If you really, really love going to the circus you’re going to have a good January. Four circuses will make stops in Northeast Florida during the month, putting on a total of 20 performances. For the first time in six years, that includes Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, which has returned to the road with animal-free shows.

If that’s not your thing, we have concerts, comedians and classical music, barbecue, basketball and a boat show, plus wrestlers, magicians, cowboys, performing dogs and the former Dread Pirate Roberts coming to town.

Events

First Day Beach Cleanup

Jan. 1 at Anastasia State Park, St. Augustine 

Even if you weren’t one of the people who trashed the beach with New Year’s Eve fireworks, cleaning it up is a good cause that will pay off in karma points later. The park will provide buckets and trash pickers, but really, you can pick any beach in Florida and you’ll probably find something that shouldn’t be there. Info: floridastateparks.org

First Day Hikes

Jan. 1 at Ravine Gardens State Park, Palatka 

State parks across the country offer guided hikes every Jan. 1 to kick off the new year. Ravine Gardens State Park, a hidden gem in Palatka, has one starting at 10 a.m. on Jan. 1. It's free with $5-per-vehicle park admission.

Venardos Circus

11 a.m, 2 and 5 p.m. Jan. 1 at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre 

The old-fashioned, animal-free Venardos Circus has been putting on shows under a huge red-and-white striped big-top tent in the St. Augustine Amphitheatre parking lot for a couple of weeks and will wrap up its run with three New Year’s Day performances. Info: theamp.com

Beyond King Tut: The Immersive Experience

Through Jan. 7 at the NoCo Center, downtown Jacksonville 

The high-tech look at the boy king wraps up its long run in Jacksonville in early January. It’s an eye-popping show that takes visitors through the culture of ancient Egyptian life and afterlife before leading them to a room where the whole tale is played out through projections that cover every space, including you. Info: beyondkingtut.com

Nights of Lights

Through Jan. 28 in downtown St. Augustine

St. Augustine’s historic district is pretty enough already; add three million lights and it's something special. The free display remains up through most of January. Info: visitstaugustine.com

Colors of the Wild

Thursday through Sunday evenings at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens 

The zoo's new after-hours lighted show isn’t necessarily holiday-themed; it's an Asian lantern festival, and it will remain up until Feb. 18, with more than 70 lighted displays spread throughout the zoo grounds, with each telling a story about the importance of conservation. Info: jacksonvillezoo.org

Elvis Birthday Bash

Jan. 5 at the Florida Theatre 

Elvis Presley famously played six performances in two days at the downtown venue in 1956. The King would turn 89 on Jan. 8, so the Florida Theatre is celebrating with “young Elvis” impersonator Scot Bruce and “Vegas Elvis” impersonator Mike Albert, both backed by the Big E Band. Info: floridatheatre.com

Jimmy Jam BBQ Slam and Car Show

Jan. 6 at the St. Johns County Fairgrounds, Elkton 

Barbecue, chowder, live music, vendors and a cornhole tournament, plus classic cars, trucks and motorcycles, celebrate the life of James “Jimmy Jam” Wray of St. Augustine, who loved such things. Info: visitstaugustine.com

Matt Fraser

Jan. 7 at the Florida Theatre 

“America’s Top Psychic Medium” is doing live readings on stage, so if you have some deep, dark secrets you don’t want exposed, you might think twice. Info: floridatheatre.com

St. Augustine Film Festival

Jan. 11-14 at Lewis Auditorium and other St. Augustine venues 

The 14^th annual festival features dozens of independent and foreign films, wrapping with “Albert and Claude,” which is set in Northeast Florida in the 1500s and was written and directed by Jacksonville University’s Alex David Willemin. Info: staugfilmfest.com

Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast

Jan. 12 at the Prime Osborn Convention Center 

After years of division, the city and the Jacksonville branch of the NAACP will come together as one to break bread in Dr. King’s honor. There is also a student essay contest and a week of service tied to the event. “Love and Light, Strength Through Unity” will be the theme. Info: jaxmlkbreakfast.com

Bicentennial celebration

Jan. 13 on Tinker Street, Wildlight

Nassau County turns 200 at the end of the year, but the party is starting early with food trucks, a cornhole tournament and live music from Flipturn, Honey Hounds, The Band Be Easy and Firewater Tent Revival. Info: nassaufl2050.com

Big Chilly Polar Plunge & Chili Cookoff

Jan. 13-14 at the Guy Harvey Resort, St. Augustine Beach 

Raise money for the Matanzas Riverkeeper by jumping into the ocean and participating (or just chowing down) in the International Chili Society-sanctioned cookoff, which includes a vegetarian category. Info: guyharveyoutpost.com

ERTH’s Dinosaur Zoo Live

Jan. 14 at the Florida Theatre 

Actors and puppeteers trace 65 million years of evolution in a show that’s sure to thrill any dinosaur-loving kid. Info: floridatheatre.com

Reza: Edge of Illusion

Jan. 14 at the Moran Theater 

Want to see a guy walk through the blades of an industrial fan and live to tell about it? Reza’s shows combine theatrical rock production with mind-boggling illusions. Info: fscjartistseries.com

Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration – Honoring Coretta

Jan. 15 at the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens 

The Cummer turns the focus to MLK’s wife with a day of free activities including films, a scavenger hunt, a prayer for peace and performances by the Jacksonville Arts & Music School Youth Chorus and the Ritz Chamber Players. Info: cummermuseum.org

Shen Yun

Jan. 16 at the Thrasher-Horne Center, Orange Park 

Jan. 30-31 at the Moran Theater 

Musicians and dancers recreate 5,000 years of Chinese history, legends and dynasties. Info: shenyun.com

Florida Forum

Jan. 17 at the Moran Theater

Apple founder Steve Wozniak shares tales from a lifetime at the heart of the computer industry. Info: womensboardwch.com

Forward Thinking: Together Against Hate

Jan. 18 at the Jacksonville Main Library 

Rebekah McLeod Hutto of Jacksonville’s Interfaith Center leads a panel discussion about how the community deals with prejudices in faith, race, antisemitism, ethnicity, LGBTQ+, gender and diverse abilities. Info: events.jaxpubliclibrary.org

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus

Jan. 19-21 at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena

It’s been six years since the Greatest Show on Earth has rolled into town, and it’s a different show these days. Gone are all of the animal acts, replaced by 75 human performers from 18 countries. And good news for coulrophobes – they've also done away with face-painted clowns. The circus will be in town for six performances. Info: vystararena.com

Jax Urban Book Festival

Jan. 20 at James Weldon Johnson Park 

Authors will be on hand to meet readers, plus masterclass seminars are planned to help aspiring authors. Info: jaxurbanbookfest.com

Mutts Gone Nuts Unleashed!

Jan. 20 at the Florida Theatre 

Most of us are lucky if we can get Fido to roll over, but these folks have their pooches trained to do all sorts of tricks and stunts. There’s a comedian on the bill to keep things moving along. Info: floridatheatre.com

Grand Shanghai Circus

Jan. 20 at the Wilson Center, FSCJ South Campus 

The Amazing Acrobats of Shanghai will do a couple of shows for local school groups before putting on a full public performance, with acrobats, dancers and colorful costumes. Info: fscjartistseries.org

Roaring ‘20s on the River

Jan. 20 at Club Continental, Orange Park 

An heir to the Palmolive fortune built a home on the banks of the St. Johns River in 1923. What better place to step back a century for an evening of dining and dancing? The gala is a fundraiser for the Orange Park Women’s Club. Info: orangeparkwomensclub.com

Local Fest

Jan. 20 at Seawalk Pavilion 

First-time festival is aimed at promoting local businesses, restaurants, food trucks, crafters and bakers by giving them a chance to show the people what they’re about. Info: localfest.net

‘Batman’ in Concert

Jan. 21 at the Florida Theatre 

We’ve seen so many Batman movies over the years that they tend to run together, but the 1989 Tim Burton film, with Michael Keaton and Jack Nicholson, stands out from the crowd. It will be shown on a big screen while a live orchestra plays the musical score. Fans are encouraged to dress as their favorite DC superhero (but leave the Batarang at home, please). Info: floridatheatre.com

Garden Bros. Nuclear Circus

Jan. 25-28 at Northside Plaza 

An old-fashioned five-ring circus promises a human cannonball AND a human slingshot. The show, billed billed as “Humans Gone Wild,” has ten performances scheduled under the bigtop. Info: gardenbrosnuclearcircus.com

