As officials discourage public gatherings in hopes of curbing the spread of coronavirus in Florida, a number of events held in Jacksonville and neighboring communities are either canceled or in limbo.
The recommendation from local, state and federal officials presents a dilemma for promoters and organizers tasked with deciding whether to scrap their events, postpone them or let them continue.
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We’re tracking all the cancellations and delays impacting events across Northeast Florida. Below you’ll find a running list of the changes we’ve found so far:
Jacksonville
Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry on Friday announced he is suspending all events held at city venues until further notice, including TIAA Bank Field, VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, the Prime Osborn Convention Center and the Times-Union Center for Performing Arts.
The suspension includes performances of the Broadway hit “Hamilton,” which were expected to begin at the Times-Union Center for Performing Arts on Tuesday. The mayor said Friday that the shows would not happen, and the FSCJ Artist Series confirmed they are being postponed.
The mayor’s order also led to the cancellation of the Jacksonville In-Water Boat Show, which was scheduled for April 3 to April 5 at TIA Bank Field and Metropolitan Park Marina. Organizers said it will not be rescheduled due to the stadium’s demanding schedule. Those who purchased tickets will be refunded.
As part of the closures, the city is closing the Jacksonville Zoo along with all libraries and public parks at the end of business hours.
Some promoters have already begun canceling or postponing their events voluntarily.
That includes singer Michael Buble, whose tour was scheduled to make a March 17 stop in Jacksonville. The show at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena is postponed. No make-up date has been released.
The Florida Theatre has postponed performances from March 13 through April 1. Venue staff said they’re working with each artist to reschedule as many performances as possible.
As with “Hamilton,” Josh Groban’s concert Friday at the Times-Union Center has also been postponed. A new date will be announced.
The Jacksonville Symphony has canceled concerts through April 1.
The Alhambra Theatre & Dining is canceling its performances through April 26, including the remaining week of its current show, “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying,” and its upcoming performances of “Singin’ in the Rain.” For those who purchased tickets to these shows, The Alhambra will offer a house credit toward a future show.
“As we approach the rest of our lineup, we will make our decision of when to re-open based, again, on the suggestions of our health and governmental leadership. In the meantime, we are also trying to protect the financial health of our staff, most of whom rely on hourly wages and tips as their income," Alhambra Managing Partner Craig Smith said. "We recognize that live theater plays a role in the community as a means to escape and relax, so if we can be open we want to provide that respite for our customers. In no way will we consider re-opening if it is recommended not to do so.”
The Alhambra will continue to post updates on social media and to its audience as things change.
First Wednesday Art Walk on April 1 has been canceled. You can visit iloveartwalk.com to see a list of all artists, vendors and businesses that you can support online while practicing social distancing. No decision has been made yet on the May Art Walk.
Generation W announced Wednesday that it is pushing back its annual women’s leadership event at the University of North Florida’s Lazzara Performance Hall from April 3 to Sept. 11 due to health concerns.
Speaking of UNF, the university’s athletic department is halting all home and away games, as well as practices and training sessions, until further notice.
The Jumbo Shrimp, whose season was delayed along with the rest of Minor League Baseball, have postponed their March 14 and March 17 job fairs indefinitely. The organization also postponed its Frozen 2 Family Movie Night, which was scheduled for March 21 at 121 Financial Ballpark. A make-up date was not released.
Like the Shrimp, the Jacksonville Icemen’s games will be suspended until play is safe to resume.
The Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens initially planned to maintain regular operating hours, but updated to say the museum would be closed to the public March 13 at 9 p.m. through April 3. All events and programs scheduled for March 14 or later are postponed until further notice. The Museum will continue to monitor the situation and follow the advice and guidance of government and health officials.
Just around the corner from the museum, the Riverside Arts Market said it will close March 14. It anticipates that it will remain closed for at least three weeks.
Following the mayor’s remarks, the Museum of Science and History said there were no plans to close the museum or adjust its hours. But the museum announced it was postponing or canceling several events from Friday through April 1, including:
- March 19 — Om in the Dome (Canceled)
- March 25 — MOSH Home School Days (Postponed)
- March 26 — MOSH After Dark: Mechanics of Music with The Balance King (Postponed)
- March 27 — Sensory Night - Super Science (Canceled)
- April 18 — VyStar Credit Union Military Appreciation Day (Pending)
Disney On Ice presents Mickey’s Search Party scheduled April 2-5 at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville has been canceled. All tickets purchased on Ticketmaster.com will automatically be refunded back to the purchaser’s original form of payment. If you have additional questions about your refund, please contact your point-of-purchase.
Dreams Come True of Jacksonville has postponed all activities until May 31.
The Goodwill Luncheon and Celebrity Fashion Show scheduled for March 25 at the Morocco Shrine Auditorium has been postponed.
Clay County
As with Jacksonville, Clay County’s leaders are asking people to avoid large social gatherings.
