Spring is here and with it, Jacksonville’s Festival season! Enjoy an eclectic mix of music, arts, food and experiences as Jacksonville puts on a show for thousands of residents and visitors in April. So what are you waiting for?

THIS WEEKEND:

Disney on Ice presents Dare to Dream: April 4-7. Veterans Memorial Arena.  Get tangled up in the newest thrilling show to hit the ice, Disney On Ice presents Dare to Dream.

Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra: Grieg Piano Concerto: April 4-6.  Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts. From its opening timpani roll and cascading piano chimes, the untamed wildness of Grieg’s Piano Concerto is irresistible.

Mary L’Engle Ensemble: April 5.  Friday Musicale, Free.  This concert, funded by a deeply appreciated gift, is in memoriam to Wilma Cornelia Hubbard Markham (President, Friday Musicale 1954-56).

George’s Music Springing the Blues: April 5-7.  Free.  This is the South’s largest Blues Festival; it takes place in sunny Jacksonville Beach.

Community First Saturdays: April 6.  Free.  Along the Northbank Riverwalk behind the Times-Union Center for Performing Arts

Riverside Arts Market: April 6 (10 am to 4 pm, Saturdays).  Free.  Located under the Fuller Warren Bridge.

Dressage on the First Coast: April 6-7.  Jacksonville Equestrian Center.  Free for spectators.  Great American/USDF Regional Qualifying Show – USDF/Dover Adult Amateur Medal Program / USEF Dressage Level 3 Competition.

 COMING SOON:

Southeastern US Boat Show: April 12-14. This three-day event showcases hundreds of new boats, live seminars and live music.

 In its sixth year, Movies in the Park is offered for free.  The four-night movie series runs Fridays from April 12 to May 3 on the Wyndham Jacksonville Riverwalk‘s riverfront lawn.

Movies begin at dusk (around 8 p.m.).  This year’s movies: April 12:  Mary Poppins, rated G; April 19:  Who Framed Roger Rabbit, rated PG; April 26:  Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, rated PG-13*; May 3:  Brave, rated PG; www.downtownjacksonville.org

One Spark Festival:   April 17-21. Entrepreneurs from all over the world will gather in Jacksonville for five days to present their latest ideas and projects. This is the nation’s first crowd-funded festival.

Welcome to Rockville: April 27-28. Some of the world’s best rock bands converge in Jacksonville during this two day outdoor rock festival.