Anyone looking for something to do this weekend will have plenty of choices, with night markets, live music, festivals, theater, art and family activities scheduled from Palatka to St. Augustine, Jacksonville and Gainesville.
The weekend gets started close to home Friday evening when Summer Night Lights returns to the Palatka riverfront from 5-9 p.m. at Boathouse Riverfront Park, 319 River St.
The seasonal night market is designed to bring people downtown after the heat of the day begins to fade, combining live music with food, drinks, local vendors, boutiques, handmade goods, businesses and community organizations along the St. Johns River.
For more information, visit visitpalatka.com.
For those willing to make a short drive, the calendar gets even busier.
St. Augustine has events stretching across all three days. The Jacksonville Tattoo Convention, despite its name, takes place Friday through Sunday at the Renaissance St. Augustine Resort at World Golf Village. Artists and tattoo enthusiasts from around the country are expected for the gathering.
Hours are 1-11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $20 for one day, $35 for two days or $40 for the weekend. Children 15 and younger are admitted free with a paying adult.
For more information, visit visitstaugustine.com.
Saturday morning offers a more traditional outing with the St. Augustine Amphitheatre Farmers Market from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the amphitheatre, 1340 A1A South. The weekly market includes produce, handmade arts and crafts, prepared foods and live entertainment. Admission is free.
For more information, visit theamp.com or visitstaugustine.com.
Theatergoers also have choices in the nation’s oldest city. “The Great American Trailer Park Musical” is being presented this weekend at The Waterworks, 184 San Marco Ave., with performances at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. The musical comedy centers on an unconventional love triangle in a Florida trailer park.
For more information, visit visitstaugustine.com.
Music fans can find two major shows at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre. Blues legend Buddy Guy brings his Buddy Guy 90 tour to the venue at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, with Taj Farrant as special guest. Ticket are still available and range from $59.60-$161.65.
On Sunday, Slightly Stoopid brings its Road Trippin Summer Tour to the amphitheatre with The Elovaters and Denm. The show begins at 6:30 p.m., with gates opening at 5 p.m.
For tickets and more information on both concerts, visit theamp.com.
The activity continues north in Jacksonville, beginning Friday with the Green Room Market from 5-9 p.m. at Green Room Brewing, 228 Third St. N. in Jacksonville Beach. The monthly market showcases local artists, makers and small businesses.
For more information, visit visitjacksonville.com.
Saturday offers one of Jacksonville’s largest regular community markets. The Riverside Arts Market will be open from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. under the Fuller Warren Bridge at 715 Riverside Ave. The riverfront gathering features artists, makers, farmers, bakers, prepared food and live music, with nearly 150 vendors regularly participating.
Admission is free.
For more information, visit riversideartsmarket.org.
At Jacksonville Beach, the Veteran Legacy Community Festival will take over Latham Plaza and the Seawalk Pavilion from 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday. The public event will include live entertainment, military vehicles and displays, K-9 and other demonstrations, food trucks, community organizations and a family zone with bounce houses, face painting, games and children’s activities.
For more information, visit freemandouglas.com.
Shoppers can also stop at the Beaches Green Market from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday at Penman Park in Jacksonville Beach. Vendors offer local produce, baked goods, meats, eggs, flowers, honey and other locally produced items.
For more information, visit jacksonvillebeach.org.
For those looking to stretch the weekend westward, Gainesville has a full slate as well.
The city’s Free Fridays Concert Series continues from 7-9 p.m. Friday at Bo Diddley Plaza, 111 E. University Ave. This week’s featured music is Maca Reggae Samba. The outdoor concert series is free and continues on Friday evenings through September.
For more information, visit gainesvillefl.gov.
On Saturday, Caribbean food, music and vendors will take center stage during the Caribbean Street Fest from 4-8 p.m. at The Oaks Mall, 6419 Newberry Road. Organizers describe the family-friendly event as a combination of Caribbean flavors, shopping, music and community activities.
For more information, visit saturdayshoppes.com.
Downtown Gainesville will also celebrate a local institution Saturday as The Top marks its 26th anniversary. Activities begin at 4 p.m. at 30 N. Main St. and include giveaways, entertainment and drink specials. A free dance party for those 21 and older follows at The Wooly beginning at 8 p.m.
For more information, visit gainesvilleevents.com.