As a result, all non-essential county sponsored public gatherings will be suspended beginning on Monday, March 16. That means scheduled programs and events at county libraries will be on hold until April 1, and all educational outreach events led by the county’s extension office will also be suspended.
County commission and board meetings will carry on as usual, but residents are asked to watch from home using the county’s website or its Facebook page.
The Clay County Fair Association, with the support of Clay County Emergency Management and the Florida Department of Health, has decided to cancel this year’s fair, which was scheduled for April 2-11.
Ticket holders who paid with cash will be issued a refund upon request, which must be requested by April 12, 2020, or they can keep your gate ticket for the 2021 fair. For cash refunds, click here to fill out the request form on the fair website. For those who paid by credit card, the fair said it is working with its ticket company to issue refunds automatically within the next few days.
On Friday, organizers announced the Clay County Vietnam Veterans Day Ceremony scheduled for March 28 in Green Cove Springs has been canceled in light of the coronavirus outbreak.
Nassau County
The Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival said it’s canceling an upcoming Itzhak Perlman performance because of concerns surrounding coronavirus. Perlman was set to perform on March 19. The AICMF said it is working to schedule a make-up performance, but no arrangements have been announced. Refunds will be given to those who purchased tickets as soon as possible.
The Amelia Island Convention and Visitors Bureau has decided to cancel the 2020 Amelia Island Wellness Festival, which was scheduled for April 17-19. All tickets will be fully refunded through Eventbrite. Check AmeliaIslandWellnessFestival.com for ongoing updates or email wellness@ameliaisland.com with any questions.
Wildlight’s FLOCO Festival and 5K are being rescheduled for fall.
The NC-ARES Amateur Radio General License Course is postponed until April 6.
The Ocean Highway and Port Authority March meeting is canceled.
The city of Fernandina Beach has canceled all board and commission meetings and all parks and recreation-sponsored child care services, pool facilities and athletic league events.
The Fernandina Beach Farmer’s Market has been postponed.
The 2020 Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival has been canceled.
The docking of tall ships Nina and Pinta from April 24 to May 3 have been canceled.
The April 18 "Neighbors Helping Neighbors” cleanup, recycling and hazardous waste collection events are being rescheduled for a later date.
In Hilliard, all Town Council-related meetings are canceled through April 2nd, as are Parks and Recreation AfterSchool, Youth Sports and Silver Sneakers program.
Hilliard’s Town Clean-Up is rescheduled for Sept. 12.
St. Johns County
By now, everyone knows the Players Championship was canceled. But that’s not the only major change people need to know about.
In response to health concerns, St. Johns County is postponing all public events scheduled at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre and Ponte Vedra Concert Hall from March 14 through April 1, including:
- March 18 – Graham Nash at Ponte Vedra Concert Hall
- March 19 – Casting Crowns at St. Augustine Amphitheatre
- March 19 – The Expendables at Ponte Vedra Concert Hall
- March 20 – Justin Moore & Tracy Lawrence at St. Augustine Amphitheatre
- March 20 – Steve Hackett at Ponte Vedra Concert Hall
- March 21 – Saturday Farmers Market at St. Augustine Amphitheatre
- March 22 – S. Augustine Spring Record Fair and Blue October at St. Augustine Amphitheatre
- March 22 – Graham Nash at Ponte Vedra Concert Hall
- March 24 – Tuesday Night Market at St. Augustine Amphitheatre
- March 24 – The Music of Cream at Ponte Vedra Concert Hall
- March 25 – Against Me! at St. Augustine Amphitheatre
- March 25 – Bruce Hornsby at Ponte Vedra Concert Hall
- March 26 – Stephen Lynch at Ponte Vedra Concert Hall
- March 27 – Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit at St. Augustine Amphitheatre
- March 28 – Saturday Farmers Market and Buddy Guy and Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band at St. Augustine Amphitheatre
- March 28 – Pablo Cruise at Ponte Vedra Concert Hall
- April 1 – Jimmie Vaughan at Ponte Vedra Concert Hall
In addition, the city of St. Augustine is canceling the St. Augustine Celtic Music & Heritage Festival and Parade, Lions Seafood Festival and the Rotary Club’s Rhythm and Ribs Festival. The city’s also canceling free park & ride shuttle services through April 1.
Glynn County
Out of an abundance of caution, Glynn County’s recreation department has canceled the following events:
- March 20 — Movie at the Park (Howard Coffin Park)
- March 21 — Big Truck Round-Up (North Glynn)
- March 25 — Pitch, Hit & Run (North Glynn)
- March 28 — Opening Day celebration (Mallery)
All scheduled county meetings are expected to continue as normal, but residents who want to watch them from home can do so using the county’s YouTube channel.
Have a cancellation you don’t see here? Check the list of event changes submitted by our community or add to the list by using the form below: