100 things to do in Jacksonville in September
When it rains, it pours (and we're not talking about the weather). After a few relatively quiet months, there are tons of fun things to do in the Jacksonville area this September: Professional surfers, dog surfers, haunted houses, Elmo, Mango, Hootie and the Blowfish, Annie Oakley, Tucker Carlson, monster trucks, Spider-Man, Gypsy Rose Lee, Eric Church and JJ Grey on the same bill and the Jacksonville Symphony playing Jimmy Buffett and Bob Marley tunes. Oh, and football season starts.
Events
Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Glow Party
12:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31; 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 1, at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. $28-$75.
Hot Wheels-inspired monster trucks do their thing indoors, in the dark. Car-eating robot Megasaurus and freestyle motocross are also part of the entertainment. Info: jaxevents.com
Flags for Heroes
Sept. 6-13 at Orange Park Town Hall
The Rotary Club of Orange Park Sunrise is putting up 200 or more full-sized American flags on the grounds of Orange Park Town Hall at U.S. 17 and Kingsley Avenue, leading up to a Sept. 11 ceremony. Info: oprotarysunrise.com
Sing Out Loud Festival
Sept. 6-25 in St. Augustine
Nearly 100 acts play at more than 30 events at seven venues around town in the annual festival for local and emerging acts. Some shows are free, some are ticketed. Info: singoutloudfestival.com
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Galaxy Fest
Sept. 7 at James Weldon Johnson Park
Science festival is aimed at girls of color, with hand-on activities and STEM professionals that can help guide them toward technical careers. Info: jamesweldonjohnsonpark.org
Founders’ Day 2024
Sept. 7 at Mission Nombre de Dios and Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park, St. Augustine
It’s been 458 years since Pedro Menendez and his crew landed at St. Augustine. Events include a reenactment of the landing, cannon salutes, a Catholic mass and living history exhibits. Info: visitstaugustine.com
River Blossom Jamboree
Sept. 7 at the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens
The Cummer’s “Fabric of a Nation: American Quilt Stories” exhibition inspired this bluegrass event in the riverfront gardens. Jake Eddy & Band, Larry & Joe, and Low Ground provide the music, you provide your own chairs. Info: cummermuseum.org
Pablo Beach Train Day
Sept. 7 at the Beaches Museum, Jacksonville Beach
Model trains, train tours, train crafts for kids, trackless train rides ... you get the picture. Info: beachesmuseum.org
Sisters of the Sea Women’s Surf Classic Pro/Am
Sept. 7 at the Jacksonville Beach Pier
Professional and amateur female surfers compete to raise money for breast cancer research. Info: sistersofthesea.org
‘Spider Man: Across the Spider-Verse' Live in Concert
Sept. 8 at the Moran Theater
The 2023 animated film will be shown on a big screen while musicians play Daniel Pemberton’s score and soundtrack numbers from Future, Nas, Lil Uzi Vert, Swae Lee, James Blake and Lil Wayne. Info: jaxevents.com
Blues, Brews, Bourbon & BBQ 2024
Sept. 12 at Bowing Oaks
The Florida Theatre’s annual fundraiser features live music, a silent auction and all the barbecue, craft beer, bourbon and spirits you can handle. Info: floridatheatre.com
‘(Nearly) 50 Years of Change in the St. Johns River’
Sept. 12 at Old St. Andrew’s Church
Quinton White from the Marine Science Research Institute at Jacksonville University updates the Jacksonville Historical Society on the status of the river. Info: jaxhistory.org
1964: When the Beatles Rocked Florida
Sept. 12 at the Ritz Theater
Sixty years and one day after the Beatles played a concert at Jacksonville's Gator Bowl stadium, a discussion and concert celebrate the event. Kitty Oliver, who attended as a teen, and Bob Kealing, author of "Good Day Sunshine State," will discuss the show and Beatles tribute band Liverpool Live provides the music. Info: jaxevents.com
13th Floor Jacksonville
Sept. 13-Nov. 2 at 9230 Arlington Expressway. $19.99-$94.99.
If you're going to open a haunted house for screamin' season, Friday the 13th is the day to do it. They'll have four houses this year — The Nightwalkers, Lycans Curse, Craft of the Midnight and Clown Alley. Info: 13thfloorjacksonville.com.
