Extended Weekend Getaways 
IllumiNights Summer Spectacle
April 21-Aug 11/JACKSONVILLE- When the days become long and hot, cool Friday nights at the Zoo are now home to an incredible scattering of illuminations. An amazing dimension of color, IllumiNights Summer Spectacle promises to transcend from sleepy wildlife to a fantasy landscape of nature drenched with rich lighting. Enriching hearts and minds around fauna and flora through the use of illumination, this striking spectacle cycles through creative imagery, moving light and interactive entertainment. https://www.jacksonvillezoo.org/illuminights
16th Annual Digital Graffiti Art Festival
May 19-20/ALYS BEACH- Digital Graffiti at Alys Beach is a one-of-a-kind projection art festival that hosts artists from around the world for a weekend of enchanting, immersive fun. The event offers some of the latest digital technology as original artwork is projected onto the iconic white walls of Alys Beach. Event hours are Friday, 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., and Saturday, 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. Adult tickets start at $60, while children’s tickets start at $30. digitalgraffiti.com
78th Annual Newberry Watermelon Festival
May 20/NEWBERRY- The Watermelon Festival will be held at the Countryway Town Center. With over 100 vendors there will be something for everyone! Food, crafts, games, entertainment and a kid’s zone with pony rides, inflatables, carnival style games, and more. https://newberrywatermelonfestival.com/
Monster Jam
May 20/PENSACOLA – 1 or 7 p.m. at Pensacola Bay Center. Experience full-throttle fun for everyone at Monster Jam®, where world-class athletes and their 12,000-pound monster trucks tear up the dirt in intense competitions of speed and skill. You’ll be on the edge of your seat watching the legendary Grave Digger®, snarling El Toro Loco, mighty Megalodon® and more push the limits in Freestyle, Skills and Racing competitions. Monster Jam. As Big As It Gets!™ There will be a Monster Jam Party; meet the drivers and see the trucks up close. Tickets are $20 and available on Ticketmaster.
Jacksonville Jazz Festival
May 25-28/JACKSONVILLE – Boasting an all-star lineup of jazz legends such as Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, Branford Marsalis, Buddy Guy, Harry Connick, Jr., Mavis Staples and many more. This year will be an epic street party full of great food, good fun and plenty of FREE live entertainment. The festival boasts two outdoor stages with state-of-the-art light and sound spread across a walkable footprint. Don’t miss he Jazz Marketplace where artists and makers showcase their original wares in a unique shopping experience and jazz eats and drinks, the Piano Competition, Jazz Jam and more. https://jacksonvillejazzfest.com/2023-schedule/