‘The Princess Bride’: An Inconceivable Evening with Cary Elwes

Jan. 26 at the Florida Theatre 

The classic fairytale film will be shown, then Westley himself will be on hand to share tales about his experiences on the set. Info: floridatheatre.com

Emo Night Karaoke

Jan. 26 at Jack Rabbits 

The San Marco rock club will put a live band onstage, then invite you up to be the lead singer. Choose from more than 80 songs by Paramore, Taking Back Sunday, Yellowcard, Sum 41, Fall Out Boy and others. Bring your own earplugs. Info: jaxlive.com

Jacksonville Boat Show

Jan. 26-28 at the Prime Osborn Convention Center 

You can’t go anywhere in Jacksonville without crossing a bridge. Wouldn’t it be nice to be traveling under it next time? The indoor show will have boats, personal watercraft, equipment, fishing seminars and kids’ fishing clinics. Info: boatjax.com

Veterans Stand Down

Jan. 26-27 at the Jacksonville Fairgrounds 

The city’s Military Affairs & Veterans Department welcomes all veterans to a two-day event where they can find help with employment, housing, health and other issues. Info: jacksonville.gov

The Stompdown

Jan. 27 at UNF’s Lazzara Performance Hall 

Synchronized step dancing looks easy if you’re sitting in the crowd. The nation’s largest step production brings together high school, college and independence dance groups for one big show. Info: thestompdown.com

Yesterdays Festival

Jan. 27 at Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park 

The park between Middleburg and Keystone Heights is the site for a festival celebrating the old days, with antique steam engines and tractors, re-enactors and live music. Info: floridastateparks.org

Animation Academy Mini-Con

Jan. 27 at the Museum of Science & History

The Animation Academy is a traveling show that’s up at MOSH through mid-February, looking at how cartoons are made. They’re having a special event Jan. 27 with vendors and artists and cosplay contests. Info: themosh.org

BBQ & Bacon Fest

Jan. 27-28 at the Clay County Fairgrounds 

As if barbecue and bacon weren’t enough, how about axe-throwing, monster truck rides, Frisbee dogs and a cute baby contest? Info: claycountyfest.com

This Ain’t Yo Mama’s 50K

Jan. 28 at Jennings State Forest, Middleburg 

You’ll find lots of 5-kilometer races on local calendars; 50-kilometer races, not so much. Runners have 11 hours to run the Pioneer Trail through Jennings State Forest, but they’ll be able bail out at the 6 and 12-k markers if needed. Info: exploreclay.com

Concerts

Donna the Buffalo

8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 4, at the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall. $34-$36 

New York roots rockers have a history of playing the Concert Hall right around New Year. You can also catch them in March at Suwannee Spring Reunion in Live Oak. Info: pvconcerthall.com

Jekyll Island Bluegrass Festival

Jan. 4-6 at the Jekyll Island Convention Center, Jekyll Island, Ga. $45-$110 

Three days of downhome music from Rhonda Vincent & the Rage, the Malpass Brothers, Dailey & Vincent, the Farmhands and others. Info: goldenisles.com

Edwin McCain

8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 5, at the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall. $48-$54

The South Carolina rocker will be back in Jacksonville in September with Hootie & the Blowfish, but his music is really better suited to an intimate venue. Info: pvconcerthall.com

.38 Special

8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 6, at the Florida Theatre. $45-$79 

The wild-eyed Southern boys are a Jacksonville band, formed on the Westside, and local fans always turn out for a hometown show. Info: floridatheatre.com

Jesse Cook

8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 10, at the WJCT Soundstage. $69.50-$79.50 

The smooth jazz guitarist hails from Canada, so it probably makes sense that the first seven shows of his 2024 tour are in Florida. Info: floridatheatre.com

Karla Bonoff

7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 11, at the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall. $40-$50 

You might not recognize Bonoff’s name, but you’ll know her songs — “Someone to Lay Down Beside Me” was a big hit for Linda Ronstadt, “Home” for Bonnie Raitt and “Tell Me Why” by Wynonna Judd. Info: pvconcerthall.com

Greensky Bluegrass

7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 11, at the Florida Theatre. $29.50

Greensky Bluegrass plays bluegrass the way it’s intended to be played, with dobro, banjo, guitar, mandalin and upright bass but no drummer onstage. Info: floridatheatre.com

In the Round: A Night from Nashville

7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 11, at Mudville Music Room. $20-$40

