Clemson and Kentucky fans will find a lot more than just the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl going on when they visit Jacksonville for the Dec. 29 game at EverBank Stadium, especially if they stick around for the rest of the year.

There are big concerts, a Jaguars game, pep rallies, comedy shows and fireworks shows to choose from, plus a circus, an opera and a drag show.

Through Jan. 1

Venardos Circus

4 and 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 2 and 5 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m., 2 and 5 p.m. Sunday and Monday at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre 

A huge red-and-white striped big-top tent will be the venue for 26 performances of the old-fashioned animal-free circus. Info: theamp.com

Thursday, Dec. 28

Gator Bowl Pep Rallies

5-7 p.m. at Seawalk Pavilion 

Fans of the Clemson Tigers and Kentucky Wildcats will gather at Deck the Chairs to get fired up for the big game. Clemson’s rally starts at 5:30 p.m., Kentucky’s at 6:15.

Maroon 5 concert

7 p.m. at Daily’s Place. $129. 

A late December show at Daily’s has never been tried before, but the venue is literally feet away from the field where the Gator Bowl will be played the next day, so why not? Good luck finding tickets, though — the show is sold out. Info: dailysplace.com

A Drag Queen Christmas

8 p.m. at the Florida Theatre., $40-$262.50.

It’s three days after the big day, but Miz Cracker and a team of queens don’t mind one bit. 18 and over only. Info: floridatheatre.com

Friday, Dec. 29

TaxSlayer Gator Bowl

Dec. 29 at EverBank Stadium 

The Clemson Tigers and Kentucky Wildcats square off in the annual bowl game. Kickoff is at noon, and ESPN will carry it live. Info: taxslayergatorbowl.com

Matt Matthews

8 p.m. at the Florida Theatre. $39.50-$99.50. 

It's remarkable that Matthews has time for comedy — he's also a boudoir photographer, candlemaker and lingerie boutique owner. Info: floridatheatre.com

Saturday, Dec. 30

Nardo Wick Birthday Bash

7:30 p.m. at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. $69-$250.

Jacksonville rapper Wick twice canceled shows at the Florida Theatre this year. Now we know why. He's celebrating his 22nd birthday with friend Lil Poppa, Gherbo, Rob49, Lakeyah and Luh Tyler. Info: vystarveteransarena.com

‘La Boheme’

Dec. 30-31 at Lewis Auditorium, St. Augustine 

Close out 2023 with the First Coast Opera performing fully staged production of Puccini’s masterpiece. Info: firstcoastopera.com

Fortune Feimster

7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 30, at the Florida Theatre. $29.50-$165.

You might recognize the curly-headed comic from her Netflix standup specials. She brings her Live, Laugh, Love Comedy Tour to town. Info: floridatheatre.com

Sunday, Dec. 31

Jaguars-Panthers

1 p.m. at EverBank Stadium 

The Gator Bowl isn't the only football game scheduled this week at EverBank Stadium. The Jaguars play their final regular-season home game, welcoming the Carolina Panthers.

New Year's Shrimp Drop

Dec. 31 in Fernandina Beach

Love to greet the new year but just can't stay up until midnight? Fernandina Beach has got you covered — they'll drop a huge lighted shrimp to mark midnight Greenwich Mean Time (that's 7 p.m. in these parts). Info: ameliaisland.com

Light Up the Night New Year’s Eve Beach Fireworks Show

8:30 p.m. at St. Johns County Pier, St. Augustine 

Free fireworks show, with plenty of time to get home before midnight. Best viewing spots are at the pier, A Street and 10^th Street. Shuttles run 5-10 p.m. from Anastasia Baptist Church. Info: visitstaugustine.com

LPT concert

9 p.m. at Underbelly, $40-$50

Close out the year with Jacksonville’s favorite salsa orchestra, then step out the door to watch the city’s midnight fireworks show. Info: underbellyjax.com

Joe Marcinek and guests

9 p.m. at Blue Jay Listening Room. $50.

It will be standing-room only at the Beaches venue when Marcinek welcomes guests including Melody Trucks, Reilly Comisar, Shaun Taunton and Andrew Fitzkee. Info: bluejayjax.com

New Year's Eve fireworks

Midnight over the St. Johns River, downtown Jacksonville

Jacksonville always does its fireworks shows in a big way. Fireworks will be launched from a barge anchored between the Hyatt and DoubleTree hotels and from the Acosta Bridge. Info: specialevents.coj.net

Monday, Jan. 1

Polar Plunge

9 a.m. at Jacksonville Beach Pier

You won’t find the Polar Plunge on any official calendars, but you shouldn't be surprised if a couple hundred people completely ignore the weather and plunge into the chilly waters of the Atlantic Ocean near the Jacksonville Beach Pier around 9 a.m. on New Year’s Day.

First Day hikes

State parks across the country offer guided hikes every Jan. 1 to kick off the new year. Ravine Gardens State Park in Palatka has one starting at 10 a.m. on Jan. 1. It's free with $5-per-vehicle park admission. If you’re up for a roadtrip, you’ll also find hikes at Paynes Prairie, MacArthur Beach, St. Joseph, Blue Spring, Tarkiln Bayou, Mizell-Johnson, Alafia River, De Leon Springs, Rocky Bayou, Gilchrist Blue Springs, Dade Battlefield, Lake Kissimmee, Oscar Scherer, Pennecamp, Fort Taylor and Warren Boyce state parks in Florida.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Taxslayer Gator Bowl: More things to do for Clemson, Kentucky fans