm

Back in the 1920s, the movie-making industry thrived in Jacksonville, and the city was even billed as the...

Back in the 1920s, the movie-making industry thrived in Jacksonville, and the city was even billed as the \"Hollywood of the South.\" Thanks to the efforts of the JFF organizers, Jacksonville once again grabs the attention of the film world. The festival's focus is on independent films, and the categories range from documentaries to narrative shorts to feature-length productions. Festival-goers can also take part in several associated side-events, including seminars, documentary panels, workshops and even a wine tasting. Venues include the Florida Theatre, Hayden Burns Library, Jacksonville Public Library, MOCA Jacksonville and San Marco Theatre.

Hours: Event times vary; call for details October 2012

Cultures from all over the world seem to converge on Metropolitan Park each spring during the World of Nations...

Cultures from all over the world seem to converge on Metropolitan Park each spring during the World of Nations Celebration. From the parade of flags to storytellers, dancers and musicians, the colors, sounds and flavors of countries as far away as Cambodia, Kenya, Philippines, South Africa and Taiwan are showcased over the course of the weekend. For the general public, things don't really kick off until the International Party on Friday night -- the daytime hours for Thursday and Friday are reserved for school field trips only.

Hours: Fri, May 4, 2012: 5pm - 9pm Sat, May 5, 2012: 10am - 8pm Sun, May 6, 2012: 11am - 6pm

Jacksonville celebrates the Fourth of July in spectacular fashion each year. Highlights during the day include live...

Jacksonville celebrates the Fourth of July in spectacular fashion each year. Highlights during the day include live entertainment, games and interactive areas for the kids in Metropolitan Park, and the nighttime festivities are dominated by the awesome fireworks display that takes place above the downtown skyline.

Hours: Wed, Jul 4, 2012: 10am - Close

SEC football arrives in Jacksonville with a bang each fall when these two traditional powerhouses meet to decide who...

SEC football arrives in Jacksonville with a bang each fall when these two traditional powerhouses meet to decide who gets bragging rights for the next 365 days. Once billed as the "World's Biggest Cocktail Party," the event has chilled out some in recent years -- but that's not to say that Gator and Dawg fans still don't plan for a week-long slate of good times when the date is announced each year!

Hours: Event times vary; call for details October 2012

For sports fans, this game is the highlight of Jacksonville's annual New Years celebration. Indeed, the Gator Bowl has...

For sports fans, this game is the highlight of Jacksonville's annual New Years celebration. Indeed, the Gator Bowl has always drawn big crowds into the city ... and big names, too, as the bowl has seen six Heisman winners and more than 170 All-Americans compete since the inaugural clash between Wake Forest and South Carolina back in 1946.

Hours: Tue, Jan 1, 2013