Nashville songwriter Marla Cannon-Goodman, who has written hits for George Strait and Vince Gill, plays her songs in an intimate setting. Info: themudvillegrill.com

Mason Jennings

8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 12, at the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall. $32-$38

Jennings was born in Hawaii but moved at a young age to Pittsburgh. That’s the sort of thing that can have a big impact on a songwriter. Info: pvconcerthall.com

Kansas

8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 12, at the Florida Theatre. $44.50-$124.50 

Kansas released its first album in 1974. Jacksonville is the first stop on a tour for the “Dust in the Wind” dudes to celebrate a half-century of making music. Info: flroidatheatre.com

Winter Jam

5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 14, at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. $15  

The touring Christian show stops in Jacksonville around this time every year. This time out, they’ve got Crowder, Lecrae, Cain, Katy Nichole, Seventh Day Slumber and NewSong on the bill, plus “prejam” acts SEU Worship, John Wesley & Reach City and LIn D, all for a suggested donation of $15 at the door. Info: jamtour.com

Tom Keifer

8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 16, at the Florida Theatre. $49.75-$59.75

Keifer was the singer with Cinderella, one of the screechier bands of the hair-metal era. He’ll do plenty of old favorites plus a couple of new ones. Info: floridatheatre.com

Bonnie “Prince” Billy

7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 18, at Intuition Ale Works. $30

Let’s get a few things straight about the artist otherwise known as Will Oldham: His name isn’t Bonnie and he doesn’t play “Purple Rain.” He’s on tour to promote a new album, “Keeping Secrets Will Destroy You.” Info: intuitionaleworks.com

Judy Collins

8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 19, at the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall. $49.50-$69.50

To call Collins a veteran performer is understating things a bit – she released her debut album in 1961, has more than 50 albums to her credit and her “Amazing Grace” is in the Library of Congress. Info: pvconcerthall.com

Southern Culture on the Skids

7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 21, at Jack Rabbits. $20

North Carolina psychobilly trio is known for its high-energy performances. Info: jaxlive.com

Glenn Miller Orchestra

7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 23, at the Terry Theater. $50-$60

Seventeen-piece band has been keeping Miller’s big band hits alive since the late ‘50s. Info: jaxevents.com

Puddles Pity Party

8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 24, at the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall. $34.50-$59.50. 

Sometimes a great voice isn’t enough to make it in the music business. Sometimes you have to dress up like a sad clown before people notice you can really sing. Info: pvconcerthall.com

Jackson Stokes and Melody Trucks

8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 24, at Café Eleven, St. Augustine. $15-$30

Stokes learned to play guitar by watching his childhood neighbor, Devon Allman. Trucks learned percussion from her dad, Butch Trucks. Info:  originalcafe11.com

Bowling for Soup

6:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 25, at the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall. $37-$40 

Getting old sucks, but everyone’s doing it. So goes the chorus for one of the best songs by one of the funniest bands in the business. Lit opens the show. Info: pvconcerthall.com

Marc Broussard

8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 26, and Saturday, Jan. 27, at the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall. $29-$49 

Broussard got his start in the music business when he was five and sang “Johnny B. Goode” with his dad’s band, the Boogie Kings. He’s touring to mark the 20^th anniversary of his breakthrough album, “Carencro.” Info: pvconcerthall.com

Birthday Bash 2024: Ladies Edition

8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 26, at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. $69-$210.

We looked it up and Jan. 26 is not the birthday of Monica, Tank, Keyshia Cole or Keke Wyatt, but they’re throwing a party anyway. Info: jaxevents.com

Flagship Romance

8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 26, and Saturday, Jan. 27, at Blue Jay Listening Room. $40-$50 

Shawn Fisher has deep roots in the Jacksonville music scene, playing with the Jukebox Gypsies and Son of a Bad Man before forming the duo Flagship Romance with his wife, Jordyn Jackson. Info: bluejayjax.com

Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken

6 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 27, at the Ritz Theatre. $60-$75  

People paid a lot of attention to “American Idol” during its early years, especially the second season when 24 million people voted, giving the title to Ruben “The Velvet Teddy Bear” Studdard over runner-up Aiken. Info: livenation.com

Tanya Tucker

7:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 29, at the Florida Theatre. $40.50-$70.50 

