Jacksonville is home to a large number of top notch performance locations, theaters and concert halls. With cutting edge acoustics, cutting edge facilities and amenities as well as stunning design and aesthetics drawing from historical roots, most theaters in Jacksonville are buildings that have been revived and rebuilt from their architectural origins between 1919 and the 1930's. Below you will find a list with some of the top theaters Jacksonville has to offer to its residents and of course, its visitors.
Times Union Performing Arts Center
Located in central Jacksonville, the Times Union Performing Arts Center is among the largest and most high visibility of the Jacksonville theaters promoting arts, culture and performance. Contemporary offerings includes Ron White, Kelly Clarkson, Cruel and the Jacksonville Symphony. The TUPAC hosts diverse events in it's multi location facility, including the Terry Theatre, the Moran Theater which seats 3,000 guests, the Jacoby Symphony Hall, and the Veterans Memorial Arena.
The Vets Memorial Arena hosts Jacksonville Varsity Basketball and big name acts like JImmy Buffet and Lady Antebellum. The Prime F. Osborn III Convention center hosts Expos, shows and other events in its 265,000 square feet of space. The Convention Center was once a railroad station before its conversion and retains its historical architecture. Whichever locale visitors experience, TUPAC is the premiere location to test for large name acts in all of its Jacksonville theaters, as well as music, comedy, celebrity, sports and events.
The Florida Theatre
With 200 entertainment and cultural events yearly, The Florida Theatre hosts jazz, rock, blues, pop and more. Located in downtown along the St. Johns Stream, The Florida Theatre hosts 250,000 guests annually and is recognised as among the best concert venues in Florida and the Southeast, and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Performers at this theatre built in 1927 have included Gordon Lightfoot, Greg Allman and "A John Waters Christmas", as well as being the performance place for the Florida Ballet. The location itself has glorious acoustics and is decorated in a chic and opulent style fitting its roots and its current position as amongst the premiere concert halls in Jacksonville. This is a must-stop-by.
Theatre Jacksonville
Beginning in 1919, Theatre Jacksonville is one of, if not the longest running community theaters in Jacksonville. Along with performances, the theatre offers acting and theatre classes for all ages and interests. Past performances have included The Tempest, Hamlet, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, An Inspector Calls, Over the Brook and Through the Woods, Seussical, Howdy Dolly and more.
Performers and artists involved in Theatre Jacksonville are volunteers with a high level of expertise and information that put their hearts and time into the quality performances at the theatre. Theatre Jacksonville can accommodate a good sized audience, but is a perfect sized fit for a theatre experience that involves more intimacy than a bigger, more high-profile venue.
Jacksonville Theatre Guild
Offering productions all the family can enjoy, the Jacksonville Theatre Guild performs out of the Studio Theatre with comedies, musicals and whimsical feel really good theatre. Past and current productions include Lend Me a Tenor and quirky offerings like "Drac's Back", centered on how the night unfolds when students on a trip take sanctuary from a thunderstorm in the castle of Dexter Drackman, who is truly Dracula in disguise.
Jacoby Symphony Hall at Times Union Performing Arts Center
Located at the Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts, Jacoby Symphony Hall is among the few concert halls in the nation dedicated only to a symphony orchestra, the Jackson Symphony Orchestra. The Hall's capacity seats 1,800 guests and was designed by globally acclaimed acousticians Kirkegaard & Associates and KBJ Designers and Rothman, Rothman & Heineman designers.
This is for sure the best theater in Jacksonville.
Metropolitan Park
An outdoor venue with a covered 2,400 square foot stage, Metropolitan Park plays host to many events and out of doors concerts including the Spring Music Festival, World of States Party and annual Jacksonville Jazz Festival. Past performers have included James Taylor, Crosby, Stills and Nash, Jackson Brown and the Beach Boys. Events at the amphitheater at Metropolitan Park offer a great experience along the St. John's brook with covered picnic shelters, children's play area, a 27-acre park and event related conveniences to make any visit memorable.
UNF Fine Arts Center.
Composed of The Performance Hall, the Lazzara Performance Hall, and the Andrew A. Robinson Jr. Theater, the UNF Fine Arts Center serves both the College and Jacksonville residents. UNF venues host a mixture of entertainers, musicians and performances in addition to offering lectures, training seminars, receptions, social events and workshops. Contemporary performances at UNF have included Chamber Music, Flute Day, piano recitals and jazz like the Ravi Coltrane Quartet. "Movies on the House" offers more non-traditional films every other Thursday at 7pm on a massive screen at the Robinson Theater, with complimentary popcorn and prizes. The aim of "Movies on the House", known around campus as MOTH, is to screen films viewers and fans would not typically be able to see on the big-screen, and to foster an environment of community within the audience.
Freebird Live
Well generally known as a Jacksonville spot for music, the Freebird Cafe books both nationally known artists as well as area and local music, making it the perfect spot to see what music in Jacksonville is truly like. Freebird Live's performance space houses 700 guests standing room only , and offers views from the floor and a railed balcony that overlooks the stage.
The venue has an outside smoking balcony and 2 full bars with a higher level balcony area for 21+ visitors; other areas are designated as all ages. Freebird Live showcases typically rock artists, like up to date performers Anberlin, Diplo and Attack Attack! Freebird Live is across the Sea Walk Pavilion, in downtown.
