Free outdoor concert series kicks off in downtown Jacksonville Thursday

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Preparations are underway for Jax River Jams, a free concert series coming to downtown Jacksonville’s scenic riverfront.

The concerts will happen every Thursday night for the next four weeks.

You’ll be able to come out to the riverfront, bring your lawn chair, your blankets and enjoy some live music!

The city will also be drawing social distancing squares on the grass so people can feel safe coming together.

“I’m glad they’re starting to revitalize and get downtown a little busier,” said Peter Glad, who’s been living in downtown Jacksonville for the past two years.

“I moved here from Miami and when you live in downtown Miami, there’s unlimited stuff to do every day, whereas in downtown Jacksonville, there’s almost nothing around here,” Glad said.

The Downtown Vision group is here to put Jacksonville back on the map.

“It’s just really exciting to have this unique opportunity to bring everyone together, to have live music, food, booze, just, you know, really enjoy our city and embrace the river,” said Hailey Tinkle, the events manager for Downtown Vision.

The concerts will take place at the site of the former Jacksonville Landing.

The building was torn down in 2019, and there are no plans for what will take its place.

The first headliner of Jax River Jams will be Chase Rice, but you’ll also see artists like New Found Glory, Quad City DJ’s and Sugar Ray.

“We wanted to cover different genres and bring all of the amazing people of Jacksonville to each show,” Tinkle added.

Streets like Laura Street will be closed to give everyone space.

Glad says you can count him in.

“I would definitely check it out,” he said. “I mean, I walk my dog here pretty much every night so I’ll probably stick around, catch a few songs, maybe bring my wife with me.”

There will be 50 or so hand sanitizer and washing stations set up as well.

On Thursday morning, you’ll start to see those food truck and vendors arrive.

The site opens at 5 p.m., the opening act is at 6 p.m. and then the headliner will be on stage at 7:30 p.m.

For more information on the Jax River Jams, check out the city’s event website here.

Cox Media Group