Talk about longevity. Tucker won her first major award, the Academy of Country Music’s Most Promising Female Vocalist, in 1972, and a pair of Grammy Awards for “While I’m Livin’” 38 years later. Info: floridatheatre.com

Lucinda Williams

8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 31, at the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall. $48-$78

A 2020 stroke slowed Williams down a bit but didn’t stop her from doing what she loves best. She released “Stories from a Rock n Roll Heart,” one of her strongest albums, last year. Info: pvconcerthall.com

Tributes

• Grass is Dead plays Grateful Dead songs with a bluegrass twist, Wednesday, Jan. 10, at Underbelly. $15-$125. Info: underbellyjax.com

• The Greatest Piano Men pays tribute to Elton John, Billy Joel, Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, Jerry Lee Lewis and others, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 12, at the Thrasher-Horne Center, Orange Park. $29-$59. Info: thcenter.org

• Direct from Sweden: The Music of ABBA, 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 12, at the Moran Theater. $39.50-$102.50. Info: fscjartistseries.org

• The Doobie Others play the music of the Doobie Brothers, 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 15, at Alhambra Theatre & Dining. $78. Info: alhambrajax.com

• The New York Bee Gees recreate the sound of the Bee Gees, Friday, Jan. 19, at the Florida Theatre. $39.50-$59.50. Info: floridatheatre.com

• Medal Militia, a Metallica tribute band, plays with Highway to Hell’s Bells, an AC/DC tribute, Saturday, Jan. 20, at Underbelly. $15. Info: underbellyjax.com

• Tusk plays Fleetwood Mac hits, 6 p.m. Jan. 22-23 at Alhambra Theatre & Dining. $78. Info: alhambrajax.com

• Yacht Rock Revue plays soft-rock favorites from the ‘70s, Tuesday, Jan. 23, at the Florida Theatre. $39.50-$59.50. Info: floridatheatre.com

Classical music, jazz and dance

‘La Boheme’

Jan. 4 at Amelia Plantation Chapel, Fernandina Beach 

The Amelia Island Opera, now in its third season, brings Puccini’s grand tale to the stage. Info: ameliaislandopera.org

‘Rhapsody in Blue and Rachmaninoff’

Jan. 5 and 6 at Jacoby Symphony Hall 

Pianist Conrad Tao joins the Jacksonville Symphony to celebrate the 100^th anniversary of Gershwin’s masterpiece. Tao and the symphony will also take the show on the road, performing Jan. 7 in Daytona Beach and Jan. 9 in West Palm Beach. Info: jaxsymphony.org

‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’ Ballet

Jan. 7 at the Moran Theater 

The State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine brings the classic fairy tale to the stage with a cast of 50. Info: fscjartistseries.org

Project Trio

Jan. 10 at the University of North Florida Fine Arts Recital Hall 

At first glance, the three musicians in Project Trio appear to be a chamber music ensemble. Then they start play jazz and hip-hop and world music and the fun really gets started. Info: unf.edu

‘Women Rock: The Music of Carole King, Pat Benatar, Heart & More’

Jan. 12-13 at Jacoby Symphony Hall 

Ever wondered what “Hit Me With Your Best Shot” would sound like played by a symphony? Now’s your chance. The Jacksonville Symphony welcomes three guest singers for a night of hits made famous by Janis Joplin, Carole King, Joan Jett, Aretha Franklin and other female greats. Info: jaxsymphony.org

‘A Journey from Bach to Beethoven’

Jan. 18-19 at Jacoby Symphony Hall 

The Jacksonville Symphony takes listeners on a musical trip through the ages for a Symphony in 60 performance and a matinee the following day. Info: jaxsymphony.org

The Magic of Mozart

Jan. 19 at the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island 

The Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival welcomes the Dover Quartet and clarinet master David Shifrin for an evening of Amadeus’ best. Info: ameliachambermusic.org

Dave Meder Quartet

Jan. 20 at Friday Musicale 

Jazz pianist Meder brings along bass, drums and trumpet players to recreate his latest work, “New American Hymnal.” Info: fridaymusicale.com

Mid-Century Modern Combo

Jan. 21 at Jacoby Symphony Hall 

The Jacksonville Symphony’s new Jazz Collective digs deep into the music of Oscar Peterson, Bill Evans and other jazz giants. Info: jaxsymphony.org

