Need a Valentine's Day gift? Try one of these Jacksonville events
Valentine’s Day falls, quite inconveniently for many, on a Wednesday this year. That doesn’t mean you can just ignore it, of course, but it does sort of extend the holiday to the whole week.
At least that’s what you can tell your Jacksonville sweetie when you present them with tickets to one of these upcoming events, which aren’t necessarily on Valentine’s Day and which aren't necessarily romantic.
Dining out on Valentine's Day? What are the best romantic restaurants in Jacksonville? Some favorites.
A dozen roses
These events are tailor-made for a romantic evening.
‘Love Letters’
Feb. 11-14 at Limelight Theatre, St. Augustine
A half-century's worth of correspondence tells the tale of a man and woman’s lives together and apart. Info: limelight-theatre.org
David Foster and Katharine McPhee
7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 13 at the Moran Theater. $61-$138.50
Knowing together that we did it all for the glory of love... It’s billed as an “intimate evening” with the big-time songwriter/producer (Chicago, Barbra Streisand, Whitney Houston) and his wife, the former American Idol turned Broadway star. Info: fscjartistseries.org
‘Casablanca’
Feb. 14 at Sun-Ray Cinema
Here’s looking at you, kid... The 1942 Bogart/Bergman classic just might be the perfect Valentine’s Day film. Info: sunraycinema.com
Expressions of Love
Feb. 14 at the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens
Debra Murphy, a professor of art and design at UNF, leads a tour of the Cummer’s permanent collection, highlighting the various forms of love depicted. Info: cummermuseum.org
Rachmaninoff’s Second Symphony
Feb. 16-17 at Jacoby Symphony Hall
You may or may not consider classical music to be romantic, but serious music buffs will tell you that Rachmaninoff’s Second Symphony is definitely Romantic (with a capital R). Anna Rakatina of the Boston Symphony Orchestra guest-conducts the Jacksonville Symphony. Info: jaxsymphony.org
A box of chocolates
These events might not be for everybody, but some would really, really love ‘em.
Clay Bridal Spectacular
Feb. 11 at the Thrasher-Horne Center, Orange Park
A bridal show with dozens of vendors on hand to help plan for the big day will definitely appeal to some people. Info: thcenter.org
Gladys Knight
8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 13, at the Florida Theatre. $49.50-$114.50
You’re the best thing that ever happened to me... The seven-time Grammy winner/Rock and Roll Hall of Famer/Kennedy Center honoree turns 80 this year, but you’d never know it. Info: floridatheatre.com
‘Breaking Up is Hard to Do’
Feb. 14-March 2 at the Spotlight Events Center, Fleming Island
I love, I love, I love my calendar girl... Neil Sedaka songs are used to tell the musical story of two girls at a Catskills resort in the early ‘60s. Info: spotlighteventscenter.com
Willie Nelson & Family
7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 14, and Thursday, Feb. 15, at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre. $54-$154
You were always on my mind... Over the course of 75+ albums, Willie surely has a romantic number or two in his songbook. Info: theamp.com
Black Opry Revue
Feb. 15 at WJCT Soundstage, $50
Layna, Lori Rayne, Mia Borders and other musicians from Nashville’s Black Opry bring a little country to Jacksonville. Info: wjct.org
Untold Stories
Feb. 15 at the Florida Theatre
The local storytellers series continues, with Karen Feagins, Jasmine Andreana Hurst, Daniel Austin, Joe Gaskin and Liz McCoy telling tales on the theme of “winter.” Info: floridatheatre.com
Comedians in Drag Doing Comedy
Feb. 15 at the Blue Jay Listening Room, Jacksonville Beach
Standup comics who don’t ordinarily perform in drag dig into their girlfriends’ wardrobes for a night of comedy. Info: bluejayjax.com
Travelin' McCourys
8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16, at Intuition Ale Works. $25
If fate should break my stride then I’ll give you my Vincent to ride... Del McCoury is a stone-cold bluegrass legend, but he’s in his 80s and doesn’t tour as often as he used to. His band, which includes two of his sons, keep it going during his touring breaks. Info: intuitionaleworks.com
Love Bites
Feb. 16-17 at 13th Floor Jacksonville. $24.99-$89.99
The folks behind the 13th Floor haunted house Halloween attraction crank up a Valentine’s Day-themed maze filled with ‘80s vampires, the scariest variety. Info: 13thfloorjacksonville.com
Fort Mose Jazz & Blues Series
Feb. 16-17 at Fort Mose Historic State Park, St. Augustine
It’s the final weekend for the music series that brings big stars to the little park, site of the first free Black settlement in what is now the United States. Christone "Kingfish" Ingram plays at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16, with Taj Farrant opening the show. ($42-$99). Keb' Mo' wraps things up at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17, with opening act Nicole Henry ($42-$99). Info: discoverfortmose.com
Cupid’s Undie Run
Feb. 17 at Lynch’s Irish Pub, Jacksonville Beach
Neurofibromatosis is no laughing matter. The genetic disorder, found in about 1 of every 3,000 births, causes tumors to grow on nerves. So, naturally, people run in their skivvies to raise money to combat it. You can donate to the local goal of $40,000, or get sponsors, don your jockeys and hit the road for a one-mile run. Info: my.cupids.org
Cody Johnson
7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17, at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. $45-$55
If you’re gonna love somebody, hold ‘em as long and as strong and as close as you can... CoJo comes by his country stardom honestly. He’s a Texas native and a former rodeo cowboy who formed his first band with his dad. Casual fans might recognize his song “Dear Rodeo” from the hit TV show “Yellowstone.” Info: vystarveteransarena.com
Rod Stewart
8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17, at Daily's Place. $63.25-$178.75
You’re in my heart, you’re in my soul... Sir Rod Stewart, who was knighted in 2016, returns to Daily’s Place, where he played in 2022, for the venue’s first concert of the year. Info: dailysplace.com
A nice card
These events are not particularly romantic at all, but they are happening around Valentine’s Day, so it’s still a nice gesture.
Battle of Olustee Reenactment
Feb. 16-18 at Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park
In 1864, more than 10,000 Union and Confederate troops fought in Florida's largest Civil War battle at a site that is now a state park about 60 miles west of Jacksonville. Reenactors will replay the battle (spoiler alert: the rebels win) on Sunday afternoon. Authentic camps and a sutler's village where visitors can watch craftsmen ply their trade are open all weekend. Info: battleofolustee.org
Jacksonville International Auto Show
Feb. 16-18 at Prime Osborn Convention Center
More than 30 car companies will be on hand, making it easier for you to select your next ride (or one heck of a Valentine's Day gift). Info: primefosborn.com
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Valentine's Day: Romantic things to do in Jacksonville, Florida