Conservation on Draft
Sept. 13 at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens
Would you drink a beer to help save animals? Here’s your chance. The zoo opens after hours for a craft beer festival, with food, inflatable axe throwing and jumbo water pong. Info: jacksonvillezoo.org
Florida Fin Fest
Sept. 13-14 at Seawalk Pavilion, Jacksonville Beach
Learn all about the wildlife that lives in the Atlantic and what you can do to help it survive. Oh, and you can also rock out to live music from Flipturn, St. Paul & the Broken Bones and more than a dozen others. Info: flfinfest.com
Ancient City Con
Sept. 13-15 at World Golf Village Renaissance Resort
Get your geek on for a weekend of gaming, cosplay contests, vendors, panels and special guests from “Deep Space Nine,” “Pirates of the Caribbean” and “The X-Files.” Info: ancientcitycon.com
‘Peace by Chocolate’
Sept. 14 at the Robinson Theater, University of North Florida
Lutheran Social Services of Northeast Florida screens a film about a family that fled war-torn Syria to start a Canadian candy company. The film’s director will be on hand to answer questions afterward. Info: lssjax.org
Endless Summer Watermelon Ride
Sept. 15 at Atlantic Recreation Center, Fernandina Beach
The North Florida Bicycle Club’s 35th annual summer road trip offers rides of 15, 20, 50, 75 or 100 miles. Info: nfbc.us
'Strange Days'
Sept. 18 at MOCA Jacksonville
MOCA's Here Comes Tomorrow film series continues with a screening of the dystopian 1995 film starring Ralph Fiennes and Angela Bassett. Info: unf.edu
Drag Queen-a-Palooza
Sept. 20 at Third Space Improv, St. Augustine
Karissa T. Wade hosts an events “where every moment is legendary and every performer is iconic.” Info: humanitix.com
‘Kung Fu Panda'
Sept. 20 under the Fuller Warren Bridge off Riverside Avenue
The Riverside Arts Market Space will be used for a free screening of the 2024 animated film. Info: jacksonville.gov
Jax Book Fest
Sept. 20-21 at the Main Library
The festival is divided into a Writers' Day on Friday, with workshops and labs, and a Readers' Day on Saturday, with chats from best-selling authors Vashti Harrison, Jason Reynolds and Gabrielle Zevin. Info: jaxpubliclibrary.org
International Coastal Cleanup
Sept. 21 at Fort Caroline National Memorial, Hanna Park and Reddie Point Preserve
The Timucuan Parks Foundation is leading cleanup efforts because nobody wants to see a messy shoreline. Wear closed-toe shoes and plan on getting dirty. Info: timucuanparks.org
Glow Up Festival and 5K for Recovery
Sept. 24 at Central Park, Fernandina Beach
Free festival with vendors, entertainment and food trucks leads up to an evening glow-stick walk in support of people recovering from mental health and substance abuse issues. Info: spbh.org
Pups and SUPs Dog Surfing Classic
Sept. 27-28 at the Guy Harvey Resort, St. Augustine Beach
A surf event for dogs? Sure, why not? There’s also a dog fashion show, hospitality tents for dogs and owners and a dog kissing booth. It all raises funds for the K9s for Warriors program. Info: guyharveyoutpost.com
St. Augustine Songwriters Festival
Sept. 27-29 at Colonial Oak Music Park, St. Augustine
You might not recognize the names, but you’ll know plenty of the songs they wrote that made somebody else famous. More than 40 songwriters are scheduled to perform. Info: thecolonialmusicpark.com
Jacksonville Home + Patio Show
Sept. 27-29 at the Prime Osborn Convention Center
Get ideas on how to spruce up the old homestead – and find the people to do it – when the home and patio show returns. There are also plant and floral workshops, food trucks, Clint Harp from “Fixer Upper.” Info: jacksonvillefallhomeshow.com
R.A.W. Music Festival and Car Show
Sept. 28 at Flamingo Lake RV Park
The 8th annual benefit for multiple sclerosis research features performances by Jaybone & Friends, Sam Mcdonald and the Trash Pandas, the Bluff 5 Band, Weaver, Underdawg, James McGee and the Tacocat Trio, plus a car show featuring pre-1972 vehicles. Info: facebook.com
Pumpkin Festival and Handmade Market
Sept. 28 at Wesley Welles Farms, St. Augustine
Farm festival with live music, food trucks, pumpkin patch and vendors. Info: visitstaugustine.com
Together: The Vibrant Colors of Hispanic Heritage
Sept. 28 at MOSH
The First Coast Hispanic Chamber of Commerce sponsors discussion panels, vendors, artists and entertainers. Info: themosh.org
Tucker Carlson
Sept. 28 at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena
The former Fox News commentator brings along Donald Trump Jr. as his guest for the evening. Info: jaxevents.com
Concerts
Cody Jinks
7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6, at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre. $42.50-$257.50.