Galvin Cello Quartet

Jan. 21 at St. Paul’s By the Sea Episcopal Church 

Just to be clear, this isn’t a chamber music quartet with a cello; it’s four cello players, hailing from China, Brazil, South Korea and the U.S., playing at the same time. Info: beachesfinearts.org

San Marco Chamber Music Society

Jan. 21 at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church 

The society “goes for Baroque” with an evening of music for strings, oboe, flute and harpsichord. Info: sanmarcochambermusic.org

Sofia Philharmonic

Jan. 21 at Lewis Auditorium, Flagler College in St. Augustine 

The national orchestra of Bulgaria performs a program of Mozart. Info: emmaconcert.com

African Roots

Jan. 26 at the University of North Florida Fine Arts Recital Hall

A guest conductor from the University of Pretoria in South Africa leads choirs from UNF, FSCJ and the Douglas Anderson School of the Arts in a free performance. Info: unf.edu

Mozart, Vivaldi and Handel

Jan. 26 and 27 at Jacoby Symphony Hall 

Grammy-winning Jeannette Sorrell guest conductor takes the baton to lead the Jacksonville Symphony, the Jacksonville Symphony Chorus and a quartet of opera singers. Info: jaxsymphony.org

On Point

Jan. 27 at the Waterworks, St. Augustine

The Jacksonville-based a capella quartet performs barbershop harmonies in a 126-year-old water plant that's been converted into a public performance space. The show is part of the Romanza Festivale's Collage concert series. Info: romanzafestivale.com

‘Broadway Babies’

Jan. 27 and 28 at the Story & Song Art Gallery, Fernandina Beach

Victoria Isernia and Sara Lucille Law from the Amelia Island Opera perform Broadway hits. Info: storyandsongarts.org

Theater

‘Twelfth Night’

Jan. 5-14 at the Island Theater, Fleming Island 

Cross-dressing, mistaken identity and intrique are critical plot points in Shakespeare’s classic. Info: theislandtheater.com

‘The Cher Show’

Jan. 9 at the Moran Theater 

Cher’s career has been so long and so varied that it takes three actresses to portray her in a show that covers seven decades, 35 hits and about a zillion costume changes. Info: fscjartistseries.org

‘Million Dollar Quartet’

Jan. 11-Feb. 18 at Alhambra Theatre & Dining 

You can be a fly on the wall at the 1956 session where Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis cut loose in the studio. Info: alhambrajax.com

‘Becoming Dr. Ruth’

Jan. 12-14 at Amelia Musical Playhouse, Fernandina Beach 

The wildly unlikely tale of how Ruth Westheimer became America’s favorite sex therapist in the 1980s. Info: ameliamusicalplayhouse.com

‘Disenchanted’

Jan. 12-28 at Players by the Sea, Jacksonville Beach 

All Beaches Experimental Theatre borrows Players’ stage for a musical about those princesses we’ve all come to know and love and how everything isn’t as sunny as depicted in the movies. Info: abetjax.com

‘The Kitchen Witches’

Jan. 12-28 at the Limelight Theatre, St. Augustine 

Two cooking-show hostesses with a long-standing grudge find themselves on the same show, a true recipe for disaster. Info: limelight-theatre.org

‘Beautiful: The Carole King Musical’

Jan. 19-Feb. 4 at Players by the Sea, Jacksonville Beach 

You’ll feel the earth move under your feet during this “jukebox musical,” which uses the immortal hits written by Carole King to tell the story of her life. Info: playersbythesea.org

Comedy

Third Space Improv

Jan. 11 at Third Space Improv, St. Augustine 

St. Augustine’s Third Space Improv troupe opens its own venue at 200 Malaga St., Suite 7, where they’ll make up the comedy on the spot. Grand opening is Jan. 11 from 5-7, when visitors will be invited to join the act onstage. They’ll do performances and teach improv comedy classes in the months to come. Info: 3rdspaceimprov.com

Nick Simmons

Jan. 12 at Cafe Eleven, St. Augustine. $20-$28

Nick Simmons’ website, notnicksimmons.com, says he has a mid-January date in St. Augustine. So does that mean he’s not performing? Info: originalcafe11.com

Jacksonville Comedy Festival

8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13, at the Moran Theater. $59-$99 

You want maximum laughs per dollar? You probably won’t find a better deal than Lavell Crawford, Gary Owen, Tommy Davidson, Special K and Teddy Carpenter on the same bill. Info: jaxevents.com

