JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – After a successful night market series tour across Florida last year, the Gainesville-based Bazaar Florida Tour hits the road again this year.
This time, the tour, presented by Bazaar47, made stops in Orlando and South Florida, with Jacksonville, the Gulf Coast, and Gainesville coming up. At each stop, the Bazaar Florida Tour will highlight vendors, artists, musicians, and creatives from each respective tour stop’s local community.
Jacksonville stop, Bazaar Florida Tour 2026 graphic hand-painted by Amayah Novela and designed by Jahi Khalfan (Bazaar47)
The Jacksonville stop will take place Oct. 7 during the First Wednesday Downtown Jacksonville Art Walk. The activation will take over five city blocks in connection with Downtown Vision.
The event features artists and creatives from Jacksonville and Northeast Florida. There will also be live music performances, DJ booths, an art auction, dance classes, community murals, film screenings, a walkable art tunnel, and much more for the entire family.
With the expansion of five city blocks, this month’s First Wednesday Art Walk is the largest edition since 2019. The event will span from the James Weldon Johnson Park all the way to Riverfront Plaza.
Bazaar Florida Tour 2026 graphic hand-painted by Amayah Novela and designed by Jahi Khalfani (Bazaar47)
News4JAX producer Rory Thompson (RT) spoke with Bazaar47 owner and one of the tour’s organizers, Laila Fakhoury LF), ahead of this upcoming tour.
This interview has been edited and condensed for brevity.
Laila Fakhoury in front of The How Bazar in Gainesville, Fla. (Lalia Fakhoury)
RT: It’s a new era for the Bazaar, from ‘How’ to ’47′. You’re [the] sole owner now. What does that mean, for you personally, but also for this tour?
LH: Being the sole owner of [Bazaar47] means that more of what I was doing in the space is being represented now. I’ve mostly transitioned us into being primarily an event venue and a third place, which were the things that I was really focused on when it was How Bazar.
In terms of the tour, I feel like it doesn’t really change much at all because the event’s ethos and purpose, the nature behind it is the exact same. It’s just growing and growing more with this new identity of the space.
Jax Bazaar 2025 (TRodriquezPhotography)
RT: You came here last year, but why Jacksonville? Also, this year, you have moved the event from Springfield at the [Legacy Studios] to the Phoenix Art District to now Downtown for Art Walk. What went into those decisions for that?
LH: I am in love with Jacksonville. Jacksonville and the community that y’all have there is just so unique and special. The caliber of art is so incredible from every expression I’ve seen when it comes to muralists. I’ve met such incredible creators there when it comes to DJs. I’ve met such amazing musicians and artists there.
In terms of moving locations, Phoenix Arts District themselves is growing in a lot of ways. I was told that they had rented [Legacy Studios] that we utilized last year. But it was perfect for us, because we got reached out to by [PlacemakingJax] and the Downtown Jacksonville people who wanted us to bring the event there.
Although we’re not able to [hold the event at Legacy Studios] this year and replicate that same event, we get to explore a new part of Jacksonville with other creatives and other leaders.
© April Visuals, LLC (© April Visuals, LLC)
RT: What do you want people to take away from your event when it does come to their part of Florida, especially Jacksonville?
LH: [The] encouragement and this motivation to create third places wherever you can. Whether it’s in like your home or a, you know, apartment building, common space or a park or just a one-off event. I feel like it’s just really beautiful to have these events to meet a lot of people that then are able to connect with others.
Jax Bazaar 2025 (Christine Caven)
The tour kicked off in Orlando Aug. 8 at the Casselberry Arts Center. Here is the full remaining schedule for the Bazaar Florida Tour:
Oct. 7 – First Wednesday Art Walk, Jacksonville
Oct. 24 – Bazaar47, Gainesville (in conjunction with The Fest 24)
Nov. 21 – TBA, Tampa
Dec. 5 – Bazaar47, Gainesville
Bazaar Florida Tour stops 2026 graphic hand-painted by Amayah Novela and designed by Jahi Khalfani (Bazaar47)
All of the markets are free to attend, except the South Florida tour stop. For tickets or to RSVP to the markets, visit the Bazaar47 website.
If you or someone you know is interested in vending during the tour, visit this link.
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