Country music fans attending this summer’s Luke Combs concert at EverBank Stadium were blown back into their seats by Jinks’ high-energy performance. Now the “Hippies & Cowboys” singer gets to be the headliner. Jake Worthington opens. Info: theamp.com
My Morning Jacket
7:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 16, at Daily's Place. $28.75-$118.75.
My Morning Jacket is the pride of Louisville and a terrific live act that can weave intricate and explosive sounds onstage. Don’t be late for the show, because another great live band, Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats, opens. Info: dailysplace.com
Warren Haynes Band
7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, at the Florida Theatre. $39.50-$109.50.
Haynes has played guitar and sung with the Allman Brothers Band, the Dead and Gov’t Mule, but he’s stepping out to tour with his own band to promote a new album, “Million Voices Whisper.” Info: floridatheatre.com
Sing Out Loud Festival Live Wildly Showcase
Sept. 21-22 at Francis Field in St. Augustine. $159-$859.
The annual festival goes big this year, with a two-day showcase. On Saturday, Eric Church headlines a show with Ryan Bingham and the Texas Gentlemen, JJ Grey & Mofro, the Breeders, Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway and Tre Burt. The next day, it’s Norah Jones, Noah Kahan, Marcus King, Sierra Ferrell, Kevin Morby and Nat & Alex Wolff. Info: singoutloudfestival.com
Hootie & the Blowfish
7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27, at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. $46.66-$176.67.
“Cracked Rear View,” released in 1994, was Hootie and the Blowfish’s debut album and far and away their most successful. How successful? 30 years later they’re still headlining arenas. Edwin McCain and Collective Soul open. Info: jaxevents.com
Other concerts coming to the Jacksonville area in September:
Jeffrey Boussard & the Creole Cowboys, 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 5, at the Beaches Museum. $30.
Nahko, 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6, at Jack Rabbits. $39.95.
Faye Webster, 8 p.m. Monday, Sept. 9, at the Florida Theatre. $30-$60.
Caiola, 8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 11, at Blue Jay Listening Room. $30.
Danae Hays, 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, at the Terry Theater. $30.;50-$100.50.
Albert Castiglia, 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, at Cafe Eleven, St. Augustine. $20-$35.
Zebra, 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, at the Florida Theatre. $45-$59.
Trampled by Turtles, 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19, at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre Backyard Stage. $20.
Amigo the Devil, 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19, at Intuition Ale Works. $27.50.
Jon B., 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, at the Ritz Theatre. $65-$80.
Alanis Morissette, 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, at Daily's Place. $119.25-$139.25.
Creed, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 24, at Daily's Place. $125-$279.50.
Sisters of Mercy, 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26, at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre. $39.50-$89.50.
Midland, with Colby Acuff and Carter Faith, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre. $35-$60.
Mason Ramsey, 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26, at Underbelly. $25-$20.
Jewel and Melissa Etheridge, 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27, at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre. $62.50-$129.50.
Cedric Burnside, 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, at the Ritz Theatre. $36-$45.
Sam Bush Band, 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept 28, at Intuition Ale Works. $30-$60.
Midland, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre. $35-$60.
Jax City Blues Festival, with King George, Pokey Bear, Lenny Williams, Theodis Ealey and Nellie "Tiger" Travis, 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, at the Moran Theater. $55-$207.
Ritz Voices reunion concert, 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, at the Ritz Theatre. $25.
Keith Sweat, 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, at the Florida Theatre. $122.50-$252.50.
Violent Femmes, 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 29, at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre. $44-$64.
Tannahill Weavers, 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 29, at Mudville Music Room. $25.
Tribute acts
The Donna Summer Experience (Donna Summer tribute), 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7, at the Florida Theatre. $50-$75.
The Beach Boys Tribute Show (Beach Boys tribute), Sept. 13-28 at the Spotlight Events Center, Fleming Island. $25-$85.
Abbafab (ABBA tribute), Sept. 19-22 at Alhambra Theatre & Dining. Sold out.
Classical, jazz and dance
Amelia Island Dance Festival
Sept. 5-8 at Amelia Community Theatre, Fernandina Beach, $25-$50.