Mark Normand

7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13, at the Florida Theatre. $35-$159.75  

Normand has done a Netflix standup special, a Youtube standup special, a couple of Comedy Central standup specials and just about every late-night show on the airwaves. Info: floridatheatre.com

Leanne Morgan

7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 18, and Friday, Jan. 19, at the Moran Theater. $46.75-$180

You don’t see a lot of successful comics with a Southern accent, but there’s no mistaking Morgan’s Tennessee roots once she opens her mouth. She’s a best-selling author, has millions of social media followers and has very nearly sold out two nights in Jacksonville. Info: jaxevents.com

Heather McMahan

7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 18, at the Florida Theatre. $39.75-$69.75  

Pretty much nothing is out of bounds when McMahan gets on an onstage roll. The “Absolutely Not” podcast host is rapidly becoming one of the hottest names in comedy. Info: floridatheatre.com

Pat McGann

8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20, at the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall. $39.50-$52.50 

McGann learned a thing or two during his years opening arena shows for Sebastian Maniscalco. The show is put on by the Florida Theatre but will be held at the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall because, well, comedy. Info: floridatheatre.com

Henry Cho

6:45 and 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 26, at the Murray Hill Theatre. $40-$50 

Cho is from Tennessee and has toured with Amy Grant, Vince Gill and other country stars. Still, it was a bit of a surprise to hear that he’s joining the Grand Ole Opry in 2024. Info: murrayhilltheatre.com

Tony Rock

Jan. 25-27 at the Comedy Zone. $25-$35 

Say this for Tony Rock: He’s never been slapped on a nationally televised awards show. Chris Rock’s little brother might be the funniest one in the family. Info: comedyzone.com

Other Comedy Zone shows this month:

• Jan. 4-6: Benji Brown

• Jan. 12-14: Nephew Tommy

• Jan. 17: Tyler Fisher

• Jan. 24: David Nihill

Sports

Jacksonville University Dolphins basketball

Jan. 4, 6, 18, 20, 25, 27 and 31 at Swisher Gymnasium 

JU’s women play Florida Gulf Coast on Jan. 4, Stetson on Jan. 6, Eastern Kentucky on Jan. 25 and Bellarmine on Jan. 27. The men play Queens on Jan. 18, Kennesaw State on Jan. 20 and Austin Peay on Jan. 31. Info: judolphins.com

University of North Florida Dolphins basketball

Jan. 4, 6, 12, 18, 20, 35, 27and 31 at UNF Arena

UNF’s women play Stetson on Jan. 4, Florida Gulf Coast on Jan. 6, Jacksonville University on Jan. 20, Bellarmine on Jan. 25 and Eastern Kentucky on Jan. 27. The men’s team plays JU on Jan. 12, Kennesaw State on Jan. 18, Queens on Jan. 20 and Lipscomb on Jan. 31. Info: unfospreys.com

Jacksonville Icemen

Jan. 5, 12, 13, 27 and 31 at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena 

Jacksonville’s professional ice hockey team takes on the Savannah Ghost Pirates on Jan. 5 and 27, the South Carolina Stingrays on Jan. 12, the Greenville Swamp Rabbits on Jan. 13, and the Florida Everblades on Jan. 31. For the Jan. 12-13 games, the team will remember the Lizard Kings, who played in Jacksonville in the ‘90s, with special promotions. Info: jacksonvilleicemen.com

AEW Dynamite and Rampage

7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 10, at Daily’s Place. $30.25-$40.25

All Elite Wrestling brings two of its biggest shows back to the venue that was its home during the worst days of the pandemic. Info: dailysplace.com

Edward Waters University Tigers basketball

Jan. 20, 23, 27 at the Adams-Jenkins Community Sports & Music Complex 

The women’s team takes on Clark Atlanta on Jan. 20 and Savannah State on Jan. 27. The men’s team plays Clark Atlanta on Jan. 20, Morehouse College on Jan. 22 and Savannah State on Jan. 27. Info: ewutigerpride.com

Wrangler NTRL Finals

Jan. 24-28 at the Jacksonville Equestrian Center 

Many of the best team ropers in the country will gather for the national steer-roping championships. It’s free to watch. Info: jaxequestriancenter.com

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: 100 fun things to do in January in Jacksonville, Fla.