Times Union Performing Arts Center
Located in central Jacksonville, the Times Union Performing Arts Center is among the largest and most high visibility of the Jacksonville theaters promoting arts, culture and performance. Contemporary offerings includes Ron White, Kelly Clarkson, Cruel and the Jacksonville Symphony. The TUPAC hosts diverse events in it's multi location facility, including the Terry Theatre, the Moran Theater which seats 3,000 guests, the Jacoby Symphony Hall, and the Veterans Memorial Arena.
The Vets Memorial Arena hosts Jacksonville Varsity Basketball and big name acts like JImmy Buffet and Lady Antebellum. The Prime F. Osborn III Convention center hosts Expos, shows and other events in its 265,000 square feet of space. The Convention Center was once a railroad station before its conversion and retains its historical architecture. Whichever locale visitors experience, TUPAC is the premiere location to test for large name acts in all of its Jacksonville theaters, as well as music, comedy, celebrity, sports and events.
The Florida Theatre
With 200 entertainment and cultural events yearly, The Florida Theatre hosts jazz, rock, blues, pop and more. Located in downtown along the St. Johns Stream, The Florida Theatre hosts 250,000 guests annually and is recognised as among the best concert venues in Florida and the Southeast, and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Performers at this theatre built in 1927 have included Gordon Lightfoot, Greg Allman and "A John Waters Christmas", as well as being the performance place for the Florida Ballet. The location itself has glorious acoustics and is decorated in a chic and opulent style fitting its roots and its current position as amongst the premiere concert halls in Jacksonville. This is a must-stop-by.
Theatre Jacksonville
Beginning in 1919, Theatre Jacksonville is one of, if not the longest running community theaters in Jacksonville. Along with performances, the theatre offers acting and theatre classes for all ages and interests. Past performances have included The Tempest, Hamlet, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, An Inspector Calls, Over the Brook and Through the Woods, Seussical, Howdy Dolly and more.
Performers and artists involved in Theatre Jacksonville are volunteers with a high level of expertise and information that put their hearts and time into the quality performances at the theatre. Theatre Jacksonville can accommodate a good sized audience, but is a perfect sized fit for a theatre experience that involves more intimacy than a bigger, more high-profile venue.
Jacksonville Theatre Guild
Offering productions all the family can enjoy, the Jacksonville Theatre Guild performs out of the Studio Theatre with comedies, musicals and whimsical feel really good theatre. Past and current productions include Lend Me a Tenor and quirky offerings like "Drac's Back", centered on how the night unfolds when students on a trip take sanctuary from a thunderstorm in the castle of Dexter Drackman, who is truly Dracula in disguise.
Jacoby Symphony Hall at Times Union Performing Arts Center
Located at the Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts, Jacoby Symphony Hall is among the few concert halls in the nation dedicated only to a symphony orchestra, the Jackson Symphony Orchestra. The Hall's capacity seats 1,800 guests and was designed by globally acclaimed acousticians Kirkegaard & Associates and KBJ Designers and Rothman, Rothman & Heineman designers.
This is for sure the best theater in Jacksonville.
Metropolitan Park
An outdoor venue with a covered 2,400 square foot stage, Metropolitan Park plays host to many events and out of doors concerts including the Spring Music Festival, World of States Party and annual Jacksonville Jazz Festival. Past performers have included James Taylor, Crosby, Stills and Nash, Jackson Brown and the Beach Boys. Events at the amphitheater at Metropolitan Park offer a great experience along the St. John's brook with covered picnic shelters, children's play area, a 27-acre park and event related conveniences to make any visit memorable.
UNF Fine Arts Center.
Composed of The Performance Hall, the Lazzara Performance Hall, and the Andrew A. Robinson Jr. Theater, the UNF Fine Arts Center serves both the College and Jacksonville residents. UNF venues host a mixture of entertainers, musicians and performances in addition to offering lectures, training seminars, receptions, social events and workshops. Contemporary performances at UNF have included Chamber Music, Flute Day, piano recitals and jazz like the Ravi Coltrane Quartet. "Movies on the House" offers more non-traditional films every other Thursday at 7pm on a massive screen at the Robinson Theater, with complimentary popcorn and prizes. The aim of "Movies on the House", known around campus as MOTH, is to screen films viewers and fans would not typically be able to see on the big-screen, and to foster an environment of community within the audience.
Freebird Live
Well generally known as a Jacksonville spot for music, the Freebird Cafe books both nationally known artists as well as area and local music, making it the perfect spot to see what music in Jacksonville is truly like. Freebird Live's performance space houses 700 guests standing room only , and offers views from the floor and a railed balcony that overlooks the stage.
The venue has an outside smoking balcony and 2 full bars with a higher level balcony area for 21+ visitors; other areas are designated as all ages. Freebird Live showcases typically rock artists, like up to date performers Anberlin, Diplo and Attack Attack! Freebird Live is across the Sea Walk Pavilion, in downtown.
About the Author:
Jonas Fredrickson has had an interest in hot spots in Jacksonville for many years. He has written op-eds and editorial pieces about attractions in Jacksonville for many online publications. For the details about concert halls in Jacksonville please click here and visit his site.