The dance festival celebrates five years with a retrospective performance on Thursday, dance showcases on Friday and Saturday and a focus on young and emerging artists on Saturday and Sunday. Info: app.arts-people.com
Jacksonville Symphony Community Concerts
Sept. 6-7 at Jacoby Symphony Hall
The Jacksonville Symphony offers a sneak peak at its upcoming season at a pair of preview concerts. They shows are free to attend, but you have to register for tickets. Info: jaxsymphony.org
Jazz in the Afternoon
Sept. 8 at MOCA Jacksonville
Students from Jacksonville’s John Lumpkin Institute play the first of four planned concerts. This month, it's trumpeter Langston Oliver. Info: eventbrite.com
Breakthrough T1D Benefit Concert
Sept. 8 at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church
The San Marco Chamber Music Society opens its season with a fundraiser for diabetes research. Info: sanmarcochambermusic.org
Florida Chamber Music Project
Sept. 8 at the Beaches Museum Chapel, Jacksonville Beach
Four members of the Jacksonville Symphony step out for a side project, performing Haydn and Bartok. Info: flchambermusic.org
Alexei Romanenko and Jonathan Kuo
Tuesday, Sept. 10, at Terry Concert Hall, Jacksonvllle University
Romanenko, principal cellist for the Jacksonville Symphony, will perform solo before being joined by violinis Kuo, also with the symphony. Info: ju.edu
‘Hours: A Melodrama for Mezzo-Soprano and Piano’
Sept. 10 at the Fine Arts Center, University of North Florida
Alice Ann Light and Cecil Price Walden perform one of Walden’s compositions. Info: events.unf.edu
UNF Jazz Faculty Scholarship Concert
Sept. 12 at Lazzara Performance Hall, University of North Florida
Ordinarily, a faculty concert wouldn’t be a big deal, but UNF has some world-class musicians on staff. The UNF Jazz Ensemble I will join in. Info: events.unf.edu
Parrots + Palms: The Songs of Buffett and Fins
Sept. 13-14 at Jacoby Symphony Hall
Grab your best Hawaiian shirt because the Jacksonville Symphony has created an all-new show based on the music of Jimmy Buffett, Bob Marley, Van Morrison, the Beach Boys and other fun-in-the-sun acts. Info: jaxsymphony.org
Los Angeles Guitar Quartet
Sept. 15 at Flagler College Lewis Auditorium, St. Augustine
St. Augustine’s EMMA Concert Association starts its season with a classical guitar performance. Info: emmaconcerts.com
Mahler’s Symphony No. 2
Sept. 21 at Jacoby Symphony Hall
Courtney Lewis leads the Jacksonville Symphony, two opera singers and three choruses through Gustav Mahler’s magnum opus. Info: jaxsymphony.org
Jacksonville Flute Duo
Sept. 21 at Story & Song Art Gallery, Fernandina Beach
Charity Haney and Bethany Atwell perform favorites. Info: storyandsongarts.org
Rachmaninoff’s Second Concerto
Sept. 27-28 at Jacoby Symphony Hall
Pianist Joyce Yang joins the Jacksonville Symphony for Rachmaninoff, and the symphony plays the world premiere of composer Brittany J. Green’s “Testify!” Info: jaxsymphony.org
The Latin Divos
Sept. 28 at Story & Song Art Gallery, Fernandina Beach
A trio of Latin opera singers from Miami perform as part of the Amelia Island Opera’s Opera in Bloom series. Info: storyandsongarts.org
Theater
‘Annie Get Your Gun’
Through Sept. 8 at Orange Park Community Theatre
Annie Oakley was a dead shot, but she also knew that there’s no business like show business. Info: opct.info
‘Gypsy’
Through Sept. 29 at Alhambra Theatre & Dining
Everything’s coming up roses when the musical based on striptease artist Gypsy Rose Lee’s memoir hits the stage. Info: alhambrajax.com
‘Cabaret’
Sept. 5-22 at Amelia Musical Playhouse, Fernandina Beach
A ‘70s musical based on a ‘50s play that was based on a ‘30s novel takes you back to Berlin in the late ‘20s. Info: ameliamusicalplayhouse.com
‘ShakesBeer’
Sept. 7 and 21 at King Maker Brewing, Sept. 12 at Intuition Ale Works, Sept. 26 at Ruby Beach Brewing
Lumen Repertory Theatre brings back its series of lighthearted Shakespeare-inspired performances at local breweries. The King Maker and Ruby Beach shows will be outdoors. Info: lumenrep.org
‘Sesame Street Live! Say Hello’
Sept. 13 at the Florida Theatre
Elmo’s got a new puppy that he wants to introduce to all his friends. Kids will sing along and dance in the aisles. Info: floridatheatre.com
‘Boeing Boeing’
Sept. 13-22 at The Island Theater, Fleming Island
A swinging-’60s ladies’ man is engaged to three women at the same time and thinks he can get away with it. Info: theislandtheater.com
‘The Revolutionists’
Sept. 13-22 at Players by the Sea Studio Stage
Four brave women find a way to make a difference during the French Revolution. Info: playersbythesea.org
‘Broadway Bash’
Sept. 13-29 at Players by the Sea Main Stage
Who needs a plot when you’ve got a ton of classic Broadway show tunes to perform? Presented by All Beaches Experimental Theatre. Info: abetjax.com
‘Driving Miss Daisy’
Sept. 13-29 at Theatre Jacksonville
The relationship between the elderly Miss Daisy and her Black driver, Hoke, is prickly at first but evolves over the decades. Info: theatrejax.com
‘Eurydice’
Sept. 27-29 at the Thrasher-Horne Center, Orange Park
The ancient Greek tale of Orpheus and Eurydice is a love story for the ages, and playwright Sarah Ruhl has brought it into the 21st century. Info: thcenter.org
‘Bright Star’
Sept. 27-Oct. 20 at Limelight Theatre, St. Augustine
Steve Martin and Edie Brickell wrote this musical tale set in the Blue Ridge mountains. Info: limelighttheatre.org
Comedy
Jimmy Dore
8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7, at the Terry Theater. $35-$65.
If you like your humor political and edgy, Dore is your guy. You might not agree with him, but he will make you laugh. Info: jaxevents.com
DeRay Davis
Sept. 12-15 at the Comedy Zone. $35-$50.
You might not recognize Davis by name, but you’ve probably seen him in a movie or TV show. He was Ray in the “Barbershop” films, Bee Bee in “Semi-Pro,” Boris in “The League” and the host on “Hip Hop Squares.” Info: comedyzone.com
Other shows coming to the Comedy Zone in September:
Jon Reep, Sept. 5-7
Justin Whitehead, Sept. 8
Chico Bean, Sept. 19-21
David Landau, Sept. 26-28
Chris Kattan
7:45 and 10:15 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13, at Cafe Eleven, St. Augustine. $35-$55.
Mango is in the house! “Saturday Night Live” veteran Kattan is doing two shows (the first is sold out) “with special guests.” Info: originalcafe11.com
Improv Comedy Night
7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 18, at Colonial Oak Music Park, St. Augustine.
Colonial Oak, right off St. George Street, is a tough spot to do improv comedy; half the people are there for the show, the other half are eating their chicken fingers and fries. That’s why the performers keep it clean. Pay what you think the show is worth. Info: colonialoakmusicpark.com
Big Mo Dixon
7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20, at Breezy Jazz House. $35-$45.
The monthly Phatt Katz Comedy Thang event brings in headliner Big Mo Dixon, feature act Ozrick Cooley and a live band. Info: phattkatz.com
Gary Gulman
7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20, at the Terry Theater. $36-$72.
Gulman attended Boston College on a football scholarship and graduated with a degree in accounting, so naturally he went into standup comedy. You’ve probably seen him on Comedy Central, Netflix or late-night talk shows. Info: jaxevents.com
Marlon Wayans
8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26, at the Florida Theatre. $40-$125.
Wayans has been in so many successful movies and TV shows (“Scary Movie,” “White Chicks,” “In Living Color”) that you sort of wonder why he bothers doing live shows. Clearly, he loves it. Info: floridatheatre.com
Steve Trevi?o
8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27, at the Florida Theatre. $32-$52.
Being married can be hard work. Just ask Trevi?o, who has built a career on poking fun at domestic life. Info: floridatheatre.com
John Crist
7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 29, at the Florida Theatre. $33.25-$153.25.
Crist made his comedy bones on the internet, drawing more than a billion views with his videos. Now let's see if he can do it before a live audience. Info: floridatheatre.com
Sports
Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
Sept. 1 vs. Norfolk, Sept. 17-22 vs. Gwinnett at 121 Financial Ballpark
The Shrimp close out the regular season with a six-game homestand. Info: milb.com
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Jacksonville Jaguars
Sept. 15 vs. Cleveland at EverBank Stadium
The Jaguars and Browns have met 19 times over the years, and the Jags won 12 of them. The team’s home opener is the only home game in September. Info: jaguars.com
High school football
There are no major college football programs in Jacksonville, but there are a ton of high schools, and some intense rivalries. Times-Union sports writer Clayton Freeman breaks down the 20 must-see games of the 2024 season.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: 100 things to do in Jacksonville, Florida in September
